twisted ✔️ (being edited)

3 | uncle paulter

two weeks later

The only bad thing about Christmas break is that once it's over, you have to go back to school. Fresh from a shower and changed into clean clothes, I walk downstairs and find Mom standing in the kitchen with someone. "Uncle Paulter?" I ask, confused with wide eyes. The last time I saw him was at Dad's funeral. "What are you doing here?"

"Hey, kiddo!" Uncle Paulter walks over and pulls me in a tight hug. "What, can't I come visit my favorite niece?"

"I'm your only niece," I remind him.

"Which makes you more special." He rubs my head with a laugh.

I fix my bangs, asking, "No, but seriously, what are you doing here?"

Mom glares at me. "Codi! What is with you and people coming over? He's your dad's brother. He's family and allowed over whenever."

Then why does Uncle Paulter only visit around death or holidays? "I didn't mean it like that... I just—"

"It's okay, Codi. I'm just helping your mother with some financial stuff." He pats my back as he explains, and Mom slaps his arm. "What? If I'm moving in, she might as well know."

I step back. "Wait, you're moving in?"

Mom runs a hand through her greasy hair. "Paulter is coming to live with us for a while. Couple months at best. To help with the bills and the mortgage and all that grownup stuff. At least until your father's insurance check comes. He's going to be staying in the guest bedroom. It's only temporarily, Codi."

"I don't have a problem with Uncle Paulter living here," I remind Mom as I grab two granola bars from the kitchen cabinet.

"Good. Anyone in the mood for breakfast?"

I wave the granola bars and say, "Kal's picking me up. He wants to show me the new car he got for Christmas."

"His parents got him a car?" Mom questions with a raise eyebrow.

"Well, technically Kal bought it," I correct. "He's been saving money for over a year and his parents picked it up as a surprise."

Uncle Paulter nods. "Good for him. Is your boyfriend a safe driver?"

"Kal's not my boyfriend, Uncle Paulter," I remind him—again—and roll my eyes. "He's my best friend. You seem to keep mixing those two up. And yes, he's a good driver."

Two honks blare outside. I open the front door and Kal is parked in the driveway, sitting on the hood of his new car: a green Jeep. A little basic, but I'm not one to judge. My car's a piece of junk.

"Nice," Uncle Paulter whispers beside me. "Real nice."

"Sure," I agree with a nod. "I'll see you guys later." I wave and run down the driveway to greet my best friend. "Sweet ride!"

Kal grins as he slides off the hood and climbs in. "Thanks. Been watching her for over a year and I finally got her."

"Stalker," I tease, laughing.

He rolls his eyes, backing out of the driveway, and makes a U-turn. He looks over and asks, "So, how was your Christmas? Besides, uh..."

I laugh as he trails off. "Fine. I got that polaroid camera I wanted... but all I want is my dad back."

Kal bites his lip. "I'm sorry." Hearing it from him doesn't sound fake or repetitive. It sounds genuine. Kal was with me when I got the news. We were watching reruns of Friends when Mom called. Kal sat with me and I cried for three hours straight.

"It's okay," I whisper, glancing over. "Everyone dies, right?"