Work ends and I begin the long drive to Nat's, Layne at my side. I drive with one hand and she plays with my free one, locking and unlocking our fingers together.

She kisses my knuckles, "I know something's wrong with you."

"Nothing's wrong with me," I lie. I've been telling people "I'm fine" since the day my mom died, but something about Layne makes me feel guilty when I lie to her. I can only steal glances at her from my peripherals.

"I know when you're lying, too," she replies, "And you know that about me too. That's why you won't look at me."

I glance at her quickly, "I'm driving."

I take my hand back, handing her my phone. "Unlock it: 11-27. And play Adult Child.

She does, pulling my phone up and letting the music chase out the awkward. The familiar sample of Common's "Celebrate" starts, but the slight nasal voice of Jin from BTS comes over the speaker's instead.

"What song is this?" she asks.

I explain to her that its a song from before their debut and afterwards she goes silent, just listening to the music. That song ends, and another pre-debut song featuring the four members starts playing, a soft song with a Mariah Carey song as the sample.

Ten minutes out, I stop at the grocery store to get a cake and some ice cream, drawing strange looks from Layne.

"What?" I question as we reach the check out.

"Why are we going over to Nat's again?"

"I'M going because me and my friends are having Friendsgiving since we're all from toxic households and are going to spend all of Thanksgiving extremely uncomfortable," I explain, "YOU'RE going because you're like my shadow at this point."

She frowns, and I try again, "You're going because---"

"Because," she leans in and whispers things in my ear I'd go to hell for repeating. My neck gets hot and she pulls away.

"That'll be fifteen twenty-three," the cashier speaks, pulling me back to reality. I pay and Layne grabs my bags for me, a smug grin on her face.

"You're turned on aren't you?" she sing songs, "And now you're regretting being mean to me."

"Shut up," I respond. She laughs at my frustration.

Finally, we arrive at Nat's, and I get out opening the door for Layne and heading up the stairs. I go to knock, but before I can the door swings open, "I know you weren't about to knock like that loud ass truck didn't announce your arrival already," Beck quips, pulling me into a hug, "I've missed you MOM! And you brought Layne!"

He releases me and grabs her, "The more the merrier. Come on!"

I follow them into the house, and down to our usual spot in the basement.

"Sup Bitch," Nat greets me pushing aside the multiple couches, clearing the common area, "You gonna help or be useless as always?"

I move to action, tossing my shoes and grabbing laying out layers of pillows and blankets, making a makeshift pallet on the floor.

"I can guess from the chatterbox upstairs that you have your girl with you?"

I almost say that she's not my girl, but instead I just nod. "She gets jealous when I hang with you guys."

"Her pussy better be good," Nat teases, "For you to be this whipped already."

My neck heats in embarrassment, but before I can say anything I'm thrown to the floor, Layne tackling me to the ground. Nat and Beck break into laughter, amused.

"The execution!" Beck cheers, "10/10 for Sinclair."

Layne giggles before moving off of me. "Sorry," she apologizes, "I couldn't help myself."

I almost say something mean, but instead I just force a smile, "I would've done the same thing."

She kisses me quickly, causing my cheeks to heat. I thank God for my dark skin. I couldn't imagine being Layne's color and blushing as much as I do.

With everyone here, we head upstairs, stuffing ourselves with mashed potatoes, fried chicken, mac and cheese and everything else delicious. Full, we find ourselves in the basement, Nat and Beck stretched out on the pallet from earlier, with me and Layne on the couch, my head resting on her chest. She absentmindedly plays with my hair.

"Aw look at my bitch KJ being soft and shit," Nat snaps a picture of us and I try to lunge for her, but Layne stops me.

"Post that and I'll kill you!" I threaten.

"I'm not gonna post it," Nat promises, "I'm taking it for your pleasure."

"She has me for her pleasure," Layne pipes up, "Delete the picture."

Nat and Beck crack up at my expense while I cover my face, wishing I could disappear.

"It's cute how fast you get embarrassed," Layne comments, kissing me.

"Stopppppppp," turn my head to avoid her lips touching mine, which only leads Layne to shower my face with kisses.

"So I can't kiss you?" She moves off of me, crossing her arms.

"Ugh!" I groan, "Don't do this."

"Come here," She smiles and I accept a kiss from her. My friends groan and I roll my eyes at their childishness.

I kiss her again and my heart jumps in my chest.

When we finally leave Nat's, it's late. "I love your friends," she comments, getting into the car.

"You can have 'em," I laugh, "They're all yours."

"Are you always this sarcastic?" she questions.

"What do you mean?" I question.

"Is there anyone that you're open with?" she questions, "These are your friend right? I'd hate to see how you talk about me when I'm not around."

"I talk about you like you're the best thing that's happened to me," I reply, honestly.

"Really? Well color me surprise you do have feelings," she jokes.

I roll my eyes, continuing to navigate us home. I arrive at her house first, dropping her off. "Goodnight, Kaylie Jane," she kisses me one final time.

"Goodnight."

***

Thanksgiving hits like a roundhouse to the face. Specifically, my face. I drag myself from bed around noon, convincing myself to shower and forcing myself into a dress. When I check my phone, I see, among the word vomit of orders from my aunt, a sweet text from Layne reminding me about dinner. I smile, then frown, mathematically trying to figure out how to split time at Aunt Violet's with time at my Dad's side with time at Layne's.

In order for today to work, I'll have to not be both on top of my game, but not so calculated that I draw attention, since in reality, I'm neither. I look myself over in the full length mirror in my bathroom, kind of hating how I look, although I don't look bad. To finish the look, I apply a light amount of make up, then grab everything needed to cook and head to Aunt Violet's.

My aunt only stays about thirty minutes away, but I rarely visit, just do to the fact she's mostly intolerable to be around. I don't think I minded how nit picky she is when I was a kid, but now that I was becoming a formed person with a personality, and psych, her constant game of God that she played in like was just annoying.

Since Layne and I had prepped everything the night before, all that is left to do is actually cook everything. I unload the grocery bags full of everything I'll need and carry it into the house, using the key I'd been given a few years back to get in.

"Auntie!" I call into the house, but receive no response. I'm not sure if that should ease me of stress me more.

I make my way to her expansive kitchen, setting my things down and finding a note for me.

"Out for the moment. I may not be back in time to help set up, so if I'm not go ahead and host for me. Dinner @ 3 o'clock. --Aunt Violet."

"Bitch," I hiss slamming my hand on the marble counter, "You've got to be kidding me!"

I knew this was going to be some bullshit. And I was right. I swear it.