18// ~Goodbye~

Waking up in the morning, my stomach was in knots. I knew I was going to have a hard talk with Grammy today. I'm not scared that she will be really mad, but I'm not sure if she will support me or if she will think I'm gross and not want to talk with me anymore. Gosh, I hope not!

Getting ready for the day, I take a shower and put some new clothes on before making my way downstairs. I woke up a little bit late today since I was tossing and turning all last night and couldn't get my mind to stop thinking. Silly brain.

After eating my breakfast and taking my medication after being reminded, I ask Grammy if we can sit down and talk, which she agreed to of course.

"What did you want to talk about sweetie."

"Well, you know how I've been hanging out with Dani and Athena and Morgan recently?"

"Of course I know, you basically live there now." She chuckles.

I pause and don't say anything. I'm scared and I don't know how to say it. Should I just tell her that I like girls first? I don't know. I never even really thought about it. I knew that I've never been too attracted to guys that I've seen but I was never close enough to someone male or female to know if I could be attracted to them.

That was until I met the three most beautiful women I've ever seen in my life! I look at them and I'm confused how any woman could ever be straight. Women are just better in every way!

"Honey, before you start and say whatever you need to say, I just want you to know that nothing you tell me could make me love you any less or think about you any differently." She smiles gently at me.

"Thanks Grammy. Um...I-i like...girls." I whisper the last word, but I know she still heard it. It's just weird to say out loud, I've never actually thought about it like that. I've only thought that I'm attracted to these women and I want to be around them all the time, not that that makes me gay. Does that make sense? Maybe, who knows.

She placed her hand on top of mine and squeezed it gently. "That's perfectly fine. I'm glad you felt comfortable enough to share that with me." She smiled. "Does this mean you are dating one of them?"

"Well, sort of."

"Sort of? Does that mean you aren't officially dating yet, but just talking?"

"Not quite. I am dating officially, but not...one of them....all of them." I look up at her with wide eyes. She's going to be so weirded out and she's going to tell me that she doesn't like the idea. Oh gosh why didn't I just stay quiet.

Ssshhh brain, I'm trying to focus on what Grammys going to say.

She stays quiet for a second before her a small smirk takes over her face. "Oh my goodness, who knew you had that much game in you."

My eyes widen bigger than I think they ever had. "Grammy?"

"What, did you think I'd be mad? That I wouldn't like the idea? Honey, I don't care what you do as long as you are safe and happy, and nobody is getting harmed."

"You really don't find it gross?"

"Of course not. It makes you happy right?"

"Ya, really happy!" I smile wide.

"And they are nice to you? Treat you right? You like them?"

"Yes."

"Then I don't see any problem at all. Although I still see you as my little baby," she squeezes my cheeks with her hands, making me scrunch up my nose and wiggle my head a little to pull away, "I know that you are an adult and I trust you to make your own decisions. Obviously if I felt you were doing something that was dangerous I would step in and try to guide you the right way, but that's not the case here."

I jump up from my seat and run around the small island we were sitting at. Running into her arms I wrap them around her and squeeze, not to hard though. "Thank you."

"You don't need to thank me dear."

She hugs me back and rocks back and forth slightly.

"I know, but still...thank you." I pulled back from the hug and shuffled my feet on the floor, looking down at my freshly painted pink does that I did last night after I couldn't fall asleep. "Oh ya, by the way, they kind of want me to move in with them."

Grammy chuckles and smiles at me. "Do you want to?"

"I mean, ya, but...I don't want to leave you here alone." I pout slightly, feeling bad that I know she's going to tell me to go either way.

"Then you should. Plus, you don't have to worry about me. Arnold has actually been spending a lot of time here and sleeping over a lot of night so I'm not alone, and I'll still be expecting your visits little missy."

"I will." I giggle. "So...Arnold, that's his name?"

