Breaking free - Gracie Abrams

024 Closer Than Before

Closer Than Before
024

"you said that? just like that threw it on her face?"

"yup, and she just told me to shut up. that should mean something, right?" gabriela leaned against the edge of her bed, phone pressed to her ear.

"probably, maybe you pushed one of her buttons. i leave you for four days, and you almost kiss the girl. wow. maybe i'm your bad luck."

gabriela laughed. "probably. i didn't do it 'cause of luck, though. i did it 'cause i'm tired of thinking. it's eating me alive, and i'm so tired of overthinking everything. i just did what i felt."

on the other end of the line, glenn hummed. "you sure that's all it was? you didn't want to kiss her just to make yourself feel better or prove something?"

gabriela sighed, closing her eyes. "no. it wasn't about proving anything. i just... i've been holding it in for so long,  pretending i don't care. it's exhausting." she paused, biting her lip. "but then i spent two complete days with her, and it was like everything i've been pushing down just came rushing back. i couldn't stop myself."

"then why didn't you kiss her? because of harry?"

"no," gabriela admitted. "i didn't even think of him, to be honest. the first time we almost kissed, she pulled away because of that, but last night? she didn't."

"it's weird, though," glenn said after a pause. "what's her point then? like, what's she trying to do? i don't understand women."

gabriela smirked. "i don't know why i'm not offended by that."

"because you know i'm right," glenn quipped.

"i wish i knew what she was thinking. one second it feels like she wants me too, and then the next... i don't know, it's like she pulls back into herself, like she's scared of what this could mean."

"maybe she is," glenn replied. "but that doesn't mean you have to wait around forever, gaby. at some point, you've gotta decide what's worth fighting for and what's not."

gabriela didn't respond right away, her mind replaying the moments from lasts night, the way gracie's hand had lingered in hers, the way she leaned in, only to stop just shy of crossing the line.

glenn let out a low whistle. "why did you pull away?"

gabriela sighted, running a hand through her hair. "i panicked. like, suddenly all the lights, the people... and i don't know. it felt too overwhelming. like if i did it, everything would change, and that terrified me. so i just... froze."

"shit," glenn said, "it's so confusing, though. i wish i was there to see you fumble that—sounds like premium entertainment."

gabriela huffed a laugh. "thanks for the support."

"hey, i'm rooting for you. you know that," he replied. "but you've gotta get out of your own head. if you want her, really want her, then stop running away when it gets too real. and if you're not sure... stop dragging it out. for both of your sakes."

"yeah, say that to her then"

"maybe later," glenn joked, then sighed. "but listen, i gotta go. back to filming—this scene's not gonna reshoot itself. call me if you need to overanalyze more, okay?"

gabriela smiled faintly. "thanks, glenn."

"anytime. don't screw it up too bad, yeah?"

"no promises," she said.

"classic gaby," he muttered before hanging up.

gabriela set the phone down and let out a slow breath, slipping on her sandals before glancing at herself in the mirror. she tugged at the hem of her shirt, trying to smooth out the wrinkles, then shook her head. she wasn't entirely sure what she planned to say, but she was going to find gracie and talk—about anything, everything.