Secret Sister Signs

2016: Blue Girl

 Toni frowned as she stared at Bobby's empty bed. Had a sleepover without me...probably had a shit ton of fun without me too... She heaved a miserable sigh and rolled out of bed. School started again in two days. Will I have any friends this semester? Will I even have Bobby?

"Toni, can you help with Dana today?" Her dad asked when she dragged herself downstairs.

"What? Why? You got it handled," she opened a fruit cup and handed it to her four-year brother as he hurried past. "See? The kid's practically self-reliant."

"It's just that I have a meeting at the university in an hour, we gotta get things straightened out before classes start again." Dad told her as he tried to catch Dana. Toni shrugged and hopped onto the island as she watched her dad chase her brother. "Bobby said she'd watch him, but she isn't back yet -"

"Her problem then," Toni snorted. "Call her or something and tell her to get her ass back home."

"Toni," Dad shot her an exasperated look. "And I tried to text and call her, she must not have her phone on."

"All the good it does anyway when she keeps it zipped up in her purse all the time," she huffed and jumped down, she caught Dana as she raced past. "Fine, I'll take him to the park behind Alexa's house. Do you think she's back from vacation yet?" She asked hopefully as she put Dana on the island. "She barely texted me this summer."

Dad shrugged as he straightened his tie and picked up his briefcase. "She was probably too busy, Tone. She went to Mexico this summer, didn't she?"

Toni rolled her eyes. "How is it everyone else but me has plans and a life? Wanna know what I did all freakin' summer, Dad?" She demanded as she watched him pack a lunch. "Nothing! I worked at freakin' Sonic and rode my bike around town like a loser!"

"You're not a loser. And I believe your mother and I have told you before how proud we are of you and your sister working part-time over the summer, it shows a lot of responsibility."

She rolled her eyes. "Luke always goes to Florida and Alexa is always doing something super fun with her family. Why can't I ever do anything fun?"

"You know Luke doesn't enjoy staying with his grandparents for the entire summer. He's not having any fun," he gave her a look. "And Alexa's aunt is a marine biologist, so she gets plenty of unique opportunities to study with her when she's available."

She scowled. "Yeah whatever, you're not making feel better. It's just this summer has been...y'know, especially hard, I guess, with everyone away. I don't know where I stand with anyone."

"Toni. Honey. You're gonna be fine." He kissed the side of her head before picking Dana up and putting him back down on the floor. "You know you're a little paranoid by nature."

"Am not," she grumbled and crossed her arms.

"You get it from your mother!" Dad winked. "Speaking of, she works a short shift at the hospital, so she'll be back in plenty of time for you to get around for work. Anyway, I better leave early. Don't worry so much, hon. You're a great kid, everyone knows it. You'll see. All your friends will still be there for you when school starts up again. And hey, next summer if you really wanna do something fun, why don't you and Bobby stay with Grammy?"

"I guess... Too bad Grammy doesn't live someplace cool like Mexico or Florida," she huffed.

"Ohio is exotic in its own...special way. Anyway, see you later, honey! Thanks for watching your brother for me!"

"Whatever," she heaved a sigh and watched him leave. "Let's go, Dana," she caught his hand and hurried outside.

***

"Well, her car's there..." Toni muttered to Dana, he seemed to be enjoying himself too much on the swing to pay her any attention. Their favorite park was practically right in Alexa's backyard. "Should I text her? I should probably text her. I don't wanna seem like a creep though and tell her look out your window and then she sees us. Damn. Why am I always overthinking?"

Despite living in the same town all their lives, Toni's and Alexa's friendship hadn't started until a few years ago. Toni had always been loud, outspoken, and strongly opinionated while Alexa had always been the shy, quiet girl in class. Three years ago, Alexa had started dressing like Toni and finally the two clicked. Toni secretly enjoyed how much Alexa idolized her, she dressed like her, listened to the same music, and tried to talk like her too. It was awesome! But then again, everything sorta derailed last summer when Daisy tried to ostracize her from the whole school and Toni had started to think maybe Alexa wouldn't want to hang out with her anymore since she was sorta branded as the black sheep. She was kinda surprised when Alexa still texted her during the summer. Of course, eventually she texted less and less, the last time Toni had heard from her was a week ago.

"You should text her," Dana told her. "Also, you stopped pushing."

"Huh? Oh," she scowled and shoved the swing again. Once he gained some momentum, she whipped out her phone and shot Alexa a text.

Hey bestie! S'up? :D

A few minutes later she got a reply.

Hi Toni! I can't wait 2 c u in school!!! :)

"School?" She frowned. "But...you're right here." She furrowed her brow as she gazed up at the back of Alexa's house.

Yeah...c u then

"C'mon, Dana," she sighed as she grabbed his hands and helped him off the swing. "Let's go home. I need to binge watch some Ice Age right now and drown myself in a bucket of ice cream."

"Ice cream! Yeah!" He cheered.

"I remember when I used to cheer," she mumbled glumly. Oh yeah, school's gonna be fun this year.