The Trouble On Your Lips (Kellic)

2

I sat at breakfast the next morning, silently chomping on my cereal as I tried to block out my mom and step dad fussing over my older sister, Kailey. She had a pretty important gymnastics meet at college today and my step dad, Rob, was giving her a pep talk about remaining focused, and my mom was making sure she knew her routines. Honestly I get really sick and tired of all the sport talk around here. Every breakfast and dinner all I hear is talk about Kailey and her precious gymnastics. Sometimes it was like I didn't exist.

The phone ringing didn't even deter them from the little world they were in, so I was left to get up and answer it. I picked it up on the third ring, pressing the answer button.

"Talk to me," I said casually.

"Hello, is this the Quinn residence?" A voice said on the other end. The person, who I could tell was a man, sounded vaguely familiar but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

"Bostwick, but close enough," I said. I was the only one in my family who went by the last name Quinn because I hated Bostwick. If this person was asking for a Quinn then they must be looking for me.

"Uh, oh, so a Kellin Quinn doesn't live there?" The person asked.

"Oh, yeah, I'm Kellin. Who's this?" I asked as I leant against the counter-top in the kitchen.

"This is Mr. Fuentes," he said, and it clicked in my mind that this was my guidance counsellor.

"What do you want?" I asked rudely.

"To speak to your parents. Can you put them on?" he asked. Fuck. Damn it. There was no doubt in my mind that he was calling to ask about my history and why I needed counselling, but I didn't want him to know. I had a thing about not wanting complete strangers to know about my life, even if they are qualified to help me. I don't need help.

"Oh, you know what, they're actually not here," I lied.

"Kellin," he sighed, "I can hear the talking in the background. Just put them on so I can get this over with, otherwise I'll just keep calling until I eventually reach one of them,"

He had a point there. I could hang up and delay this a little longer, but he would get a hold of my parents eventually and they would tell him everything. I sighed and looked back to my parents.

"Mom, phone," I said, but she completely ignored me as she talked to Kailey. Seriously, I might as well be invisible.

"Let me put you on hold for moment," I said to Mr. Fuentes and didn't wait for a reply before I pressed the hold button.

"Mom, the school is on the phone for you," I said. Kailey was the only one to acknowledge me and was about to say something when my mom cut her off.

"Mom," I said louder and more firmly. She turned around quickly, looking annoyed.

"Not now, Kellin," she snapped before turning back to Kailey.

"And remember, when you're on that beam, just shut out everyone else and focus on your balance, okay honey?" she said to Kailey.

"Yes, mom. Trust me, I've got this," she said.

"Of course you do," Rob said proudly and patted her shoulder. Kailey smiled brightly at the both of them. She was always the golden child who got all the attention.

"Alright, good luck, we've got to get to work," my mom said. Her and Rob owned a small diner in town and worked together down there. They were really nice people and respected in the community. Mom turned to me and quickly kissed my cheek.

"Have a god day at school, sweetie," she said with a smile. 7

"I will," I said, not bothering to get her to answer the phone.