a dance with cancer

one

Valentina Karas

The smell of Strawberry Pound Cake body spray fills the room as I finish my makeup. Tonight is my last homecoming with Katelyn, my best friend since middle school. Katelyn whines because she just wants to go to pictures and then enjoy our night and here I am fussing over my mascara. 

"V, you're already a fucking supermodel. All that makeup isn't necessary." Typical Katelyn. When I met her, she would get dirty and play basketball with random guys than go shopping and do her makeup like our classmates. Katelyn maintains her tomboyishness, but becoming friends with me made her appreciate being a girl. Katelyn has several Division I basketball offers and I can't run the mile without being out of breath, but I wouldn't trade her for the world.

I place my mascara on my nightstand and face her. "Jesus, Salazar. I'm done."

"Mommy?" Katelyn looks me up and down like a pervert. "Holy shit. You look amazing."  The attention makes my cheeks heat up. Katelyn knows just what to say and how to hype up another girl. 

She isn't wrong. My white dress has subtle silver designs all over it and beautifully contrasts my black hair. It ends at my mid thigh and hugs my curves. 

"All you, girl." Katelyn is so effortlessly beautiful. She has around five inches on me and beautiful tanned skin. Her hair is dark brown, but she recently got honey blonde highlights that blend in beautifully with her natural color. She wears a simple navy blue dress with long sleeves. "Now I'm ready. Can you stop complaining now?"

We leave my room and find my mom and younger brother sitting at the kitchen counter. Mom turns around first and I swear tears form in her eyes. 

"Tina. You look beautiful." She takes my hand, letting me examine her cherry red nails.

Katelyn shakes her head. "I see how it is, Mrs. K. No compliment or nothing." 

"Of course I didn't forget about you. That dress is beautiful."

Ronan, my younger brother, tries to shoot his shot with my friend for the millionth time. "I think you are the finest woman to walk this earth." A smug smile lights up his face as he stares at Katelyn. 

"Let's change the subject." Mom says sternly, never looking away from my weird brother. He's had a crush on Katelyn for quite some time. He looks for excuses to hang out with us just so he can talk to her. Ronan won't admit it, but sixth graders can't lie for shit. We don't mind including him from time to time. In fact, we love his company because he's a joy to be around and never fails to make us smile. 

I became his sister at six and the rest is history. Our childhood was woven with laughter, scraped knees, and whispered secrets when the rest of the house is quiet. Sure, he had his tattletale phase, but our bond never broke. Ro is on the small side for a twelve year old boy, but he compensates for it with his larger than life personality. He has the ability to laugh even under stressful circumstances. Like other middle school boys, he's always down for a game of basketball or endless Call of Duty, but he has a sense of concern for the family and I that sets him apart from his friends. Special doesn't even scratch the surface of the person I'm proud to call my brother. People outside the family, Katelyn included, enjoy being around him. 

"I appreciate it, bud." Katelyn says, giving him a high five. His eyes light up when their hands connect, prompting a laugh from me.