The Medium

Chapter 4

    I set the box on the floor by my bed while momma goes to grab my last box. I start to unpack my clothes into the small dresser. I opened the top drawer and started packing my everyday clothes into it. I hear Keira's chair squeak as she turns it.

  "You can hang your uniforms in the closet. I have mine in the drawer in my bed." says Keira. I turn my head to look at her, I give her a smile.

  "Thanks Keira." I say then go back to unpacking.

  "I'll be right back. I've got to go use the little girls room." says Keira as she stands up and walks to the door.

  "'Kay." I say as she walks out the door. I sigh and sit on the computer chair by my desk.

  "You okay Lil?" asks Eli while leaning against the post of the bunk bed to my left.

  "Not really." I say while looking at my light blue 'I <3 penguins' shirt.

  "What's up?"

  "I don't know if I can keep this up."

  "Keep what up?"

  "This whole 'you don't exist' thing. It's so hard not to talk to you, not to laugh at you or even to acknowledge you're there. You're my best friend, I can't keep ignoring you."

  "It's okay Lily, really it is. I understand that you need to blend in, but you know I'm always here for you when you need me."

  "I know, but that goes against my promise to you. I hate to break my promises." I say. Just then Raelynn pops up.

  "So you can see us?" she asks.

  "Yeah. What happened to you?"

  "I'm not telling you. I don't trust you. And just so you know Keira is my best friend, I wont let you take her from me." she says.

  "Listen I'm not here to take Keira from you. I have a best friend and he's right there." I say gesturing to Eli. He waves at Raelynn, she just give him a weird look. She crosses her arms and huffs.

  "Fine I'll let it pass this time, but if I feel like you are trying to take her I will take action to stop you." she says then disappears.

  "Well... she's going to be a joy to have around." says Eli making me laugh. I roll my eyes as momma comes in with Keira behind her. Momma sets my last box down and looks at me.

  "Alright sweetie I've got to go. I want you to call me tomorrow after classes and tell me how your first day was. Now you don't have to call me everyday, but I want you to call me to keep me updated. Be good, I love you." she says walking over to me and hugging me. I hug her back.

  "I love you too momma." I say as she kisses my head and pulls away. She walks to the door and stops.

  "Oh and I talked to daddy, but briefly. We agreed that if you want you can dye your hair whatever color, but before you graduate you need to have your natural hair color back."

  "W-when did you talk to daddy?" I asked sadly. How could she talk to him and not let me?

  "While I was grabbing your last box. He had just got off his flight and had to talk quickly. He would've liked to talk to you, but he needed to get to the base. I'm sorry sweetie I tried to keep him on the phone, but he needed to go." she says. Just like always.

  "It's okay. I understand. He's busy, I guess I'll write to him then." I say spinning around to face my desk so momma didn't see that I had tears in my eyes. I've always have been closer to my dad, he believed me. I was a daddy's girl.