Just Friends

Dani

Cara's POV

My little sister, Dani, woke me up the next morning at 1:13 pm, after my mom probably forced her to. I never usually sleep this late unless I'm depressed or mentally exhausted. I unfortunately was both. I'm depressed because I'm losing my best friend, and I'm mentally exhausted because anyone would be after the night I had. 

Dani: "Hey," my sister says cautiously opening my door in a sweet voice, "I don't know if you're hungry, but I made you your favorite. Mickey Mouse pancakes with fruit on top, bacon with maple syrup to dip it in, and sausage."

I felt really bad because Dani was being incredibly thoughtful and I didn't even have the energy the pull my head from out of my covers to say thank you.

Dani: "Look, I know what happened.. I was outside getting the mail and I ran into Tristan and he told me. Please don't be mad at him he was just being a good friend. But I just want you to know that I'm here for you and if you just need an ear to listen, or a shoulder to cry on, I'm right next door. I know I'm only 12 and haven't had to face this stuff yet, but I do know what it feels like to slowly be losing someone you love."

It was silent. I wasn't responding because I never thought my sister could be so deep and understanding. I've never seen so much maturity in her and I felt bad because I never really gave her a fair chance. I started to tear up from my sister's beautiful words and then I heard her set the tray down and slow footsteps to the door.

Cara: "Wait," I spring out from under my covers.

Dani turns around and shuts the door.

Cara: "Come here," I tell her with open arms.

She walks to my bed and I grab her and squeeze her into a tight hug. I start crying my eyes out and she starts to cry with me.

That was probably the best moment I've ever had with my sister and it felt incredible. We've always held our emotions in towards each other. Even when my dad died. I felt like I had to be the strong example for my sister, but what I obviously didn't understand at the time was that crying doesn't make you weak and exposing your emotions to people doesn't make you any less of a person. Of course, I was only nine years old so I wouldn't expect myself to have such knowledge, but I understand now, and so did my sister.

Cara: "How about we have a sister's day? Just me and you," I ask, letting go from our hug and wiping tears from my face.

Dani: "Really?! Okay! Yay! What should we do?" She exclaims, her face instantly lighting up with excitement probably because we've never had a day spent with just the two of us.

Cara: "Well I don't know. Whatever you want I guess. We could go shopping, or get out nails done, or go hiking, or see a movie, or go out to lunch."

Dani: "Let's do all of it!"

Cara: "Dani, are you crazy we don't have that type of money," I laugh.

She gives me this evil little smirk that says "I have an idea", which of course automatically gets me worried, and then leaves the room. she comes back with a white envelope and hands it to me.

Cara: "Holy shit Dani! Where'd you get all this money??" I ask, looking into the envelope.

Dani: "Well first of all, I save my money. And second, I never leave this house."

Cara: "Dani how much is in here?"

Dani: "$1,300."

Cara: "$1,300??"

Dani: "Told you. I've been saving up to do something special and this is special. I've been wanting a new wardrobe and kind of a new style for a little while now.. and I wanted your help because I like how you dress."

Cara: "Okay! Awesome then lets go do whatever you want. I think I have around $700 saved up so we can use that for lunch and everything else. But why do you want to change your look? I like how you dress."

Dani: "I don't know. I don't really dress like a girl."

Cara: "Dani just because you don't wear dresses and heels or pink and makeup, doesn't mean you don't dress like a girl. Your just more of a tomboy like me. There's no problem with that."

Dani: "Yeah, but you still doll yourself up and act like a girl."

Cara: "Dani, where is all of this coming from? You have been the most confident girl for as long as I can remember."

Dani: "I don't know. let's just talk about this later. It's already 1:45. Eat up and let's try to leave by 2:15."

Cara: "Okay."

Growing up, Dani has always been different. But a good kind of different. She was confident in herself and independent and unique. She has only ever had guy friends. When she's not at school she's always skateboarding, playing some sort of violent sport, or watching movies. She dresses extremely casual and comfy, and never really gave two shits about wardrobe or makeup. Most of her clothes are hand-me-downs because she can't stand shopping. She owns one pair of shoes, which are beat up, high top converse. Everything in her closet is either over sized or ripped up, but she likes it that way. When my dad passed, she took about 75% of my dad's clothes and wears them on a daily basis. And the most girly thing she's ever done was wear a dress to a wedding when she was seven because my mom made her. But that's why I love my sister. She stands out and she's always had a "If you don't like me I don't give a fuck" attitude which I admire more than anything. But I guess she was changing now. I'm not really surprised though. A lot of girls start to change around her age.

Dani: "Bye Mom love you," Dani says running into the kitchen, giving my mom a kiss.

Mom: "Where are you girls going?"

Dani: "To the mall," she responds, tying her shoes.

Cara: "Yup, we're having a girl's day," I say, smiling and pulling Dani to my side.

Mom: "Oh how fun! Do you girls need money?" she asks, reaching into her pockets.

Dani: "Thanks Mom, but we're covered," she looks at me and winks.

Mom: "Oh okay! Well have fun! Stay out as long as you want! Here's my keys," she says, tossing me the car keys to our white-ish 1973 Fiat 126 Bis that my mom has had for 20 years. The car is a little runned down, but it still works and besides, we can't afford to buy another car.

"Thanks Mom," we say in unison, walking out the door.

Ever since my dad died, we've always had to be on a very strict budget. We're not poor, but we struggle. I can't ever imagine how hard It must be being a single mom trying to support two girls and herself. I got my first job at 14, sweeping up at Harbor Sweets in Salem, only about four minutes from my house, and have been working part time there ever since, along with babysitting. I work behind the counter now and I love my job. The pay is $10.00 an hour, I get to keep all of my tips, I work 10 hours a week, and the owner is amazing. I used to help my mom with the bills a little while back, but things have gotten better since then. My sister pet sits and walks the neighborhood dogs, so that gives her a good chunk of rainy day money and when I can't babysit she usually does. But I'd say that right now money has been the least stressful it ever has been which is nice because now me and my sister can go crazy and spend our hard earned money with each other.