I walked into mine and my dad’s flat, throwing my bag on the floor. “Dad, I’m home!” I called.
“Annie!” my little brother yelled, running into the room. Daniel was three years old, and I adored him. He was the cutest little kid on the face of the planet. I picked him up and swung him around.
“Hey, little man! Did you have a good time in preschool today?” I asked. He nodded vigorously.
“I drawed you a picture!” He ran out of the room, and returned with a piece of paper. It had multicolored scribbles on it. “It’s a meadow, and see, look there’s a puppy, and a kitty, and me, and you, and Daddy, and a car!”
“Wow!” I gasped. I held it up. “I think this should go on the fridge.” I walked into the kitchen and tacked it on the fridge. “There!” I said proudly. He giggled, and I ruffled his hair. “Where’s dad?”
“He said he had some stuff to do at work, and that you were supposed to babysit me!” Daniel jumped around the table. My heart sank. Nice to see you care, Dad…
“Okay, kiddo, mac and cheese for dinner!” I said, acting like that was the plan all along.
X****************************X
I flopped onto the couch and flipped on the TV, and sighed. Danny had been on a sugar high the entire night, and I had been running up and down the halls trying to keep up with him. I heard my phone buzz, and I picked it up, hoping it was my dad. But it was Marcel.
Hey, what’s up?—Marcel
Grateful for the distraction, I tapped back a reply. Nothing much, just hanging around at my house, watching my little brother, Hbu? –Annie
Just listening to music in my room. When are you free to practice some math?---Marcel
Idk, tomorrow might work for me. What about you? Are you okay for tomorrow? We could meet at Nando’s. ---Annie
Sure, that’s fine. :)Can’t wait. Do you wanna do something afterwards?—Marcel
Like what?---Annie
I don’t know… Have you ever been bowling?—Marcel
Not in years… :) But I’d like to go again!—Annie
Then that settles it! We’re going bowling. :) But I have to warn you, I’m actually pretty good.—Marcel
I’ll go as long as you don’t laugh at me for choosing funny names for the scoreboard. :) –Annie
Funny names? Haha—Marcel
Last time I went, I was the Cookie Monster. XD :)—Annie
Why can’t you be yourself? I like you the way you are! ;)—Marcel
*blushes* thanks, Marcel, but I just like to be goofy a lot, I’ll keep my name if you want me to. –Annie
Nah, go ahead. Maybe I’ll even change my name too! What do you usually do?—Marcel
Usually characters from books and things like that. I was Alice from Alice in wonderland once, and I was Kit Kittredge from American Girl.
I have no idea who Kit Kittredge is… :) –Marcel
I would be frightened if you did. XD :) –Annie
So tomorrow at Nando’s? I’ll pay for the food.—Marcel
Over my dead body. I’m not poor, Marcel, but its sweet of you to offer! :)—Annie
No, I insist! :) Please?—Marcel
…Fine. Buy let me pay for my own bowling.—Annie
Deal. I have to go…my mom wants me to do something. See you tomorrow, Annie! :) I’ll pick you up at 9--Marcel
See ya tomorrow, Marcel! :) Here’s my address! And you don’t have to dress in the vest and nice trousers…that might be uncomfortable to bowl in! :) –Annie
I shut my phone off and smiled at it. Marcel was adorable. He was cute, funny, and he was smart, and polite. Maybe sometime I would invite him over. He was, after all, my first friend. I yawned and stretched, then got up and left a note in the kitchen for my dad.
Hey, Dad--
There’s leftover Mac and Cheese in the fridge for you. Danny was great today, as usual. I’m not gonna be able to help watch him tomorrow because I’m going to Nando’s and then bowling with a friend of mine, named Marcel. He’s going to tutor me in Geometry this year. And don’t go giving me the ‘Boy’s only want one thing’ talk, because Marcel is really sweet, kind, and polite. Sometime I’ll invite him over, and you can meet him!
My first day went well, even though I’m starting at the end of the week. I made two new friends—Louis and Marcel.
Night, Dad. Love you! :)
Annie <3
