She began again "Sometimes I feel Brennan is looking for someone else. I feel like he is always seeking out for something."

"I think you should talk to him."

She hummed and then her tone changed to concern when she remembered something "My mom mentioned that it is your mother's birthday tomorrow."

I stayed quiet and continued to cook the food.

"Are you going to go and see her?" Lana asked.

My plan was to not make a drama of it but I should have expected for her to find out. Her mother had been friends with mine for years.

I answered after a while "I am just going to visit her grave after school."

"Ella." She said gently yet scornfully "It is your first year without her. I don’t think you have given your self time to fully grieve yet. Take the day off. Go and see her."

Biting my lip as I listened to her, I eyed the flowers in the vase that I was planning to take tomorrow.

If I allowed myself to think about it too much, then I would only break down.

I pondered over the thought that my dad would go and see her but then my afterthought turned to him being too drunk to know what day it was.

Shaking my head to myself, I eyed the phone and Lana's profile picture and replied "I can’t just take the day off. I have classes to go to."

"Ella, you already know everything." She tried to joke but then went back to her sympathetic voice "You need to do this for yourself."

"Okay." I finally agreed.

Lana did not sound any less concerned as she questioned "Do you want me to stay off and go with you?"

I knew she would happily stay off and come with me if I asked. She would drop everything in a heartbeat.

"I think this is something I need to do myself."

"Only if, you are sure." She affirmed.

"I am." I said surely "Thank you, Barbie."

She giggled at the nickname "Anything for you, Freak show. Now I better go before my dad starts shouting at me for not going down for dinner."

"Love you. Bye" I replied before ending her call.

Just as I was about to stir the pan again, a knock came from the front door.

I was not expecting anyone, and it left me hoping that it was not my dad.

I wanted it to be the large leather jacket-wearing nerd at the door, so I hesitantly walked down the hall and hoped for the best.

A small sigh of relief escaped me as I opened the door and found the giant taking up all the space at the doorway.

The relief did not last long as for a good minute we just stood there looking at one another.

Stone did not say anything. He just stood there holding onto the doorframe with a look of determination.