*5 years ago*
"One more time young lady, and you're getting your butt blistered."
"Jerk.", Lila seethed. I sighed.
*Present*
"One more time young lady, and you're getting your butt blistered."
"Yeah, I've heard that one before.", Lila scoffed. The sass had only gotten worse since she was eight. I had a feeling it wouldn't be getting better anytime soon. "She is a bitch.", she enunciated each word.
"You're acting like a bitch Lila."
"Y'know that could really hurt my self esteem. Your 'girlfriend' is an adult with a fully developed brain who can handle the truth. I'm fifteen. You could mess me up for life-"
"Milila you do not get to turn this around and play the victim-"
"I am the victim! She took my dad from me!" I froze,
"Babygirl no one is taking me from you. I'm your dad. That's final."
"Yeah until she's more important. And-And her son comes home from college or you have another baby. You're my dad until you have more kids."
"I will always be your dad. We'll always have our memories with no one else and we'll always have our dinner nights and late night talks and everything else. No one is taking those and I swear to you I will always protect our traditions just like I protect you."
"If you replace me, I'll go live with mom. I'd rather deal with her drugs and shitty boyfriends than be put on the bottom shelf in my own damn house."
"Okay. I'm not gonna let that happen. But you have to at least try to be nice. Who knows, maybe you'll like having a sibling Lila. It's someone to make fun of and have on your side when I'm upset with you and to run ideas or problems by before coming to me. And I bet he'd hang out with you because Claire says he's always wanted a sister. And if he hangs out with you, you will be the girl with the cool older brother and people dig that shit. Plus, he has cute college friends- that you are absolutely to stay five feet away from at all times."
"I...I guess that doesn't sound awful."
"Good because he comes home next week." I sighed, "No more calling Claire names. Or being mean to her. She's really trying with you Lila. Next time you make a crude comment about her, I'm busting your ass."
"Fine. You're the bitch.", she smirked, hugging me.
Smack!
"Watch it.", I scolded jokingly, practically tapping her butt comparatively.
"I love you."
"I love you too kid."
♧♧♧♧
"I almost got raped at school today.", Lila said casually over dinner. Claire and I both choked on our food as Jake, Claire's nineteen year old son, didn't budge,
"That asshole who keeps messing with you online?"
"His friend.", she said softly, "They-They all cornered me and he started taking off my clothes but I screamed and Ms. Jennings heard. They didn't get in any trouble. They told principal Kellson that it was a joke and she believed them and gave us all a warning."
"You got a warning?", I asked. She nodded. "Fuck no. I'm going down there first thing tomorrow. You don't have to go back if you don't want to."
"I don't but I don't think I really have another option."
