a/n: the reason you're seeing this before any other book update in over a week is bcuz of cailinthefangirl thank her she's amazing. ok moving on. . . Sorry for not updating! I've been on vacation for a week and ever since I got back, I've been pretty lazy and unproductive :/ kbye ~Car

[unedited]

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L A U R A N C E ' S             P O V

A       C O U P L E      H O U R S         L A T E R . . .

   I gulped, my hands fidgeting slightly. Now was the time; after hours of stalling that I'd tell Garroth what I was going to say earlier.

   "Don't chicken out." I told myself, looking in the mirror. My voice was in a small mumble. As pathetic or odd as this may sound, I made eye contact with myself in the mirror, staring into my pale blue eyes.

   After everything Garroth's done for me over that past few months, it's time for me to break some important news.

   A shaky breath left my mouth as I tore myself away from the bathroom counter and placed my hand on the doorknob.

   This was it.

   I opened the door, exiting the lengthy bathroom, "Hey, Gar?" I questioned, my voice breaking the thick silence that filled the apartment.

   The blonde was still sitting on the couch, his fingers tangled into his curly blonde locks. "Yea?" He asked, his voice having an unintentional rasp to it at the moment.

   Truthfully, when did it not? Almost never.

   Anyways, I made my way over to the couch, sitting down a few inches away from him, "I have something to tell you - Are you up for talking right now?" I asked.

   Garroth nodded, bringing his head up. His hands slipped out of his hair, them falling into his lap with the small sound of a slap.

   Saliva ran down my throat as I gulped, "It's really important," I started. Garroth and I made eye contact, his sweet, ocean blue eyes filled with life. "I found a realtor," I continued, unintentionally pausing once again as I took a breath, "And I'm thinking about moving out."

   The Brit stopped, it seeming as if he'd just seen a ghost or something unreal like that. "You're moving out?" He questioned.

   I nodded, "Soon enough. I want you to be able to live your life." I stated.

   "But Lau--" Garroth got cut off by my sudden words.

   "No buts." I told him, "Remember what happened last time that we lived together? We were toxic for each other. . I think it's for the best for both your life and mine."

   "You think we were toxic?" Garroth asked, not paying attention to anything else I said in those whole few sentences.

   "Well. . Garroth, you have to remember. . You and I are two very different people." I reminded, empathizing the word 'very'.

   "So?" The blonde questioned rhetorically, a small snap in his tone, "That's what makes our friendship special!"

   "The reason I'm doing this is so that you can move on with your life and vice versa. I'm not doing this to hurt you by any means."

   "Sure." He muttered, causing my hands to dig into the cushion of the couch, "I'm being serious." I stated firmly, my eyebrows furrowed.

   Garroth stopped, nodding. He gulped, it seeming as if he had just swallowed something terribly bitter and sour.

   "Yea," Garroth started, looking away from the fabric of the couch, "Do whatever you need to do. For yourself -- Not me."

   We made eye contact once again, "I'm so--"

   "Don't say you're sorry." Garroth interrupted abruptly, "I know when you say that, you're not being genuine."

   I gulped. He was right. Kind of. I didn't want him to be sad or angry, hence me saying sorry. "You're just trying to smooth everything over."

   "I'm no--" I started, getting cut off once again by everyone's (even mine) favorite blonde.

   "Don't lie to me, Laurance." Garroth told me firmly, his eyebrows furrowed slightly.

   If this happened to be a different situation, I would've shrunken into my seat, but it probably wasn't the best time for that.

   My body stiffened, "I won't." I assured after a few minutes of silence.

   Garroth nodded, "Anyways. . . Who are the realtors?"

   I thought for a second, digging through my brain to find the answer, "The Phoenix Brothers, I believe." I answered.

   He nodded, still not seeming 100% right.

   "Is there something more you want to say, Garroth?" I asked him, changing the topic from realtors.

   He shook his head, "No. . It's fine." He stated.

   I sighed, "When--"

   "Seriously, Laurance," He cracked me a small smile, "I'm okay."

   I returned the smile on command, him almost convincing me.

   Almost.

   I sighed, letting the conversation drop, "Whatever you say." I stated, not willing to push the topic into Garroth or myself farther.