The Girl Next Door

20.

Dad expected me to believe him and Estelle were just friends but both me and Gisella could see they liked each other. It was annoying, listening to her mom giggle because of my dad. When dad gave me a twenty dollar bill and told me to get snacks, Gisella stood, locked her arms with me and ushered me out of the dark movie theater.
"This is so weird," I thought out loud. Gisella nodded her head and bit down on her bottom lip.
"I love my mother but she definitely does not know how to be a mans friend." Gisella let go of my arm and rubbed the back of her neck.
"Is she still getting married?" I asked as we made our way to the front of the line. Gisella shrugged her shoulders.
"I don't know anything anymore. One day, she's shopping for dresses. The next day, we're on a date with your dad." Gisella laughed because it was funny but I couldn't join in. I didn't want them to be on a date. I didn't even want them to be friends.
"I'm glad I'm here with you though, otherwise I would be alone watching them flirt."
"Yeah but this isn't the way I thought our first date would be. If I wanted to kiss you or hold your hand, I can't." I was being a sour puss but I didn't care. The more I thought about being at the movie theaters with my dad and her mom, the more I wanted to leave. Gisella pouted.
"I want to kiss you too mi amor," Gisella slipped her fingers in between mine and squeezed my hand lightly.
We got popcorn, gummy bears and twizzlers for dad. When we got back to our seats, I wanted to throw up. Dad was basically sucking Estelle's face off and she wasn't protesting at all. Gisella cleared her throat.
"Well um..." Gisella didn't know what to say and neither did I. Dad looked up, embarrassed enough for all four of us.
"I'm going to the bathroom." I dismissed myself before either one of our parents got to say a word.
I was thankful that Gisella followed behind me. When we were out of the theater, she grabbed me by the arm and pulled me into her arms. I melted right away.
"Are you alright, Stacy?"
"No. Are you? I'm so mad right now." My hands were shaking, I was so upset. Of all the women in the world, dad had to pick the mother of the girl I was head over heels for. Words did nothing to justify the anger I felt. Especially towards her mom. Gisella looked at me with a sad smile.
"Why are you so mad?"
"If they're gonna be a thing where does that leave me and you? Step sisters? I don't want to be your step sister..." it wasn't like me to willingly say what was on my mind but something about the way Gisella looked at me made me confess effortlessly. She had that kind of effect on me.
"Mi amor, let's go somewhere."
"Okay."
Gisella took my hand and we walked into the darkness quietly. The sky was pitch black with bright stars scattered around and the wind blew chills down my back but with Gisella's hand in mine, I was happy. I wasn't thinking about anything other than being with her.
"Look, wanna go on our own date?" Gisella pointed to a dimly lit diner across the street. The wind blew another chill up my spine but it was her smile that covered my body in goosebumps. I nodded my head and followed her across the street. I was about to go on a date with Gisella.