Hey guys!

Quick PSA; you are all worth anything and everything in this world. We are all equal. You are all beautiful/handsome. You are all wanted. You are all amazing human beings and who cares if you did something regrettable in the past, you're in the future now so forget and live in the moment. You are not your past.

I love you all, more than you know.

Vote - Comment - Share (If you wanna but I'd appreciate it if you did. But you don't have to. But please do.)

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Thalia Lively

The house phone rang obnoxiously, waking me up from my very needed sleep. I lazily reached over and grabbed the phone from my nightstand, slapping it next to my ear as I answered. Thank god we had these spread all over the house because I sure as hell was not getting out of bed to find the phone.

"Hello?" I said to the person on the other line, not knowing who would be calling at eight am.

"Good morning, Thalia." I heard Jenna's soft and soothing voice say and I eased at the fact that it was someone I knew and not some stranger that speaks a foreign language.

"Good morning, Ms. Carson." I replied, closing my eyes and sinking back into my bed, refusing to leave the comfort it brought me. I happily snuggled into my blanket.

"Call me by my first name, I'm not that old yet." I heard her chuckle as she paused. "Anyway, could you do me a favour and go get Heidi's pills for me? I forgot to pick them up before I left." My eyes snapped open and I sat up quickly, narrowing my eyes at the ground as I took in Jenna's words. Nonna doesn't need pills, she stopped taking them a long time ago.

"What pills?" I asked after a moment of silence, trying to sound like I knew what was going on so she would give me more information. I heard her moving around and shuffling through something which was hard to detect over the phone.

"I forgot the name, I can never remember it, but the ones she takes before sleeping. You know how she can't sleep without them." I was already changing into something other than my pyjamas when she was at 'the ones' part. I didn't need to hear anything else. I distinctly remember Nonna reassuring me multiple times over the course of months that she was off any types of pills. She assured me that she getting healthier.

When I was younger, I was never told what caused her sickness. I just remember watching from the sidelines as my dad took her to multiple doctors— sometimes hospital— visits. I remember her explaining something about her head hurting her or maybe it was something about her eyes, I can't seem to remember. Remembering was a reoccurring issue for me lately.

Before she left and moved back to her childhood hometown, I do however remember asking her if she was a hundred percent alright. I was young, of course, she would've said anything to just make me go away and not stress about it. But again, she's never lied to me before, not even when I was younger.

"Okay, got it." I didn't give Jenna enough time to reply as I followed with a 'bye' and ended the phone call after I hurriedly exited my house, making my way towards Riley's. My heart started beating faster as I thought of all the possibilities that might be happening. Questions ran through my mind, one after the other. Did she just recently have a problem with sleeping? Was this happening in all those years I haven't seen her? What other problems is she having? Why can't she sleep?

I knocked on the door impatiently, just wanting an answer that calmed my thoughts. Maybe I'm overthinking, it could be a small issue. I didn't give Mason the time of day as I zoomed past him once he opened the door and started looking around for Nonna. I spotted her in the kitchen, smiling at the little boy. I didn't disrupt them yet, I didn't want to just rudely ruin her happy mood. I felt someone stand next to me but I didn't remove my eyes from Nonna.

"Is it about the pills?" I heard Mason's voice ask beside me and I looked down briefly before nodding as my head came up again. I wanted to ask Mason what he knew about it but he beat me to it.

"My mom makes me go get them for her when she can't, that's how I know about it if you were wondering." He informed me.

I looked up at him curiously. "So why did your mom call me to go get them instead of you?" I asked and his gentle eyes looked away from me and towards Nonna. The jacket that was previously in his hand was now being out on as I assume he's leaving.

"Wait!" I called out to him as he left without me realizing it. I stood on his doorstep as he was making his way to his car. "Can I get an answer?" I asked hopefully.

He thought about my question before shrugging. "I have no idea but maybe she thought that you could actually make her take them since she hasn't been listening to us when we tell her to." He replied and with one more soft gaze towards me, he went to his car and drove off. I went straight back into the house and closed the door slowly so it wouldn't make a noise and have Nonna come over here.

