s t r e a m {SAPNAP}

- 22 -

Wilbur had written it so that I was involved with Dream's escape plan, being controlled by the Egg, I think. I wasn't entirely sure. I mean, technically he had told me to look over the script so I could prepare for a Lore stream when I got back, but I hadn't even opened the file. I kind of wanted to be surprised, to get a genuine reaction.

Nick:
Are you leaving yet??

Me:
No, I leave tomorrow morning
Why, do you miss me that much??
Lol simp

Nick:
I literally hate you
no the only reason I ask is because my chat is always asking when you're coming back

Me:
OOOH so that means you talk about me a lot on stream
I knew you had the hots for me

Nick:
I NEVER TALK ABOUT YOU
I DO NOT HAVE THE HOTS FOR YOU
YOU'RE UGLY AND I HATE YOU
GROSS
EW
UGH

Me:
sounds to me like you're in deniallllll
it's ok we don't have to tell clay
or karl
or alex
or george
GOD how many boyfriends do you have??

Nick:
two husbands, two boyfriends

Me:
What about meeee?
What am I?

Nick:
The ordained minster who's officiating all of us

Me:
ok:(

Nick:
:) bitch

I wished I had more to say. Lydia finally came back inside, her gardening gloves covered with dirt. She gave me a childish smile.

"Let's go out for dinner tonight!" She said with an excited smile. "We can go into the city, have a little fun, spend some money. What do you say?"

I shrugged and stood up, smoothing out my shirt.

"That sounds great. Let me get changed into something a little nicer." I pointed to the t-shirt I had worn to bed the night earlier, and started to rummage through my bags to find something more presentable.

Lydia took me into the city, where we ate at a fancy Japanese restaurant I'd never heard of before. She had said at one point that it was world-famous, and judging it solely of their sushi, I knew she was right.

We browsed what felt like hundreds of small thrift stores and large chain shops alike. I didn't buy a lot, but the things I did buy were way out of my comfort zone.

"The boys would love this on you!" Lydia had gushed, holding up a short, flowy black dress. I was surprised in her choice of clothing, considering this was the same aunt that hated I was in computer science and scornfully mocked my clothing tastes.

Nevertheless, I bought it. I was a sucker for tennis skirts and dresses with the flowery bottoms. I liked to twirl in them. Cliche, I know. Leave me alone.

We returned to her house late than evening, feeling like we'd spent a million dollars.

I told Lydia I was going to bed, but she stopped me as I began to walk up the stairs.

"I have a question," She said, her frail hands shaking against my shoulder. "And you are free to say no."

I suddenly became very frightened.

"You're my only family left. And I'm yours. If...if UTA does online classes...would you possibly want to move up here? I'm so glad that you and I reconciled, and I know we're both alone. You used to stay with me all the time as a kid. And to have us back, like a family, I'd die a happy woman."

I stare at her, looking for signs of humor in her face. I see none.

"I--I don't understand," I finally uttered.

"Would you think about it, at least? I know I'm springing this on you." She sighed.

How could I say no? Lydia was the motherly figure I hadn't had in a while. She was everything that I needed.

"I need to think about it--" I say. "I'd be leaving my whole life behind. I grew up in Texas..."

"I know, darling. Let me know, please?"

I nodded and turned up to the stairs.