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I fluff my now curled hair in the mirror, brushing away a few loose strands that vine over my chest. My hands slide up my hips while I turn to examine the sparkly white dress from behind. It hugs my form perfectly, a hand-me-down from Chrys of course. I also borrowed a pair of my mom's diamond earrings to match the outfit, hopefully I'm not too overdressed.

A frown lingers on my face as I evaluate the outfit. I haven't been feeling like myself lately, in fact I don't even want to go to this stupid dinner. I cheated on Tye with someone my good friend is in love with, then found out my dog passed away. And to make things worse, school starts in a few days. We may only have a few weeks left until college, but I seriously don't feel like going back.

My eyes land on the picture taped to the wall, a new addition to a map of mostly Polaroid's. It's the most recent photo I have of Margo and I, I made sure to stick it right next to a similar one we took when I was seven.

It's crazy how much a dog can impact your life the way Margo impacted mine. He was always by my side, so many birthdays...so many Christmas'... no matter what, he was there. He made me feel protected even though he wouldn't hurt a fly. I always hear him in my home barking at squirrels through the window or jump scaring the mailman, but there was silence today. It wasn't until then it hit me that he was gone.

My fingers stroke down the edges of the photo, gaze locking onto Margo's huge beady eyes. I'm so sorry I wasn't with you in the end buddy.

I avert my focus to the necklace that sparkles on my dresser. It's pretty much the only one I wear, The gift from him. I sigh and fluff my hair again in the mirror. Even though it matches my dress perfectly, I'm not going to wear it tonight.

"Lilo hurry up and get ready, we have to leave in ten minutes!" My mom blindly rams into my room, steals the eyeliner from my vanity and runs back into the bathroom.

"Mom I'm practically ready, you haven't even started your makeup."

*Ding dong!"

That's him.

I don't know how I can face him after that night... How I can pretend nothing happened when so much did. But I'll have to try.

Picking up a pair of stiletto heels, I make my way downstairs to answer the door but my dad gets to it first.

Tye stands at the door with a single rose in his hand. The greeting smile on his face immediately erases when he's met with my father instead of me. The rose is red, but it's so dark it looks more black.

"G-good evening sir. I'm Tye, Lilo's boyfriend."

"Yeah... I remember you." He scowls at Tye through squinted eyes, piercing through his soul as he shakes his hand, crippling his bones in the process. Tye's eyebrows raise with deniable pain.

"That rose better be for me son."

"Oh I... Y-yes, it is." He holds out his arm.

My dad walks away with the rose. I make my presence known by leaning on Tye's shoulder to slip on my heels.

"Hey babe." He places a peck on my cheek, to which I lightly smile to. "I Uh... I bought a rose but your dad took it."

"It's fine... You look nice." With a soft voice, I nod at his all-black suit and white tie that matches my dress. "And you look as beautiful as always. How am I supposed to focus on the food?" He laughs, making me tilt my head while I fiddle with the buckle around my ankle.

"Whatever. You're just saying anything to make me laugh."

"I mean, after yesterday I just thought..."

I clear my throat, not wanting to speak of it anymore.

"Okay, I'm ready." My mom hurries down the stairs before halting and gasping at Tye and I, "Oh my! You two look adorable! Lilo get closer, let mommy get some pictures." She fans me to the side before whipping out her phone and crouching. A series of flashes go off, making me cringe and shield my eyes. "Mom stop..."

"Got it! Perfect, alright let's go."

We all leave the house and make our way to my dad's car. Tye insisted in bringing his own, but my dad demanded he'd drive us all there. Tye and I head to the back door—

"Nope nope nope, I don't trust the two of you sitting in the back."

"Dad what the heck?"

"Honey we talked about this. You said you accept your daughter dating, remember?"

"It's not like I'm telling them to break up. All I said was I don't want them—"

"Dad you're being ridiculous. Tye, just sit next to me." I roll my eyes and pull him into the back seat. Usually I'd never speak to my father with such a mono-toned and impatient attitude, but as I said, I'm not in the best of spirits today.

My dad falls silent and starts the car, not daring to yell at me after what happened yesterday.

He squints at Tye through the mirror almost the whole journey, but I on the other hand just stare out the window, letting nothing and everything run through my mind at the same time.

