Countdown (MC)

11 - Vermillion

"Oh, are you okay? Is something or someone bothering you?" She sounded surprised when I said that this was going to be a serious conversation.

Giving me her full attention right away, she dropped the pan she had been washing and walked over to the island - taking a seat in the chair right beside the one I usually sit in, motioning for me to sit too.

"So, I know you've noticed that something has been... bothering me lately." I cleared my throat, pausing while trying to come up with a word that best suited how I've been acting. "And I need to tell you what it is because I need some help or guidance."

"I've been wondering what's been going on. You haven't really left that room of yours for a couple of days." She smiled at me, looking as if she was trying to comfort me and lighten my mood. "Go ahead and tell me anything you want. I'm all ears."

"I don't know how to tell you exactly but I guess I'll just have to explain the best I can." I sighed, running my hand through my bangs, pushing them out of my face. "Last week something happened that's had me thinking about my feelings and emotions."

"I've finally come to an obvious conclusion but I don't really like it. Well, I do like it, it's a nice feeling when it's not being replaced with guilt constantly." I started off frowning, but that frown soon turned into a smile, an actual genuine one at that, but that faded away faster than I wanted it to, only to be replaced by another frown.

"If you like the feeling, why are you guilty?" She didn't have an idea of what I was talking about, but her question made me think hard. She had a point. If I like how I'm feeling, then why am I feeling guilty as well?

"You're confused about what I'm actually referring to, aren't you?" I let out an airy chuckled as I watched her face twist and furrow as she tried thinking of what I'm talking about.

"Sort of, yeah." Nodding her head slowly, I could tell that she needed and wanted me to continue. "Can you explain further please?"

"It's about Michael." I blurted out, not being about to hold that part in any longer. It's like want to tell the entire world what I'm feeling and who I'm feeling it about, but I also want to shy away in a corner and not let anyone in on what's going through my head. "I'm feeling-" I stopped myself, the guilt returns.

"Vivienne. What are you trying to tell me?" My mom calming spoke, leaning towards me a little more, taking my hands in hers and giving them a tight squeeze to help comfort me.

"I-I love Michael Clifford." I stuttered out, my cheeks flaming red once the words escaped my mouth. I'm now not the only person who knows and I can't take it back.

"Oh my gosh." Her whole face lit up and a huge smile spread across her red painted lips. "That's amazing honey! Why would you feel guilty about that?"

"Because he's in love with another girl."

Florence's POV
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"Because he's in love with another girl."

When my daughter spoke those words, my heart literally started to ache for her. She had no idea that when she heard my conversation with Michael a couple of months back, we were talking about her the whole time. Now she thinks the person she loves doesn't love her back and instead, loves someone else completely.