Mom would have been so proud of you.

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Chapter 18: Mom would have been so proud of you.

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𝑇𝑤𝑜 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟

The past two days has been unbelievably good

I catched up on all my missed work at school. I had spent time with Kayla and Zach during lunch and some free periods. I have visited ma everynight after my shift. Everything has been going good.

It's currently five past nine on a Saturday morning. Today is the one day i get to relax. The only day i get off from work is on a Saturday.

I lay on my bed, my journal in my hand. In the past I've always written about my insecurities, my negative thoughts, how much i miss mom and how my father probably didn't want a burden like myself so he ran away. How i struggled to fall asleep at night, how i never wanted to talk to anyone because that would be so tiring to go through the whole process; we talk, i get close, they walk away. How i was probably never going to see Aria again.

"Xavier will be here soon!" Aria exclaims as she runs into my room, her face gleaming.

I giggle at how excited she is. They have become so close these past two days but today he's coming here and who knows what might happen?

"I'll be down in a bit." I say,

"Okie dokie!" She says running back out of my room.

Never have i ever imagined that the day would come that I'd be so happy and content with myself and how my life is right now, of course ma is still in hospital but she's been getting better, with every visit i get good news about her from the doctors. Guess what?? Ma might get discharged early. Im so grateful for how things have turned out. Life is good. What could possibly go wrong?

I close my journal and place it under my pillow.

I hear the doorbell and get up from my bed. Xavier is here!

I walk downstairs and open the front door for Xavier.

"Hey, come on in." I say

Xavier walks in.

"Would you like anything to eat or drink?"

"No thanks, i ate before i came."

I nod

"Aria! Xavier's here!"

She doesn't respond, probably nervous.

"Is her father okay with this?" Xavier asks

I almost choke, the thought of Derek gives me shivers.

"Sorry?" I ask

"He picked her up the first day, after school, basically dragged her away from me."

Realization hits me, Zach picked Aria up from school on Tuesday. Zach knew about Xavier?

"No that... that was my boyfriend. Zach."

"Oh. So then where are you parents?"

"Well. Urhm..."

"Elle!" Aria yells from her room

"Please take a seat, Aria will be right down."

Xavier just nods and sits on the sofa.

I walk up the stairs and then walk into Aria's bedroom and enter it.

"Yes?" I ask

I freeze when i see Aria. Her straight hair is beautifully brushed down her back. She has a beautiful white ruffle trim top and a pink paperbag waist striped belted shorts along with a pair of high-heeled wedges.

I get a bit emotional and wipe away a tear.

"You look beautiful Aria."

"Really?, but what If he doesn't like it? What if he's prefers girls who wear leather jackets and pleated leather skirts?"

"I thought he was your friend but now you're trying to impress him. Aria's got a crush!" I whisper shout in a baby voice

"Elle!" Aria yells giving me a eye roll

"Relax Aria. So what if he prefers girls with leather jackets and leather pleated skirts? You be yourself Aria. Always. This world is filled with people trying to follow other people, but you Aria, you do you and you stay true to yourself. If he doesn't like you because of the clothes you wear, then he's an idiot. As long as you're happy and comfortable with yourself then nobody else's opinions matter."

"Thank you Elle."

"Anytime." I say then gently kiss her on her forehead

"Mom would have been so proud of you." Aria says before skipping out of the room

>>>>

"Xavier just left." Aria says as she walks into my room and throws herself onto my bed

"So, how'd it go?" I ask while folding up my clothes that came from the dryer.

"He said that i looked beautiful."

"And then?"

"Then he kissed me on my cheek."

"And then?"

"Then he asked if i could be his girlfriend."

"So you said?"

"I said yes." Aria says so softly i can barely hear her

"Yes!" I shout

"You're okay with this?" Aria asks confused

"It's cute innocent puppy love, im totally gang!"

Aria starts to laugh and i join her. It's moments like this that makes me the happiest.

>>>>

"Kayla and Zach are here!" Aria yells from down stairs

I sigh as i look at myself in the mirror.

Im wearing a light blue denim high waisted jeans, a red square collar slim long sleeve knit T-shirt and leather high chunky platform heel booties.

The last time i wore jeans i was Aria's age. I've never worn these heels before, and my whole upper chest was basically open.

As much as i just wanted to wear my oversized clothes and sneakers. I wanted to look nice for Zach.

I take a few deep breathes and then walk out my room and then down the stairs.

I walk into the living room where everyone is. Aria notices me first.

"Thank god you're not wearing pajamas." Aria says sarcastically then chuckles

Kayla turns her head to me and smiles. Zach looks up from the floor and looks at me, no expression on his face. He's wearing a black and white striped t-shirt, with black ripped jeans and a pair of black vans.

"Come on Aria, we need to bake the cupcakes still." Kayla tells Aria and then walks out of the living room with her, leaving me alone with Zach.

Zach stares at me for a while.

"You look beautiful." He finally says walking over to me

"Not too bad yourself." I say trying to blush

"Shall we go diamond?"

"We shall."

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Date night!

Thanks for reading

Keep going

Stay beautiful ♡

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