"Cheer up." Tye whispers to me. I twist my chin in my wrist when he lays a hand on mine. My dad coughs loudly from the seat in front, making Tye raise his eyebrows and back away. He then leans over to whisper,

"You have a beautiful smile, so try to look more awake."

I nod and re-avert my gaze to the window.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ❄️

"Happy anniversary!" My parents greet and converse with my grandparents before handing them a bottle of wine that is wrapped with a gold ribbon. Stepping inside, I take a moment to look around the decor I haven't visited in years. My grandparents have had the time to save up for a home as big as this.

"Ah Lilo, my favorite and only granddaughter." My grandmother hugs me sweetly, snapping me out of my trance. I chuckle nervously over her shoulder and pat her back, "It's good to see you grandma."

"You've grown so beautiful! You remind me of myself at that age, back when I was a little doll too. Right George?"

"Your grandma wishes." My grandfather laughs with a husky voice. Tye clears his throat and tugs on his tie.

"Oh right, grandma, grandpa, this is my boyfriend, Tye."

"It's a pleasure to meet you both." He bows.

"Ah, he's so handsome! Where were boys like this when I was in school?"

"Oh Mabel, quit perving on the young lad. You're old now."

"Oh hush Georgey, let a woman live."

"Uh, we're going to go now. I look forward to dinner." I smile and bow before hugging them both and walking away.

"Are you feeling okay?" Tye asks from my right. With a quick nod, I look around the room to recognize many family faces. I groan internally at the thought of having to greet them all. "Mhm, why?"

"You seem a little distra—"

"Whoa!"

Tye snakes his hand around my waist only for a second before I jump and shift his arm away. I don't know why but his touch on my side felt so foreign that I panicked. He stares at me with furrowed eyebrows and his hands up slightly in a surrender.

"Babe..." A light, but false chuckle forced upon his lips, "What's going on? Is something wrong?"

Taehyung's touch.

"N-no... I just—"

"Well if it isn't Lil Lilo."

I spin on my heel when I'm met with my favorite cousin. A smile over takes my feature and I find myself running to embrace him around his enormous shoulders.

"Jin! It's been forever..."

"I know right! Who's this, you're boyfriend?"

"Yeah, names Tye." The two shake hands.

"Nice to meet you man."

"Tye, Jin is my cousin. We used to play together when we were little." Despite being a couple of years older than me, Jin and I would play a lot as kids. I remember listening to his non-stop dad jokes, and his laugh that sounded like a windshield wiper. Seeing him tonight has definitely cheered me up somewhat.

"Yeah, I used to call her Lil Lilo because she was so short."

"Shut up." I brush away his hand that had pressed onto my head.

"Oh, that reminds me. I have a new girlfriend I'd like you to meet. She's super nice, the two of you would get along well."

"You have a new girlfriend? Since when?"

"It's fairly new, about three weeks."

"Well I would love to meet her. Is she here?"

"Indeed she is. She's right..." Jin turns around and raises his chin above the heads in the room to search for her. "There." When he spots her he flashes his fingers to call her over.

Once the girl approaches us Jin pecks her cheek and smiles, but my face falls flat. "Trisha, meet my cousin Lilo and her boyfriend, Tye."

I lose all control of my jaw, letting it hang loosely. My eyes fail to stray away from the familiar girl who smirks at me, trailing her dramatic acrylic nails around Jin's smart shirt.

For a brief moment, I turn to look at Tye. The expression on his face is more horrified than mine, but at the same time more subtle. His eyes are widened and posture is uneasy.

"Actually Jinny, we've met." Trisha pats his chest.

"Oh, you have? When?"

"Lilo and I go to school together. We're super tight! Right, Lil Lilo?"

I clench my jaw and tighten my fist, cringing at the once cute name that has now been tainted.

"Yeah, we're... Super close."

"Hey that's even better! Make sure you and Tye sit opposite us at the dinner table then, okay?"

"Uh... Yep. We sure will."

The food better be amazing, because I hate this stupid dinner already.

"Lilo, dear friend, would you care to accompany me with getting a drink?" Trisha bats her false eyelashes. "Sure." I follow behind Trisha until we're out of sight. She pours a bottle of champagne for herself when we reach the drink table.

