(✓) 𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐢𝐝𝐞 • [𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒆𝒍 𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒚]

twelve.

I sit on the edge of the porch in my backyard, clicking away on my computer. On top of a million other things going on in my life, college acceptances are starting to come in.

I've already gotten acceptances and rejections from a few schools, but they were all just backups. Like everyone else, even though I applied to a bunch of schools, there is only one that really matters: Los Angeles University.

I daydream for a while about the life that could be just a few months away. New friends. New room. Parties with Harlow. Date nights every night with Daniel. It couldn't be more perfect.

I feel the buzz of an incoming text from my phone next to me. I smile when I see Daniel's name.

Daniel
❝ Hope you're having a great day ;)

He's so adorable. I start to text back when Rory jumps out from behind me, intentionally scaring the bejeezus out of me. I scream and clutch my chest.

"Rory!" I huff and puff. The adrenaline coursing through me has sent my heart rate all the way up.

Rory just laughs at me. "What are you up to out here?"

"Just checking on some college stuff. Nothing special. How was your date with Jensen last night?"

"It was pretty chill. We hung out watching some movies in his living room," she tells me.

"Were you actually watching the movies or were they just playing in the background?" I tease her.

"That's. None. Of. Your. Business." Rory sarcastically taps my nose with each word. I swat her hand away.

"Grossss," I laugh. "I'm gonna miss you so much next year, you know."

"I'm gonna miss you even more. At least you'll be out having fun and meeting new people. I'll be stuck here for another year," Rory complains.

"I know, I know, but hopefully Dad will be back by then," I try to reassure her.

"You think, Asp?"

"I hope so. I haven't heard any news about the conflict in a while. Things are probably dying down." This time, I'm not just trying to comfort Rory.

Dad has been in such high spirits recently and everything seems to be going well. He has to be coming home soon. Maybe even before graduation.

"Yeah, you're probably right. I just wish we knew," my sister sighs. "That's the worst part of it all. The not knowing."

Just then, my mom steps out on the porch. "Girls, your dad is online!" she calls out.

"Looks like you might get some answers after all," I smile at Rory.

I loop my arm around hers as we walk back inside together.

We gather on the living room floor, where my Dad's virtual smile beams through the screen.

"Hey, baby girls. How are my little angels doing?" he asks cheerily as usual.

Rory and I call out positive responses at the same time. We bicker about who gets to talk before my dad gets our attention again. Being the oldest, I win yet again.

"So how's my son Daniel?" Dad asks right off the bat.

"Jeez, don't you care about what's going on in your daughter's life?" I joke.

"Of course, of course, but I see you twice a week. I haven't seen my son in years!" he whines.

"Dad, you haven't even known Daniel for one year," I chuckle. I miss bantering back and forth with my dad, him always poking fun at me.