Forlot: A Girl Who Needs Her Space - Book Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Five

After Karma and I grabbed drinks - of water and apple juice - we skipped out of the bar and to a grocery store. Well, I skipped. Karma was trudging and swinging her arms back and forth. She resembled a zombie. I halted so she could catch up. I looked at her and squealed. My smile was so wide that it ached. I jumped like a bunny. I was so excited that I could not stay still.

"Come on, Karma!" I called. "We should pick the speed up if we want to return to our time. My mom cannot be alone in our old house."

She picked up the pace and stopped in front of me. She almost knocked me over. I dusted off my jumpsuit and studied her. I saw the sadness in her eyes. I hate seeing my best friend upset. Makes me sad. I rested a hand on her shoulder and asked what was wrong. She looked at me and jerked away. I was surprised. I reached for her, but she backed away. I was like a germ.

I looked at my hands before looking back at Karma. "It had better not be my skin color. 'Cause you are being a jerk right now."

I have snapped at my brothers and sometimes my aunt and mom, but never Karma. We had never fought. I do not know why I said it. My blood was boiling. I have no clue why. Maybe I was stressed. Stress from living with six brothers. My plan was the only way out of the issue. I wanted it my way. I never asked for six brothers. Just my father and mother. And my aunt can visit. I saw my brothers as mistakes. The world would be better off.

I could not have been more wrong.

Karma blinked rapidly. "So I am right. You have finally changed - and snapped. I knew that you would because you still think that your father is a good person."

I placed my hands on my waist. "Here we go again. Are you jealous of me or something? You jealous of my dad because he is cooler than yours?"

Her eyebrows narrowed. "Wish that I had my phone so I could record you. This is not about whose parents are better. You need to understand that your father should not be just that. A father."

I huffed. "How many times must we go through this? I know him better than you. Would you like if I said that your parents are idiots? No. I do not think so."

She crossed her arms and was quiet for a minute. "It is not about my parents. It is about you and your family." Her eyes softened. "I am your best - and only - friend. I swing by your house every day. I am practically family. I know when someone does not value you. I know how much you want a dad. I get it. But you cannot demand. People will hate you no matter what you do."

I held a hand in front of her face. "I will stop you there. So you get it. You know how it feels to not have a dad."

"Absolutely."

"But you have a dad. You kept telling me that you have one. A mom and a dad who love you. And the best part is that you have no siblings. You are an only child."

Karma ran her fingers through her ponytail. "I am glad that I am their only child."

I sighed. "I wish that I had your life. Not that I want to take that away from you. We would be sisters. Just you and me. It is my dream."

"Who is the jealous one now?"

I raised my hands as if surrendering. "I am not jealous. I only want us to be happy."

"Carmen. I will be happy when you stop obsessing over your dad."

It was my turn to frown. "I want him back in my life. It is all that I ever wanted. He will return to me. I know." I took a step back. "Why am I even wasting my breath? You have never been in my shoes. You have the perfect family. The perfect life."

"No life is perfect. And you cannot say that my parents are perfect when you have never met them."

I could not contain my frustration. My muscles tensed as I raised my voice. "Why have I not met your parents yet? Why have you not invited me to your house?"

My friend lowered her arms. "You do not want to come to my house. It is a mess."

"Oh. But you still have a mother and father. That is the only thing that matters. I am happy that you have both of your parents...but if not...you would understand."

Karma threw up her hands. "I am done. Let us get your snack so we can return home." She stormed past me.

I chased her. "What is your problem? You hate my sick brothers too. You do not want to get rid of them?"

She pushed up her glasses. "I would not mess with this timeline. Something can and will happen."

"Something definitely will happen. My brothers will no longer exist. It will be me and my biological parents."

We entered the store and walked down the aisle.

Karma was scratching the back of her neck. "Carmen. I have wanted to say this for a long time. If...if you allow your biological dad into your life...then I am afraid that I cannot be your friend anymore."

I stopped in my tracks and grabbed her wrist. "Did you say what I think that you just said?"

She nodded. "I am sorry. I do not want to lose you. I...I just cannot be around a toxic person."

"You think that I am toxic?"

"No. Your dad."

Before I could answer, a black cloud formed in front of us.

"Did ya miss me?"