"What are you doing here? I haven't seen you since, since I can out of my coma!"
"I-I am actually coming home permanently. I finished college and decided to come back home and see where it takes me"
If your wondering what's going on let me explain. So when my sister showed up at the door I literally burst into tears. I hadn't seen her in forever but i was confused as to why she was here. Chris and Cole left soon after that. But Charlie stayed, being the amazing friend she is. Right now my sister, charlie, and I are sitting on the couch, with a cup of cocoa in our hands. The night is a brisk, cold night. So the cocoa keeps our whole bodies warm. My little brother is still upstairs, probably asleep actually. My parents are still out on their date, they decided to leave halfway through my party. All the presents I hauled up to my room but I left the one Charlie got me on my lap to open once the time is right and before Charlie leaves.
"So are you going to open up a law firm here?"
"Maybe"
A ding interrupts our conversation. Charlie looks at it and back up at us.
"Its my mom she wants me home"
"Wait let me open the gift you got me"
"Oh yeah"
I slowly unwrap it building the anticipation. When I get inside there is a black rock gift card, a H&M gift card, and lastly a little box falls out, I open to find another small box. Inside there is a gold chained necklace. Its like a locket, I open the locket to see my favorote quote, and the best picture moment captured between Charlie. It was when we went to a pumpkin patch. We found this huge pumpkin. Charlie had my mom take a picture of us sitting on it and us throwing fall leaves up in the air falling down on us. Where the quote is it says, 'everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about', best quote ever written because it holds so much truth, it's unbelievable. I leap out of my seat and give Charlie a hug.
"Best gift ever!"
"I'm glad you like it"
"I don't like it I love it!" I am laughing like a little kid along with her. I walk her to the door and say goodbye. I watch until she is out of view and come back inside.
"Lets just talk about this tomorrow..okay?"
"Okay"
We both go upstairs and before we both disappear into our rooms, my sister liv, says" good night, my burning fire that always sheds the embers-"
"Into the night forming the stars" I finish. It was a saying liv made up for me in honor of my name when she was 9 and I was 4. She's kept it and said it ever since.
**********
It is freaking 96°F today. WHY? I think the world hates me. So today I put my hair up in a high pony. Put on some ripped denim short shorts and a cropped tank top. What can I say, I come prepared. I also sprayed myself with my favorite perfume and walked out the door. (Although I had breakfast and do the usual things before actually walking out the door). I guess liv was still asleep because when I was leaving she still hasn't gotten up. Then again I doubt she has actually gotten a proper nights sleep, seeing that she was in college for the last 4 years getting her law degree.
I step into my home ec class to find everyone actually working. Did I step into an alternate univ-
"Amber, so nice of you to join us please take a seat next to you lab partners and you will be marked tarty."
"But I had to us the re-"
"No buts. Now get to work and be quiet"
So if you're wondering who that is, its miss Ruben. She is a substitute teaacher, for every grade, and jumps from class to class. If your lucky you won't see her for a month because your teachers aren't sick or need a vacation from us. I actually haven't seen her in a while but boy her attitude doesn't change...ever. I remember one time, sophmore year, a kid in my science class was playing around with the different chemicals, like pouring them randomly into other chemicals. One blew up and so she sent him to the principals office while also give him a week suspension. For making an explosion. That stuff happens all the time in this kinda class. What does she expect!?
So here I am minding my own business measuring flour into a bowl when I get called to leave with an excused note. I go ahead and pack up my things, take the note from miss Ruben, and head out the door. I don't even have time to react to the person who puts their hand over my mouth, my instincts kick in and I try jabbing my elbow into the persons side. I've never been bullied before, so I don't know what its like. But if this is, lord help me.
They finally let go and I quickly turn around but before I can even get a glimpse of the person, they take my hand and say, " come on, we are gonna go have some fun."
"Cole? Wow I never tagged you as someone to skip class"
"There was an extra boost of confidence somewhere throughout the day." We are running through the halls and Cole is continuosly opening doors for me. We finally get to the front of the building and walk out if there like we own the place.
