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I laugh, pushing her away gently. “Alright alright, you’re excited.”

She nods, then Edna’s turn now. Another hug, a soft kiss on my cheek and she stops to stare at me.

“I’m proud of you, my little Reya,” she whispers, and I fight the tears that try to break free from me.

Edna gave me an escape for years, a place I could call home, a family. She gave me seven minutes of her time every day to make sure I’d feel heard.

That seven minute thing was a secret between us. When I was younger, she told me that all I needed, whenever the thoughts got too loud and too mean, was to talk to someone I trusted for seven minutes. Then I’d remember how loved I was by that person, and somehow, it would be enough to fight the dark voices in my head.

And I think I survived, because every now and then, she gave me seven minutes.

We quickly had to leave the house, after both Hayzel and I kissed Blue a million times and her pushing me out because I hate leaving him alone for too long.

Edna pauses at the entrance, pulling out a camera from her bag. “You two stay here, I need to take a picture of this moment,” she says.

Hayzel’s arm is already intertwined with mine and I understand that no protest will be allowed today.

“Sissy, you need to smile okay?” Milo yells with his thumbs up behind Edna’s

I laugh and shake my head. “Okay, but let’s make it quick.”

“Right girls, on three… One, two…three and, smile!” Edna screams as I blink awkwardly, blinded by the sudden flash of light and Hayzel squeals.

“Picture time is over, let’s go now,” I tell them as I lock the door behind me.

Hayzel is already in Nana’s car, and Milo in mine. He loves this new one, he always says that he is going to steal it from me the moment he learns to drive.

I reach Edna before she gets inside and stop here

“Nana, I just wanted to tell you, thank you,” I say shyly, my voice breaking at the end. “None of this would have been possible if it wasn’t for you.”

Her smile is soft when she brushes her hand over my cheek. “You never have to thank me. You’re my little Reya, and I will always take care of you.”

I hug her as much as I can and smile back before getting in the car where Milo is already dancing to nothing.

“Let's go baby,” I say, pulling down the windows.

Graduation day.

Good memories.

Only good ones.

120

Unknown

Play - Mr. Sandman by SYML

Don’t Forget About Me

How dare she.

How dare she stand there and believe she can leave everything behind because a man decided to ruin her.

Raven hair thinks distance means escape. I want to laugh. How innocent. How stupidly innocent.

Look at you, my sinful angel. Dressed in white, smiling like you aren’t feeling eyes on you.