The Player and the Played

25. HSM and Marvel

I stared at him, scarlet creeping onto my face. He wasn't serious. He couldn't be. We were just friends. Heck, I wasn't even really sure if I liked him.

"Im kidding," he said with a laugh.

"It's not funny," I muttered under my breath.

"Of course it is. Look at how red you are," Tyler says, ruffling my hair.

"Don't touch my hair," I grouched.
<is grouched a word? Probably not but let's pretend it is. It sounds nice. Also, I do technically have writer's license. Thank you>

"Why not?" he asked, reaching out again. I caught his wrist because I have amazing reflexes sometimes. Sometimes being the keyword.

"Because, I said so. And only Caleb can do that without me castrating him," I explained as though he was five.

"But why can't I?" He whined. He was kinda adorable. Kinda. Kinda. Kinda is the key word. Yeah I'll just keep telling myself that.

"Because it's mine and Caleb's thing."

"But I'm better than Caleb."

"He's like the brother I never had. So, I don't agree with that statement."

"So that means that you don't actually think he's better than me, you just think you're obliged to think that."

"Arguing with you is pointless."

"No it isn't," he retaliated.

"Oh my Lord!" I exclaimed, exasperated.

"Are you going back to school?"

"Nah. I have Calculus now and our teacher is sick so it's not like we're going to do anything anyway. Maybe we should go do something fun instead."

"Did you go for Thor Ragnarok yet?" He asked.

"No! I've wanted to since forever because duh but school always got in the way."

"That's awesome because neither have I as school is a bitch. We should go," he said. I could have hugged him.

"Like a date," he added. I tried not to blush.

It didn't work. I had to deal with his annoying teasing comments but one must make sacrifices for Marvel.

***

//after the movie//

"Hailey?" a timid voice came. Bianca.

"Hey, B!"

"Where have you been?"

"I went out for a movie."

"Oh. What about yesterday?"

"What about it?"

"Where were you?"

"I was out then I had homework."

"Oh right. Sorry, I forgot." Her tone wasn't accusing or angry, just a little...sad? But why would she be sad?

"Hey, B, what's up?"

"No one's ever home. Not Mom, not Dad, not even you. It just gets kinda lonely sometimes. Plus, I miss hanging out with you." I immediately felt dreadful. I may have lost one sister but I had another. I may be a senior but I had time for drama and a social life. So what excuse did I have for not making time for my own sister? None. I'd pretty much been a bitch. Yeah, sure, we weren't the cute siblings who always said 'I love you'. We mostly argued but the love was implied. At least, I think it was. Maybe she didn't feel it enough though.

"I'm so sorry, B," I tried to apologise. "I love you. I've been a bitch to you but I still love you. You're still my sister. I can't make all of it up to you but what about we finish some homework for an hour and then order pizza and watch a movie?"

"Okay," she said, her gac brightening.

"I won't even tell Mom," I added in a whisper. "We can stay up a little. But you do have school tomorrow."

"It's okay. I'll sleep after coming back."

"I'd disapprove of this and I'm kind of having second thoughts now though...."

"Pleaseeee!! You owe me," she said with her puppy dog eyes. Oh no! Not the puppy dog eyes!

"Fine. Next time I won't suggest ideas without thinking them through."

"Okay," she replied with her smug smile.

"But the only reason I said yes was because of the guilt card and puppy dog eyes. I'm going to be immune to it the next time."

"Cute in theory, sis, but you've been saying that for like the past ten years. The puppy dog eyes always work." I grumbled a bit but  didn't argue.

We watched High School Musical because HSM is gold. Besides, the poor girl never really grew up with old Disney TV Shows and Movies so I always make her watch Disney. It's our thing. Yes, we did argue about what pizza to get and what popcorn flavour was better, cheese or salted (it's salted) but the night was great.

Maybe you do become more mature when you grow up. Maybe you don't. Maybe it depends on your experience and the people around you. In this one week I had become a better sister to Bianca (at least I hope I had), a better friend to Tyler, a less judgemental person when it came to Lana and I'd also returned to a normal life as much as possible.

I'd finally moved on from Ashley's death. I hadn't completely moved on and I doubt that will ever be possible but I have decided to make the most of this year. It sounds cheesy but I've decided to live my life to the fullest. And it all starts with people, getting to know people, whether it's your neighbour, arch nemesis, a random guy you hadn't spoken to before who turned out to be awesome or even your own relative.

Life isn't just about making the most of every big opportunity but also widening your perspective and making the most of the small moments. I guess senior year is a little late to realise this so, dear reader, I hope you've paid attention. Don't close your mind like I'd done for years. Don't get so caught up in what you want for your future that you forget to enjoy the present. It's going to be hard but the little things will make an impact. Trust me on this.

A/N
MY ITALICS ISNT WORKINF
MY WIFI ISNT WORKING AND IM WAITING FOR IT TO SO THAT I CAN POST BECAUSE IVE WRITTEN TWO CHAPTERS
UGHHHH
there's nothing much to say though because I wrote the previous authors note today only.
That being said:
(The A/N before this was written on Monday. And it's Wednesday now and my Wifi is FINALLY working)

Quote:
Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.

Song:
DONT WANNA BE AN AMERICAN IDIOTT TARARARARARARARA TARARARA
Sorry it's stuck in my head rn.

Bye-a (cuz if we can say hiya bye-a should be accepted too)

Xoxo
Anu.