The Babysitter ✯ Kellic

Chapter Four

It's the first day of my last year of high school. And because of the complications that came with taking care of Copeland, I don't think I'm going to college after this. I don't blame her for any of the complications (it wasn't her choice if she was going to be born or not). "You're going to be fine. We're going to be fine," Vic assures me for what must be the millionth time.

"I know, I know," I reply, feeling my hands shaking slightly. "I'm just nervous, and I'm worried for Copeland." Vic bites the edge of his lip and nods. "But I'm going. Be sure to feed her."

"Kellin, I've been taking care of kids for about three years, I know how to feed them," Vic responds, chuckling slightly. "Just get to school and work hard. We're gonna be here when you get back." He smiles and waves.

I offer a small smile and walk out the front door. Here goes everything, I guess. I mean, Vic could very well be a murderer. I push it to the back of my mind and begin walking to school, on the verge of a panic attack the whole way.

• • •

To put my first day back simply: it wasn't horrible but it truly wasn't that great. I got lost looking for at least three of my classes and some of my friends weren't there. And maybe it's a little late for it, but go figure I got a lot of shit. I got called a bunch of names usually used on women who need to put on more layers of clothes, and other things like a "shitty parent". Of course, I saw all that coming.

Eventually I arrive back at my small apartment and unlock the door. And, of course, I would open it to every parent's nightmare. Copeland was drawing all over my plain white walls with marker. Marker! I shut the door behind me, almost slamming it before rushing over to Copeland and taking the marker out of her hands. She stares at me from her perch on our dining chairs.

"Vic!" I yell, scanning the damage from the markers on the walls. There's so many scribbles in so many different colors. I feel rage boiling slightly inside of me before I hear footsteps behind me. I turn to Vic angrily and take a deep breath. "Would you mind explaining this?!"

Vic looks up and down the wall and smiles. "Washable markers. Completely safe on walls, and I would know because I tested them on my own," he replies, almost happily. I ball my hands into fists and take another deep breath. "I guess you don't want to see my work?"

"You drew on my fucking wall?! You're an adult, Vic!" I yell at him, not caring that we're right in front of Copeland. I shut my eyes for a second before looking at him again. More like glaring, but you catch the drift. "Show me what you did."

Vic stuffs his hands in his pockets, smiling slightly. Oh, this is going to be good. He stops in front of me and turns around before saying, "You know you shouldn't yell in front of your daughter. Especially if you're going to curse." I roll my eyes.

"Just turn around and show me where you ruined one of my walls," I reply, ignoring his backseat parenting. I don't need help in that department of raising a kid. I know discipline and how to act in front of a learning baby. I already knew exactly what he told me. That's just common knowledge.

"Actually, you're gonna love me for this," he whispers, humor filling his words. If I wasn't convinced enough, I'm sure I won't be in love with him after this. Especially because of the fact that he's leading me to my bedroom. Which means he tainted my walls specifically. Not just my house's walls, but mine.

We walk in and my mouth drops at the sight in front of me. It's a drawing - in washable markers made for children - of Copeland. And it looks so amazing...how did he even do this? "Yeah, I'll get a sponge and start washing it off, if you want..." Vic says quietly.

I put my arm up against his chest to stop him from walking away. I stutter slightly before actually forming any words. "You-you drew this?" I ask, utterly amazed. I walk closer to the wall and examine all the shading and effort put into the drawing of my baby girl. I turn and see Vic nodding, hus face turning slightly pink.

"I started when you first left for school. I gave Copeland some markers too, and every once in awhile she would need something and I would tend to her; but most of the time she was occupied with her own art. And, uh, I didn't finish until you got home just a second ago," he explains.

"Dude," I say, almost breathlessly, "forget I ever yelled at you." That sloppy smile forms on his lips. "Where did you learn to draw like this?" I ask curiously. "This is fucking amazing."

"Instead of focusing on my schoolwork, I ended up focusing a lot more on art. I was failing most of my classes, but being a graphic designer was always my dream, and I wanted to be able to get there. My parents signed me up for tons of art classes and I just just ended up getting better and better. When I got to my last year of high school - like you - I, uh, dropped out," he says the last part sheepishly.

"What? Why would you drop out of school?" I ask, sucked into his story. He bites his lip slightly and shakes his head.

"I thought I was in love. That's a story for another time, though," he says, dismissing that subject. "But even while I was in high school I baby sat a lot. Whenever the kids were sleeping, I had free time to draw, and it kind of became a habit for me to leave the parents a drawing. So, I wanted to leave you a really great one since I'll be spending a lot of time here."

"Except, it's probably going to fade away..." I realize sadly. I frown and Vic just shrugs, a smile spreading widely across his face. "What does that smile mean?" I ask nervously.

"That smile means your daughter used washable markers but I used permanent markers and paint. So if you want it off now, you have to paint white over it," he replies, that smug grin never leaving his face. My jaw drops and I'm left speechless. And with that, Vic walks out of my room and out of my house.

a/n: I'm so in love with the characters I'm creating ohdear.