"Nicole, what the hell has gotten into you? Getting involved with a girl! This isn't how I raised you!" Mom yelled at me.

A little context...Mom found out about Cecilia and me. How? I have no idea. Then again, I tried so hard to stop whatever it was at first but I couldn't help but fall for her. Cecilia just had that effect. Now Mom found out and she is pissed.

"You aren't like this. Where's my little girl?" Mom tried softly before belittling Cecilia. "That Cecilia girl is such a bad influence. She probably got kicked out of her house already. No money and no place to live! HA! Just break it off with her, Nicole."

She can yell at me all she wants but the minute she brings Cecilia into this... I'm done!

"NO!" I yelled back at her. "Cecilia has been everything to me. She would never do anything to hurt me. Cecilia has been through a lot and yeah she was kicked out but she's still standing strong on her own!"

"Seems like you want to join her. Then go ahead! See if I care!" Mom slammed the door to her room.

"FINE!" I shouted at the door.

I grabbed my duffle bag from the closet and stuffed some clothes and a few of my essential things. Unlocking my phone, I'm met with Cecilia's face. She had no idea I took this picture. Cecilia hated candid photos yet I couldn't help but take the picture because she is so cuteeee.

I dialed Cecilia's number and after a few rings, I heard her tired voice. "Nicky? Did you need anything?"

"Could you pick me up? Mom kicked me out." I took a deep breath before continuing. "She found out about us."

I heard a loud crash, then muffled sounds before Cecilia's panicked voice. "Are you okay? Did she hurt you or anything?"

"No, I'm okay, can you just..." I trailed off, and gladly Cecilia picked up on it. "Yeah, of course. Give me a few minutes. I'll be there, hang on."

I hung up and got ready to leave when I saw our family picture on my bedside. Dad looked so happy and so was mom. I wonder what happened to us. I stared at the picture for a while until my phone buzzed.

'Hey, Starlight, I'm outside.' Cecilia's text read.

I grabbed my bag and left the house. After today, it just didn't feel like home anymore. I got outside and saw Cecilia waiting for me. I ran up to her and she caught me in her arms. 

"You came..." I breathed in her scent making sure she was actually there.

"You called," Cecilia replied before releasing me and showing me a new stuffed toy. 

"A new one?" I asked pointing to the bear she was holding.

"Yup." She smiled at me while popping the p. "It was supposed to be for your birthday but I figured you'd need it now."

I smiled at her, she always knew what I needed. I kissed her on the cheek as I took the bear in her arms and hugged it. She grabbed my bag and tossed it in the back seat.

"It smells like you." I noticed as I held it close. "I love it."

"Glad that you do... now come on let's get you home." Cecilia opened the passenger door for me.

I got in and she closed the door. She raced over to the other side and soon we were off.

"So... do you want to talk about it?" Cecilia asked, glancing over at me.

"It's just...I don't understand her! She was so caring and kind. Whenever we would talk about other people being gay, she supported them with no shame but when she found out her own kid is gay! That drove her off the edge? UGH!" I yelled and yelled hugging the bear tightly. 

Cecilia wouldn't look at me but I know she was listening. She always does. That's one of the things I will always love about her. 

"You know how parents are sometimes... they just need time to adjust..."Cecilia knew all about this since she came out already.

"Can I ask you something?" I looked over at her as she focused her attention back on the road. "Do you regret telling your parents about who you are?"

"Hmm, there are days that I do. Whenever I see families enjoying their day together, I can't help but remember how my family did that. My parents would go out of their way just to spend the day with my brother and me." I listened to Cecilia talk and I swear I could see a ghost of a smile on her face.

"But hiding who I am?" She looked back at me. "I spent most of my childhood trying to figure that out and I never got to be a child. So when I told my parents, it came as a surprise when they kicked me out. I still resent them for making me grow up too fast but if they didn't I wouldn't be standing on my own."

"Do you think you'll ever return to them when they apologize that is?" I asked her.

"If that ever happens...I don't think so. In some ways, I have them to thank for making me this strong but I can't forgive them for the things they've done to me. Whenever my brother would visit, I'd always ask you to leave us to talk because he's always trying to take me home but I can't go back yet." I saw a tear drip from her face and I couldn't help but feel like I pressed too much.

Cecilia shook her head and looked over at me with what I figured was a forced smile. "But that's just me. Besides, I have my friends that stick by my side and I have you."

"I'm sorry, Ce." I apologized. "I'm probably the last thing you needed right now."

"Hey," Cecilia spoke softly as I felt her interlace our hands together. "Whatever is going on in our lives, I know we'll get through it because we have each other and that's all we'll need." 

"All we'll need," I repeated what she said and she smiled at me, kissing my hand that was still in hers.