"Ya." She went on for a couple minutes about how much she really enjoyed spending time with him and how he's so considerate, and I just stood there smiling and listening to her. I'm glad she's happy, she really deserves it. She's always been there for me and supported me in every decision I'm made. She's been there to congratulate me on my accomplishments, mourn my losses with me and wipe my tears, or fix me up when I'm injured, most likely for silly reasons, like that time I ran into the door without opening it first and got a big bruise on my forehead...twice. Hey it's not my fault! The door just gets in the way sometimes!

Okay maybe it's my fault for forgetting to twist the doorknob and open it...but everyone does that sometimes...right? Ya!

"I'm happy for you." I hug her again, wrapping my arms around her and just letting myself enjoy this moment with her. I really do owe her so much gratitude. After the early childhood I had, she was like a breath of fresh air when I moved into her house. "Okay, I'm going to go pack a few things now and text them!"

"I'm happy for you too dear. Go, go, go pack your bags and whatever you need to do." She smiled at me and playfully shooed me out of the dining area and upstairs.

I giggled as I ran away and up the stairs, grabbing my phone and texting in the group chat right away. They made a text group with all of us so I can text them all at once instead of one at a time, isn't that so cool! I got to name it though, which I take great pride in. I'm a good namer! At least I like to think I am. They did help me spell it though after I accidental put a D where there should have been a P apparently. Whoops!

💖🖤Un4gettables🖤💖

Guess what?! Grawwy saib

that she's okay and supports

me with you all!! 😁 She also

said it's fiue if I wanted to

live with yon guys so I can!

I'm so super buper buper

exciteb!! Also I think she mipht

have a doyfrienb. 🙈 Don't know

if it's official yet. 🤔 Anyway,

ya, thank you thank you

thank you thank you!🌸💖💐💕💗

I hit send and then a little dance around my room before settling down. I had to get the wiggles out! That just happens when I'm so super excited, no big deal.

I start to pack up a few things into some bags. I don't have to bring many clothes because we did already do some shopping for those but mainly my hairbrush, toothbrush, skincare, little trinkets I wanted, and anything important to me needed to be packed up.

I heard a ding from my phone in the middle of doing this and skipped over to my phone. I pretty much already knew it was them because, well...who else would text me?

💖🖤Un4gettables🖤💖

Dani🌹🍷: That makes

me so happy for you

my sweet girl! Would

you like for us to come

and pick you up tonight

or would you rather spend

another night or two at

your Grammys house? It's

up to you and we will do

whatever makes you

most comfortable.

Thena👩🏻‍💼💪🏻: That's amazing

baby! I'm very happy for you!

I agree with what Dani

said, whatever makes you

the most comfortable

and happy.

Morgy👩🏻‍🍳🤎: I'm very proud

of you honey! Can't wait to

see you.

Oh my gosh, I like them so much!! I replied instantly, letting them know that I wanted to come over tonight. I've already been away from them for almost a whole day! Okay...maybe im being a tad bit dramatic, but you can't blame me, well...unless you do...but the point is, if you knew them you would feel the same way!

It's like my heart feels happy and everything isn't bad whenever I'm with them. Whatever happens isn't a big deal because I know they can handle it perfectly. Also...they are so beautiful and pretty and very, um...hot? I think that's the word. They have this aura surrounding them that's very dominant and makes me feel small and loved. I love it! Hehehehe!

Athena responded and told me she would be over to pick me up whenever I texted her that I was ready. It was around 10 am right now so I wanted to spend a bit of time with Grammy and make sure everything was packed, so I would probably go over sometime around 4 pm. That way we can hang out before dinner over there and then I can sleep in my new room! Woo hoo!

I'm thinking of what I'll have to do for my room. Maybe hang up the pictures on the wall and put on my new sheets and stuff. I'll figure it out when I get there.

I finished up packing. I only had two bags of stuff, although they were pretty decently sized.

I brought them downstairs and put them next to the door before making my way over to Grammy who was still sitting in the kitchen, writing something on a piece of paper in her notebook. Huh, wonder what she's doing.

"Ready to hang out for the day before I go off!" I jump into the kitchen and bring my hands up besides me shaking them like jazz hands and smiling once I finished saying it.

