Bad Timing

Bad Timing - Chapter 1

"I swear to god, it's like every time Clea does something wrong, it's my fault!" "Well ya know, she is your kid, Danny!" Danny squeezes her glabella using her forefinger and thumb, which tells you she's frustrated. "It's just.. Dan, she almost broke my writing award.. Do you know how much that means to me, what if she had broken it? It was given to me by Harper Lee!" "Honey, I know but how does this relate to me?" "She's your kid, why don't you discipline her? She's done something bad so punish her." "It doesn't work that way, Laura." "How does it not work that way?! AGH! That's it, I'm going to Carm's!" You start shoving random clothing items into a duffle bag angrily when you feel a subtle tug at the bottom of my dress. "Please don't leave.... I'm sorry I touched your award... I promise I won't do it again..." The look on Clea's face tells you she means it but you're too angry to care. You give her a slight smile and push on past her. "Laura, she apologized! What more do you want?!" "I want you to take my side over her's, just for once!" You slam the door behind you and get into your car, pressing the number 1 on your dashboard, causing a phone call to occur. It takes a few rings but she answers. "What happened this time?" Her voice sounds apathetic as always, you think, this makes you smile. "Clea-" "For god's sake, cupcake, she's 6!" You roll your eyes and begin to pull out of the driveway.

-

You're just about finished making a black coffee and some tea when the doorbell rings. "It's me!" You hear through the door and smile, opening it. "Ah, my tea, thank my good lady." She takes the cup out of your hand and offers you an awkward dorky smile. "You're such a nerd." You shut the door and pick up your coffee, taking a sip. "Yeah? Well you're an asshole." "A lovable asshole though." "Of course." You hear Laura's tiny giggle and it makes your stomach do that thing it only does for Laura. "So, what did 'Clea' do this time?" You put finger quotes around Clea because clearly it's an issue with Danny. "She almost broke my writing award." "The one that Harper Lee gave to you?" She nods sadly. "But that's not even what I'm upset about.." "Really?" You ask sarcastically but Laura doesn't seem to notice. "It's the fact that Danny never takes my side when it comes to Clea. If she scratches my car, 'I shouldn't have left it there', if she finger paints the walls, 'I shouldn't have left the paint in such an obvious place'. I just wish she would take my side!" You give her a sympathetic smile and sit down, opening your arms. She quickly accepts and cuddles into you. "I know sweetie, I know." You says as you kiss her forehead. With anyone else, you would never do this, but when you're with Laura... everything is different. "Laura, you deserve someone who would take your side over anyone else's. Any girl would be lucky to have you, you're the kindest, sweetest, most cutest person I've ever met in my entire life." She looks up at you teary eyed, but in those eyes, there's a special glint. "You really think that?" Your lip quirks up and you nod. "Yeah, I do." The doorbell rings causing you to jump out of your moment. After loud banging and several more rings, you get up, frustrated and answer the door. "What the hell do you want, Amazon?" "Well, I know Laura is here so you better let me in or I swear to god, Elvira." Laura comes up from behind you and opens the door further. "What, Dan?" Danny smiles brightly when she sees her and pushes past you. "Honey, I'm so sorry. I know I take Clea's side a lot, it's just, after Wil left me, she's all I have left... Or that's what I thought. But Laur, I have you. The most perfect person I have ever met. You're the light at the end of my tunnel... And I am so in love with you..." You feel sick and you're not sure why when Danny goes down on one knee, "And I hope you'll be in love with me for the rest of our lives. Laura Eileen Hollis, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" Laura covers her mouth in utter surprise. There's no way she's going to say yes, you think. But then Laura nods so fast her head looks like it's going to fall off and she yells "Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!" Danny gets up off her knee to put the ring on her finger, afterward picking her up and spinning her around. You don't know why but you feel as if you're about to vomit. Like everything in your life has just crashed. But it hasn't, you're life is going perfectly. You just got promoted to Forensic Manager at work. Your sister has a beautiful baby boy, your nephew, Will. You've got a great house for very minimal rent. Granted you're single but does that really matter? But right now, your best friend is getting engaged right in front of you. Yet, you feel sick and you have a feeling like this is wrong. Why are you feeling this way? Is it something you ate? It feels there are so many voices in your head all at the same time, it's getting so stressful! Why are you so stressed?! You have no reason to be stressed! What's going on?! "Carm?" You snap out of it when you hear Laura. "Are you okay? You seemed a little out of it there..." "Yeah uh... Where's Xena?" Laura gives you a weird look. "She's... waiting in the car.... Are you sure you're okay?" "Yeah, yeah of course." "Alright, text me tomorrow." She kisses you on the cheek and there you go again. Your stomach flips and tumbles and butterflies erupt inside of it. This is how you've always felt around Laura. It's a best friend thing.......right?