Love Games

Mailan

"Austin what the hell was that?!" My mom yelled. Hold on, don't answer that just yet. What I really wanted to know is, why you haven't told Elijah the truth, Mailan." Just like that, the focus was off of my cousin and back on to me.

"I don't know." I said as I sighed. " I guess I didn't tell him because I thought he wouldn't have interest in me anymore, or that he'd change his mind about me and everything we had." I said as I instantly felt ashamed.

"Mailan, you need to tell him everything. Would you like it if you were to get in a relationship with someone and they lied to you? Would you like it if all this time you were with someone and they didn't give you a fair chance at deciding if you really wanted to be with them or not?

"No." I said as I looked down.

"Exactly. You gave this man a fake image of you, you need to let someone love you for you. Because that's when it's real. It may be hard, but you need to make this right. I'm not saying it'll be easy and I can't say that everything will be sunshine and rainbows after you let him in on your secret. But, he's a good guy. After all of this, you need to at least let him know the truth." She said with every ounce of seriousness in her.

"I will." I said as I still looked down at my feet. My mom was right, I should've told him. I feel ashamed because I knew what I did was wrong, I knew I should've been upfront and honest with him, because he is a good person. And I wouldn't like it if roads were reversed. I need to make this right with him and I may leave earlier than expected just to get to him.

"And you, Austin, didn't I tell you to not say anything? What the hell was that?" My mom practically yelled.

"I'm so sorry. It honestly slipped out. I'm used to calling him he. Not she." Austin said as he looked at me knowing I was obviously upset.

"Mai, I apologize for blurting out your secret. But, your mom is right, you need to be honest with the guy." Austin said as he walked away.

At this point, every ounce of guilt I had, is settling in. My mom was right, I wouldn't like it if I wasn't given a fair chance to truly like someone for who they really are. And my cousin is also right, I need to be honest with Eli. About everything.

"Guys, would you be mad at me if I were to miss the family reunion this year?" I said as I was on the verge of a breakdown.

My mom stopped mid-walk and turned around to make her way towards where I was standing, when we were face to face, she began to speak.

"Look, I prefer for you to be here with the rest of us. But, your dad and I also raised you to correct your mistakes when you make them. So, your father and I encourage you to go back and fix this. There's always next year.

"Thanks mom." I said as I looked at her holding back tears.

"You're welcome, I'll let your father and the rest of the family know that you won't be here. This year." She said as she walked away.

After that conversation, I knew what I had to do and what I needed to say. I put my bags in the back of the car and went to say my goodbyes.

After I was done saying goodbye to everyone, I began to drive off when my mother called and began to speak. Since I was driving, I had to put her on speaker.

"Mailan, I wanted to tell you something before you go back." She said.

"I'm listening to you mom." I said as I continued to drive.

"Listen, I know I mentioned this before, but I just want you to be careful. Don't go back there thinking that everything will be ok after you let him in on your secret, I'm not saying that everything will fail altogether. But, if it does, I need you to realize that you were wrong and that things may not end the way you wanted. And you know I'll always be here to lift you up." She said as she waited for a response.

"Thanks mom, I love you. And thank you for all that you've done for me." I said trying not to break down.

"You're welcome sweetheart. Let me know when you made it. I'll be waiting on your call."

"Okay mom." I said as the phone hung up.

After the phone call ended, I arrived at the airport.

My mom was right, I was wrong and I couldn't be mad if this ended in a bad way.