She laughed and shut the notebook, placing it onto the island. "Of course, come on dear."

~~~~~~~~

I heard a knock on the door. I was sitting on the couch with my Grammy, talking with her about anything that popped into our minds. "I'll get it."

I had spent the whole day with her. Knitting, talking, having a nice lunch, and playing card games. Just soaking up my time with her.

I ran over to the door and opened it up. Athena was standing there right outside . She was wearing a black suit with a black undershirt. The top was a cut a little low and the buttons of the suit were open on top, showing a bit of cleavage, and her hands were in her pockets. She had on these black stiletto heels that made her even taller than she already was. Oh my lanta, it's going to hurt my head looking up at her!

"Hi baby." She smiled before placing her hands on the sides of my face and bending down, placing a kiss onto my forehead.

I tried to hide my smile a little bit, but I couldn't! My cheeks were probably so pink right now and I could tell with the way I was smiling, my dimples must have been quite on display right now.

"Hi." I squeaked out a reply before turning back around and going into the house.

She closed the door behind her and followed me into the living room, saying hi to my Grammy. Walking over to her she gave her a hug and stepped back. "How are you doing?"

"I'm good, thanks. How about you?" Grammy replied, smiling up at her.

"Good, I'm good." She smiled. She turned to me. "Are you ready to go?"

"Ya, I just have to say by to Grammy and get my bags." I pointed to the couple of bags I'd placed by the door earlier.

"I'll bring these out while you say goodbye. Let me know when you're all ready." She explained gently to me before walking off and picking up the bags, opening the door and going outside.

As soon as the door closed I looked back over to Grammy who was smiling done at me in admiration. I ran into her arms instantly, wrapping my arms around her and laying my head down. I couldn't stop the few tears that escaped my eyes. I wasn't regretting my decision, I was just feeling a little sad that I was leaving the only person who had been by my side for the past ten years.

"Oh, my sweet girl. You'll be okay. I know, I know, but I'm not going away, I'll still be here whenever you need, and you can call me whenever you want. If you never step outside your comfort zone, you never grow, right?"

I stepped back and wiped my eyes, rubbing them with my fists and clearing  vision. "Right. It's just so weird to imagine. I never thought I would be leaving this soon."

"I know, me neither." She laughed. "I think you made the right decision though and I can tell the feelings between you guys are precious."

"Ya." I nodded my head, smiling, thinking about them all.

Athena walked back into the house, my bags now gone from her hands. "You ready?"

I nodded, hugging Grammy one more time. "I love you."

"I love you too dear."

"Okay, I'm ready now." I laughed and walked over to Athena. She grabbed my hand and kissed the back of it before bringing her other hand up to my hair and stroking it a few times.

We walked out the door and got into the car. Buckling me in, Athena then closed the door and walked around to the drivers seat.

I waved to Grammy as we pulled out of the driveway. She stood there at the door, smiling and waving back.

I guess this is the start of a new chapter in my life! I'm so excited though!

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This is Ara's outfit!

This is Athena's outfit!

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2679 words

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Don't worry about Grammy! She is so happy and okay with Ara leaving. She also invited Arnold over right after Ara left and he is kind of going to live there now so she's never going to be lonely! 🙈🙊 I also will probably have them do a weekly dinner thing too so Ara keeps communication with her, even if I don't write it out every week just imagine in your head that they will do it lol!

I hope you guys are enjoying! Sorry I took a little bit to update. It might be a bit between updates but I won't even just ghost you guys and not post for months!

Thank you all for 17k reads now!! We hit 15k reads on Valentine's Day ❤️. Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I appreciate you all!!

So for this chapter, the question is:

Do you need silence or white noise when you sleep?

I personally need a lot of white noise. I use a loud fan plus I usually play rain sounds in the background too. If it's quiet then I hear every single noise, such as a creak or the wind blowing and it will make me so nervous so I drown it out with the white noise.

Bye-bye!

- lauren 💕