“I’ll be in there soon.”
“You might have fifteen minutes before it’s all ready.”
So much for a long shower. “Okay, I’ll hurry.” And it’s not a lie. I know how much of stickler my aunt is about time. She’s always early to everything, and it just doesn’t work well for me. I can count on one hand how many times I’ve been early for something. It’s usually because I’m with Lucia. Otherwise, I’ll get there when I get there.
All of my things are scattered around the room. Clearly, I haven’t taken the time to put things away. If all goes well, I’ll be here for a while. Even if it doesn’t, I can’t go back home. The rumors and mean girls are the reason I left that place. Tonya always complains about everyone here knowing everything. My town is even smaller, and most of the people there didn’t bother coming to the source to find out what really happened. One misunderstanding led to my destruction, and I refuse to allow that to happen again. If that means I need to be a bitch, then so be it. Protecting my heart is more important than making friends any day.
Shuffling through the box on the bathroom counter, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. Uncle Jason wasn’t lying. I look like hell. Finally, my hand feels the plastic packaging of my makeup wipes. It takes a solid five minutes to get the mascara off. I’m not even sure why I wore it yesterday since I spent most of the day on the couch watching movies.
“Are you almost ready?” Lucia yells.
Inhale. Exhale. She’s the most impatient person I know. Well, she is with me at least. I don’t remember her being this hard on Tonya. Then again, my cousin got her shit together after she found out about Layla. Admiration doesn’t even begin to describe what I feel for my cousin. She’s working, going to school, and taking care of a family. And what am I doing? Spending my days binge watching movies and stuffing my face with food. I’m disgusted with myself. Comparing myself to her won’t do me any favors, but I need to dosomething.
“Amelia?” My head snaps up at the sound of her voice. Aunt Lucia is leaning against my door, her brows pinched together. “Are you okay?”
“Yep,” I pop the “p,” hoping the extra emphasis will convince her that all is right in my world.
“Are you sure?” She stretches her hand out, and brings it back to her side at the last second.
“Just doing a little life evaluation.” My mouth parts in a wide, completely fake, smile. Sniffing the air, I change the subject. “Is that bacon I smell?”
The corner of her mouth ticks up, but there’s still worry hiding in the depths of her eyes. They shouldn’t have to worry about me, and I feel horrible that it’s come to this. Hopefully the distance between myself and home will help me heal, or at least forget.
Lucia throws her arm around my shoulder. “Yep. I made an entire package because I know how much you love it. Let’s eat. Then we can go see the cutest baby to ever exist.”
“I don’t know about that. Layla’s kind of a hot mess.” That child gets into everything. She’s obviously never heard the term, “curiosity killed the cat.” I hope Tonya’s ready because that girl is going to be a handful as a teenager.
“She’s an adorable hot mess, though.” The way her eyes light up when she talks about Layla is everything. It reminds me of the way our grandmother, Lala’s, eyes would sparkle when we would go see her. Seeing the love and support my family has for each other is what is going to help me get through this rough patch.
* * *
“Who’s the cutest little girl?” Lucia squeeze’s Layla into her. Her voice is high pitched and on the verge of shrieking. Tonya winces at the sound. She has this thing against baby talk, and Iswearmy aunt does it on purpose to annoy her.
When the baby talk continues, Tonya’s gaze on her mom darkens and her cheeks are rosy from anger. A laugh escapes my lips, no matter how hard I try to squelch it. “Shit,” I mutter. Her focus on me is like a laser beam. I’m not the one talking to her kid like that.
“Is something funny?” She arches one eyebrow. And, damn, I wish I had that magical power. I attempt giving her the same look she’s pinning me down with. I’m pretty sure I’m failing. It’s her turn to laugh. Not some small giggle, but she’s laughing so hard she has to grab her stomach. “Oh my gosh, what are you doing?” Tonya gasps between breaths.
“Uh,” I glance around the room, confirming she’s not talking to anyone else. “The same thing you are…obviously.”
Another snicker falls from her mouth. “You didn’t quite hit the mark. You look like you’re in pain or constipated.”
“I do not look constipated.” Do I? Gah, I hope I don’t. Even though I’m with my family, it’s still embarrassing.
“If only I would have pulled out my phone and gotten it on video.” She shakes her head as if I’m a lost cause.
I’m glad she didn’t. That would have mortified me to no end. Knowing her crazy ass, she would have sent it to all of her friends, and I would be the laughing stock… once again. That can’t happen here. Especially, since I moved here to avoid that. To no longer be the butt end of jokes and bullies wanting nothing more than to tear me down.
Noticing my slumped shoulders, her laughters comes to an abrupt halt. “Is everything okay?”
Nodding, I grab a tissue from her coffee table. “Nothing is wrong, I just can’t handle people thinking, and talking, smack about me. I thought I’d be okay with the comment, but not so much.” I feel ridiculous for getting so emotional over her even suggesting taking video of me being silly. And honestly, six months ago, I wouldn’t have. I would have laughed right along with her. The actions of a few stole that carefree joy away from me, and I hate that I’ve given them the power to do it.
Tonya taps me on the shoulder. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. It pisses me off what those girls, and that douchebag, did to you.” Pulling me into her arms, she sighs. “I wish I could erase everything.”
“I know.” The words come out as a strangled whisper.
“Are they still being assholes?” She asks, softly.
“Tonya, language. You stay on everyone else’s butts about it. You need to also,” Lucia scolds while tickling Layla.