Book 1: Beyond Me and You

Stress Eating

It's the night before the wedding and I find myself sitting in the kitchen with Kayla in silence, finishing some last minute decorations. I can tell she's nervous by the way she constantly keeps moving. This whole week she's been trying to keep herself busy so that she won't think too much about the wedding. She has gone over every single list at least 10 times to make sure we're not "missing" something. There were times we weren't missing anything, so she would add extra stuff to keep her busy.

"Kayla please calm down" I say as I finish tying a bow on one of the thank-you gifts. "Everything is going to be fine I promise"

She starts organizing the thank-you gifts in a box. "I just want it to be perfect..." she says leaving us in silence once again. She rearranged the gifts in the box a few times before she finds a pattern she likes. She takes a deep breath before she speaks again. "I really love your dad and I know it's only been a few months but I've never been more sure of anything in my life"

Hearing Kayla talk about my dad and her wedding like that made me happy. I think it's wondering full seeing two people in love finally being able to show everyone else. It's their special day and I have made it my responsibility to make sure nothing goes wrong. Even if dad and I aren't in a good place right now, I still want the best for him.

"I really think you should talk to him?" Kayla says as she stares at me. I raise my eyebrows to act as if I don't know who she's talking about...except I do.

Dad and I haven't really talked since last weekend when he yelled at me. I was and kind of am still mad at him but I made sure to follow the rules of his grounding. This isn't the first time Kayla tries to convince me to talk to dad, but it won't work. I thought we gave each other chances to explain. I'm almost 18 and he still talks to me as if I'm 10.

"Kayla, I don't mean to offend you in any way, but this is between my dad and I" I say as I place the last thank-you gift in the box. She lowers her eyes in embarrassment. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to come off as-"

"No it's fine. I understand where you're coming from. I did try to reason with your dad but he seemed set on grounding you"

I stare at her in disbelief. I did remember hearing her and dad arguing in the past few days but I thought it was about some disagreements on the wedding. I couldn't believe that Kayla stood up for me. I would've never of guessed that Kayla would be willing to argue with dad just to help me out.

"I'm so sorry I didn't know"

She raises her hands with a sheepish smile. "No it's fine Lark. I just want you to understand that you can trust me. I'm not here to be against you. I just want you to let me know if there is any way to make this change any easier. I know that for a while it's only been you and your father."

Hearing her say all of this makes me feel even worse for rejecting her advice so harshly. She was only trying to help and I put my guard up so fast I forgot how harsh I may of come off.

"I know Kayla. We love having you and Dean around."

"Thank you Larkin." She says with a warm smile. "I have to go make some last minute checkups but please do think about talking to your dad. I know it may not seem like it, but I he regrets the way he dealt with the situation yesterday"

She leaves quietly leaving me alone with a pack of leftover macaroons. The house is quiet and filled with tension. It's been like that a lot lately. I know that Kayla and Dean have felt uncomfortable due to dad and I's argument.

I eat the macaroons out of stress. I was suppose to be on a "diet" but let's be real. Stress eating is a real thing and I'm heavily affected by it.

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I know that this chapter is small but the next chapter will be better

I promise.

Or I might just update later today again...who knows 🤷🏻‍♀️