The Wrong Sister

Bad mood

Gabe took Chloe back to his house when he left.

They were having a date night apparently.

I, on the other hand had closed a stupid deck chair on my pinky. The chair whose purpose is to be sat on, but whose function is to snap as hard as possible on every  incautious phalange.

Then I stubbed my toe. Now the little piece of plastic keeping me from opening my ice cream was refusing to give way. Eventually my thumb nail hoping for an end to the conflict folded back.

"Fucking... fuck!" I glared at my little bitch of a nail.

Digging up a plaster I strapped my nail tightly, fiercely pretending it didn't hurt.

I would not be deterred. I would eat my fucking ice cream.

The plastic, containing the ice cream - that was rightfully mine, sat on the kitchen counter doing an impression of an innocent inanimate object.

A knife would do the job.

I pulled one out and pointed it at the ice cream.

The plastic lid popped off at my first attempt at prying.

Victory.

I am the conquerer.

The pride lasted around two minutes before the quiet of the house started to get to me.

"I like this house. It's peaceful." I spoke out loud. The soundlessness was oppressive.

"I wonder how Ryan is. I haven't spoken to him in a while." I whipped out my phone and sent him a message.

The response came after another 5 minutes of my own mindless chatter.

"I'm still at school." 

"Oops." I put my phone back.

Silence reigned for a few more minutes.

"Why am I in such a bad mood. Like damn." I paused. "Why did I see him hurting me? He's so lovely. And he's clearly in love with Chloe. Am I subconsciously trying to sabotage her relationship?"

I pushed the ice cream away from me. Disgust was pouring through me.

The sound of my parents laughing as they came home from their walk filled the house.

"How are you doing, Arte?" My dad asked getting himself and my mom glasses of water.

"Well I had a fight with the ice cream. There were some casualties, but don't worry. I triumphed." I joked.

"Oh thank goodness. I was waiting for someone more powerful to open it." He joked back grabbing the icecream and a spoon.

I laughed, "fear not, pops."

"How was uni today?" He asked

I sighed, "I'm really struggling with the online thing. One of my projects is still at my uni."

"Okay well let me check your eyes and then we'll see if you can drive. As soon as the concussion is gone you should really get back to driving anyway. Otherwise it will become a fear."

He grabbed a small flash light and checked my pupils.

Once he was satisfied he nodded.

"The accident was a while ago and we haven't seen any symptoms, but we'll track you as you drive to de sure."

"I don't have a car anymore though."

"You can take mine. You'll come back soon anyway. I'll use mom's."

I gave him a tight hug. "Thanks, daddy. I love you guys so much."

I got my things together quickly. As much as I loved this place I needed to get out. It was messing with me. All I could think of was him and her. 

Why was I so obsessed. I needed to stay out of their way.

After I had my things gathered I spent two hours chatting idly to my parents about their day.

I piled into my dad's little car. It would be fine. I wouldn't crash. Not another car. I would be careful and slow.

I turned the car on. I looked in the rear view mirror. I looked in the side mirrors. I looked I'm my blindspots.

I put the car in reverse. I slowly let the clutch out.

The car started moving. I stopped the car. I turned the car off.

I sprinted out of the car and cried into my dad's chest.

"I'm so sorry." I muttered.

"Hey. What's happening. What are you apologizing for?" My dad asked softly.

"I crashed the car you gave me. What a waste of money. What if I crash your car?"

"It's okay. It really is. I've totalled three cars in my life. Everyone makes mistakes. We're just happy that you're okay. You won't crash my car. You'll drive slowly."

"I can't. What if I crash and suddenly I'm accusing you of hitting me?" I sobbed.

"Shhhh. It's okay. I can drive you to uni today, but then you'll have to call one of us to bring you back. Is that okay?" He asked.

I nodded calming down now that the prospect of driving was gone.

"You are going to have to start driving again at some point, but we can go slowly." He said becoming a little stern.

I nodded.

He hopped in the car and we drove in what was mostly silence to my uni.