the girl named winter

| 19 |

Writing is the best escape from our fears :)

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n i n e t e e n
d a y s
b e f o r e

"I'm so excited!"

I roll my eyes as I take my phone from the counter. "You're only excited because you're going to see Amanda," I tease him, grinning.

He sticks his tongue out. "I am not. You just want to see her brother."

I stick my tongue out too. "At least I'm not denying it."

Just then, Mom enters the kitchen, her stacks of organized files in her arms. She squints her eyes at us suspiciously.

Our classes just finished.

"What are you two shouting about?"

"Winter's got a boyfriend!" Marck exclaims.

My face flushes as I gape at Mom. "I do not!"

"Yes, you do!" he yells louder. He faces Mom and points an accusing finger at me. "She's taking me to the mall today, Mom. Winter's using me as an excuse to see Amanda's brother!"

I scoff, crossing my arms over my shoulder as I nervously slump back against the kitchen counter. "As if you're objecting it."

Dad enters the kitchen behind Mom.

I stand up straight. "Marck wants to see Amanda!"

His ears turn red. "I'm not expecting her!"

I grin at him. "Then what's that pen and paper you're holding?"

He hides the materials behind him.

We both knew - and I guess Mom and Dad also knew that moment - that Amanda's deaf and he's head over heels for that brunette.

Mom kneels in front of him. "You know you're only five, Marck, right?"

"But, Mom -" Marck whines.

"And you still don't know how to write." She takes the items from Marck and neatly places it beside her.

Dad grins.

Mom sighs. "But you don't need to have some verbal communication to connect with this girl your sister is arranging for you."

I nod. "You're welcome."

She takes Marck's little hands in assurance. "Sometimes, actions speak louder than words."

Dad reaches for his wallet, taking bills from it. "Here, take this."

Marck takes it like it was the only water in the manless oasis.

"Buy her or treat her anything."

I gape at the huge bills in Marck's small hands. "You actually support him in this?" I shriek. "What is this, some childhood love idea?"

"There's nothing wrong with trying," Dad says nonchalantly as we walk outside. "Let's give you two young lovers a ride."

Mom says something in agreement.

"You gave him money!" I nag when we got into the car.

"Oh, Winter," Mom says, and the three of them laughs.