Fire and Ice

Chapter 7: Girl's Weekend

Every family has that one person who constantly takes charge when it comes to packing up for a trip. It doesn't matter if they are going on the trip or not they still feel like it's their responsibility to make sure the person who is going has everything they need packed up. In my family, that person is my dad. 

"Are you sure you have everything packed?" my dad asks me for what I am sure is the hundredth time in this last hour alone.

"Yes, Dad," I grumble rolling my eyes.

Ever since I told him that I'd be spending the weekend with the girls he has been hounding me to make sure I have everything I need. Now don't get me wrong I do appreciate him helping me but there comes a point where it drives a girl insane. We passed that point over an hour ago. Now I'm fighting the urge to pull my hair out or scream at my dad.

He points to the closed bag on my bed. "Why don't you just check your bag again?"

"Bu—" I start to object, but my mom interrupts me before I can say much.

"Honey, you're doing it again," she says as she wraps her arms around my dad's waist.

He nervously chuckles and plants a kiss on her head.  Smiling down at her he says, "Sorry, I just can't help myself."  He reaches his hand up and brushes a few strands of her hair behind her ear.

I smile at them, not only because my mom ended my father's rain of terror but because I love seeing them interact like this. I can see the love they have for each other, and it's a kind of love that I can only hope to find one day. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to find a man who showers me with gifts and who is always there when I need comfort. A man who makes me laugh excites me and pushes me to do the things I'm scared of because it will help me. I want someone who will help me enjoy my life but also help me focus on serious things. I want a man like the prince I used to dream about when I was little, the one who I loved so much that I was willing to die for him.

"So, who are you going with again?" my mom casually asks me.

"Jade, Nicci, and Kimone," I reply with a sigh. This is the thousandth time I've had to remind them of my new friends' names. 

"Just the three of you, no boys?" 

"No, Dad, there will be no boys nor will there be alcohol or drugs. We will be at Jade's house watching movies, talking, and stuffing our faces with junk food," I explain as I fight the urge to roll my eyes.

He smiles and nods in approval. He gives my mom a quick kiss and then heads down the stairs probably to get started on that design he mentioned at dinner last night. 

All thanks to my dad's content badgering a sliver of doubt enters my mind and I decide to check my bag one last time.

"When is your friend coming to pick you up?" my mom asks, not moving from her spot by the doorway.

"She should be here in about," I look at my phone, "five minutes."

After I finish checking my bag I take a seat on my bed and look at my mom. With a beaming smile on her face, she walks over to the bed and sits down beside me. Without even thinking I lean against her side and rest my head in the crook of her neck.

"I'm so happy you've made friends so quickly." She warps an arm around my shoulders and gives me a comforting half-hug.

Like me, my mom was worried about the possibility that I wouldn't make any friends when we moved here. Growing up I was never the best at making friends, honestly, I was lucky that I met Lola and Rose who up until this point have been my only friends.

"So am I." 

A car hoots loudly outside and not even five seconds later my phone beeps, which can only mean Jade is here.