Barbie Transformation

The joke

After waking in the barnyard next to Hunter, he drove me back to my house. Right now I'm standing in front of my door, debating whether I should run or face my mother.

I need answers, I need to know who my dad is.

I gently open the door and walk inside. Hunter said he'd pick me up if something goes wrong. He has my suitcases too.

Hugging my cellphone tighter against my chest, trying to get a bit Hunter's comfort. When I look around, I don't see my mother so I sigh, defeated.

When I walk into the kitchen, Carol is opening the freezer, grabbing an ice cream container.

I try to stifle a giggle as I think about how cliche that is. Mom hears me and spins around so quickly, you would have thought she'd snap her neck.

Her eyes widen, "Emmerson!" She acknowledges me and takes a step forward but I raise my hands up in defence, warning her to stop. She frowns but respectfully stands still.

"I-I thought you were taking time off..?" She questions and I nod my head, "I am but you owe me some answers." I reply firmly and her frown deepens. She lifts and hand and puts a blonde strand behind her ear and looks at the ground.

"What sort of questions?"

The silence is suspending as I try to think which question would be suitable to be asked first.

"Well, who is my father?" I ask and Carol lifts her head in alert, mouth agape, "What?" She asks and I roll my eyes, hating that I need to repeat myself, "Who is my dad?" I question again and she shrinks a little and averts her eyes away from me, uncomfortably. "I don't know what you're talking about..." She whispers and I laugh falsely.

She shuffles around and taps her fingers on the kitchen counter. When the constant tapping starts to irritate me, I grab her hand and remove it rom the counter top, "Who is it?" I ask in a firmer tone and she sighs, "I didn't think you'd ever find out...Who told you?" She asks and I huff, "Stop avoiding the question and answer it!" I shout and she winces from my outburst but then nods silently.

"James Mooner."

This time, my eyes widen. Surely it's not that man that I nearly beat up last night, right?

What a retarded surname. Mooner. Gross.

"I'm sorry, who?" I question and Carol sighs and fiddles with her fingers, "His name is James Knight. You two... met last night..." She explains and my heart begins to pound again, "You're not serious...?" I question and she frowns, "Of course I'm serious."

"He seemed so calm. Maybe you have the wrong James..." I query and Carol shakes her head, "I think I'd remember who the father is."

"Does Cow know?" I ask, laughing at my own joke:

Mooner. Cows moo...

Mom raises an eyebrow, "Who?"

"James. Does James know that I'm his daughter?" I ask and Carol cringes as though she was hoping I wouldn't ask.

Nearly thirty seconds of silence pass before she lets out a shaky, "No."

I take a large intake of breath, "That explains why he was so calm. He doesn't know that I'm his daughter."

Well, he wasn't exactly... Calm. He was more horrified and scared when I straddled him to the ground like a mad woman. But if he had known I was his daughter, he'd be extremely panicky; wouldn't know how to talk to me.

Carol sighs, "He doesn't have to know if you don't want him to."

I nearly agree but then think about what Hunter said.

"Actually, I'd like you to tell him." I finally admit and my mother begins to cough rather dramatically, "What?" She shrieks.

"You can tell him. I mean it is your fault that I don't have a better dad, right?" I proclaim rather rudely and she winces from my words.

"O-okay." She replies shakily, "I'll do it tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? Carol, every day is yesterday's tomorrow. You're probably going to delay it again for another time. I want you to call him and tell him to come now." I inform her and she gasps in horror, "Emmerson, no... I'm not ready. I'll tell him tomorrow!" She promises and I shake my head in disappointment, "If you don't do it today, I'll tell him myself. It won't be pretty, either." I warn her and she frowns, "Okay! Okay! I'll invite him over for lunch..." She whispers and I grin in triumph.

"Fantastic! I'll call Hunter and tell him to get over here!" I gleefully get my phone out. I'm not really sure why I'm excited. It's probably because this is like a new beginning to a new father. I might have another chance at having a better parenthood. It all relies on Cow.

--

When Hunter arrives twenty minutes later, I leap into his arms and hug him tightly. He laughs and hugs me back, kissing my forehead.

When I face him, his hair is slightly over his blue eyes and I can't help but let my hands run through his strands. The same temptation runs through Hunter and he leans down and kisses my lips passionately.

his tongue traces over mine as I savour his flavour. His touch still gives me butterflies.

Wait, no.

Fireflies. Because his touch makes my cheeks burn with fire and I get that flying, souring feeling inside. Firefly.

When he pulls away, I grin and squish his cheeks together to form a fishy face and I giggle. Hunter walks in front of me and lifts me over his back in a piggyback ride.

I laugh as he races me around the house.

When the bell finally goes, Hunter takes me to the door, me still on his back.

When Hunter opens it, James stands at the door and I smile, "Hello Cow!" I laugh and Hunter shakes his head.

James gives me a weirded expression which only makes me laugh more, "So first I'm a thief and now I'm a cow... Charming." He states and I grin, "Do you get the joke?" I ask and James steps into the house and raises an eyebrow, "What joke?"

"Oh nothing..." I smile innocently and Hunter puts me down on the floor. James takes a step back, probably so I don't jump on him again.

That thought makes me laugh and both Hunter and Cow stare at me as though I've gone mad.

That's when Carol walks in the room and awkwardness boosts up the roof.

(A/N: I'm SO SORRY that I haven't posted in a week! I'm such a meanie! I'll try and post again within two days. Thank you for staying and waiting patiently. Love ya!) UNEDITED