Playing (Inked Hearts 2)

She laughs. "You and Em okay?"

"I think so."

"Kay." Her voice lifts. "It's that boy, isn't it? Things going okay with him?"

"I don't know."

"They're not. I know that tone. I was your age once, you know. I remember how it felt, those early crushes. It was like he moved the stars."

That's a good way of putting it. "I miss you."

"I miss you too, Kay-Bear. But you need to focus on school."

"But—"

"No buts. You have a bright future. You're the first woman in my family to go to college. That's what I want for you."

I have a million objections. I can start school next year. She might not be here next year. What's an extra year of education compared to time with Grandma?

"Tell me you've got something good to read me. Something Days of Our Lives."

"I haven't been watching."

"Then another one about Peeta and Gale double-timing Katniss."

"Grandma!" My cheeks flush. "I didn't write that one. It was something I found on that fan fiction website."

"Why not write the sequel?"

"I'll think about it."

"Anything good with Draco and Harry?"

"I'm working on it."

"How dirty?"

"Oh my God, Grandma. It's about the relationship, not the sex."

"No. It's about the sex."

I laugh. Talking to her makes me warm all over.

It's like this empty part of me is full.

But I can't think too hard about it. Or I'll think about how she's running out of time...

I won't be able to talk to her like this soon.

I...

"Tell me about the boy. Same one you mentioned last time?" Her voice gets mischievous. Like she's a teenager.

"Yeah."

"And?"

"He's... I messed up."