Reason 1:If the lore were a person,Tyler would marry her.

"The fountain of youth?!"I couldn't help but gawk at what my friend Tyler had said.

"Yup,I think if I were to add a little bit of this moss stuff I found at the cave,I just might get right mixture." He smiled, almost pleased with himself.

"Your either a genius or the most retarded person I have ever met."one of my other friends,Shelly, smirked at him and ran her fingers through her bright pink hair.

"Says the girl who looks like a friggin' flamingo,"he replied with a frown,his steely grey eyes glared into her chocolate brown orbs, ready to toss another insult at prepared to do the same, and I giggled slightly to myself.I'd only been in the city of Blakesdale for a month, but I felt as though I'd known these two also meant that I knew how this argument would end, so before it could escalate further decided to put an end to it.

"Well I happen to think it a great idea."I started, noticing the slight grimace on Shelly's face as well as grin on Tyler's."But it is a bit odd,what do you have to go off of in this?"

"That my friend is the beauty of the lore, we'll never know unless we try."He smiled at me and I felt a wry smile grace my face as well.

"Keep dreaming kid, you stay innocent that way"Shelly smirked to herself, and i tried to stifle a giggle.

"Innocent my ass,this stuff will make the ladies will swarm me."I couldn't tell if he was serious or not, but you learn to just go along with what people say when you can't understand their intentions.

The countryside looked great this morning as the sun rose Tyler had managed to get Shelly to tag along with us that morning as we ride into the next be honest, all i really wanted to do was sleep, but he said we were going to visit the involving nature, it just attracts me in the oddest what you want, but I'm kind I'd live there if it weren't for microwave pizza and indoor plumbing.

Anyway, back to the sunrise .The first lights of sun lit up the horizon and the birds had started to sing their morning songs.I'd let out a weak yawn to rub the coal from my eyes, and had pulled my burgundy cover from over my head, so a few black ringlets poured from underneath.I pushed them out of my line of vision to admire the sky a bit in the small convertible that Tyler managed to get us all into had stopped abruptly, and I felt my body lurch over in the back head hit the window with a small rap, but it was enough to attract his attention.

"Chris, glad to see your up."He smiled at brown hair sat messily on his head, which meant that he'd also forgotten to take a shower before we was wearing the same shirt from yesterday,a red graphic t-shirt that said 'sorry, we're open' in black and white also was wearing the same faded blue jeans, and was more than likely wearing the same black converses.

"And just why are you so glad?"I rolled my eyes slightly ,in actuality I had no idea where I was right now. All I knew about this town was that it was the one his mom grew up be honest,I don't think even he knows the place well.

"Because, were going in a food raid."He smirked."and were going to need to be very quiet,as to not wake Shelly."If I'm mother earth, then Shelly would be the the healthy living also not much of a morning person and I'd hate to be on the receiving end of her possible it would have been best to let her wake up on her own.

We had managed to make it back to the car with bags full of chips, soda, different candies and chocolates, and a bunch of frozen food. We would have been able to leave with it too if Tyler didn't make his own car's alarm had spent 10 minutes in the store buying things to counterbalance the cellulite.

There's was about another 3 hours until we'd made it to our destination,a small town that didn't even have its face on the map.I couldn't get the name of the place, but I did get the population count on there welcome to those things were actually lake sources of information then the town probably had about 6 families living sign read '64 and counting...',in was a carving of a happy boy and girl etched into the wood as well.

"Creepy..."I muttered under my breath as we ride into the desolate town.

Tyler had the biggest smile on his face,and seemed to be spewing excitement from every no way anyone should be allowed to be this happy,its just not natural.

We drove for about 30 minutes after that,and finally stopped at an opening for some cave out in the middle of sun had risen up,casting a shadow into the empty pulled his seat belt off,and exited the car.

"Well,this is it!"he said,stretching his glanced back at us,"Don't just sit on!"

Shelly shook her head."The last thing I want to do is be caught in a rank,damp cave with you." She sneared.I couldn't help but smile inwardly at the comment.Why couldn't these to just get along.

"Fine,Pissy McBitch-face."he frowned."Chris,what about you?Don't tell me you're going to make me go in there alone."

"hey,don't guilt trip me like that!"I frowned."now I'll feel bad if you get hurt."

"Which is why you should come with me,your maternal instincts might save my life."he chuckled.

