I See You

Backwards

Normally people say that when they wake up on a life changing day that it felt, and/ or started like any other day.

My eyes snap open, and I'm immediately overcome by goosebumps.

I shiver instinctively. Am I cold?

Shaking my head and pushing it off, I try to do my morning the same as always.

Only the unknown feeling doesn't go away.

"What are you doing today, sweetie?" Mom asks, her blonde hair falling in her eyes. Dad brushes it behind her ear for her, kissing her cheek.

"I don't-" My phone buzzes, and I feel a soft smile grace my face, "I'm meeting up with Venus and some friends."

My Dad's eyes sparkle with mischief. "Don't getting pregnant now, okay?"

I groan, sinking into my seat, as my parents laugh. "That's not even funny anymore! It's so overplayed!"

I know where I get my social lateness from. Cliques and female - female pregnancy jokes. We're a hopeless bunch.

"What's pegnant?" Kellan asks, mouthful of pancakes. "Sounds fun! 'Specially if pretty lady is in it!" (He might have a small crush on Venus... and Mystic. He's an adorable little "ladies man".)

I stuff my own mouth, trying to avoid answering.

After a beat my father says, "Kel, buddy, 'pregnant' is an adult word for... preparing... to have a baby... do you see?"

Kellan puts his fork down and puts on his 'concentration' face. Mom's trying not to laugh, but loses it when my brother suddenly nods, "Oh, like getting the baby stuff before the stork drops off the baby?"

Yup, social lateness runs deep in us Gabrielles.

"So, Dad, can you drop me at the park? We're going to a picnic!"

He kisses my mom and then lightly noogies Kellan (who whines about "messing up his perfectly messy styled hair") before motioning for me to follow.

"Thanks, Dad! I love you!"

"Love you too!" He says, driving off.

I'm about to set out towards our school's picnic, when I spot Venus, Mystic, and Remedy off to the side, out of earshot of the picnic.

Excited, I change my course and dash over to them instead.

"Hey guys!" I shout, giddily, "It's time for fun fun fun fun fun! Ready guys? We'll make it fun!" I lean over and give Venus a kiss, like I usually do.

Only she doesn't kiss me back. And I think either Mystic or Remedy growled.

Maybe they're all hungry? Better get them to the picnic.

"I know I was quoting Tigger, but it's true! Granted we don't run into trouble, of course!" I wave it all off mildly, still in a weird place with Mystic, and hug Remy, "Hey sis!"

Mystic starts sputtering, "Wait, you know she's your sister?"

How rude! "You were there when I introduced..." Wait was she? I try to picture it, but instead I get an instant headache.

Remedy wraps her arms around me. "It's okay. It's okay."

She gets me to sit down, but talks to them. "Listen when I tell you things."

"Ow, why does it hurt so much to try to remember?" I rub my head, whimpering, "It hurts."

Remy is shoved out of the way and another set of arms wrap around me. Almost instantly the pain drains away, and I snuggle closer.

"Will she be okay?" Venus ask from somewhere behind me.

"Yeah just give her a minute. Like I said, the fabric of this illusion is crumbling."

Wait, Venus is somewhere behind me?

I scramble out of Mystic's arms and away. What the hell self?

You like her, she's your one.

Again, what the hell self?

It is not time to use your Azalea voice.

Mental sigh.

Seriously, what is wrong with me? I am hearing voices.

I'm hearing voices. Ever since last week, I've been hearing voices in my head. Granted, it's a single voice but still, I'm hearing it?

And I named it after my cat?

Can you say crazy?

"What is wrong with me?" I whisper, asking myself.

"Nothing, you're perfect!" Growls Mystic, almost defensively.

I look up, squinting in the sunlight, "What?"

She looks confused, "What?"

Remedy elbows her, grinning creepily. Hiding something?

Venus wraps an arm around Remedy, who now elbows her.

"What the heck? What is going on?" I demand.

Remedy sighs, exchanging looks with both Mystic and Venus warningly. "Let me handle this. It's not time yet."

"What are you going to do?" Mystic demands, but not the way she usually does. It's less self-assured arrogance and more vulnerable. I must be reading into it, because I'm pretty sure Mystic Quincy doesn't get vulnerable.

Venus just look confused. "Is this what you meant about everything thing being backwards?"

"Yes, but usually only I get dragged into it. I'm not sure how you guys are here, but until it crumbles, when you're here, make an effort to try to play along."

"Play along?" Venus and Mystic ask in shock, and I in deep confusion.

"What are we even talking about? 'Until it crumbles'? Until what crumbles?" My voice continues to rise.

I'm freaking out! What the heck! What are they even talking about? "Is this some kind of joke? I can see Mystic sinking this low, but you guys are in on it too?"

Remedy holds back Mystic, who lunges at me. I scramble up onto my feet and back up.

"Keep her away, I'm going to try something, just keep her away," Remedy gives Mystic to Venus, slowly coming over to me.

I want to run, but I'm frozen in place, scared of my own sister, my girlfriend and my crush slash frenemy.

"Look at me," Remedy grabs my whole attention. She puts her hands on my face, comfortingly cradling it. "Shhh, you just got here, I'm glad you found us. We're ready for fun fun-"

"-fun fun fun!" I finish, excited. "Ready guys? We'll make it fun!"

Venus and Mystic exchange odd looks. "What?" I ask, "I know I was quoting Tigger, but it's true! Granted we don't run into trouble, of course!"

They exchange another unreadable glance.

Damn those best friend mind reading powers!

I look at Remedy and try to get her to hear my thoughts, but alas, she's still pointedly glaring at the two. Maybe she's trying to understand their relationship as well.

"So, picnic time?"

(A/N: Firstly, oh my goddess, I actually made it to 22 chapters, 1000+ words per chapter! Wow, go self. Selfs.
Secondly, I know this one's confusing, but in its placement of the story, it's cohesive. Tell me what you think! "Or what you think will happen on this fun fun fun fun fun adventure of mine!" What? ~Yes, make her head bigger than it already is.~ Um.. <Shush it you! You're just depressed Kat hasn't typed up your story at all. *sticks tongue out*> Uh... (Hey you two, it's not her fault it'd take forever to convert the two notebooks onto Word!) Well... ~I'm not sure if you were defending me or insulting my life story...~ And on that note, bye!!)