Even Heroes Have Scars

[39] Cause of Happiness

A/N
Sorry this is a super short chapter.

Ansley's P.O.V.

"I actually have a show next weekend in Irving, just a city away, and it's at a bar with our band if you would like to go," I suggested.

He smiled, squinting as he always did, and nodded. "I'd love to," he replied. "Is...um...is Demi going to be there?"

My smile quickly faded and I glanced down at the floor, ashamed. "Uh...yeah. I'm sorry..."

He shook his head. "No. No, it's cool. She's pretty cool so, I mean, maybe she and I can become friends. She's your friend and I'm not going to get in the way of that. She's a really good friend, even if she did make a mistake or two along the way. Send me the information and I'll be there."

"Thank you," I hugged him again, my arms around his torso, as he was a few inches taller than me, and his arms snaked around my neck.

"My pleasure. Can't wait," he pulled away. "I should probably get going. I need to get Addison to my mom's house because she hasn't seen Mimi and Papa in almost two weeks. You ready, baby girl?"

He held his hand out for Addison and she took it for a moment, then let go to wrap her arms around my legs in a tight little Addison hug. I bent down and picked her up, kissing her cheek.

"I'll see you around, okay?" I brushed her bangs out of her eyes.

She nodded.

"Take care of your daddy for me please," I set her down on the floor and she nodded again before getting swooped up by Hayden.

"Take care of yourself, as well," he gave me a quick side hug and unless I was dreaming, he kissed my cheek momentarily.

Before I could register anything, he was gone.

"Well, shit," Cody chuckled. "You sure ain't lesbian anymore."

"W-what?" I turned to him.

"You're bisexual, to say the least, but I have a question for you. Who makes you happier?" he leaned against the counter.

"Who?"

"Demi or Hayden?"

"What kind of question is that?" I sat on a stool and sipped from the cup of coffee Cody made for me.

"You know it's true. Ever since the week that school started back for your brother, you've been super smiley. But who made you smile? You met Hayden and Demi, like, on the same day. You've been smiling since that day. Who causes it?"

I sighed. "Honestly, Cody, I have no idea who causes it. It just happens."

"To be fair, Demi was gone for two weeks and you still smiled, but then again, the smiles were weaker. I just think that maybe if you surround yourself with the person who makes you happiest, you won't be sad as much anymore."

"Are you serious?" I scoffed. "It doesn't work that way. A person can't make you forget about your mental illnesses. No matter how happy Demi or Hayden make me, I will never be able to completely stop being depressed. I appreciate your idea, but it doesn't matter who makes me happier because I will still always be depressed."

He sighed, shaking his head as he spun around to stack cups. "I'm just saying it's better to be with someone who makes you happy than someone who doesn't."

"I guess," I shrugged.

"So, Chelsea wants us all to get together tonight and tomorrow to rehearse for the show next week. You free tonight and tomorrow?" he continued to stack cups.