i survive

Kylie felt a bit bad for interrupting Cody’s night but he was family and this was what they were for. It felt weird being down, she was often bubbly even in the toughest of times. She fiddled with cup before taking a sip of her hot chocolate. “Because Kayla’s actual girlfriend needed her,” Kylie snapped. She was becoming fed up, and she wasn’t getting what she deserved out of their relationship. Kylie was all in and Kayla was half in and it was so sad. “I just- I wanted one weekend to just be together without drama of her best friend and it’s like I’m asking for too much,” she sighed tucking hair behind her ear. Kylie looked around the room “Where’s Addison?”

Immediately Cody knew that his cousin was referring to Leah, even in high school it was rare to see Kayla without her best friend nearby. “You know those two come as a pair cousin. I think...” Cody did not want to seem harsh but the relationship was at a level he personally never expected and Kylie needed to accept the hard truth. “- either you tell Kayla what you want and how you feel without sugarcoating it or you decide to let this relationship go. Otherwise you will always come second to Leah. You deserve better than that.” Although Cody did not want to come in between the relationship it was frustrating to see his cousin more upset than usual. Especially multiple times in the past few months. “She’s working. You know we have almost reached our savings goals. I can go back to school soon enough.”

@codylopierce​

Kylie slumped on the Chang’s couch, she was frustrated and upset. Kylie really loved Kayla more than anything but she couldn’t stand being second to her tornado of a best friend. They were supposed to have a weekend off and of course the red head decided it was a good time to start drinking again. When they got back to town, Kylie ran straight to her cousin’s place. Cody handed her a cup of hot chocolate and she gave him a soft smile. “Thanks,” she sighed.

On his way back from the kitchen Cody peeked in on Elijah who was tucked in bed watching cartoons. Cody was grateful that the boy had calmed down because earlier in the evening he was on a hot chocolate sugar rush. A kid bouncing off the walls made being emotionally supportive difficult. It was obvious that his cousin was not in her usual good spirits and Cody guessed that had to do with a certain blonde troublemaker. “You’re welcome.” Cody sat next to Kylie and put a hand on her shoulder. “Okay you’ve had your moment of silence, why are you back from the trip so early?”

“Maybe you’re just boring.”

“I didn’t want to wake you, I couldn’t sleep.”

“Do not say that in front of her, I do not want to scare her,” Kylie advised. She loved Kayla to death but the girl can be flighty sometimes, her girlfriend’s i love yous were already sparingly and she didn’t want to do anything that would make her scared. “I don’t know, it depends if that damn redhead steals her, was Leah this annoying high school?”

“Really, you think she doesn’t want to commit? I mean it was mostly a joke. Maybe you shouldn’t bring her to Christmas then. You know how the aunts are they’ll immediately question you about children.” Cody knew marriage was a big topic but Kylie at least deserved a substantial commitment. “I don’t know, I always kind of liked her but then again I was drunk almost every time we encountered each other.”

Addison’s face softened a bit hearing Cody blame himself, it was the last thing she ever wanted him to do her. Her parents were her problem and it had nothing to do with him and everything to do with their high expectations of her. Admittedly she once shared the expectations but she has now adjusted to a new future and they should’ve by now too. Elijah was five now and they she can sadly count on two hands how many times they’ve shown a bit of interest in their grand child. “Don’t do that, babe, it is not your fault at all,” she said wrapping her arms around his neck. “I love you, okay? Don’t ever blame yourself their bullshit.”

Kylie smiled at her cousin, she loved going over to his place and seeing her nephew. Elijah was a bundle of joy that enlightened the entire Lopez-Pierce side of the family. Kylie adored Addison and her siblings but her parents seemed so rigid the few interactions she had with them. She couldn’t believe after five years they were still disappointed. “I would love to come to dinner,” she exclaimed. “Can I bring Kayla?”

“The way you’ve been about that woman I swear I can hear the wedding bells.” Cody had known Kayla in high school. In truth it was surprising that the blonde had connected with his cousin of all people. Then again Cody knew how much could change from high school. Kayla didn’t seem like the same party animal he knew then. “Of course you can bring her. Will she be joining us on Christmas this year too? You know no relationship in our family is official until they attend the family Christmas party.” 

They abandoned us, not the other way around. It is not our job to make an effort, it’s theirs.

Or we can scrap that idea. I knew it wasn’t a great one before I even said it.

Meanwhile Changs are- pft- I don’t even know anymore.

Maybe we should go visit your parents. I know they aren’t easy to be around but we haven’t tried in awhile either.