"Light of my life,
Fire of my loins.
be a good baby, do what I want."
-
NOEL
"Where are you going?" I ask, seeing the girl grab the knob of the front door.
"To Rosie's." The girl turns with a smile. Her hair was clipped half way back, little pieces of brown hair falling in her eyes.
I look at her, a little hurt. "I thought we were gonna watch a movie?" I hold up the fresh popcorn.
I can see her eyes gloss over and guilt in her voice, "Noelie. Im sorry. I told Rosie..." She pauses. "I would study with her." She nods, walking closer to me.
"Oh, Okay.." I nod, seeing through the lie. "Call me when you get there." I walk over to the couch, putting the popcorn on the table.
"Noel, you arent my dad." She mumbles, almost not heard.
"Excuse me?" I question, turning around to face her.
"Im just saying, don't you have better things to do then pretend to be my dad?" She looks at me, I can see the sadness in her eyes yet Im still upset, hurt mainly.
"Princess..." I walk closer to her. "Where is this coming from?"
"Im getting older Noel. You're 24, Im 17. And don't call me princess, Cathy told me what that means."
"And what does it mean?" I raise a thick eyebrow and look at her.
She doesnt make eye contact with me. "She says her boyfriend calls her princess...and.." My throat goes dry as she finishes. "And she calls him Daddy. Weird, I know." At her just mentioning that word, I feel my body numb.
What is going on?
This has never happened before.
"Dont say that, Riss." I shake my head.
"Say what?" She crosses her arms, "Daddy?"
"Yes. That shouldnt be coming out of your pretty little mouth." I shoot her a stern glance.
I see hear her sigh and unfold her arms. "Im sorry, Noelie." Her head drops.
He sigh, "What's wrong, Riss? Why are you being like this?"
"I dont know." She shrugs. "Mom's just always gone. More than before. And.... I just feel like i'm holding you back." She frowns.
My heart drops. "Iris." I walk to her, wrapping my arms gently around her. She snuggles into me, I lay my cheek on top of her head. "I love you, Riss. You dont hold me back. Im here because I want to be." I whisper.
I could feel her cheek rise up into a smile, "Really?" She asks.
"Yes, Riss. You're my best friend. Since, we were kids." I pull away, running my hand from her hair to her cheek. I push her hair back out of her face; I take a long look at her. She was growing up. She was so beautiful. My throat goes dry again and I feel my cheeks heating up.
She takes notice and asks me if Im okay. I nod, smiling gently then backing away from her. "Go to Rosie's."
"I love you." The words roll of her tongue like normal but I feel my mind spinning unusually.
Something was different.
But I didnt know what.