"Thalia?" I jumped slightly and turned to see Nonna looking at me weirdly. I looked down at the little boy next to her instead of replying. He was adorable.

"Thalia, this is Noah. Noah, this is Thalia." She introduced us and he came over, sticking his hand out as a greeting. I chuckled and shook it gently. He sent me toothily smile and ran off like kids seem to love to do.

"What are you doing here?" Nonna looked at me and asked as she started picking toys off of the floor.

"What pills are you taking?" I couldn't stop myself from asking, the words flew out of my mouth without me being able to control them. The words travelled from my mouth and floated around her as she paused midway cleaning. I stayed glued to my spot, just wanting answers.

"What are you talking abo—" I cut her off immediately.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about, the sleeping pills. What are they for? Why do you need them?" I said quickly and forcefully, causing me to stop and breathe for a second. After composing myself, I asked again but more gently. "What pills is Jenna talking about? She called me this morning asking me to go get your 'sleeping pills'."

She sighed and put Noah's toys to the side, walking over to a chair in the dining area, sitting down tiredly. I followed but remained standing in front of her. How come I didn't notice how tired she looks, she has deep bags under her droopy eyes. I was so caught up in Riley and everyone that I barely even paid attention to Nonna. I always noticed every detail, and I can't seem to understand how this passed me.

"They aren't a big deal." She started off as she looked to her side, seeming to refuse eye contact with me. "I can't seem to get enough sleep lately and the pills are the only thing that has been helping with that." She finally met my eyes and I recovered from my forceful gaze to a concerned one.

"Why can't you get enough sleep?" I asked, knowing what the answer might be. I have an idea of why, because I have the same issue but I just wanted to hear it from her. I'm not sure why I needed to hear it, maybe it was because I just needed to know for sure, or maybe it was because I wanted to know that I wasn't the only one. It feels like I'm transported to the incident when I close my eyes and let my thoughts roam free.

"I'm okay, Thalia." She reached out for my hand, grabbing it and squeezing comfortingly. "It's just hard to explain but I promise you, I'm okay." I knew better though. I wasn't going to fall for this but I was going to let it go for the moment.

"The incident?" I said more in the form of a statement rather than a question. I knew it took a huge toll on her, as it should've, that was her daughter that she lost.

She nodded slowly. "It's something that I can't explain." She shook the conversation off and let out a harsh breath, standing up. "Okay, now could you please call Riley and tell her to come here so you two could help me paint the guest room."

"Where did Riley go? And why are you painting their guest room?" I questioned, becoming amused at the end. She wiped all the thoughts of her pills away from my mind once she changed the topic. She had a habit of doing that, and I admired her gift but also hated it when she did it to me.

"She went to take Chase on a walk and because Jenna asked Mason to paint it
but he doesn't have time, so I said I would do it." She answered. I nodded, accepting both of her answers. As she started walking off to check up on Noah, I pulled out my phone, pausing when I saw some messages I seemed to have missed completely.

Ethan's a hoe

Austin
Tahlia, I'm in love with you

Austin
NO FUCK

Austin
THAT WAS ETHAN, I SWEAR ON EVERYTHING

Ethan
He's lying, he's just trying to cover up his feelings. STOP DENYING IT AUSSY

Austin
STFU IT WAS YOU, GUYS HE TOOK MY PHONE

Riles
LMFAOOOOO AW AUSSY , THAT'S SUCH A CUTE NICKNAME

Ethan
Creds to ya boy

Carter
Wtf

Austin
Aw man, Tahlia is gonna see this and think I'm some creep, FUCK YOU ETHAN

Thalia
LOL IT'S OKAY

Nathan
Anyways

Carter
^^^^^ Salty af

I chuckled as I read through the messages, a smile is brought to my face immediately. I then went straight to calling Riley but she wasn't answering. I know she's on her phone, she was just texting.

Ethan's a hoe

Thalia
Riley answer your phone

Riles
Sorry, Chase started freaking out over another dog but yes hello, how may I assist you?

Ethan
****How may WE assist you?

