Why is it that the the human brain ignores the second "the" ?

Over the last few days that have passed, I've learned and seen a few things. One being that Symphony was definitely correct. Once I chose to let go of my mom, the store closing hasn't been nearly as painful to think about and I'm almost happy that I'm going to have a fresh start with something new. The second thing being that I have the greatest friends in the entire world.

Symphony, Sam, Dakota and even Winter have stepped in and made sure that I've had everything I could possible ever need to get me through the loss of my job. To others it might not seem like that big of a deal. Some might even be happy if their workplace were to be shut down. However, they all seem to understand what I'm going through and they've gone above and beyond to make sure I'm doing well.

For example, yesterday Symphony brought me several old movies and shows that can't be found on Netflix or Hulu and stayed with me all day just talking, eating popcorn, and watching The Mary Tyler Moore Show with me like a true friend.

Sam gave me her favorite book trilogy to read while I'm held up in my room, Winter came with her and gave me the softest blanket he owns to bundle up in, and Dakota has been coming over each day to check on me and play pool with my dad to keep him from worrying about me.

The third and final thing is that life is so much easier when you're not carrying your mom around in your mind like a great burden. My breath even feels lighter, my head feels clearer, and I seem to smile even more. But that could be because of Dakota's constant ridiculous jokes in attempt to cheer me up. I'm convinced that he goes home and studies up on dad jokes before coming over each day.

Today I decided that mourning is pointless. So I showered, put on a pair of shorts and a yellow top, and took the time to sit outside and drink coffee with my dad before he had to go off to work.

So here I sit swinging back and forth with one earbud in, attempting to finish the second book that has been lended to me. The last few days I've been realizing just how much of my day work had been taking up. During all of this free time I've been forced to think about what I'm going to do with my life.

I guess I had never thought about what would happen after I quit working at Books and Bagels. Or maybe I would have never quit and that's honestly what scares me.

Maybe the store closing was the best thing for everybody. Jared can move on from his father's death, Amelia can retire and spend more time with her grandkids and family, and the rest of us can figure out what we want to do with the rest of our lives.

"You look like you're thinking pretty hard." I voice chirps from below the steps of my front porch. My feet still under me, the swing stopping abruptly as I grin at my friend.

"Just a little." I confess, scooting over to make room for her, "I was just thinking about what I want to do now that I don't work anywhere anymore."

Symphony releases a sigh, taking a seat next to me. The light summer breeze dances around her blonde hair as she squints against the sun. "Well..." She begins, "The way I see it, you have two opinions. You can either stay here and find somewhere else to work or you can, I don't know, travel or something. See the world."

"As if I'd have the money for that." I snort, crossing my arms.

She looks out to my front yard, sitting sideways and leaning against the arm of the porch swing causally. "What happened to all of that money you've been saving since you started working four years ago?" She raises a brow.

My eyes narrow at her. "That money is for a car and for my own apartment someday. I'm not blowing all of that on plane tickets and hotel rooms." I mumble lowly, trying my best to not even consider it.

Symphony blows air through her cheeks, hanging her head back in clear frustration. "Well I already know that you've clearly decided not to go to college so you've freed up all that time."

"Who says I'm not going to college? I told you, this is just a year of thinking for me." I defend, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear.

Her laugh brings my attention to her amused expression, her blue eyes giving away her clear disbelief. "You haven't talked about it since the summer began and, no offense, but I can't really see you going to college with no idea what you're even going to use the degree for and then working yourself to the bone to pay off your debts."

"Well not all of us have parents who are willing to pay for it." I tell her sharply before the guilt quickly sinks in and I rush to explain, "I'm sorry. I guess I'm just...confused. I'm happy that you have the option to go to college if you want to." I smile at her softly.

"It's okay." She looks at me closely before asking, "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Do you want to go to college. Is there something you'd love to do that would definitely require a college degree?" Her inquiry has my mind whirling as I consider it.

"I guess not. The only thing I can think of that I actually want to do is write or maybe just do my own thing? I don't know, that probably sounds weird." I laugh lightly.

"Well good thing you're only eighteen. Who says you have to know exactly what you want to do? And I don't think that's weird. You're pretty creative and so I think you're future will be different than you might think but...it'll probably end up being better. Yeah?"

