One of the Guys

TwEnTy-ThReE

Tomorrow is the big baseball game. I tried on my cheer uniform and it's gross! It's tight, short, and annoying! How can they wear this?

"You look so beautiful!" Mom walked in my room.

"I guess, please cut me off of this thing, I'm suffocating!"

"Oh darling, why are you doing this? It's obvious you hate this." Mom chuckled.

"Because, it's the new me. I needed a change."

"No you didn't. I love my sarcastic, silly, funny, trouble making daughter who begs for the new Jordans and SnapBacks!"

"So you don't like this girly, delicate, cheerleading new Rosie?"

"I never said I didn't like her, it's just not yourself. I already have a handful, Jackie. She's more obsessed with makeup and heels more than she should be about her school work! I don't need another Jackie. I love my Rosie boo!" Mom kissed my forehead and hugged me tight.

"Mom I'm turning purple! No air!!"

"Haha, sorry Rosie boo. I just want you to know, nothing is wrong for being yourself. Changes are good, but the changes that don't have to do with yourself is different. Be yourself sweetie, love you."

"Love you too mama bear."
Mom always knows what to say. I just don't know if I can follow it. I just want to impress Cameron. I want to be like the girls he dates and likes.
I still have to continue my mission.
I removed the nasty uniform and throw it in my closet.

I walk down stairs. My dad was home pretty early. It's 4:00!

"Hey daddieo, home early?" I said.

"Hey, yes I am. Why you ask? Well why not spend quality time with my beautiful family. Let's go to willow creek!" Dad said.
I like this, I love family bonding. My dad rarely has time because if work, accounting. So this is great to spend time together.
I run upstairs to slip on a tshirt and basketball shorts. I don't care about makeup or mini skirts right now. I want to be comfortable! I slip on my vans and tie my hair into a messy bun.
I walk out my room and Jackie is taking her precious time adding her eye makeup and retouching her cheeks.
She sees me and gasps.

"What are you wearing?" She asked

"The question is, why are you retouching you crayon colors? We are going to the park! Not to disco night at the club!"

"You'll never understand" she said as she walks past me.
I walk right behind her.

"Let's go fam bam!" Dad yells.
Cameron was outside throwing out the trash.

"Cameron, my boy. Want to join us to Willow creek? Your sister can come along. Your family."

"Hey Mr. D. Uh, sure. Let me ask the fam." Cameron ran inside.
Cameron came out 5 minutes later with his mom and sister.

"Let's go!" Cameron said.
Jackie went running to Cameron's sister and they hugged.

"I'm hitching with them!" Jackie said.

"Fine I'll ride with Rosie and the rest of the Dawson's!" Cameron and the rest of us went in the car and drove off.
...
"I haven't been in here in so long" I said as I walk to the crystal clear pond.

"Remember when we came here and always chased off the ducks." Cameron said.

"Dude, poor ducks. Poor people, when we would bring our squirt guns and shoot everyone with water.." I laughed.

"Good ole times my friend." Cameron said.

"Who wants some grub? Subway for everyone!" Dad said. "Spicy italian for Cam and Rosie, Blt for Eva and I. Veggie delight for Jackie"

Cameron and I always get the same subway. We ate by the pond.

"What made you decide to dress like your usual self?" Cam asked.

"Just wanted to chill...kill, ya know"

"My favorite kind of Rosieboo!" Cameron smiled.
Favorite kind of me?
As the day went on, we were all talking about sports, well except for the high maintenance Jackie.

"A round of football it is then!" Dad got up and took out his football and flags.

"Me and my Rosie, and you and Charlie." Dad said.

"It's on." Cameron smirked.

"Rosie should be a cheerleader instead!" Jackie shouts out.

"I'm already am, during school hours, you bimbo!"
But right now I'm Rosie Dawson.

"Ready, set, hike!" Dad gave me the ball and I threw it to him. Dad ran and ran to make a touch down.
Charlie was able to tear down his flag.
"Charlie, ima ground you if you rip off my flag again!" Dad said as he breathed heavily.

"Is that a threat, father?" Charlie said.

"It's on buddy boy."
This all reminds me of my child hood. I was never stuck at home playing barbies and dressing up in dresses. I would always go out in the yard, playing football or soccer with dad. Sometimes Cameron and Charlie would join us. But I always had that very special bond with dad. Even mom would come out and play a small game of soccer. She used to play soccer and cheer in highschool.

Dad passes the ball to me an I run for my life to make the touch down.
I made it and I do my victory dance.

"It's on Dawson." Cameron said breathing heavily.

"Bring it on Dallas." I teased.
We made this game more aggressive. We rolled in mud, tackled each other and yelled for no reason.
My dad and I won the game.

"Victory lemonade?" Mom offered.

"Yes dear."

"Please momma bear."

"I'm beat!" Dad wiped off his sweat.

"Come here papa bear." Mom said an pats her lap.
Dad sits on her ad kisses her.
"Your dad might be 40 but he is still sexy on the field." She kissed him.

I choke on my lemonade.
"Gosh, not here, please! People who want to hold in their sandwich are present" I said
They laughed and I sat by the pond next to Cam.

"You beat me at football! Ugh you owe me a rematch in the future." Cameron playfully socked my arm.

"What can I say, it's in my blood." I chuckled.
We continued to talk and play around.
.....