"You have to watch over your sister Dream. She different." I heard my mama say to my sister. "Ice isn't like other kids." She mumbled pulling from her cigarette
"Ima always watch out for my sister. She not like other kids because she better than them." My big sister Dream said looking at my mama who sat on the stained couch.
I knew at 13 years old I was different and not in the good way Dream tried to paint. I was on the spectrum. Something I will live with my entire life. Very particular about... everything. My OCD was triggered by my autism. So was my eating disorder. I spoke well. I could do for myself. As long as my big sister was right there to watch over me.
"Come on Ice. Let's get to school Jack." My sister said smiling from the bottom of the stairs where I hid to listen to their conversation.
"Did you toast my waffle?" I asked in my natural monotone voice. My sister hazel eyes glanced my way.
"I been making your waffle for the last two years. Why would I forget today?" She asked as I stared at her before she rolled her eyes. "Here." She held it out to me as I excitedly took it from her smashing half of it into my mouth before she snatched the other half out my hand. "Slow bites Ice." She warned as I munched on the mouthful of waffle.
Portioning my food wasn't a strong suit of mine and I've even choked almost to death on serval different occasions.
"Come on Tabby outside." She grabbed my hand leading us outside. Our mother didn't offer us a second glance. Dream had been taking care of me since I could remember. She was the one who told my mom something was different in a good way. It didn't take long for my mom to realize she could get a check for me. That's all I was to her but not to Dream. I was Dream one and only baby sister.
Walking around the car four times as Dream waited putting on her lipgloss before sliding in the front seat once I was in the back. Clicking my seat belt on and off four times before finally clicking it on Tabby big round eyes looked back at me.
"Morning Icy!" She said not too loud I waved before shoving the rest of my waffle in my mouth. "She shoved her food in her mouth." She tried whispering to my sister who glared back at me.
"Icelynn do you want to choke to death and leave me in this world by myself? Huh? Is that what you want me to die from heartbreak?" I shook my head no. "Then stop shoving food in your small ass mouth. Small bites for a small mouth and a small girl okay." She said as I nodded my head before wrapping my arms around her from the back. Squeezing too tight she tapped my arm two time which let me know so I loosened my grip.
"Love you Dream." I whispered as she smiled rubbing my arm softly.
"I love you more than life baby girl now sit back." She said as Tabby pulled off.
"We going to that game tonight right?" Tabby asked Dream as she nodded her head.
"Yea you gone come scoop us right?" She asked as Tabby looked at me through the rearview.
"Of course. Icy you gone let me straighten your hair for tonight?" She asked as I shook my head no.
"I like my curls." I said as she nodded.
"Well when your curls look that good how could one blame you." She said as Dream nodded her head tapping on her phone.
"Yea plus Ice isn't going to sit down long enough for you to do shit to her head. I let her do her own hair because she not about to piss me off this early in the morning." My sister said as I shook my head. I knew she was joking but I didn't find much funny. I was pretty practical. "Ice I got you a nice Burberry jumper when I was at the mall you gone wear it tonight okay. It's green. That's your color right?" She asked even though she knew the answer.
"Yes. Green is my safe color." I said as we pulled up to the high school. Dream is a senior. I'm a freshman.
"Good because if you switch up colors and don't tell me." She said turning around to look at me before smiling. "Cute tail." She said before getting out and opening my door. Child safety kept me from opening the door 4 times while the car was in motion. Dream and Tabby had a lot of trail and error moments with me.
"Ohh shit them the new boys. Heard they just moved in that mansion on the south side. Let's go speak." Tabby said as Dream smiled big her perfect teeth and glossed lips fit her round face perfectly. I followed behind them. Once they got to the four boys who were brothers I assumed I circled them 1... 2... 3... and 4 times before stopping by my sister they eyes followed me as my sister and Tabby continued to talk. Once Dream looked over at me she could see their stares were making me iffy so she slipped her soft hand into my own.
"I'm Dream." She said before nodding her head towards me. "My baby sister Icelynn." They all spoke clearly intrigued by me for whatever reason. I didn't speak back. I didn't speak to any strangers.
"Can I go to my locker." I asked my sister as she looked at me then the guys. "Dream I can go to my locker myself." I stressed.
"Yo I love your voice." The brown skin boy with the green baseball jersey on spoke New York City can tell their accent from a mile away. "Shit sound like you can sing. Can you?" He asked as I looked from him to Dream.
"She wish she could sing." She spoke for me before nodding her head. "Ima come by to make sure you in class. Don't drive me nuts Ice." She said before I nodded.
"Can I walk with you?" He asked as I circled them slowly with my eyes trained on him he turned in circles to keep my attention before walking off when I did. "By the way. I'm Judah."