"Yeah I hope so." I smile at my best friend, feeling grateful for her support, "I'll figure it out at some point."

"You definitely will." Her hand pats my thigh, "But now is the time for ice cream. Come on, we're all going."

"All?"

"Yeah." She grins, "Dakota's waiting as we speak with Sam and Winter so let's go."

"Alright I'm coming." I laugh, rolling my eyes before grabbing my shoes from inside the house and slipping the Chacos onto my feet.

✰✰✰

The moment I see Samantha holding a bundle of something furry in her arms I'm overwhelmed with a flurry of emotion. Confusion, shock, frustration, and finally pure joy.

"You're kidding me!" I scream excitedly, slamming the door of Symphony's car as I step onto their driveway.

Dakota grins at me, taking the animal from his sister and approaching me, the golden puppy wrapped in a white towel. "Definitely not kidding." He chuckles as I stop in front of him, my eyes wide.

"What's going on?" I ask as Winter chuckles behind his girlfriend, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jean shorts.

"It was Dakota's idea." He tells me quietly, "He said that you used to have one but you lost him."

My eyes meet Dakota's and he shrugs, "I figured you could use the company." He hands off the golden retriever, the puppies tongue flopping outside of its mouth happily as it pants in the heavy heat.

"I can't believe you bought me a dog." I fight a grin, petting behind its ears as I hug it tightly.

Sam stands beside her brother with an eye roll. "We all pitched in so don't go letting him think he did everything. We all love you, Lillian. I'm glad you like her." She smiles, patting the dog on its head gently.

"It's a girl?" I ask happily, looking to Dakota with sheer disbelief.

"I figured you might not want a boy after well...you know." He looks down at his feet before pressing his lips together in a sad smile.

I stand there, at a complete loss for words. They've already done so much for me simply because I've lost something so insignificant. "Thank you. I couldn't ask for better friends." I grin, tears spilling over onto my cheeks as I laugh, quickly wiping them away.

Symphony comes to stand beside me, giving me a tight side hug. "I know you would do the same for any of us. Sorry I had to lie to you but we can still get ice cream if you'd like." She chuckles.

"Yeah let's do it. Can I bring her with me?" I look at Dakota hopefully as everyone disperses, hopping into Symphony's vehicle behind me.

"And get her fur all over my Jeep? I don't think so." He raises a brow at me, regarding the puppy with a wary expression.

I roll my eyes. "She barely sheds yet and we can wrap her in a towel and I'll hold her in my lap the whole time. Please?" I beg with a toothy grin, making him laugh as he shakes his head.

"I can't believe this." He tells me, "Okay just stick her in the back on the floor." He sighs, opening the back door for me as I smile triumphantly.

"Thank you." I tell him happily, gently setting the puppy in the floor where there will be plenty of room. I laugh a little when she licks my hand, pawing at me as I pull away and close the door. "Let's go." I chirp, opening the passenger side door as everyone else pulls out of the driveway carefully.

"Wait, Lillian." Dakota's hand grasps my forearm, gaining my attention as he stops me from climbing into the Jeep.

"What is it?" I ask him, observing the growing smirk on his lips.

"I'm not sick anymore." He tells me smartly.

My brows furrow. "Okay that's great but what does that have to do with right now?" I laugh, squinting up at him, the sun hanging high in the sky above us.

"It means you owe me something." He winks.

I raise a confident brow. "Oh I see." I laugh slightly at his cheeky grin, the teasing glint in his green eyes making me blush.

I say nothing else, standing on the tips of my toes as I grab his face, pulling him down towards me, kissing him softly. It's a short kiss and he seems to melt into it instantly, his hands brushing against my waist as I pull away, placing my nose next to his before kissing him once more. "Now shut up." I tell him smartly before hopping into the Jeep and closing the door.

He stands on the other side of the window with a shocked expression before his surprised frown widens into a bright grin and he jogs to the driver's side, jumping inside.

"I wasn't expecting you to actually do that." He breathes, running a hand through his hair before shoving the key into the ignition.

I shift in my seat, feeling satisfied with myself as I glance back happily at the beautiful golden retriever staring back at me. "I know that's why I did it."

