Flashback
"No, no, NO-" Katherine slammed her phone into the shaggy green carpet, Natalie would have to be in the hospital for another two weeks of testing and chemotherapy. The can on her lips only brought so much relief, nothing coming from it.
"They can treat it, Kathy!" Her husband tried from the other room.
She didn't want to hear it, the words sloshed around in her ears for a moment and tumbled right back out. First, her daughter could barely put together coherent words, apparently, Natalie had some kind of speech disorder or regression. And now, she had developed cancer.
But the distress melted away again into the mess of her brain while the beer worked. Two cans had quickly turned to three, sometimes even four in one session. For a little while, she didn't want to throw things into the walls, she wasn't stressed about her life.
"Kathy, please, listen to me for-"
"PISS OFF, OWEN. PISS OFF." Her husband just brought back what the beer was counteracting, and just the sight of his skinny, pathetic frame made her want to just-
"Kathy, you need to-"
"I SAID, PISS OFF." A deep roar from her throat followed as she hurled the television remote into a wall, as pieces of shattered gray plastic fell to the ground. Everything in her vision started duplicating, water under the bridge to her as he walked off. She'd succeeded, the incoming faint would only remove her further.
...
Present
"I am going to need the utmost cooperation from-"
Lola's long face tightened into a forced smile as she paused herself, her features wrinkling as she tried to take a breath at the sound of noisy chomping. "From my teammates, and-" Her teeth clenched behind her lips, her fingers yanking up the collar of her shirt as she took a longer pause. Maybe Alexandra and that Caitlyn girl would finally get the hint.
"Cooperation from my teammates and my-" Her sharp voice dropped the patience. "STOP THE DAMN CHEWING. I AM TRYING TO SPEAK HERE."
"Um, Lola...? Maybe save it... for later-" Adri tried whispering, but she wasn't having it. She wanted an answer from that smug look on Alexandra. "ALEX, ARE YOU GONNA LISTEN?!"
"Why is everything so formal? I didn't understand the suit and tie look, but now you expect us to listen to your inaugural address." Caitlyn interjected.
"I make an effort to distinguish myself from-"
"It's a tactile thing, sensory, she's always liked-" Alexandra interjected.
"SHUT UP-"
"It's true! You asked for my answer-"
"I'M- UGHHH." Lola didn't know what was worse, how she had been effectively sidetracked, or how the newest member of the team was getting involved with Alexandra's antics. She just couldn't control a group, somehow, Natalie knew what to say to get these miscreants to listen. But without her, that's what they seemed to be.
Your phone: I'm dying here. Our team has no respect for me. Girl, I need you here.
Natalie: well! 🎩 uhm my dearest Lola, I shall arriveth within the hour to administer the time honored royal practice of time out, those Neanderthals shall feel the wrath of the time out corner.
Your phone: That's not a solution. I don't appreciate the mockery.
Natalie: i blame my cat :3
Your phone: Why do I even bother-
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Admiring the Light
أدب المراهقينFriendless and timid, Guinevere is stuck in her socially anxious shadow, content to let her sister lead and live a sheltered life. Without Natalie pushing her to break out of her comfort zone, she'd be trapped in fear. The world is scary, even her o...
