Gracie groaned, throwing herself back in her chair as Abby looked on in shock.
"The fuck's gotten into you?" Her cousin asked, a hint of amusement in her tone.
"Not the time."
"No, seriously," She laughed. "What the hell?"
The backstage area was cramped, the room covered in instruments and outfits she'd discarded in a panic. "It's just..." Gracie trailed off, looking at herself in the mirror.
"It's just?" The other girl tried to lead.
"My ex is coming tonight. You know? I need to look good." She winced.
Abby gawked at her. "What?!" She exclaimed, standing up from her seat abruptly. "Who? Is it Hayes? Because you know I'm still mad at him for the tour incident-"
"It's not Hayes."
"If it's not Hayes I have no idea who it could be. He was like the only guy you dated since like... ages ago."
Gracie frowned at her reflection. She turned her head slightly to look over her shoulder at her, shaking her head before she spoke. "It doesn't matter. You'll see eventually anyways."
"Gracie...." Abby whined. "Please."
She almost laughed at her pout. Almost. "Can you sit back down? I- Fuck. I think I need to tell you something important."
Abby's eyes widened as she slowly lowered herself back down, her curiosity tainted with concern. "Of course."
"It's not just that my ex is coming," Gracie took a deep breath, her fingers falling to fidget with the hem of her dress. "It's mainly who my ex is. That's what's making me nervous."
Her cousin nodded.
"They aren't..." She turned to face her. "She isn't a guy."
The silence that fell between them made her want to run. It made her want to cry and apologise, tell her that it was a mistake that she'd never go back to. Anything to bring the conversation back.
Abby beat her to it. "Oh..." She opened her mouth and closed it a few times. "Oh, Gracie. That's okay."
"What?"
"I know you," She furrowed her brow. "I can tell you're scared. I just want you to know that I support you and I'm sorry for making you think I wouldn't."
Gracie let out a relieved sigh. "Thank fuck. I'm so fucking scared."
"Why?"
"I just..." She groaned. "I told myself I'd do the whole coming out to everyone thing if not for her, for me. Now it's time to do it..."
Abby hummed. "I get it, Gracie. It seems fucking terrifying," She said, leaning forward so her elbows rested on her thighs. "But you don't have to do it all at once. I'm really proud of you for saying something today."
She nodded, turning back to face the mirror.
"Who is this chick anyways?"
Gracie couldn't help the faint smile that made its way onto her lips. "Her names Elle, we met like three or four years ago. Before last week I hadn't seen her for two years."
"Woah." Abby gasped.
"I know, I've been hiding her for a while. I'm done doing that." She breathed. "The only problem is she has a girlfriend."
"Oh, yikes."
"Yeah, it's really fucking complicated. I don't know. Nothing will probably come from us reuniting anyways, it just sucks that the option isn't even really there."
