I'm a Trust Fund Baby, You Can Trust Me

      “I THINK you’re right on that one” 

He’s really, really cute though.”

“Okay. I understand. You talked to Ben about what? There’s nothing wrong, like I really am Fine… Of course, what else are best friends for besides to support each other and to have super fun times with? I just want to make sure you’re going to be as comfortable as you possibly can until you’re ready to be on your own again.”

“About.. what’s going on with him. He told me everything. You’re the best person I’ve ever met, do you know that? Seriously thank you.. even after I kind of disappeared for a little bit.”

“I don’t know how local we are to Hollywood, considering we’re in a, you know, different state.”

“Oh... yeah of course.”

“It might be safe to say that he’s not hurting as much as you may like to think. Yep, never been better actually. I have an idea, we can rotate. Like a week at my house, a week at your, a week at your sisters. You know, so it won’t feel too overwhelming for you.”

“I know he isn’t.. I don’t want him to be. I don’t want anyone to feel like how I feel. Shawn.. you don’t have to lie to me, I talked to Ben a few days ago. You’d.. you’d really do that for me? Like.. really and not mind?”

“He’s going to get what’s coming to him, don’t worry. Oh no, they’re fine, we’re all fine, and I want you to be fine too, that’s all. However you want to take it, it’s up to you.”

“I don’t want that.. it hurts too badly, I don’t want him to hurt too. Are you sure you’re fine? Maybe I’ll give Di-.. my sister a break and you can sleep over soon? Or i’ll go to you..”

“I don’t know, but that wouldn’t make since, unless he just wanted to break your heart. You could always move in with me, Ben, and our parents. It was almost like you lived here before you got serious with Jason.”

“Well if that was his goal, mission accomplished.. I don’t want to put that pressure on your parents right now, they have enough going on. I’ll be alright, just may need some extra Shawn time.. if that’s okay?”

“I didn’t say that, but it takes two to tango. Oh, okay, I haven’t met her yet but that’s good. As long as you feel safe wherever you’re staying.”

“..Do you think he was using me? Right... i mean, I don’t feel safe anywhere but at least I’m not alone. Wish you could move in honestly.”

“Maybe it was just too soon, but we’re going to forget about and focus on you. What do you mean you’re not at home, where are you staying?”

“Too soon.. so this is my fault.. My sisters place. She’s a little hard around the edges, but she had a guest bedroom and offered it to me until I feel like being on my own.”

“People who really love you just don’t leave you a note and then disappear. He’s a real dick, and I wish I could have seen this coming.”

“I thought he did really love me.. Yeah you and me both but I didn’t and now I’m here.. I’m not even staying at home right now.. so that’s where we’ve reverted back to..”

Noelle was sketching in the park as the dog sprinted past her, “That dog is determined to wear you out.”

“Change of topic. What do you do?”

“I work at the spa in Golden Parks. What about you?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I guess it’s more complicated that I thought.”

“It’s fine, really don’t worry about it.”

“I’m not going to ask but I guess it’s always harder for the fathers.”

“No that’s not.. forget it. I suppose it is.”

Ben smiled sympathetically. “I know. I know you’re trying to help. I’m appreciative of that, but I can only take so much each day. Today, was the crystals. Tomorrow, we’ll see what happens,” he chuckled without humor. “When people say ‘No offense’, the next words that come out of their mouth are usually pretty offensive.” Ben pointed out, getting up from his spot at the kitchen table. From the fridge, he grabbed the monster batch of smoothies his mom had made earlier that day and poured two glasses - One for himself and one for Noelle. “Just keep him busy, please. This is hard enough on him as it is.”

Noelle nodded, completely understanding where he was coming from, “Totally get it, I’m sorry. I’ll just focus on the crystals for now.” She shrugged, not really having anything to say back. She wasn’t trying to be offensive, but what she has said she believed to be true, “Thanks.. Of course I will, it’s the one thing I’m really good at. Shawn duty. Don’t worry about him more than you already to, he’s in very good hands.”

“Well, hopefully we can get you back on your feet,” Diana sighed, patting Noelle on the shoulder a little awkwardly. With a small chuckle, Diana sat back and crossed her legs. She was sassy more often than not. “Like I’ve said multiple times, I’m happy with myself. Throw someone else into the mix, I don’t think I can be happy. Trust me, we’ll be okay.” Nodding, Diana pulled herself to her feet and lead the way to the guest bathroom. Her bathroom was off-limits like her room. “After this we should have a glass of wine. And by a glass of wine, I mean a whole bottle. Each. It’ll help us sleep, yeah?” She asked, setting herself up so that Noelle could was her hair in the sink.

“With your help, I think we can.” Noelle just gave her a kind smile, loving this different side of her sister. She felt at ease like this, “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. I actually kind of admire that because I’m so not like that.” Nolle trotted behind Diana to the bathroom, giggling the whole time, “Yes, I think that’s perfect. What kind of wine do you drink?” She asked as she unwrapped her sisters hair and put it in the sink to wash it out the way a person in a salon would wash out a persons hair, “Let me know if this hurts your neck or if the water is too hot.”