PlayDate [#wattys2015]

Flesh and Blood

*AVERY*

"Mom, are you busy in Paris? I'm in need for some of your substantial girl-chat advice," I started the text conversation that way. If there was one person that honorably earned my "trustee card", and knew the key to having the perfect life, it would be the one who spent 27 hours going through creating a miracle child, who happened to be the most significant individual in my life.

Instantly, I received a reply from my mother. She typed "Does this have to do with your boyfriend? Did he do something to you? Because I will personally make him suffer the wrath of my fury like I warned him." I remember the first time she met Tucker... it was not pretty.

"Your parents are going to hate me. They're expecting someone who plans on going to college. They're hoping for a guy who has excellent grades in school. They'll be proud for their perfect daughter to date the perfect guy. I'm not him, Avery," Tucker carped continuously, "Why don't we just keep our relationship secretive from them?" I smiled, understanding how much he wanted to have a good impression on them, and I couldn't love him enough for being a great boyfriend. I cupped his cheeks and looked into his starry eyes.

"As long as you make me happy, and our bridge of love doesn't get damaged, their opinion of us doesn't change how we feel about each other," I calmed him down with my gentle peck to his lips. I felt him brighten up by smiling back at me.

"You're right. Who wouldn't love a guy like me? If I'm perfect for you, they should think so too," he said confidently with proudness. He grabbed the door handle, and walked through the house without turning back nor having second thoughts about our confession of dating each other.

We entwined our fingers, and looked at each other lovingly before facing the dinner table where my family was waiting for us. When they saw us, I never expected their reactions to be horrendous; my father spitted out a bit of wine, my brother tilted his head and glared at Tucker suspiciously, my stepmother and Kelsy gasped seeing him, and my mother... my mother...

She got up from her seat, grabbed her purse, went past Tucker staring at him with disgust, and left the house without any words coming out of her mouth.

She didn't talk to me for a month since that moment. My relationship was over, and I realized why she did what she did. I never believed her when she tried using her psychic techniques on me to tell me my future, but I remember she told me to never date an athletic black man. I wish I listened to her back then.

"You've told me once that revenge was sweet, so I want to know exactly from your experience how you demonstrated the perfect revenge to get back at a heartbreaker," I texted. She texted back explaining the time she got back at my father by jealousy. She started dating his ex-partner of his company to make him envious of what he lost after divorcing her for Kendra. As she dated his ex-partner, Reid, she began developing real feelings for him and they got married. That all happened because of a fake relationship they planned on my father. My father was going to try to win my mother's heart again, but after hearing her engagement he decided to let her go.

Based on her experience, I realized what I could've tried.

I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket, so I grabbed it and got a call from my mother. She never called unless it was an emergency, but I didn't think there was any emergency going on. I clicked answer and put the phone close to my ear.

"Yes! He finally heard my prayers. No more "Aveker" and "Tuvery". Reid, the guy I told you about is no longer dating my perfect daughter. Can't you believe it?" she cheered happily, "I knew he was trouble from the beginning."

"Mom? You breast-dialed me again," I sighed knowingly, "Why can't you be one of those mothers who put their phones safely in their handbags?"

"First of all, it was my bra that clicked the speed dial number. Avery, you must understand that a cell phone is the most important device for communication. If my handbag was taken by a thief, I would put you and the people in my contact in danger. Not only that, it has all of my security information. These watermelons I have keep my phone safe," she explained disturbingly.

"Ugh. Why did I even ask?" I rhetorically asked myself before hanging up the phone. How embarrassing.

I checked the time, and I had to get to the library by 5 or else Mr. Jerk was going to make a fuss about me the next day. Before I started the ignition, I had to dial Darren's phone number to make sure he was alright. I trusted him when he was somewhere with his cell phone, but it was Kendra I couldn't trust whatsoever.

"Hello? Ree?" I heard his sweet, gentle voice speaking through the phone. He was so adorably fluffy; I could've just uncontrollably gone to him and hugged him tightly without ever thinking about letting him go.

"Yes. It's me, Sport. Are you alright at the salon with Kendra? Is she preparing for another date with Dad?" I groaned, emotionally displeased with the idea of her being with him.

"Not to worry, Ree. Fact: Those who worry end up seeking for habits of relief like drugs, anxieties, overeating, alcohol, etcetera. You don't want to have any wrinkles on your face, do you?" He knew me so well. He was the wisest in my family, and I learned a lot from him that I used most of his facts in school. Because of him, I became "Ms. Know-It-All" when it was really him that had knowledgeable wisdom. With that wise mind of his, he skipped a grade when he was in Kindergarten. Since then, he became the youngest student in his class seven years in a row.

"I'm thinking about getting my hair done too," he joked. I blinked a few times while trying my hardest not to think about bursting into endless tears. I had to play the Color Game in my mind to prevent the waters to pour out of my eyes. He shouldn't have made a humor like that.

"Darren," I trembled sympathetically full of concern for my little brother, "One, you're not a girl. Two, you always wear your baseball hat that Dad gave you as an heirloom. Lastly, three,..." I couldn't.

"I was just teasing you, Ree. Please don't be sad. I'm sorry," he said. How could I have stayed upset with him forever? That was impossible.

"It's alright, Sport. Don't kid about it with me. What are you doing at this time?"

"Watching the Yankees defeat the Red Sox with a third home run in a row. Fact: The Yankees have the three longest World Series winning streaks."

"How do you know about that?"

"Google it," he answered teasingly before groaning from a third strike the batter made. He got that sense of humor from our father. Dad used to tease our mother a lot, and every time he tucked Darren in bed he'd always talk about his moments as a humorist. Those experiences ended when Kendra and Kelsy got in the picture of our lives.

"I love you, Sport. I'll see you at home tonight, okay?"

"Okay, Ree. Fact: I love you more than you love me," he debated. I chuckled before saying goodbye and hanging up the phone.

Siblings were known to be best friends out of everyone else in the world. My little brother was my only best friend, and I wouldn't have changed a thing about our inseparable closure.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Hello again, readers! I'm just shocked with how far I've come since I first published this book. I know it hasn't been a month yet, but it's still incredulous how much support I'm getting from you guys. I'm truly grateful for all you've done. Thank you!

I'm dedicating this chapter to my little brother because he's one of my best friends who has always been by my side and loved me no matter how much downs we might have. Cherish the people you have in your life. Siblings are the ones that can never leave your life like friends would end up doing someday.

By the way, don't forget the deal that if I reach 350 votes, then I'll do the Character Q&A where you get to ask any character a question for them to answer. Don't forget to comment below and vote for my book.

Get ready for chapter 6 on Thursday. Bye!