Aspyn felt so guilty, she felt that it could eat her up inside at any moment. The bright light of her phone screen reflected onto her eyes, shining in the dark room. Her lips were in a tight frown as her eyes read the text once more, and she knew she would have to face her soon.

When r u coming home? Answer plz anak.

She bite her lip, almost drawing blood as her trembling fingers swiped across the screen to initiate a call. The phone rang and she brought her knees to her chest, feeling her erratic heart beating against her skin.

A ring passed. Then two. Her mother picked up right before the third ring.

"I was waiting for you call, anak. Tumawag ng mas madalas. When is your flight back? Gusto mo ba ng party sa Sabado?" Her mom's voice was almost emotionless as she spoke. She waited for Aspyn's response, becoming impatient when she didn't reply immediately. "Hoy, nakikinig ka ba?"

Closing her eyes shut as if her mom was in front of her, Aspyn blurted, "I'm not coming home."

It was silent, and her mom had a moment of shock before she decided to respond. "Ay nako, ano ang sinasabi mo? I already invited everyone and planned the food."

Aspyn sighed, tugging at the drawstring off George's sweater as she spoke. "I'm sorry, but there's no use going back for a day. And I'll be with Kuya anyway, Ma." Her voice was meek, and she often felt small when she spoke to her mother. But she wanted to keep her ground this time. Niki's voice rang in her head, she deserved to be happy.

"Your Ate will be upset." Aspyn's mother said, as if she were trying to subtlety lay the guilt card.

"Ate will understand." Aspyn knew this as a fact. She had asked Rhea right when she first thought about staying in California for her birthday, and Rhea was ecstatic for her.

Her mom clicked her tongue, her voice lowering as if it was a warning. "Ay nako, you are getting on my nerves again, Aspyn. Gago!"

Aspyn grimaced. "Ma, I just went home two months ago anyway." She tried to reason with her in a hushed tone, not wanting to disturb any of her friends that might have been in the house. "And I'm almost 22. I'm an adult."

"You don't act like one," she was quick to retort, and Aspyn's mouth flew open.

"Because you don't treat me like one!" Her voice raised unintentionally and she backed down almost immediately. "Sorry, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that." She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose in annoyance.

"You are making me feel guilty again." Her mom huffed, annoyance laced in her tone. "Ginawa ko lahat para sayo! Lumipat ako dito upang magbigyan ka ng mas magandang buhay. You should be more appreciative."

There it was again, the guilt feeling that bubbled in Aspyn's chest. She took a few moments to take a deep breath, formulating a calm response in her head. She didn't want a heated argument, but she knew the conversation they were having could very well lead in that direction. "Mom, I'm just hurt. I'm not attacking you, I'm not calling you a bad mom." Aspyn tried to tell her, but her mom had the idea that Aspyn thought of her negatively stuck in her head.

"Anak, I don't do it in purpose." Her voice rose again. "I just want the best of you. I raised all three of you, alam mo kung gaano kahirap yun? You're so ungrateful and I feel bad, because I feel like a bad mom now. You want to stay in California for your birthday? Fine. Huwag lumapit sa pagtakbo kung kailangan mo ako!"

"I told you family comes first but you don't listen. If their family asked for them, they wouldn't say with you, they would go with their family."

The line ended, and Aspyn slumped into her bed. She curled into a ball, focusing on her breathing when she felt the intense increase of her inhales. Her eyes were spotted with tears, her cheeks patchy from the trails of water that seeped past them. She fell asleep moments later, her body drained and exhausted from the twenty minute call with her mother.

The next morning, Karl and Alex spend the morning with Aspyn in her room. They heard her cries last night, and despite how much they wanted to burst in, they knew she would need some time to cool down first. With the UNO cards scattered out across the wooden floorboards, Karl finally brought it up.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He offered, not being able to look at her tear-stained face without feeling a pang in his heart. He placed a Wild Card, switching the colour from blue to yellow.

Aspyn shrugged, leaning over to pick a card from the deck. "It's the same shit, really." She sighed, her eyes flickering up at her friends, who peered at her carefully with eyes filled with concern. "She makes me feel guilty for anything I do, and I can't help it but sometimes it just gets to me. I almost bought a ticket to go back last night, and the only thing that stopped me was Rhea." Her sister somehow knew what Aspyn was thinking, and texted her in the middle of the right. It was a lengthy message, something along the lines of "don't let her ruin your fun. i know you're happy, and i wouldn't want that taken away from you."

Alex gave the girl a minimal smile, "George wanted to stay when we kicked everyone out." As soon as Karl and Alex realized Aspyn was having a fight with her mom, they kicked out everyone remaining in the house — which happened to be Dream, Sapnap, and George.

"Really?" Aspyn didn't even realize he was home.

Karl nodded. "Yeah, he felt bad for leaving." He piped up before adding, "I told him he could come later today — if you want, that is. I could always tell him not to." He reassured her.

But Aspyn waved it off, relief beginning to bloom in her eyes at the thought of being with George. If there was something she wanted right now, it would be to hug him. "That's okay, I... I would like to see him."

Karl beamed and Alex's lips pulled up to a smile.

12:02 PM

hey, i'm coming over

you don't have to :((

i don't want to trouble you or anything

shut up, i'm coming

sorry these are a bit rushed, i was

drawing while walking

awwww

dare i use... "🥺"?

GEORGE BDJSBSH

did that make you laugh???

actually, i know it did, don't

answer that

i'm just naturally funny 😎

yeah yeah, okay

it did, thank you :)

no need to thank me, darling

i'm always here for you

i'll be there in five !

12:16 PM

GOODBYE IM GOING TO MELT

WHAT THE FUCK

WHAT THE HELL

GEORGE GOT YOU A GIFT BASKET???

NO

GEORGE MADE ME A GIFT BASKET 😭

IM GOING TO GET CAVITIES

THAT BOY IS ON ANOTHER LEVEL OF SIMP

heyyy did he buy you food too ^_^

ah yes

you should mention that you're hungry and

you're craving McDonalds.

and maybe a pack of monster too

...

anyway, i'm so soft, that was so cute

he showed up to the door and the basket was

covering his face

awwww

man i should have answered the door

that would have been so funny

anyway im coming to your room so i

can have some food, i hope you're

not cuddling or anything 🥴

happy 1 year of gnf & the dsmp!!

i start my last set of classes soon and then

i graduate! exciting!

also thank you all for the comments

about my math exam! it made me very

very happy, and i'm pleased to let you

know i did very well on it! i'm glad it's

over with though, FUCK MATH! 🙄✋

have a great day, love you! (/p)

also, i've realized that many of us share

simile mothers, and i want you to know

that you are so loved. you are amazing,

and cared for, and i am so proud of you.

i love you, keep being your lovely self. ❤️