Why Do You Love Me ── MATTHEW GRAY GUBLER

xxviii. raining petals

.・゜゜・　　・゜゜・．

REINA'S POV

I watch with a frown as Liana digs into her bag, something she's been doing for a few minutes now. Finally, she lifts her head, and meets my gaze with a sigh. "I didn't pack those sticky things for the back of my heels..." she tells me solemnly.

I sigh. "I didn't either, Lia." Her shoulders drop in defeat. "I'll go ask Stef is she has, because god knows she overpacked." Liana nodded, falling back onto her bed with a huff.

We've been in the hotel for all of two hours, which may seem like a long time, but it really wasn't considering we were three hours behind schedule. Stef's rehearsal dinner was tonight, and you'd think as her maid of honor I would have been the first person to arrive to the hotel and get myself prepared. Well, I was actually the last person. The reason being my mother.

No, it's not as bad as it seems.

But she did somehow decide that today was the appropriate day to attempt to talk things through one more time. And my mother just had to choose to show up just as Liana and I decided we were ready to head out, successfully putting a stop to our travels for the next few hours. I can't say I was mad to see her show up, because I had long since gotten over the anger I felt towards her, but I was mildly bothered by the demand of speaking right at that moment.

I was hoping that she'd plan when we'd talk about these things, so I can have time to talk to Liana about it before any thing was solid. But apparently not. Luckily for me, my sister knew what she wanted to do even without talking it through with me. I have to admit, I was stupidly proud of her for that.

Liana wants to stay with me, that's what she decided on.

My mom didn't take it too well, and to be fair, I can't blame her. I myself was tearing up at the conviction Liana spoke with as she told my mom that the uncertainty that came with living with her was going to swallow her whole if she didn't do something about it. It wasn't a permanent solution, Liana reassured us both, but one that she wanted to stick with for the time being, and if she changed her mind, she'd let us know.

At that point, I had to send Liana off to talk to my mom, just in case she wanted to tell me anything privately. Which she did. She told me to take care of Liana, to treat her the way I wanted to be treated when I was her age. I wasn't sure what to make of that honestly, but I agreed to it nonetheless. And with that, my mom went back home.

I didn't mention Stef's wedding to her, not that I think she'd want to attend anyway. Based off of the bags beneath her eyes, I can only assume she wasn't in the best state physically to be attending such a big party. It did make me sad to see her that way, and I know as soon as we get back home, my first priority will be to check on her. But right now, I have other things on my mind.

Like getting those damn sticky things from Stef.

I pull out my phone as I wait for the elevator, fingers tapping on the screen to type a message to Stef. The ding sounds and I don't bother lifting my head, letting my feet carry me into the elevator. Finally, I send the text and lift my head, quickly pressing the floor Stef is on and slinking into the back of the elevator. I look to my side to see the person with me in the small box, and my breath hitches as I lock eyes with a familiar hazel pair.