Degrees of Desire (gxg, txs)

chapter forty eight

-Diana

I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing. It was way too early to be receiving a call from anyone which made me have an instant bad feeling from the start.

It's Thursday, 1:35 in the morning. Just a week ago when we found out Isabella got into the university she had been wanting to go to, we made a trip to see my parents and sister.

It had been the most incredible weekend ever. We were in an amazing mood and everyone was extremely happy for Isabella. My parents began explaining how they would love to support her through her journey in school but became even more excited when she mentioned she had a full ride.

To my surprise, I found out Kate had applied there herself and got in as well. Isabella and Kate were both extremely excited when Kate mentioned she was really looking to commit to that school.

We had dinner with them Saturday night and came back Sunday. We had just this last week left before spring break. Everything was going great. We even had plans for Easter.

Until right now.

There was a lot of crying on the other end. I could hear the muffed sobs of my sister in the background.

"She's gone." My father spoke into the phone with a tone of disbelief, emptiness almost.

"W-what? I just- I just woke up. What do you mean?" I sat up in bed, tears forming in my eyes.

Isabella stirred awake next to me and reached over to turn on the lamp on the bedside table.

"She's gone, sweetheart. She passed sway in her sleep." My dad's voice began to crack slightly.

"No. Are you sure? Check again." Tears were now falling down my cheeks. I couldn't breathe. My chest felt tight.

I knew this day would come. I just didn't anticipate it would be so soon. My mother was full of life the last time I saw her. She looked more energetic than ever.

"Love, she passed in her sleep. It was peaceful. She didn't suffer. Please just come here. Kate needs you." He said into the phone softly while Kate was screaming in the background.

"I'll be on my way." I felt my eyes become blurry with tears.

I hung the phone up and got up immediately. I couldn't see anything but I attempted to grab what I needed and put it into a bag.

"Is everything okay? What's going on?" Isabella appears in the doorway of the closet. She rubbed her eyes with one hand and yawned.

"Uh." I said wiping some tears out of my eyes. "My mum just passed away. We should probably get going." I said softly and continued packing our bag.

"Wait. Hold on. What do you mean she just passed away?" I could hear Isabella's voice slightly become more concerned.

"I guess she went in her sleep. Peacefully I guess." I shrugged. I got up and grabbed the bag pushing past her.

I needed to put my shoes on.

I needed to feed the cats.

I needed to call Sonia.

My head was filled with all of these tasks I needed to complete.

"Baby, hold on a second." Isabella sits me down on the edge of the bed. She lifts my head with her hands so that I'm looking up into her eyes. "Are you okay?" She says softly. Her eyes have a bit of tears in them but she's remaining calm.

"I'm okay." I said simply.

"I need you to be honest with me. It's okay to not be okay." Her eyes stared into mine intensely, with so much worry.