The Screen Between Us

5 • Natalie

Dedicated to @ShamrockIceCream for her wonderful comment and unrelenting support :)

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This morning, when the alarm goes off, I'm actually okay with it. I was able to sleep in. Of course, I would have to eventually wake up, so I set an alarm.

I'm just pulling my shirt over my head when Daisy barges in. Her eyes are rolling before I can even look up at her.

"Would you hurry up?" she asks. "Mom won't let me eat because she wants us to all wait for you. I told her that I'm not starving on your account and then she said that if I don't want to wait patiently, I can come and get you so I, of course, told her I would."

"Gosh. Sorry. I didn't know."

"Well, now you do, so just come downstairs. Please." Her black-rimmed eyes are pleadingly wide. I sigh in defeat and follow her to the kitchen. When we get there she loudly states, "We are now all here so we can now all eat."

"Good morning, Natalie," my mom greets.

"Good morning," I say back. I sit down at the table and my mom sets a plate in front of me. "Thanks."

"So, Natalie, will you be able to join us for game night?" my mom asks.

"Of course, mom. How could I miss game night?"

"You have in the past," Daisy points out, her mouth full of eggs. "You had a meeting."

"And I have one today, too," I say. "It's just really late. Sometime around eight."

"Oh, honey," my mom gasps. "Why so late?"

"I told them I was busy. My band just got back from New York and we need to plan out a schedule for the weeks to come. Apparently, the meeting couldn't wait."

"Why were they across the country?" My dad enters the kitchen. I suppose he reenters since he is already carrying a mug of steaming coffee. He is clearly unamused by my management team.

"Um, I suppose taking a break."

"And you don't get one?" Daisy asks. "That's dumb."

"I have all day today," I smile at my sister. "Do you want to do something?"

"Sure. Can we go to the mall?" I look at Daisy and I'm sure she sees the surprise that's written all over my face. She never goes to the mall unless it is forced by our parents. She prefers to shop off the internet. She rolls her eyes and says, "I have a coupon for some free ice cream and come on, Natalie, ice cream."

"Alright," I say, "we can go." I turn to my parents. "When would you want us to be home?"

"No later than four," my dad answers. "I would say anytime, but you have the meeting." His voice is cold and I know it's because he doesn't like my choices. What I chose to do for the rest of my life has had an impact on my whole family. I don't regret it, I just wish things were different and I weren't in such a tightly bound contract.

"We won't take that long," Daisy says. "Well, unless she doesn't stop in random stores and try on everything." She points her fork at me and sends me an evil glare.

We finish up eating and I go to my room to change out of what I had put on earlier. Daisy follows behind me. When she notices that I'm digging through my closet trying to find jeans, she throws a beanie at me.

"What was that for?" I ask.

"Hurry up. Just go with what you're wearing now."

"I look disgusting," I say, glancing down at the t-shirt and sweats I had put on before breakfast.