A Bird Calling

Chapter 3

                                                                 Peter

     Mr. Oaks wore a dark brown suit with a baige tie. The white shirt under his jacket, was changed to purple.
     "Mr. Oaks, sir? Your shirt.-" Missy started before bursting out with laughter. Mr. Oaks looked down at his under shirt.
     "YOU! GO TO YOUR ROOM!" Mr. Oaks yelled at Missy. Okay, but it's not much of a room. It's a- before Missy could finish her thought, Peter arrived at the bottom of the stairs.
  Missy realized she had been holding her breath when she let it go.
    "Dad, I believe you have some important documents to take care of." Said Peter grinning at Missy. Don't grin back, He mouthed.
     "Oh, yes I did didn't I! Peter, I don't know what I'd do without you." Mr. Oaks turned to face Missy. Missy held her arms up in defense and shrugged. Peter nodded and with that, Mr. Oaks left the room.
     "I don't understand him, that gullible freak." Missy said.
     "Hey watch it! He may be like that but- he's still my father!" Peter said. He looked hurt and offended. Then he smiled that glossy smile of his. "I'm just joking. Call him whatever you want. I totally agree with you!" He closed his smile up and Niroga walked down the stairs. She had a long red dress on and was tied together in the middle with a silver belt.
     Peter rolled his eyes. Missy looked at both siblings and compared their clothing. Peter wore a green shirt and long jean shorts. He had shaggy blonde hair that hung in his face. He flung it back behind his ear with a jerk of his head, and held his hand out to Niroga.
     "What are you doing? Or should I say- who's party this time" he covered his mouth and laughed.
     "Shhh! Mom and daddy will kill me if they find out I'm going to another party!"she whispered. She turned her gaze to Missy and walked forward. "You-" she said digging her finger into Missy's chest. "Are you going to tattle on me?" Missy shook her head. "Good. There's a chore list in the top drawer of my desk. Don't touch anything else." She looked at Peter. "No helping her." Niroga said through gritted teeth.
     But, of course, Peter would help her. He cared about Missy. Peter is different, thought Missy pulling the door open for Niroga.
     Niroga left and Missy slammed the door behind Niroga.
     "Don't worry about Niroga. She makes fun of any body who takes her place." Said Peter.
     "But it was her idea to adopt me, at least that's what you say. Is that really true?"
     "No, not really." Peter started. "She just wanted to be in the news. Being popular is all she cares about. That first day of high school, when she announced her name, people fell for her." Peter frowned. "I never was popular. In this family-or inside of school."
     "Is it the way you dress. It has to be because you're very nice to me. I couldn't survive this family without you. " said Missy. She looked down.
     "Well, Missy... You're the shyest girl in school-" Peter said. Missy interrupted Peter. She knew the end to this conversation. 
     "And, no one likes me. They all hate me. Blah blah blah. So?"
     "It's because I hang with you. No offense." Peter held his hands up.
     "Relax, I'm not gonna arrest you!" Said Missy laughing.
     "You better not!" Peter got up and chased Missy around the living room. He held up his fingers in a gun shape and pretended to shoot. Missy fell to the floor and spread out. Her tongue hung out of her mouth.
     Missy smiled. And for once she felt someone loved her.