Destined

Twenty Four

Holly woke me up the next day by licking my face. I fluttered my eyes open and her face looked gigantic. I smiled and she barked making me sit up.

"Is it just me or have you gotten bigger?" I asked and she barked again.

I went downstairs and found a note from my mum saying she'd gone to church. That's when I realized I'd overslept. Holly barked again, wanting my attention and I bent down to pat her head.

"Okay, girl, lets go for a run,"

I changed out of my pajamas into leggins  and a tank top, throwing on a hoody and carrying my iPod. Holly seemed so happy about the exercise, running and wagging her tail in excitement. We ran down the street, and I watched the familiar houses as I ran. Without fear that a killer was lurking in the works.

I stopped every now and then to wave or chat with a neighbor, we were all so friendly on this street. People welcomed me, asked me how school was, the usual routine older people go through when they see someone young enough to be their child.

Holly and I ran back home and I was completely out of breath while she was looking like she was ready for another lap.

"Sorry girl, I'm not built like you," I said filling her bowls with food and water.

I drank two glasses worth then went up to shower. I took my time with my hair, conditioning it, combing it, straightening it, I wasn't sure why though, because in a few hours, it would be a tangled mess once again.

Then I went to the kitchen and began to make breakfast. And I went all out. I made myself a tiny portion of granola, an omelette, toast, juice, bacon, sausages, everything I could think of. My mum found me in the middle of my feast and laughed at me.

"Is any of that for me?" She asked.
"Nope, make your own breakfast," I said.
"That's no way to talk to your mother," a familiar voice said from the door.
"Aunt Sharon!" I screamed and rushed over to the woman who'd walked in.
"Hi honey," she hugged me as I reached her.

As much as my mum and her sister looked alike, same eyes and bone structure, I looked more like my aunt because we had the same unruly hair that we'd inherited from their mother, my grandmother.

"Hi," I said, happy to see her.
"You look taller," she said raising a brow at me.

Holly came barking and excited running around us, making us laugh. I made more toast, more juice, more breakfast.

"I like your hair, what did you do with it?" Aunt Sharon asked.
"I just straightened it," I shrugged, it reached my waist when it was straightened.
"I think it's gotten too long, you need a haircut," mum said.
"Never," Aunt Sharon said despite the fact that she cut hers often. "She looks beautiful with long hair,"
"Are you saying I wouldn't with short hair?" I asked.
"Let's not find out,"

I spent the day telling them both about school. About my classes, any new people I'd met— I'm not sure why I chose to leave Vince out— and of course the concern around Roger's death.

"That poor family," Aunt Sharon said. "How are they coping though?"
"Well enough, I guess," I answered.
"Enough with the sad stuff though, I want to hear about boys," she laughed. "Surely, you've stolen the heart of some cute college boy by now,"

Other way round Aunt Shar. And he's not a college boy.

"Oh yes, what happened to that cute boy I met when I was down there?" Mum asked.
"Matthew?" I asked and laughed. "He's just a friend, mum, slow your roll,"
"What? So there's no boy? At all?" Aunt Sharon asked.

Oh there is, was? His name is Vince. And last week he broke my heart. Then threw away the pieces this morning.

"Nope, sorry, Mechanal doesn't have Mr. Right," I answered.
"You need to get out more, Krissy," Aunt Sharon said. "So how do you girls feel about going out to dinner tonight? I already made reservations, don't know why I'm asking. So Krissy, you have to get dolled up and pretty, we're going to find you a boyfriend here,"
My mum laughed, "No we're not. I like to think she's so focused on school that she has no time for boys,"
"She's nineteen, she needs to act like it," Aunt Sharon said.
"She'll be twenty next month, and she's standing right here," I interjected.