I was kidding on the last part....by the way.
Of course if he isn't gonna tell me the answer he's gotta make sure it is a surprise, so he blind folds me right when I get into his car. Wait! Is he kidnapping me? Better yet, am I willingly letting him kidnap me? Oh, yeah, I am.
We've been driving for about a half hour. Where are we going? So I try to make small talk. I ask the first thing that comes to mind.
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see, I think you'll like it" typical answer.
He suddenly stops the car and gets out of it.
Really, he's gonna leave me here. All. of a sudden I hear my door open and my blind fold comes off. I open my eyes to see Cole smiling at me. I can't help but smile back. I quickly take in my surroundings. Wait a minute.
"Are we at the mall, like the mall"
"Yeah, what other mall is there"
"Y-you, oh nevermind there's no sense in trying to explain it to you. But why the mall"
"Come in, it'll be fun" completely avoiding my question he extends his hand out to me, I take it and get out of the car. I haven't been to this mall in like 10 years. The last time I went here, it was just my mom and for once, and we want to a few clothing stores and I got my first earpeircing. I got my other 3 at a separate shop closer to my house.
Cole starts to run, so I obviously run to catch up. I am able to grab his hand and he leads me through the crowds of people. There is a gocart store up ahead, before I can think twice I am being pulled in there. Cole pulls me to the front counter and pays for 2 gocarts. I just follow him, not exactly sure what is going on. He tells me to go into the red while he gets to go in the yellow. No sir.
"But I want the yellow one"
"To bad I paid"
I open my mouth to something but he pushes me into my seat leaving me speechless. Asshole. A horn goes off beginning the session. Cole bumps into my cart and then again and again. Oh your on buddy. We keep ramming into each other, sometimes causing one of us to slide across the whole arena or whatever you would call. I would corner him in the side rail and ram him making a screeching sound from the rail and the cart. Our time is up 20 minutes later and quite honestly I am kind of hot and hungry.
Once we exit the store, we start making our way to the apple store. But I am starving.
"Can we go to the food court"
"What's the magic word"
"Honestly"
He raises his eyebrows.
I sigh "please"
He smiles "sure"
I love it when he smiles, its like the whole room lights up, outlining only him.
We head over to a hot dog food court. I get pigs in a blanket with a pink lemonade and Cole gets a hotdog and coke.
We find a table that is kind of secluded and dig in. In mid chew I look up to see cole staring at me.
"What is it? Do I have something on my face"
"No no"
"Then what" I whine way too much in the book.
"I just, I've never seen a girl eat as much a you do"
"Is that a bad thing" now I feel insecure.
"No, I'm glad you don't care about what you eat. Most girls just eat like a salad and don't get any fatty foods or what not but you don't care and that's another thing I like about you" I smile " why Thank you and besides why deprive yourself of all the crap you can eat?"
"Correct"
We finish our food and start walking around the mall sometimes going into clothing stores, he even wanted to check out the lego store, saying he hasn't been in there in a while and wanted to see what kind of stuff they had. But I saw the way his eyes lit up at just the sight of the sign and I knew he still loves them. Nerd.
After a while I start to crave chocolate so I lead the way to the best place in the whole building: Sease Candy. We each got a sample, I got a chocalate that reminds me of recesepieces. We ate our chocolates right after we bought them. Then we started running towards a random clothing store. I forced Cole to my section, I'm not sure if he regretted taking me in here, but he didn't show it. I picked out a bright red pair of leggings and a cheetah print oversized tee. I made it to dressing room without him seeing them. I told him to take a seat and wait for me to come out. I wondered what his reaction would be, I mean the outfit looked absolutely ridiculous with none of the colors matching. When I stepped out I was met with a very confused face.
"What! You don't like it"
"Uh. Can I say no?"
I tried to keep a straight face but miserably failed. I couldn't contain my laughter and Cole started laughing along with me. When we finally dialed down I came up with a brilliant idea.
