In Love With Death's Daughter

Halfway There

Aren's P.O.V.

        I look over at Lucas, trying to judge what kind of guy he is. If he's trustworthy, and whatnot. He seems a bit dazed, Caught off guard, or something. Wouldn't blame him, Delilah just said she loved him, in front of her friend.. um... Kathy, and I. She said she loves him. My big sister, who would never let herself get very attached to anyone outside her family, let alone a guy! And without dad's permission, she's dating him. It's like I don't know her anymore. She's my big sister, and she's always thinking of us, and pretty much hiding from everyone else. She's the one who'd always play Legos and Bionicles with me when we were little, and she'd help me with my homework when mom and dad weren't around, and we'd always go running around the backyard, and make potions out of mushed up grass and flowers.

        Now, though, she's changed. Of course we don't do a lot of the things I've just mentioned anymore, but we still hang out. We always play video games together when we've both got free time, and I always was able to tell what she was thinking at that time. But I can't really tell anymore, and her controller has been left untouched for a long time. And now I know why. It's because she's got friends now. Now she doesn't have time for her ninth grade brother, because she's too busy with her boyfriend. 

        I watch the way she looks at him. Like she absolutely adores him. I guess if she's happy than I should be for her. But she's going against dad. Which isn't right, even if the whole thing about dad being the grim reaper and Lucas would probably get really badly hurt if dad ever found out. I still think that if she brought it up the right way, it would be fine. But whatever. It's her choice.

Delilah's P.O.V.

        "Ready for the Ball?" Kathy asks, over-dramatically swooning over the last word.

        "Oh yeah. That. I have no desire to go to some dance wearing a dress and a mask. Besides, it's in two weeks." I say unenthusiastically, and shrug. I take a sip of my milkshake as Kathy and I walk around the mall, spending a lovely afternoon looking around. 

        "Oh come on, wouldn't it be fun though? Second last hurrah of your grade school life!" Kathy insists.

        "I don't know. Maybe." I say, to keep her quiet for now. Kathy just rolls her eyes and laughs.

        "So, how do you think Aren's enjoying Matcha?" I ask Kathy, changing the subject. Aren hung out with us at lunch every day except Thursday and Friday (Today) this week, and I think he seems annoyed about something. Probably the whole 'Lucas' thing, but he can just bug off.

        "Uh, well, I don't know. I think he believes you should tell your dad about Lucas. Like, bring it up carefully, so he doesn't get mad or something. I kind of almost agree with him, but then I remember what could happen, and I know you probably shouldn't risk it. But.. I don't know. I won't butt in."  Kathy trails off.

        "I'm not going to tell my dad. End of story. We're so close, Kathy! I mean, it's already February! We only have what... five months left? Okay, fine. That's not really close, but it's halfway! Lucas and I are only five months from being actually allowed to date." I say desperately.

        "I know, I know." Kathy surrenders, "Just the fact you have to hide it kind of sucks, don't you think?"

        "Let's go into this store." I say distractedly, and turn towards Forever 21. 

        No duh it sucks. I think, You don't have any idea how much I want to show everyone how much I love him, I wish I could yell at her. 

        "Yeah, it kind of sucks, but I have no choice." I say instead, and run my hand along a row of dresses.

        Kathy lets out a small laugh from a few feet away. 

        "What?" I ask, and put a hand on my hip.

        "No choice.." She mutters, just loud enough for me to hear. 

        "Kathy..." I warn, and sigh. "I guess I could go to the dance, if Lucas takes me." I say with a laugh. I really don't want to fight with Kathy right now. I have had way too much arguing this week.

        "You will be, trust me. You're coming. And you'll have a nice dress, and a mask and I'll do your makeup. It'll be so awesome." Kathy grins wide at me, and I just laugh at her insistence. I love her, but let's face it. She's one of the bossiest people I know. Though, she loves it, and it's one of her funniest qualities. She's truly an amazing friend.

        "Ooh! Look at this!" She says excitedly. I laugh and walk over. This happens every two minutes whenever we go to the mall. But still, our mall trips are so much fun.

~ ~ ~ ~

        "H--!" I start to call out when I step in the door of my home. At the end of the hallway, there's the kitchen. And in the kitchen, I see Aren, with a serious look on his face.

        Curious, I tiptoe towards the kitchen door, and peek through the window. I see Dad, looking a bit annoyed, and mom, with such a slight nervous look in her eyes, I could barely tell it was there.

        "Why do you ask?" Aren says, looking right at dad.

        "I just do. I want to know for sure." Dad replies, not breaking his gaze at all.

        "They're friends." Aren says, and my mom's nervousness is replaced by relief.

        "That's all?" Dad asks.

        "Yeah... What else? It's not like Delilah would have a boyfriend against your will." Aren says, and glances at me in his peripheral vision quickly.

        "I was just making sure. She's been acting a bit funny lately. I guess I was just imagining things. I just wanted to make sure..." My dad trails off, though he still looks a little bit irritated.

        He doesn't trust me. I mean, I am lying to him but still! He goes and asks Aren to make sure I'm not lying, and he doesn't trust me. If I were actually innocent, I'd be extremely offended, instead of a little bit. But I have to make him think I'm not, so I shall.

        "You don't trust me?" I ask, putting on my shocked sad face, and stepping through the door.

        Dad just looks at me like a deer caught in headlights.

        "Del.. I-" He stammers, and stands from his chair.

        "I can't believe you don't trust me. Really, dad?" I say, before turning tail and running up to my room.

        I hear feet following, so I jump onto my bed, and bury my head in my pillows.

        "Del?" I hear my mother's cautious voice from the doorway. "It's just me." She adds, and I sit up.

        "Hey." I whisper.

        "That was quite the acting job there, I'm impressed." She says quietly, sitting beside me.

        "It's what I'd usually do." I say with a shrug. Mom just winks, and we both burst into laughter.

        "Go tell your dad that you still wish he'd trust your choices, and your words, but that you forgive him, okay?" My mom says, and pats my knee.

        "Okay." I say.

        See? This can be kind of easy. This whole 'truth twisting' thing. And I only have to do it this much for five more months. I'm halfway there...