"It's been five months!" I screamed, letting out a sharp breath. "Both of you act like I am some eighty year old cat lady whose been pining over her first love for decades!" My fingers clenched into my palms and I could feel the skin breaking. "Give me some fucking time to grieve!"
My mom quickly went back to my dad’s side. Panic filled my veins waiting for what was coming next. "We talked to your Aunt Jamie and she has agreed to let you come stay with her and your Uncle Tommy to finish out the remainder of the school year."
"You're trying to send me to Georgia?" I spat out, my heart racing. My Aunt Jamie was my father’s younger sister. While my dad decided to stay in Indiana and become the town sheriff, my aunt studied interior design and moved to Atlanta. I brought myself to my feet abruptly, crossing my arms across my chest. "You might as well forget it because I'm not leaving."
The loud bang of my dad slamming his fist down on the coffee table caused me to jump. "I will not have my daughter wasting away in her room day after day over some boy who is never coming back! Over something that is never going to change!" He stood up and his voice got louder. "He is gone! You need to come to terms with that and get your ass back on track."
"And what if I refuse to go?"
"Then you better get your butt ready to go back to school tomorrow.”
"When do I leave?"
And that is how I ended up on a plane to Atlanta. I blew out a sigh of relief at the feeling of the plane landing. Standing up too quickly, I whacked my head on the ceiling. "Jesus," I cried out, wincing.
I walked out of the terminal and gripped my bag against my chest as I weaved through the traffic in search for a bathroom. Washing my hands, I glanced up into the mirror to see what I had ben avoiding at all costs. The reflection of the girl in front of me was almost unrecognizable. My dark eyes had puffy circles under them, making me look lifeless. My tongue dipped out, running against my overly-chapped lips that were beginning to crack along the edges. I swiftly pulled the elastic out of my hair and watched the dull, dark waves cascade around my shoulders. My hair looked even darker against my pale skin. I cringed at the extra pudginess around my cheeks from my lack of attendance to the gym. With a shake of my head, I ignored my new insecurities and left the bathroom.
I HEARD my name before the tiny creature ambushed me and attached itself to my waist like a spider monkey. Looking down, I spotted my cousin looking up at me with bright, innocent eyes. “I am so glad you are here to live wif me!” Her grin was huge and she was missing a few teeth. A giant pink bow was attached to her brown hair braided along her hairline.
“Hi Sophia, I’m glad to be here too,” I lied, giving her an out-of-practice smile. I couldn’t exactly tell a five year old that I was only there because I was forced. Her small hand grabbed mine and struggled to pull me through the crowd.
“We are going to have sooo much fun! My mommy and daddy got me some new Barbies and you look just like one of them! I will let you play with one and-”
“Sophia, sweetie, why don’t you let Daisy get her bags then you can tell her all about your Barbies,” my aunt said, coming up and pulling me into her arms for a hug. “As you can tell, all of us are happy you are here.”
ANY AND all awkwardness I was afraid would happen on the short ride to my new home was washed away by my pint-sized cousin. I managed to get the full scoop on every Barbie she owned, the mansions they lived in and the cars they drove. It was like Real Housewives: Doll Edition. My jaw practically dropped into my lap as I glanced out the window when the car stopped and pulled into the driveway of a huge, brick house.
“Nice house,” I complimented, unbuckling my seatbelt. I opened the door and a rush of warm, sticky air smacked me in the face. Hello humidity, I’m sure you will be giving my hair a hell of a stay.
"Thank you," she answered, turning off the ignition. Her smile dropped a hint. "I just wish it wasn't so far away from the family. It would be nice to have them come visit and see the place I've spent so much time putting together." If it weren’t for my Aunt Jamie’s dark, curly hair, you would think my grandma had an affair with the milkman. My dad either spent his time in a police uniform or an old flannel. My aunt, on the other hand, was dressed flawlessly in a violet blouse and a black pencil skirt.
"Just wait until you see the pretty room we made for you!" Sophia cried, from the backseat, unsnapping her seatbelt and barreling out of the car. "I helped Mommy do it too!" Her little legs skipped up the front walk with her hair swinging in the wind.
A new room? "You really didn't have to do all that." I looked over at my aunt and she gave me warm smile.
Leaning over, she grabbed my hand and squeezed it into hers. "It was no problem. I want to make you at home here. Plus," she added with a grin, "decorating is my passion. You just gave me another reason to do what I love."