lavender. (mace)

seven

Mamrie lays in bed that night, begging her mind to fall asleep. But for the love of God, she couldn't get Grace out of her head.

"Hey, you busy?" She called her.

"Mm?" A weak whimper of a response came through. She was obviously very tired and spent.

"I said, are you busy?" Mamrie began to feel incredibly guilty for calling so late.

"Uh...No?" Grace slowly and sleepily sat up. "Why, do you want me to come over or something?"

"Well, uh," Mamrie glances at her clock. It's 3:42 a.m.

"Are you going to bed or not?!" She could hear her mother's words spit at her like she was repulsed. She recoiled, remembering the years she was forced to endure with her mother before moving out.

When she came out to her mom, the woman began to bawl her eyes out; mumbling on and on about Mamrie needed to marry a man. Saying how she needs to have children and care for her husband, all behind broken sobs.

Mamrie, though quite frustrated, tried to comfort her mother. She told her that she'd still be her daughter, that it wouldn't change anything if she didn't marry a guy. She got smacked in the face--then it was followed by a hug, and pleads to just ignore these 'terrible homosexual feelings' before it was too late.

She somehow managed to grin and bare her mom until she moved out.

"Mamrie?" Grace asks, interrupting her terrifying thoughts.

"Oh, I'm.. It's, sorry." She stutters. "Can, uh, can you come over?"

"...Why?" Her voice drew out.

"Because,"

"Because why?"

"Because."

"Mamrie, is there something important you want to talk about?"

"Uh, yeah."

"Are you sure?"

"Yep. Definitely."

"Okay, fine, I'm on my way."

She hung up then shot right up in her bed.

Dammit, she's coming over.

* * *

When Mamrie opened the door, she saw Grace standing there, hair messily tied up in an oversized tee and basketball shorts. She had a pillow folded and tucked under her arm.

"Ok, what's up?" She asks immediately.

"Why'd you bring a pillow?"

"Just in case." She shrugs. She walked in and Mamrie immediately led them into the bedroom, and the two of them sat on the bed.

"I'm sorry I called you so late." Mamrie leans against the headboard. She watches as a sleepy Grace lays on her stomach, intertwining her fingers with her own, leaving a soft kiss there.

"It's okay," she assures. "Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing wrong, persay." She shrugs. "Just.. Wanted to talk. I guess."

"Abouuuut?" She looks up and there are twinkles in her eyes. Little constellations buzzing despite her sleepy state of mind. There's a small grin planted on her face that makes Mamrie's heart flutter.

She's so quiet and warm and soft, golden hair tied up in an elastic band, stray locks dangling from the sides.

"Us." Mamrie replies. "I think I'm falling in love with you."

Grace sits up and the buzzing stars quickly change into shooting ones, dancing within her irises.

"Really?" She adorably asks.

"Well, I'm not sure yet," She averts her gaze. "But when you drove off after we got the tattoo, and after everything you said...I don't know. There was something." She looks up at Grace. "Wasn't there?"

"Mamrie." She sternly says. "That something's everywhere when I'm with you."

* * *

It's later in the night and they're seated in Mamrie's kitchen. The lights are off with the exception of a few candles. They're eating whatever they can find in her pantry, post love-filled make-out session.

"My God, I'm gonna gain five pounds tonight." Mamrie giggles and it warms Grace's heart. "I didn't even know I've had marshmallow cream."

"Yeah, well, not anymore." The blonde stuffs that last spoonful of Fluff and tossers the jar in the trash bin. She turns to Mamrie. "Anything on my face?"

She laughs as a smudge of marshmallow rests upon the taller girl's nose. She gently cups her face and smiles as she kisses her nose, standing on her toes, then goes back to her feet.

"Not anymore." She smiles.

They slept on the couch, legs and arms all tangled up together. When they awoke, Mamrie found Grace tugging her jacket over her shoulders.

"You leaving?" She groggily mumbles.

"Damn, you woke up." She sighs, then leans over to the redhead. "I gotta go plan our date, sweetie." She places a small kiss on her head then leaves.

* * *

"Hello?" Mamrie answers her phone. Grace has texted her to be ready to get picked up in a few minutes. And just before she heads out the door, her phone rings. "who's this?"

"Mamrie,"

A chill goes down her spine. The voice is so sickly familiar.

"Toni," she says. The girl's name makes her nearly recoil. She'd gotten over her, hadn't she? Shouldn't she not be affected by the sound of her voice? By the thought of her name?

"Mamrie, listen to me." Toni says. She's been crying, her voice is clogged and broken and messy. "I know you probably hate me, I know that you can't stand me. But I made the biggest mistake leaving you. You're the best woman I've ever met and I don't even know why, for a second, I would be better off without you."

"Ton--"

"Please, Mamrie, take me back."