"Okay, I have an idea how about we go pick out crazy outfits for each other and we have to wear them the rest of the time in the mall."
He thought about this but reluctantly said yes. We set off and I went straight to looking for pants. I found a pair of sweats that were a mustard color and had frogs scattered around it. No joke. Obviously making him wear that. Then to go with that I found a white t-shirt that had a kid like frog on it. There were words on it that said, 'would you kiss me, so I can't turn back into a prince'. Who makes this stuff. This is in the junior/mens, yeah, you heard me right and its not Halloween. I decided against looking for shoes.
I go back to the dressing rooms and see Cole waiting for me and let me tell you I do not like what is in his hands. The color is disgusting. A hot pink pair of jeans and to match that a dusty pink crop top that has a pony from the show my little pony. Oh god no!
We trade outfits and head into the changing room. The jeans fit fine but the shirt came to my hip instead if my mid drift. I step out of the dressing room and start laughing. Cole is giving me the 'really' look. But then his expression turned to amusement see in my outfit.
"Very......bright"
"You don't say"
"Mustard color brings out your uh fingernails?"
"And your outfit makes me want to take a step back. Its blinding. How do people wear that?"
"How am I suppose to know. I go for, neutral, simple colors. Not this" motioning to my outfit.
"Well lets go pay for this...and get the heck out if here"
"Agreed"
After getting several stares and some honestly rude comments we get in his car and go to an icecream shop. We head in and each get a chocalate icecream cone and this time we just get laughter. I don't get how can a girl honestly wear this and just be comfortable with the stares, comments, and laughter. Must have some self esteem. We sit down in a corner booth and I start licking my cone. The silence is relatively comfortable, but I feel self conscious when people watch me eat, I look up to see cole looking at me with an ammussed look.
"What!"
"Nothing, am I not allowed to look at someone"
"Depends on the person"
"So what if it was a girl sitting across from me"
"Well I think she may feel a little self conscious about eating her icecream when someone is watching her do so"
He gives a shocked expression but quickly masks it with a smile.
"I enjoyed your birthday last night, it was pretty fun"
"You think so? I like it when its "relaxing" and not crazy. You know?"
"Yeah"
"Hey so why was your sister back"
"I'm not completely sure. She finished college but she doesn't know what she wants to do with her degree. So I dont know if she is staying long or what. I'll find out soon enough."
-
He walks me up to my door and right before I go in I give him a kiss on the cheek, leaving him motionless. I unlock my door and head in. I take my shoes off and take my backpack up stairs. I watch from my window as he drives away.
"Honey are you home" I look at my clock to see its only 5:30. Oh, Crap. I am dead.
"Yeah, coming"
I head down stairs cautiously. But when I get to the last step I just see my whole family in the family room with patient faces. I go and take a seat in a lone chair and wait.
"So amber you know how Liv finished college"
Why aren't they asking me where I've been? "Yeah"
"Well she is going to stay here until you graduate, so she can be the sister you need and it will be easier for her to build her career here." My mom is looking internally at liv, sharing the same smile.
"Really!" I jump out if my seat and jump on liv, completely covering her small figure and my, bigger, figure.
"Can't...breathe"
"Sorry"
"So are you gonna move back into your old room then?"
"Yeah and I may need your help. Lets just say I am planning on renovating" we share the same knowing look. Even though she is 23, she stills acts like a complete teenager.
"Well I have some school so I am gonna head up and start that" before my parents can change their mind on talking to me, I am in my room with music flooding my ears.
*******************************************
How's everyone handling this quarantine. Anybody back in school, like in a building with classmates????
So are you guys excited to see what amber and liv do together. Just some advice treasure the moments you have with your siblings, sooner or later you or they will be off in college and you won't get to see them on a regular basis. Don't take those days you're are together for granted. Any day could be your last, and any day something bad can happen to where you live. Cherish the moments you have with people, your friends, family. Keep them close and never let them go.
Don't forget to vote!
Thank you!
@strings13