It's What's Underneath the Skin; the Beauty that Shines Within

I held off on talking to Kirstie last night. I figured being with Kendall would help her. I wasn’t going to say anything until the morning. Once that rolled around, I just laid in bed. It was still quiet. While I lied here, I reached for my phone. Once it was in my hands, I saw it blinking. My face lit up as I turned it on. It was a message from Tanner. He had sent it only a few minutes ago. Quickly, I opened it to see his tired smile filling my screen.

‘Goodnight… or good morning. Which ever one. But it doesn’t matter. I still wish you were next to me,’ was his message.

It but the biggest smile on my face. Could he be any cuter? I wanted to hug him. But instead, I took a picture of myself and sent it to him, telling him good morning… even though he was most likely heading to bed since he is filming in the Philippians.

After it sent, I pushed myself to my feet and pulled one of his hoodies on that I had taken from his house. It still smelled so strongly of him. It only put me in a better mood as I went downstairs. My instincts told me to start breakfast. But just as I poured a cup of coffee, I remembered that… I didn’t have too. I don’t have Kenzie around or Tanner. Kendall and Kirstie can fend for themselves!

I had a few minutes to myself before Kendall and Kirstie joined me in the kitchen. Kirstie still looked a little bummed from last night. But she still sent me a small smile. I returned it.

“You doing ok?” I asked softly after her and Kendall sat at the table with me.

“Yeah,” she sighed.

“Now you know what I put up with until I moved out,” I snickered.

“It sucks,” she muttered.

“They don’t like Tanner. I can tell. So, join the parents hating on the boyfriend club,” I giggled, bringing a slightly bigger smile across her face.

“They’re nice guys! Why don’t they like them?!” she groaned.

“It’s because we’re happy. God forbid they allow their daughters an ounce of happiness,” I muttered before I took a sip of my coffee.

“That’s not true…” Kendall had to butt in.

“Kendall, I like you. I really do,” I started, looking right at him, “but you have no idea what we went through. You have this perfect little family that supports you through everything and I’m sure they’ll love your girlfriend. But our family… isn’t like yours,” I went on to finish.

“But there has to be reason they’re like this,” he kept going.

“I don’t care. I love Tanner… he’s a great guy. Just because he doesn’t have a doctor’s degree or some ‘normal’ job, doesn’t mean he’s terrible. He’s been supporting me for the past almost two years. My mom and Richard should be happy,” I huffed.

“Maybe they just don’t know us enough…” Kendall just wouldn’t stop.

“Well, I’ve put my two cents in. I’m done with this conversation,” I mumbled as I got to my feet.

I wasn’t going to keep debating with him. I knew my mom and Richard too well. When they’re together, both of them are happiness suckers! His job is to make Kirstie happy… not figure out our family problems! I already have Tanner doing that. He doesn’t need to start too. I’m fine with the relationship I have with my parents. If that’s how they want to deal with things, then fine! I’m going to do what makes me happy! It’s my life… and right now I’m pretty darn happy with my boyfriend… even if he is on the other side of the world right now.