"Wow." He chuckles, rolling his eyes. "Do you still want to get ice cream or would you rather go park somewhere?" He winks, making me scoff.

"You wish, lover boy. I need a milkshake and I need it now."

"As you wish." He chuckles, placing his arm across my seat as he pulls out of the driveway.

I bite my lip, staring out the window. Yeah I just did that.

✰✰✰

"You guys are late." Winter hangs out of Symphony's window as we pull into the diner's parking lot.

"Well you see..." Dakota begins, looking over at me as I shake my head at him once with wide eyes.

I blush, my actions now seeming to catch up with me. "We had to let Daisy go to the bathroom." I make up an excuse, pulling the puppy up onto my lap as I announce her name.

Symphony steps out of the car, looking at me over her sunglasses with raises brows. "Yeah okay." She says, clearly not buying it. "Let's go guys."

"Yeah we're going to go through the drive through since we can't exactly bring a dog inside." Dakota gives me a pointed look and I smile innocently, "So you guys go ahead. We'll probably go to the park or something."

Sam looks between to two of us before smirking. "Nah we'll come with you guys."

"We will?" Symphony and Winter ask her.

"Yes." She tells him, "We wouldn't want Dakota and Lillian getting too much alone now would we?"

"Oh I see." Winter sighs at his girlfriend's antics, "Alright let's all go through the drive through I guess."

Dakota rolls up the window with an eye roll. "Well that's great."

"It's fine, what's the big deal?" I laugh lightly.

He shrugs, pulling beside the large menu. "Maybe I wanted to just hang out with you."

"We hang out all the time. I'll be fun with everyone there."

"There's not enough swings." He jokes obnoxiously.

"They probably don't want to swing." I laugh loudly in amusement, "Now order me a strawberry milkshake."

"Can we share?" He asks me hopefully.

"Fine." I sigh, "Just order two straws." I whisper just before he holds up a finger to silence me.

The window rolls down slowly as he looks at me triumphantly.

"Hi, how can I help you?"

"Hello, can I get one large strawberry milkshake please?" He asks the girl on the other side of the intercom.

"One large strawberry milkshake? Anything else?"

"Nope that's it." He responds.

"Please pull up to the second window."

"Okay awesome."

"Don't forget the second straw." I whisper.

"Hush." He holds up a hand as we pull up to the window, his hands reaching out to hand over the money and grab the shake, giving it to me carefully. "Thank you." He smiles when his change is given to him and rolls up his window.

"Dakota!" I do my best not to laugh at his absurdity. "The straw!"

"Whoops. Forgot." He says dryly. "Guess we'll have to share."

I pause, staring at him with a disbelieving glare. Looking down at Daisy, I pet her head softly. "Do me a favor and never date someone anything like Dakota." I mumble.

"Since when are we dating?"

"Uh..." My face reddens deeply and almost instantly.

He laughs, reaching over to grab my hand. "I'm just kidding. If this is your way of asking me out, I accept."

"I wasn't asking - "

"Nope, too late. We're sharing milkshakes and we have a dog together, it's too late to turn back now." He interrupts me with a smug smile.

"Sharing wasn't my idea - "

"Lillian, I've already accepted. There's no need to convince me." Dakota continues to patronize me teasingly so I keep my mouth closed and stare out  of the window.

"So we've come to an understanding?"

I have no use how he's somehow ended up tricking me into into this but I give up with a sigh, a small smile placed on my lips. "Yes, we have an understanding."

"Good now give me some of that milkshake."

"I hate you." I laugh, handing it over.

"I love you too."

✰✰✰

Well I believe that this is the sad sad end!

I have truly truly enjoyed writing this book. My heart is so full knowing that even one person enjoyed this story as much as me.

Am I considering another book? Maybe, who knows?

I do know that I have literally NOT ONCE gotten sick of writing this book. It is a miracle considering it's been 36 chapters and I'm still in love with the story but it's the truth.

If you didn't catch it, this story is very symbolic and it's also very close to my heart. I may not have come through everything that Lillian has but my life has been a ROLLERCOASTER. Like, I could legitimately write at least three books on my last 18 years of life.

Anyway, thank you so much for reading. Look forward to an Epilogue for sure ;)

Much love,

Lyss ☾