Yellow [Dwayne Hoover]

4

You sat across from Dwayne at the dinner table. Sheryl at the end beside you on the right and Olive on your left. Dinner was salad and fried chicken. You weren't complaining as it was way better than pizza for the third time that week.

Dinner started off great already with Edwin, Dwayne and Olive's grandfather, complaining about having chicken once again. You were very awkwardly picking around at the salad on your plate while Frank was explaining to Olive why he attempted to kill himself a few days prior to his arrival.

You learned Frank was gay from his story. Of course, Richard cut Frank off and put his loser vs winner input and said Frank gave up on himself and it's not something winners do. Made your blood boil; just like everything else that left that man's mouth.

"So that's a story, ok? Now, everyone, just let's move on and, uh-" Sheryl awkwardly laughed, reaching over and putting some salad on Olive's plate. "Olive, why don't you tell Frank and y/n about your routine." Richard said, switching the subject.

Olive glanced at you and Frank, pushing up her glasses, "Ok. Little Miss Chili Pepper is a beauty contest for everyone in Albuquerque, but you have to be six or seven and you have to be a girl."

"This is our sister." Sheryl sarcastically smirked at Frank. "Cindy." He muttered. "Spring break. Dwayne went to see his dad in Florida for two weeks, and Olive went to Laguna to see her cousins. She made it to the top of the regionals out there." Sheryl explained, smiling. "I was in second place." Olive beamed, looking at you. "Really? That's super cool. What do you think your chances are this time?" You grin.

"I think I can win, because some of the other girls, they've been doing it longer, but I practice everyday."

"Yea. Good luck." Frank smiled slightly. "Not about luck, Frank. Luck is the name losers give to their own failings. It's about wanting to win, willing yourself to win. You've got to want it badder than anybody else." Richard interrupted. You, Frank and Sheryl sent looks at him. Dwayne couldn't have cared less and continued picking at his food.

"I do." Olive said. "Then you're gonna be a winner." Richard smirked, slapping the table. You rolled your eyes while Frank and Dwayne exchanged a look. "You know, actually, there is a message from Cindy on the machine. Something about Little Mrs Sunshine?" Richard shrugged. "What? Little Miss Sunshine?" Olive gasped, dropping her fork. "Yea." Richard nodded, confused.

"What?!" Olive repeated, jumping out of her seat and hurrying to the machine; Sheryl following. You couldn't really hear the message from where you were sitting but you guessed it was good news due to the shriek Olive let out.

"Oh, my gosh! I won! I won! I won! I won!" She shouted, darting out from the kitchen. "Won what?" You questioned as she grabbed your hands. "I get to go compete for Little Miss Sunshine, duh! Help me pack!" She practically yelled, dragging you out of your seat and into her room.

"I can't believe I'm going!" She continued yelling, snatching her bag from behind the door. "Can you grab me some CD's?" She asked, grabbing a stuffed animal. "Sure, what kinds?" You chuckle. "Surprise me! I gotta look for my bathing suit, be right back." She jumped, running out. You fulfilled her request by grabbing a decent stack of the hard plastic cases.

Within seconds she ran back in, grabbing her CD player and the stack in your hand; shoving them all into her small bag. You walked back to everyone while Olive ran somewhere else to collect more things.

"Richard, I was told explicitly not to leave Frank by himself! No offense, Frank." Sheryl shouted, biting into a popsicle. "None taken." He sighed, setting down his glass. "What're you talking about? You got Dwayne, and sometimes y/n, here. They can look after each other." Richard scoffed, walking out of the kitchen. "No, Richard! That's asking too much. I mean, if something happened—"

"Ok then, we can't go, unless Dwayne and Frank go with us." Richard cut her off, leaning against his chair. Dwayne immediately looked up and shook his head. "Frank?" Sheryl asked, Dwayne continuing to shake his head no. "Ok?"

"Oh, Dwayne, come on, please. Think of your sister." Sheryl sighed. "Come on, Dwayne. It'll be a lot of fun." Richard chimed in. You watched as Dwayne slammed his pen on the table before scribbling in his notepad.

This is unfair. All I ask is that you leave me alone.

"Dwayne, flight school. I will give you permission for flight school." Sheryl bribed. Dwayne pondered on it for a moment before slamming his fists on the table, holding his hand out for agreement.

But I'm not going to have any fun.

"Yea, we're all with you on that one, Dwayne." Frank mumbled, sipping his drink. "Grandpa! Y/n! Are you guys coming to California?" Olive shouted, running in. You awkwardly smiled and glanced at everyone around the table as Olive hugged Edwin. "I'm not sure about y/n. It's their choice if they want to come. There's space in the van if you want to come." Sheryl said, whispering the last part to you.

"Y/n, please come! Please, please, please!" Olive begged, shaking your arms. "Alright, alright! I'll go to cheer you on." You laugh, giving in.

"Hey, uh, hold on. Olive, come over here for a second." Richard said, kneeling down to her level as she skipped over to him. "Look, there's no sense in entering a contest if you don't think you're gonna win," He started, you and Sheryl both rolling your eyes.

"So do you think you can win Little Miss Sunshine?" He asked. Olive stayed quiet for a moment, looking at everyone. "Yes!" She grinned. "We're going to California." Richard smiled, bringing her into a hug.

"You can sleep in Olive's room if you'd like. Edwin takes the couch and Frank is in Dwayne's room." Sheryl said, walking over to you. "Oh, that's ok." You smile. "Sorry you're getting dragged into this. You can always not go if you don't want to, no pressure."

"No, it's ok! If Olive wants me there for her then I'd be more than happy to join." You say, Sheryl smiling wide. "You're too sweet. Do you need me to take you home so you can pack a bag?"

"Oh, yes, please." You laugh.