"So you're dating my cousin now? Is that what it's come to?" My arms fold.

"Excuse me, but you're fortunate to even have me in your freak show family. It's about time you have a relative who's actually attractive."

"You don't even like him, do you? I mean first Tye, then Taehyung and now Jin? My cousin has a well-paying job and a large home, either you just want him for his money or because he's related to me."

She tilts her head and takes a sip of her drink, battering her eyelashes once more,

"Oh sweetie, who says it can't be both?"

"Um, Trisha... Can I talk to you for a minute?" Tye appears behind me. I give him a concerned look, to which he shakes his head discretely.

"Nope. We have nothing to talk about."

"Oh but I think we do--"

"Hey--!" Before she can object, he pulls her out of the room.

"Where did Tye and Trish go?" Jin returns with a pair of drinks. I shrug my shoulders and look over my shoulder.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ❄️

Staring into my steamy plate of roast, I twiddle silverware between my fingers whilst dabbing around the perfectly cooked chicken breast. I haven't said a word since dinner started. Each of my family members converse over the long table, exchanging stories and funny memories, meanwhile I just sit quietly and welcome stressful thoughts I've only already dwelled on 100 times already.

Jin and Trisha hold each-others arms and feed each other opposite me. The sound of their child-like giggles makes me want to gag. As if my appetite hasn't killed enough.

Tye sits on my left, slowly chewing his food while he watches me with concern. I feel his elbow nudge my side, breaking me from my thoughts.

"You're-not-eating," He mouths.

I slowly turn to my food and break off a piece of chicken, dipping it in gravy and eating the delicious food which I have no motivation to swallow. I gradually find myself sinking in a whirlpool of toxic thoughts again, the voices around me blurring into bubbles of gibberish. The only voices that reign crystal clear are the ones replaying in my head,

"Do you love me?"

"Yes I love you. I love you Taehyung."

My thumb and index finger compress the fork, so much that it could snap. My jaw locks and knees clench together beneath the table.

His soft lips that mark my neck...
His teeth stripping me from below the waist... While I moan his name helplessly and tangle my fingers around his hair... and those eyes...

The fork in my hand begins to vibrate, my vision bouncing in and out of focus as I stare intensely into my plate. Why does he have to have those eyes...

"Tell me who you belong to."

And that voice...

"Taehyung... I'm yours Taehyung...."

My entire hand squeezes the fork tightly—

*Clink clink clink*

Just when all vivid memories crash and meet in the center of my mind, Jin stands up and taps his fork against his glass delicately. Everyone looks up at him with eyes full of attention.

"My wonderful family, we have an announcement to make." Jin lifts Trisha by her hand. She wastes no time in presenting her other hand and smiling widely, a big oval diamond ring clings to her fourth finger, "We're getting married!"

Come again?

I goggle shamelessly at the couple in front of me. Tye does the same, hovering his fork over his gaped mouth and letting his food drop from the silver prongs. My grandparents at the end of the table clap enthusiastically, my grandmother in particularly getting overly emotional.

"Oh my oh my oh my! This was so unexpected! What magnificent news!

"You're getting married?! That's so cute!"

"Congratulations!"

"I wanna see the ring!"

"Can I be a bridesmaid??"

Before I know it, everybody blindly congratulates the couple by hugging Jin and kissing Trisha on both cheeks, making me look around in astonishment. Has my family lost their common sense?

My uncle stands up to raise a glass, "To the future wed couple!"

Everybody follows, "TO THE FUTURE WED—"

*CLINK!*

Everybody looks at me. It's then when I realize I've thrown my fork against my plate, the loud clanging noise silencing the happy cheers around me.

"Is something wrong honey?" My mom asks with waving eyes.

A scowl tints my face as I point all of my attention to one person,

"Trisha, why don't you just admit your broke ass is with him for money and get lost."

My family has never heard me speak like this before, causing my grandmother to gasp, but I don't care. Trisha's eyes widen and fill with tears that I'm only to believe are fake. Jin holds her and scowls back at me.

"Lilo, what's gotten into you? I thought you'd be more supportive."

"Supportive? You've been together for three weeks, she's still in high school! Are you out of your mind?"

"That is enough!"

