Decision Time

The next morning I woke up feeling confused. Upon opening my eyes, I was greeted by the sight of a strange bedroom. Rather than my usual pink walls and four-poster bed, I saw white walls, and I was sleeping in a tiny twin bed with a nauseatingly floral duvet.

Also, I was wearing an oversized white shirt that was about 20 sizes too big.

I sat up in the bed, feeling extremely puzzled. But then the scent of the t-shirt wafted up to my nose. Laundry detergent and a little bit of Axe. Then it hit me. The terrible reality I was going to have to face.

I groaned and lay back down. I buried my head under the pillow and tried to go back to sleep, so I could forget it all. But that became near impossible when Troy came into the room and started rubbing my back. Sighing, I unburied myself and sat up to face Troy. He gave me a very satisfying good-morning kiss but it was spoiled a bit by my apprehension for what the day was going to bring.

"Did you have a good sleep?" Troy asked me politely.

"It was great," I replied. Then I burst into tears.

Troy wrapped his arms around me and held me like that, rocking back and forth. I don't know how long we sat there like that for. Me sobbing into his strong muscular chest, him comforting me.

"It'll be ok," He whispered, as he stroked my hair soothingly.

"What you need to do right now is just get home. You're not going to feel any better until you've faced your mom."

I knew he was right; I just didn't want to believe him. Reluctantly, I agreed to leave. I got him to exit the room, changed, ate a quick breakfast of Raisin Bran and an orange, and walked out the door. Troy walked me home (probably because he was scared I'd run away again) but the whole walk was one long, awkward silence.

When we got to my house, Troy stopped at the end of my sidewalk. He gave me a hug, and whispered in my ear.

"Good luck. I love you."

I smiled at him.

"I love you too."

Then I walked up the front steps, and knocked on the door. The moment had finally arrived.

………………………………………………………………………………...

My mom answered the door, looking very flustered. When she saw me, her eyes lit up and she pulled me into a giant bear hug.

"Oh, Gabi!! Honey, I've missed you so much! And I was so worried! Please promise me you'll never do that again. I love you. Oh, I'm so glad you're ok. I thought you were dead in a dumpster someone. Please promise me you'll never do that again ever!!!"

I felt suffocated. And even though I was mad at my mom, I couldn't help but hug her back. I knew she wasn't trying to hurt me.

At that moment, I noticed a strange man standing behind her. He looked a little uncomfortable, probably because he had to witness this personal event, but he cleared his throat a little when he saw me looking at him.

My mom jumped a little and looked in his direction, but when she saw him she relaxed a little.

"Oh Gabs, I'd like you to meet someone. This is Mr. Lawson. He's our new lawyer. It turns out that your uncle's law firm made a bit of a mistake, which Mr. Lawson will explain to you in a moment. Turns out the other law firm was a little shifty, so…well…yeah. Anyways. Um. Mr. Lawson. Why don't you tell her about…how about we sit in the living room?"

My mom looked really nervous. Her face was pale and she was sweating a little. I could tell from the little sweat marks she had going on in the armpit vicinity of her blouse. We went and sat down, then the lawyer spoke.

"Gabriella, it turns out that children over the age of 9 have special rights here in America. When their parents get divorced, they are allowed to choose which parent they want to live with. They can choose one or the other, or both, like partial custody. What I'm saying is, you don't have to move with your mom. You can choose to stay here in Albuquerque with your father, if you please."

I couldn't believe it. I had a choice! But it was going to be a tough one. Sure, dad had a nice house and I would have a sister and I'd get to stay here. But I'd miss my mom so much. If I went with my mom, I'd miss everyone here so much. I didn't know what to do!!!

I took a deep breath.

"Thanks, Mr. Lawson. I…I think I'll go to my room now. I'm really tired. Maybe after a nap I'll be able to think it over with a clear head."

I could tell by the look on my mom's face that she was disappointed. I knew she had wanted me to jump up and run t her and hug her and tell her I'd rather stay with her than do anything else in the world and that my life here wasn't important. But I couldn't do that. So I walked towards the stairs, wondering how I was ever going to make a decision that would hurt like hell, no matter what I decided.

AN: I'm so sorry I haven't updated in so long!! You know, school, homework, etc. My apologies. Please review though!! Please do! The more reviews, the sooner I update. Thanks for all the reviews I got so far! And ideas are welcome. Tell me what decision you want her to make!

-freakymathgirl