The Girl Next Door

26.

"Are you sure you don't want to hang out with Ben another day?" I pouted as we walked hand in hand to the park. Gisella chuckled.
"Why don't you want to hang out with him today?"
"Because I wanna hang out with you. Alone." I said with an eye roll. Gisella giggled and rubbed my knuckles.
Ben wasn't at the park when we got there. So we sat on a bench and talked for thirty minutes, watching a group of geese.
"I love your smile." Gisella touched my cheek as she stared at me. I could get lost looking at the twinkle in her eyes, they were so pretty.
"Uhhh...hi?" Ben cleared his throat and made us look up. To my surprise, Gisella didn't pull away from me.
"Bonjour Benny."
"What's going on?" Ben looked at the spot on the bench next to me but didn't sit down. He stood awkwardly rubbing his elbow. I didn't know what to say.
"You wanted to hang out, so here we are." Gisella flashed him a gorgeous smile that made my insides tingle. I felt Ben's eyes staring a hole in my forehead.
"Ben I have to tell you the truth." I blurted out. "The person I like is Gisella. I kinda like her more than a friend." Both Ben and Gisella's jaw dropped but I knew she was happy the truth was finally out.
"Are you being serious?" He asked and sat down next to me.
"I'm sorry." I apologized but I wasn't sorry for liking her. I felt bad for leading him on instead of being honest.
"Benny..." Gisella started but stopped when he crossed his arms.
"You like her too?"
"I do." Gisella's honesty gave me butterflies but I hid my smile.
"Oh." Ben stood up. "Well alright. I don't know any guy that can compete with you." He laughed lightly but I could tell he was sad.
"Are you upset?" I asked, accepting Gisella's touch on my thigh. He looked at me and shook his head.
"No, I get it on both parts. I'm not upset. I'm gonna head home though."
"Okay." I stood up and pulled Gisella with me. "See you at school?"
"Yep, see you at school." Ben waved and walked off with his head down. I felt so bad but relieved at the same time.
"You just made me so happy, mon amour." Gisella pulled me into a long kiss that filled my stomach with so many butterflies I felt sick. When we pulled away from each other, her smile matched mine.
Two hours later, Gisella's mom called and she had to go home. So we walked slow and watched the kids at the playground chase each other in circles. When Gisella was next to me, everything felt perfect. She made me happy. I was sad to hug her goodbye but I knew she was going to text me so I didn't complain. I had other things on my mind.
When I saw daddy's squad car, I smiled. Other than Gisella, he was my best friend and the only other person I shared everything with. I was so happy on the inside, I wanted him to know why.
"Dad!! Daddy where are you?" I yelled as the front door closed. The living room and kitchen were empty but since his squad car was in the driveway, I knew he was home. Now that Ben knew about Gisella and me, I wanted daddy to know too.
"Upstairs!"
"I have to tell you something." I skipped up the stairs, bound by excitement. When I opened his bedroom and saw clothes everywhere, I was confused.
"What's up princess?"
"What are you doing?"
"Cleaning out my closet. I have something to tell you too. You'll be happy." Daddy's smile was contagious.
"What is it?" I asked as I pulled myself up on his king sized bed.
"Estelle is going to leave her fiancé and I told her they're welcome here."
"Meaning what?"
"Estelle and Gisella are moving in."