Hannah's eyes slightly widened, when she realized that she had verbalized her thoughts out loud. Grace stared and then erupted in giggles after a few seconds.
"W-what? Is that a quote from Harry Potter or something? You geek." Grace said, connecting her forehead with Hannah's as the brunette blushed deeper and deeper every second.
Both were lying on their sides, facing each other, on a blanket beneath a big tree in the local park. Their position had made it possible for them to overlook the busy town they lived in.
"It's true though." Hannah whispered, as they played with each other's hands.
"Pfft. You're just saying that because probably you want something. Just say it straight out, Han."
"Sorry, can't do straight."
"You know, I could stay like this forever."
"Really?"
The blonde opened her eyes, upon having heard the slight distrust in Hannah's voice.
"Yes."
Hannah sighed in relief and tightened their intertwined fingers together.
"Forever's not enough."
__________________________
"M-moving? Where?"
"Minneapolis."
Minneapolis? That's nearly the length of the country.
"But that's- That's across the country!"
Hannah's mother only grunted in response, lighted a cigarette and put it between her lips.
"But why?" Hannah curled her hands into fists when she received no reply. "Mom! Why?"
"Because I said so!"
"Oh, that's completely reasonable! We're only going because your current ass of a boyfriend wants to deal drugs there!"
A bony hand struck Hannah's left cheek loudly and her head whipped to the right with a small gasp coming from her.
"Don't. You. Dare. You have no right to talk back to your parents. And do you thin I don't know why you want to stay here?" Her mother whispered in a dangerous tone that Hannah took a half-step back. "I know you are involved wit-with that blonde fri-friend of yours!"
Hannah kept her shock hidden, not wanting to show any emotion in front of her mom. She was so sure that she and Grace hid their relationship pretty well. They were careful. Always careful, that sometimes they don't even see each other for a week. Those times were painful. But, then, how did her mother know? The only other person who knew about this relationship was their other best friend, Mamrie and Hannah would die first before believing that it was Mamrie who told her mother. So how?
"I'm your mother and remember this, mothers know everything."
"I'm not coming with you." Hannah whispered, just when her mother turned.
"What did you say?"
"I'm not coming to wherever you guys are going. I'm staying here."
"You have no choice and you're young." Her mother scoffed at her. "You're only seventeen, for crying out loud! Do you think this is serious? This is just a phase."
Hannah was hurt. Of course, she was but again she did not let it show. "I'm not going. If I have to live out on the streets, then so be it."
"You are coming to Minneapolis with us whether you like it or not. If I have to drag you, then so be it. That's final."
"..But I love her." Hannah whispered when her mother had just reached the door. Vulnerability dripped from her voice and showed in her posture. Her mother stopped and stood up straight from putting her shoes on. She turned, her face neutral.
"You love her, do you? If you do love her, you'll leave her alone. Yes, leave her alone. Have you thought of what might the future bring? No? Oh, I thought you were smart. Well, let me tell you what's probably, most-likely going to happen. First, answer this. Do you think you'll be able to give her a wonderful life? Do you think this activity of yours is accepted? Is right? Okay, forget about the future, how about right now? I heard that she wasn't even...g-gay until you talked to her. Do you think she doesn't get bullied over this? "
"But-." Hannah tried to intervene, to stop the hurt from her chest increasing but her mother continued.
"No buts, Hannah Maude Hart. You will destroy her life and you know it." Her mother spat, spun around and left the house.
Hannah collapsed on the floor after a few seconds, sobbing.
