I Choose You

Glad You Came

UNEDITED!

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"The sun goes down

The stars come out

And all that counts

Is here and now

My universe will never be the same

I'm glad you came..."

- The Wanted "Glad You Came"

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"See you tonight," I told Turtle as I let him escape out my window to prowl the neighborhood. After closing and locking the window, I went over to my desk and put his food and water bowl back in the drawer assigned for his things. I grabbed the water bottle that was now empty and left my room.

Upon entering the hall bathroom that Ryland and I shared, I looked at myself in the mirror. A smile found my face because I was so relieved that the bags under my blue eyes from yesterday were gone. It had seemed that a good night's sleep had set me back to normal.

Knowing Ryland would be knocking any minute, so that he can get into the restroom, I filled Turtle's water bottle and brushed my long brown hair. I realized after a few strokes of my brush that my hair was getting more tangles than usual. It was now reaching the middle of my back. 

I considered it was time for a haircut but I knew that wouldn't be possible until I got paid again next week. I pushed the thought to the back of my mind.

When I applied toothpaste on my toothbrush, a knock sounded.

"I gotta go, Grace! Real bad!" Ryland's urgent voice sounded from the other side of the door. I could hear the floorboards creak as I assumed Ryland was doing his pee-dance.

I opened the door and saw him barely holding it in. "Go right ahead," I told him as I walked out of the bathroom.

He quickly went inside and slammed the door close.

As I brushed my teeth, I went into my closet, gathered a clean uniform, and got dressed as fast as I could.

I raced downstairs to the kitchen where I finished brushing my teeth in the sink.

"Good morning, Sunshine," Dad said as he walked in the kitchen.

Rolling my eyes I looked over at him, "Good morning." I glanced over at the coffee maker, "You haven't made coffee yet?"

Dad shook his head and then walked over to the coffee maker. "Was just about to make some. You up for a cup?"

"Sure. . ."

"You hate coffee," Dad mentioned.

I started to feel guilty, "You offered and I . . . couldn't. . ."

"Grace, you know that you can say 'no'. It's easy. Try it with me," He urged with a playful smile. "Nnnnoooo."

I just ended up rolling my eyes again at him. "I've to get ready for school, Dad. . . as for the coffee, I'll make some hot chocolate before I leave."

Chuckling, Dad began to make his coffee. "Hot chocolate. I swear you have been addicted to that since—"

I cut off my dad, "before you can remember. I know." Giving Dad a kiss on the cheek I dashed out of the kitchen, "I'm gonna finish getting ready!" I yelled out to him as I ran up the stairs to finish getting ready for school.

***

When I was at my locker, Maggy walked up to me — dressed in the same overalls she was sporting yesterday. However, I noted that today she wore a plum-colored shirt underneath that really complimented her green eyes.