Hard Times

15

Stacie was helping Hayley apply for college when some letters were posted through the mailbox. She got up to get the mail while Hayley stayed in the kitchen. Grabbing the letters, she shifted through them and realised she had the one she'd been waiting on, her college letter.

Biting her lip, she quickly opened it and read through it. She'd been accepted. She smiled as she returned to the kitchen.

Hayley looked up at Stacie and raised her eyebrow at her. "What?"

"I got into college." Stacie said, sliding back into the chair beside Hayley.

"Wow, um, congratulations." Hayley said with a small smile.

Stacie smiled softly. "Let's get your applications done." She said softly.

"I don't think it's worth it. They'll turn me down without even reading the application." Hayley murmured, looking down at the pen in her hands.

"No they won't." Stacie said softly, reaching over to squeeze her hand.

Hayley lifted her head to look at Stacie. "I don't think college will be good for me. It's a place where people let loose and try new things like drugs and alcohol." She murmured.

"I'll be with you every step of the way." Stacie said softly, offering Hayley a reassuring smile.

"What if I don't get into the same college as you?" Hayley murmured, dropping her head. She really had no confidence in herself.

"You will, because you're amazing and you are smart." Stacie responded softly, jumping slightly as the front door opened.

"I'm not smart." Hayley said dismissively. Reaching for her glass of water with her free hand. She took a long sip.

"Hales, you are smart." Stacie said softly, leaning back as arms wrapped around her waist. "Brooke, tell her she's smart."

Brooke kissed Stacie's forehead. She looked up at Hayley. "I'm not sure she'd believe me." She murmured.

Humming softly, Stacie relaxed back against Brooke. "You're home early." She murmured softly.

"Karen let me go early today, a slow day." Brooke responded with a smile.

Turning her head, Stacie captured Brooke's lips in a gentle kiss.

Brooke smiled into the kiss.

Breaking the kiss, Stacie smiled warmly. "I can't believe you got a summer job." She whispered teasingly.

"I wanted to." Brooke said. "I have to learn to live off my own money, not my parents, especially when we go to college."

Turning around, Stacie cupped Brooke's cheek and offered her a soft smile. "I love you."

"I love you too." Brooke whispered softly.

Stacie turned to look at Hayley. "Let's finish getting your applications done." She said softly.

Hayley lifted her head and looked at Stacie. She nodded half heartedly.

Once they had the applications done, Stacie stood up and stretched, her tanktop raising to just under her breasts.

"Anyone hungry?" Brooke offered with a soft smile.

Stacie shook her head. "I had a sandwich." She lied, she had made it but then thrown it away.

Brooke hummed and made her way over to the fridge to find something to eat.

"I'm going to go take a shower." Stacie said after a moment before disappearing. It was her third shower since she'd woken up.