Torn Down The Middle Chapter 3: For Grandma’s Sake

“So…now what?” You asked numbly as your arms fell to your side.

“We go and see her, of course!” Your dad said, nodded emphatically and caressing you’re mum’s head against his chest.

……….……………..

The car ride there was painfully quiet. You had already been worn out by the days happenings and now this.

You stared out the window, defeated.

“How was school, pee wee?” Your dad asked, glancing up at you in the rear view mirror.

Pee wee was the nickname he had give to you based off your quirk. It had started as ‘paper weight’ then got shortened to ‘PW’ then softened to ‘pee wee.’

“Ok I guess?” You said with a shrug, still looking out the window. “Made 2 friends.”

“2?!” He yelped. “What have I told you about overachieving?!”

You cracked a small smile, still watching the scenery go by outside. “Thanks dad. Oh and I’m sitting in front of the most ANNOYING guy ever! I don’t even know his first name but he is the physical manifestations of anger management issues.” You groaned. “I can’t stand him!”

Your dad snorted through his nose. “Sounds delightful.” He replied sarcastically.

Before long you were at your grandma’s house and the heavy atmosphere surrounding her place thickened.

You all entered the house and walked down to her room, with your mum sobbing quietly. You felt terrible watching your mum go through this, sure you were sad too but your mum was really upset.

After your mum said a short greeting to your grandma you stepped forward.

“Hey grandma.” You said softly with a quivering smile as you approached the bedside, doing your best to hold back the tears.

“Y/N, honey.” She croaked. “Look how grown up you’ve gotten.”

“Awwww, spanks.” You replied goofily, immediately regretting your words when your mum cleared her throat sharply. “Oops, sorry, I mean…thank you.” You said again, shooting your mum and apologetic look.

You all sat down on various chairs in grandma’s room and chatted about what the future held for her.

She was going to be moved to hospital for the initial treatments but then she had the option of coming back home.

“No, no. Mum, I want you to come and live with us so I can look after you.” Your mum said to grandma.

“Really sweetheart?” She said, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Yes! Of course!” Your mum replied emphatically.

Tentative arrangements were made, then grandma turned to you.

“Y/N, sweet, how old are you again?”

“I’m [your age] now grandma.” You replied.

“Ohhh.” She sighed happily, “I had a boyfriend then, at your age, do you have a boyfriend?”

You let out a belly laugh. Then realized she had asked a serious question.

“Oh! Oh you’re legit…I mean, serious. Uh, no I don’t have a boyfriend.” You said in the most serious tone you could muster.

She sighed. “Oh, I think you need a beautiful boy to enjoy your youth with!”

You snorted then covered your nose quickly when your mum glared at you.

“My best friend has a grandson who is just the most handsome young man I have ever seen.” Your grandma said with a sparkle in her eye. “I would be so happy if you met him.” She added, almost pleadingly.

You were about to say no but the daggers your mum had in her eye when she looked at you told you that you had better agree to meeting this guy or else!

“Fine.” You sighed. “I’ll meet him. What’s his name?”

“I am so sorry, I don’t know!” Your grandma said. “Oh but I’m sure you two will hit it off straight away! I could die happy knowing you two had gotten together.”

You smiled. “We’ll see grandma, we’ll see.”

…………..

“MUM! I said NO!” You wailed. “I’m not going to pretend to date a guy to make grandma happy!”

“Y/NNN!” She pleaded. “Listen, it would only be for 6 months! This is for her! And what if he’s actually super cute and you guys end up dating for real!”

You sighed and rolled your eyes as you crossed your arms across your chest, thinking about what she had said.

“I mean, we’d only have to pretend in front of grandma…we could carry on our normal lives outside of this?” You thought. “Yeah, but what if he doesn’t agree to it?” You then asked your mum.

“Don’t you worry about that side of things, ok? Leave that with me.” Your mum said excitedly, sensing that you were starting to sway.

You stared at her pleading face then sighed dramatically. “Ohkaaaayyyyy.” You wined. “This is for grandma though.”

Your mum shrieked for joy and grabbed you into a bear hug. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” She cried.

“Muuuummm!! Calm down it’s not that big a deal!” You laughed.

“No it is sweetheart. My mother has 6 months left of her life to live. 6 MONTHS! If this will make her happy, then I will do anything to make those last 6 months of her life as wonderful as possible.

You smiled sympathetic. “You’re a really great daughter to your mum you know that?”

Your mum smiled and teared up.

“But you’re an ass to your own kid,” you then added with a straight face. “I mean like, who makes their child fake date a guy?!”

Your mum smirked. “You just might fall in love…then we’ll see who is an ‘ass to their own kid’.”

You snorted. “Bring it on!”

………..………

“Y/N!!” Your mum called to you up the stairs. “I just spoke with grandma’s best friend and she’s in to help with getting you a fake boyfriend! She’s gonna talk to her daughter (his mum) and arrange it.”

“Wonderful!” You called back sarcastically. “It would have been much easier to have just bought me a body pillow with an anime boy on it!”

Your mum heard your response and shook her head with a smile. “Honestly, this girl.”

……………

“I’m late I’m late I’m late!!” You chanted as you barreled down the stairs the next morning.

“Y/N after school today we’re meeting your boy—what the hell is up with your hair?!” Your Mum yelped.

“What?” You asked as you hurriedly made some toast, looking up at her with an oblivious look on your face.

“Child, it’s sticking up everywhere! You look like a half sucked mango seed.”

“Nah that’s just the style I’m going for today.” You said with a shrug.

“Lord Jesus give me strength.” Your mother mumbled under her breath. 

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