Barbie and Ken | ✔️

Barbie and Ken [13]

☼Leila Perez☼

"Hey dad," his voice stuck in his throat. 

I watched the scene like it was happening in slow motion. I'd automatically assumed Castor's dad was dead like mine when he'd said ditto. But really he'd just said that his dad wasn't around. But his dad was around. He was in the doorframe.

Zoe climbed out of her brother's arms and walked up to her mum, "Who's this?"

She doesn't know her own dad? How long has this guy been gone?

"Five and a half years!" Her mum burst out. 

That answered my question.

"You were gone for five and a half years, Ricardo!" she yelled, "You never even called when Zoe was born!"

Woah...

I took a step back, quietly. This seemed like a Cruz family problem and didn't need me. But suddenly Castor's grip was like iron on my wrist. I jumped and looked down in fright. His hand loosened and slid down to fit into my hand. 

Castor was shaking like a leaf in wind, but his hand in mine was strong and I could feel the same energy as last week pulsing through my hand from the modelling shoot. I whispered, "Castor?"

He finally managed to mutter, "I hate his guts."

I gulped. This was the scary jerk type of Castor I'd known when I first met him.

Suddenly my attention was back at the door. Rachel had slapped Ricardo. A big red hand mark was on one side of his face and his head was tilted to the side. Ricardo took in a deep breath, "I deserved that."

"Yeah, you did," Castor said, straightening up. His hand gripped mine so tightly I thought my knuckles would break. 

Ricardo stared at his son with... regret? He finally whispered, "What can I do?"

Castor left me and stood next to his mum at the door, "Leave."

"B-but Cast, I want to help..." he said sadly.

I said clearly for the first time since seeing the man, "Jerk, listen to him."

Ricardo raised an eyebrow, "J-jerk? Who are you, young lady?"

But I wasn't talking to Ricardo, and I wasn't referring to Castor. Castor needed to listen to the voice in his head telling him to fight back.

"She wasn't talking to you, Dad," Castor sighed loudly. Then with speed so quick it was almost instantaneous, Castor kicked his dad where the sun doesn't shine. Then he slammed the door in his face.

Rachel stared at her son, "He deserved that, Cast, but you didn't have to do it."

"You slapped him," he raised his eyebrows at her.

Zoe whispered even louder, "Who was that, mum?"

Rachel held her daughter closer and began crying, "Your father."

Castor glanced to me and muttered, "How'd you know I wanted to kick him?"

"Because I know you," I said simply.

He sighed and turned around, going up to his room. I headed back to the kitchen to clean up. Rachel needed to calm down. 

*****

There was a yell from outside as I stood in my living room with my phone. I opened the curtains. Trent was leaning against the hood of his car with a goofy grin. 

Crap. It was Sunday afternoon, wasn't it?

I sighed, looking down at my skirt and tank top. I went and opened the front door. Castor said that Trent thinks I'm playing hard to get. But, actually, I want to play impossible to get. I don't want Trent in the way he wants me. 

He smirked, glancing me up and down, "Hey bestie. You interested in a road trip?"

I chewed my bottom lip. How was I going to tell him? Just blurt it out? That could be insensitive.

Trent glanced down at my mouth and I stopped. I was still leading him on...

"I-I..."

Trent raised an eyebrow, "I could always ask Evie if you don't want to hang out with me?"

That was a new personal low for Trent. Trying to make me jealous and guilty in just one sentence?

"Fine," I shrugged, "Hang out with Evie. She's your friend too, y'know."

Trent scowled at me. 

A tiny voice said, "She's busy babysitting me in five minutes. She can't hang out with you."

I internally smiled at the girl in a pink dress riding her bicycle around her driveway. Zoe was a five-year-old genius.

Trent smiled angelically, "I can help her babysit you."

"My brother will have a problem with that," she said, adding a glare at Trent.

Maybe she isn't such a genius after all.

"Why would he?" Trent scowled again, "I am her best friend."

"He was ranting about how you're in love with her and she wants to be just friends with you," she said, another smile on her face. 

Trent gulped and went a light shade of pink, "Th-that's not true."

I rolled my eyes at him, "Save it, Trent. Just go."

He sighed and looked at me deeply, "Come on Leila. We've been best friends for years. We're platonic."

"Leave me alone, Trent," I muttered as he came closer.

"It's obvious you like me," he said softly, "And I like you too."

Well, that's contradictory.

If Lucy found out about Trent pressing me she'd make sure it was a public scandal.

"I said, go, Trent."

Zoe stepped in front of me, "If you don't leave Leila alone I'll scream for Castor to come break your nose."

She stepped closer to Trent though she was half his height, "Or I'll just kick your ding-dong right now."

Trent glared at her and I scoffed, pulling Zoe back to me, "What's happened to you, Trent?"

Trent sighed and clenched his teeth. He said through his teeth, "I realised I love you."

"You can't," I murmured, "We're best friends. That's all we'll ever be."

Then Trent let out a groan of pain and fell to his knees clutching his precious jewels. 

I stared down at Zoe in disbelief. She shrugged, "I warned him."

*****

I fell into my bed with a smile. Tomorrow is my birthday. Mum won't be here, but Evie will be. I can relish in that.

✌︎

So I hope you enjoyed :) If you did, leave me a comment, if you didn't, tell me what I can improve on. How are you? Leave me a comment and a vote if you're healthy or sick. If you're sick, I hope you feel better. Shoutout to those that are reading this at 1am.

Sharky.