Anxious

\9

"Like for the first nine he was with Victoria and her mom. Then he came to me for five and that's when Victoria's mom left. So we were together for the remaining three." I said. "Is it bad that sometimes I wish I had a good relationship with her?"

"No. That's not bad at all." She said. "She's family. Whole, half. That shit doesn't matter. You're still connected by blood."

"She doesn't see it that way." I said. "I never did anything to make her this pissed at me. We didn't communicate for 14 years."

"She would always tell us you were awful and bratty and stuck up. I didn't believe her. But little 15 year old me was eager for friends and she was all I had."

"I knew you first." I said.

"I know but v and I were friends first."
She hugged me.
"Let's just not talk about her anymore huh?"

"Yeah okay."

"How bout a tune songbird?"

"I don't have anything to play." I said and she slowly pulled out one of my ukuleles.
"Did you steal that from me?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I was obsessed with you and it's pretty." She said and smiled.

"You can keep it because you're cute." I said and kissed her.

"Good. I wasn't gonna give it back anyway."

"Alright." I said and took it from her. "What to sing... Do you want an original or cover?"

"Original. I didn't know you wrote music."

"Of course you didn't. I can't talk to anyone else here."

"Fair point." She said.

"Okay. Love song? Pointless song?"

"Love song."

"Aww. Is daddy sappy?" I asked her.

"Shut up." She said and I smirked at her.

"Okay. This is an unfinished one. That I'm gonna finish impromptu. Tell me what you think."
I played the intro and took a deep breath.
I closed my eyes as I sang.
"She's my sunshine in the rain
My Tylenol when I'm in pain yeah
Let me tell you what she means to me
Like a tall glass of lemonade
When it's burning hot on summer days
She's exactly what I need

She's soothing like the ocean rushing on the sand
She takes care of me baby
She helps me be a better woman
She's so beautiful, sometimes I stop to close my eyes
She's exactly what I need

She's my smile when I'm feeling blue
She's my good night sleep when my day is through yeah
Let me tell you what she means to me
"She's kinda like this"
Kinda like the feeling after your first kiss
Except that everyday she makes me feel like this
She's exactly what I need
Oh yeah

She's soothing like the ocean rushing on the sand
She takes care of me baby
She helps me be a better woman
She's so beautiful, sometimes I stop to close my eyes
She's exactly what I need

She's soothing like the ocean rushing on the sand
She takes care of me baby
She helps me be a better woman
She's so beautiful, sometimes I stop to close my eyes
She's exactly what I need

She's exactly what I need"

I opened my eyes and Dani looked shocked.

"What?"

"I didn't expect your voice to be so.."

"Different?"

"Yes. No offense."

"None taken." I said and she kissed me.

"But wow. When did you start making stuff up?"

"She's my smile when I'm feeling blue to the end."

"You have a gift baby. Cause I couldn't tell."

"Thank you." I said and stood up. I looked around for a sharpie. I found it and wrote on the back of the uke.

'Well. You stole this from me but you can keep it just because you're cute. Don't forget. I love you very very much.
❤️ your baby

I put the sharpie down and waited for the ink to dry.

"What did you do?"

"I wrote you a note." I handed it back to her and she read it.

"You're such a dork." She said and kissed me. "I love you though."

"And I love you."

"Can I play with your hair?"

"Please." I said and laid my head in her lap.
She massaged my head and would do my hair in any ridiculous style she wanted it to be in.

The next morning I had one early class.

I changed into a black sweatshirt and light blue skinny jeans. I put my shoes back on and put my hair up in a high ponytail.

I quickly went back to my room and grabbed my bag and a skateboard. I skated to the building where my class was and went inside.

The classroom was empty. Oh god. We're outside aren't we?
I ran back outside and went to the group.

"Hello. Welcome to class. You must be. Allie."
I nodded and avoided eye contact with anyone.
"Why so quiet?"

'Selective mutism.

"We saw that you are great on a skateboard."

"She's also great on Dani Griffith." A voice said.

"Ooh. Do we have bad blood?"

I ignored Victoria's glare.
'Yes. She's my half sister and she hates me.

"I'm not sure that she hates you."

'Can we just get on with class please?

The teacher nodded. "Meet me after class."

We worked on landscapes. I always think that it needs work but.

"Wow. That's beautiful." A guy said.

"Almost as beautiful as the girl who drew it." His friend flirted.

I turned the page. 'Nice try.
I looked at his paper to see what his name was.
'Garrett.
He shook his head and scooted back to his previous place.

"That will work one day."

"It hasn't worked in years man. Give it up."

"No. She's cute she's a girl. Right?"
I was a bit confused.

"He's all about political correctness."

I can respect that.
'Yeah. I am female. Hear me rawr.

"That was cute. You have to admit." Garrett said.

"Okay that was pretty cute."

'What's your name?

"Right. Calvin."
I smiled a little at him.