I look around the dead silent room. Everybody gawks at me with a mixture of surprise and disapproval. Trisha turns her head from Jin's chest, delivering me a sly smirk.

My chair screeches loudly against the floor when I abruptly stand up and throw the napkin that had been laying on my lap onto my dish. As I leave the table Tye grabs my hand, without thinking I yell,

"LEAVE ME ALONE."

He looks back at me wide-eyed. My whole family does. I swallow the saliva in my throat and snatch away my arm before storming out of the room.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ❄️

Breaking it to him is easier said than done. Every time I think I can tell him the words never come to mouth. Tye's been there for me through a lot so... I feel too ashamed to say the words. Not just to him, Taehyung and Gretchen too.

When did I become the villain of my own story?

I hear the bathroom door open and close behind me, but I don't turn away from the mirror.

"Look... I know you're upset about Margo—"

"Tye please, not now."

"Then is it Trisha? Or is it me? Do you not want me around your family? I'm trying to make an effort—

"TYE WOULD YOU JUST STOP TALKING?" My hands smack against the sink counter, making him furrow his eyebrows.

I keep taking my anger out on him when it's not his fault... And he does nothing but put up with it. I feel like some sort of monster.

What's happening to us?

Tye licks his lips and runs a hand through his hair, looking around the ceiling for a minute.

"I'm sorry if I've done something wrong." He says with a soft tone, "I'm just trying to be here for you. You've been acting differently. Whatever is going on, you can tell me..."

I rotate my head, exposing my tear-threatened eyes.

"I did something really bad Tye... Now I'm paying the guilt. I could have been home spending my last moments with Margo but instead I—" Tears block the words from my mouth, making it difficult to successfully string together a sentence. "Instead I gave karma open arms. I don't deserve anything I have. I know I should just come out and say it... But I'm scared. I don't know why I just, I-I'm petrified. I don't want anyone to hate me..."

"Shh shh hey..." He rests a hand behind my head and pushes me into his chest. "You deserve everything you have. Whatever it is, you can tell me. I won't scare you or hate you. But I can't help if you don't tell me what's wrong. If you don't want to yet then that's fine too, I can wait."

Why does he have to make this even harder... Why does he have to be so nice to me when he needs to know that... I've fallen out of love with him.

"Tye... I have something to tell you."

I feel his chin tilt over the peak of my head. My heartbeat thumps loudly as the seconds go by, I wouldn't be surprised if he could hear and feel the rapid beat.

"I..... I ch....." More tears fall down my cheeks, my breath gets shallow like it's being pulled by a drawstring. I finally croak out the words,

"I want to go home... Please take me home."

How badly I want to tell him, but it's like the words have been filtered from my mouth. Why can't I just say it already? It's like I care more about my self dignity than the actual issue at hand. I feel too ashamed to say it out loud.

"Lilo—"

"Like right now. Please."

"Babe, I didn't bring my car remember? You said your parents were driving us here and back."

He's right, I did tell him to leave his car behind, and my home is a 45-minute drive away.

When I remain silent he exhales and separates our bodies before placing his hands on his hips. "Do you really want to go home that bad?"

I sniff with my arm brushing beneath my nose and nod. He sighs and nods also, "Fine," then takes hold of my hand and pulls me out of the bathroom, passing the main diner until we're outside.

When we reach the sidewalk Tye let's go of me and takes off his suit jacket, placing it on my shoulders. Before I can say anything he squats down and holds his arms out behind him.

"What are you doing?"

"Get on my back, I'm taking you home."

"Huh? Are you insane? Tye that's at least a 90-minute walk away, there's no way you can walk that far with me on top of you."

"You want to get home and the cab stations are closed. I've walked long distances before, it's fine. Get on."

After a moment of pondering, I guiltily straddle Tye's back and buckle my arms around his neck. I'm incredibly tired, and going back inside is out of the question. I feel our bodies elevate when he straightens his posture and begins walking.

My dad will blow a fuse when he finds out that Tye and I left early without telling him. But I don't care. Anything to get to bed right now.

With my cheek presses against his back as I gaze along the shadowy houses that fall behind us, once again getting lost in my own thoughts. The smell of Tye's shampoo penetrates my nose. He's always had the same enticing scent that I adored, I get lost in it every time. I find myself sweeping my nose in his hair while my eyes drift