Thalia
Nonna needs you back home to help paint the guest room and I'm not doing that shit on my own soooooo hurry up

Riles
Yes, ma'am, I'm on my way

Ethan
******* WE are on our way

Austin
^ dude leave them alone, they don't want your crusty ass

Ethan
MY ASS IS NOT CRUSTY, MY ASS IS PERFECTLY FINE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. And, I just wanna help :(

Riles
Aw, Ethan you can come over and help!!!!! :)

Ethan
The gang and I are on our way

Austin
Why are you lying, you're still sitting in your kitchen

Emmett
Why you gotta expose him like that

Austin
Ooooo Emmett, you're alive, where have you been???

Emmett
Sleeping.

Nathan
I should've muted this group chat from the beginning

Thalia
Don't mute us, are you rude??

I shut my phone off as I heard someone entering the house. I walked over to the door, falling to my knees as I saw Chase running around happily. He jumped on me excitedly and I giggled, hugging him to my chest.

I stood up shortly afterwards once he ran away and into the house. Riley grabbed me into a hug and looked at me cheerfully.

"It's finally getting cold, I have so many winter outfits I want to wear. I'm actually so happy the hot weather is over like I'm tired of sweating in class when I'm just sitting there." She rambled and I listened, agreeing along. I liked the fact that the weather was getting cooler.

"Let me change real quick then we'll get started," Riley informed me and then sprinted up the stairs that lead to the bedrooms. "Can you go get the paint buckets from the garage?" I heard her yell from upstairs just as I was about to sit down. Sighing, I walked around looking for the door that led to the garage. I found it like five minutes later, which is a long time but I'm not really acquainted with her house yet so I have no clue as to where everything is.

The windows at the top of the garage door allowed light to bust through so there was no need to turn on the garage light. I spotted four paint buckets in the right corner of the garage. I tried picking up two, one in each hand and groaned at its heaviness. The smaller wire handle was hurting my hand as I held onto it, walking over to the garage stairs.

I heard the door shut from inside the house and multiple voices started flooding through the house. I winced as I tripped on something and hit the wall beside me, bending my neck in the wrong way. My head injury was healing but not fast enough.

I tensed when a hand skimmed past mine, grabbing the paint buckets and taking them from my hands. I looked up and saw Nathan's back retreating and going up the steps, dropping the paint buckets off and into the house. He came back a couple seconds after and went to grab the other paint buckets.

"I could've done that," I said as I watched him pick up the other two with ease. I tried not to show how much my head was started to hurt but when I felt another surge of pain, I closed my eyes tightly.

"Woah, what's wrong?" He asked, putting the buckets down and coming to me.

"Nothing." I lied horribly.

He scanned my face then searched around for any injuries. He walked around me and I rolled my eyes at his behaviour.

"Come on, let's go," I said bending down, trying to pick up the buckets once again. My hair fell down with me, exposing the back of my neck and head. I didn't hear anything from him so I just assumed he didn't see it. I stood up and pushed my hair back, turning around in hopes that he didn't catch it.

But, of course, he did.

His eyes analyzed me skillfully and I jumped slightly at his harsh gaze towards me. "When did that happen?" He asked, his voice coming out deep.

"It's nothing—"

"When did that happen?" He interrupted me, staring at me with a straight face. I sighed, putting down the buckets.

"Who are you to demand things—" I started off with the intentions to change the topic and I knew full well it wouldn't work.

"When. Did. That. Happen?" He said each word with force and I blinked a couple times, giving up.

"The party," I answered hesitantly. He was angry but I somehow feel like it isn't towards me but rather someone else.

"Who?" He demanded.

"James." I snitched, not wanting to feel Nathan's soon to come wrath. This one is all on James.

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{ not edited but you guys should know this by now KSKSKSK }

This chapter SUCKS & IS WAY SHORTER THAN USUAL I'M SO SORRY BUT I FELT BAD FOR NOT UPDATING IN SO LONG, So I wrote this up real quick. I hope you guys enjoy it nonetheless. I really am sorry.

118K? Again, I'm speechless. ❤️.

I love you all and thank you for reading.

for the late update ^