Mistakes

Seven

Ashton

I didn't want to believe a girl her age would want to be a boy. Why? We're not that great, are we? And it was weird to be seeing someone I'd have to live with and take care of everyday say she was a boy when she was born a girl. She was born a girl for a reason, and she can't change that.

"Dale?" I asked again, noticing she looked angry.

She grabbed my arm, pulling me as she stomped around the mall, looking for a shop.

"We have to go home. I, uh, want to show you you're room." I tried to make up an excuse.

I just wanted an alka-seltzer. My head and stomach were killing me. She pulled me into a Aeropostale, leading me into the boys area as she gave back the pink bow I had given her.

I thought it was nice, to be honest.

She let go of my arm, and I watched as she searched the racks of boys tops. I felt kind of embarrassed to be seen with a girl in the boys area, especially since she was looking for something here.

"Dale, let's go." I said, getting frustrated.

"I l-lik-ke t-this-s." She stuttered, pulling a really nice black and white flannel off the rack.

Her voice was filled with fear, barely above a whisper.

"But it's for boys." I told her.

She sighed, giving me a death glare.

"I-I-I am-m a-a b-b-"

"No." I quickly cut her off, anger boiling in my veins.

I finally took a good look at Dale. I never did back at the orphanage.

She had steel grey eyes, they were big and bright, and they were staring into my soul. Her hair was cut the way a boy would have it, which I assumed took her months to get permission to do. Her skin was fair, almost as pale as Michael's, but a little more tan. She was really short for a 14 year old, very skinny and very flat chested. With the outfit she was wearing- which was a black and red flannel, a black bow and black skinny jeans- she could totally pass as a boy.

I didn't like it.

I always wanted a girl. After having to take care of Lauren and Harry for most of my life, I'd prefer a girl than a boy because girls are chill. Boys are an absolute wreck, and I wasn't proud to say that. I don't know why she'd want to be a boy. And since she was my daughter, seeing her acting and wanting to be a boy kind of angered me. Even if she wasn't my daughter, it wouldn't make sense.

She was born a girl, so why want to be a boy? She had it easier than a boy would, so why would she want to be a guy? It seemed strange and unnatural for a girl to want to be like a guy. And I definitely was not going to let my daughter act like that.

"You're my daughter now, aren't you?" It was hard to say those words, but she was, wasn't she? "Daughter."

I said the word once again, trying to get it to stick in her brain. I stared down at her, giving her a mean look. Her face had sadness written all over it. Her eyes watered, and she put the shirt back with a shaking hand.

"Daughter." She whispered, taking the pink bow from my hand.

I felt accomplished as she replaced the black bow with the pink one. It looked so nice on her. I couldn't help but smile as she stuffed the black one in her pocket. She looked up at me, her grey eyes filled with fear.

"There you go!" I smiled.

I realized people were staring. They must have noticed I was- I didn't want to say or think about it any longer. I hated how people thought that just because I was famous I needed to be followed everywhere. And with Dale with me, it would be even worse.

"We've got to go. Come on, Dale." I put my hand out for her to hold.

I felt it was, appropriate. It's what parents do with their children, right? Mum didn't do it with me, so I wanted my child to have a parent to hold hands with.

She didn't take my hand, which got me angry. I sighed, starting to walk out of Aeropostale. Dale followed close behind, ducking her head as people whispered around us. I started feeling a bit embarrassed being seen with Dale. I didn't want to make an announcement until I was sure.

"Dale, put this on." I took my hoodie off and gave it to her.

She slowly put my black hoodie on. It looked gigantic on her, but I pulled the hood over her head and held her hand anyways. We walked out the mall, people starting to snap pictures. I pulled my sunglasses out my shirt, putting them on as the sunlight hit my eyes. I looked back at Dale, who looked absolutely terrified as people started swarming us.

I spotted the van in the parking lot, and started running to it. Dale ran behind me, the hood falling off her head. I pulled it back on her, opening the van door and pushing her in. Once we were both inside, paparazzi were on our tails as Gustavo, our driver, drove off.