uncool, stanley barber

28

28 - how to fix a family with a void

syd let me sleep off the weed whilst she did homework. she was really understanding about all of this, which made me curious since she's always so angsty. angry people really do have the best hearts.

"hey, syd" a little voice woke me up. i opened my eyes to a smaller version of syd. "you're not syd" he said, from his sister's doorway.

"ella this is liam, goob, this is ella" syd sighed, continuing with her homework. he came over to me and sat on the end of the bed.

"do you have a little sister?" he asks out of the blue. "you look similar to someone at school."

"yeah, her name's winnie" i chuckle a little at the thought of her.

"winnie dawson?" he ask to which i nod. "oh her, she's in the younger class."

i scoot next to him. "how do you know her?"

"she's kind of-" he tries to say but looses the words. "been misbehaving."

i look away and bite down on my lip. shit. she's the complete opposite at home, she's the little buttercup who can cheer anyone up. but i know why she's acting out.

"thanks for letting me know, liam" i smile at him as i thank syd so much for the safe space to stay. she offered for me to spend the night, but i politely declined, thanking her in the process. "stay outta trouble!" she called after me as i left her house.

i walk down the street thinking of what to say to winnie. let alone, dad. i open the door, but before dad can yell at me, winnie runs up to me.

she goes for a hug but i step back and crouch down to her height. "what's-what's wrong, elly belly?"

i look at her, the tears brimming in my eyes. the overflowing emotions inside of me escape as soon as i see her, small and innocent. how dare i corrupt her?

"i hear you've been acting out at school" i say, to which my dad puts his coffee mug down and listens. "why, win?"

she frowns and looks at her feet. she's guilty as i hear her small sobs. "i-i'm sorry."

"no, winnie. it's okay" i say, pulling her into a hug. "it's been hard, without mum. and i suppose me and dad aren't really around all that much. you deserve attention, win, cause you're so worth it."

she looks at me and smiles, her tiny tears drying instantly. "love ya, elly belly" she squeals as her arms wrap around me. from the hug, i can see my dad. he looks crestfallen like he's let us both down as he puts his head into his hands.

i pick winnie up and move over to him, so we can all share a hug. "it's okay" i say to winnie, but dad knows i mean the words for him as well. "i'm sorry for everything. i'll be here for you, i'll be here to help you along the way. cause i love you. both."

dad breaks down as we cry in the kitchen. he mutters an apology, as winnie shares this moment that she'll no doubt remember forever.

it's been hard without mum. even if we didn't see eye to eye and sometimes i wouldn't be the happiest, she still seemed to make our family whole. i didn't realise my actions were affecting winnie's behaviour and so i have to set an example somehow. for dad, i have to be strong. like he is for us.

heyy, short one without stan i'm afraid.  but we did get liam making an appearance!
stan'll be back shortly.
my school's closed for COVID-19, so banter
hope everyone's doing well :)