"Fine,fine."I put my hands up in defeat and exited the car myself.

We grabbed a water bottle from the cooler that he always kept in his car's trunk,and a knapsack from under the after we prepared to enter the cave.

 

2: Chapter 2:Because if it were really useful,scientists would have tried to look for it a while ago.

Chapter 2:Because if it were really useful,scientists would have tried to look for it a while ago.

 

As expected,the cave was rank and damp.its the kind of cave that you'd expect to be crawling with rats and spiders,maybe even a bat.I made sure to check the ground every now and then to make sure the squishing sound was coming from my now dripping sneakers.I light went off the further we traveled into the cave,by then I'd realized that Tyler had carried a mini flashlight inside with us.

Drops of water fell from the increasing number stalactites,some of which must have been weathered down by a storm or some underground spring.

Tyler oOhed and and aahed at everything that had passed up.A corn snake slithered in front of us,and all he could think to do was bend down for a better look.I on the other hand  cowered behind him,thinking it was something else.It took awhile to actually find something related our reason for being there.There were a few more snakes,and a small frog that was an odd shade of purple-I grabbed his hand away before he could actually touch it.

 

A bit more walking and soon we had made our way to a big lake.the water was crystal clear,but as dark as the nights sky.

“Were finally here.”Tyler raised his arms in some form of mock victory.

“Uh,this doesn't look like a fountain of any kind to me.”I replied.He shook his head,and made a tsking sound with his tongue.

“You see Chris,that's where you're wrong.”he started,”just because its a fountain doesn't mean that there has to a fancy baby spewing water from its mouth.”

“I'm not sure o follow you,your not making any sense.”

“Just what is a fountain exactly?”he asked me.I thought for a moment,and only the obvious came to mind.

“To make a yard look fancy-”

“Incorrect.”He said.”the original fountains were used as a way to distribute water in a small village.If a fountain’s water supply never went out,then the illusion of a limitless supply of water is created.So it makes sense that someone would call a lake with no clear bottem a fountain.”

“That or you could just look at the waterfall.”a voice called out.I turned around,a small kid in blue swimming shorts walk over towards up.A fluffy white towel was draped over his shoulders.

“I like my explanation better,” Tyler pouted.

“your explanation makes no sense,”I sigh.

“Shut up.”

“You know,she has a point.People made some pretty dumb choices a long time ago,so no one I've heard of would think that way.” the boy said.

“Should you really be talking to strangers kid?”I asked him.

“Of cour-”

“Who are these people you seem to know about?” Tyler cut the boy boy off.He shook his light brown hair,and sternly glared at Tyler.

“You don't seem to have many friends do you.”

“Don't bring the subject to me!!”Tyler was getting mad,he looked as if he was ready to fight.

“Then don't draw attention to yourself,”he replied.”Now if you came to see the fountain,there it is.You’ve seen it,now go.”

“Dont get smart with m-”

“Tyler calm down,he’s just a kid.”I say,drawing his attention to me.”Just calm down.”

“I dont have time for this,Im heading out to cool off,”he groaned.He then pulled me close to him and whispered in my ear,”if you're going to wait in here,don't get friendly with him alright.”

“Yeah,sure dad.” I whisper back.”I’ll be sure not to talk to the obvious trouble-maker.”

“Im serious,there's something not right about him,he’s pissing me off.”

“Everything pisses you off.”

“Argh,fine.But don't forget what I said,Chris”

“Yeah,yeah.”

He stormed off leaving the same way he came in.I heard a splash,and saw the small boys head poke from under the water.My legs had begun to tire,so I sat down by the waters edge.

“You know,hes not normally like that,”I say in an attempt to apologize to the boy.He shook his head.

“Well theres no harm in being a bit hot-headed,but he should learn to respect his elders a bit more.”

“Elders?”

“Yeah,of course.”

I eye the boy confused,”I hate to break it to you,but you look about nine,maybe eight.”

“If you're just going to process things with your eyes,then theres a lot of stuff that you won't be able to understand.”

I probably had a very confused,not to mention stupid,look on my face; so he continued.”I’m 75 years old as of today.”

“You mean 7 or 8”

“No I mean 78”

“your screwing with me.”

“Do you really think I would lie to you?why would I lie to someone whom I’ve just met?”Ok,the kid had to be older than he seemed,but there was no way I'm buying the fact that I’m talking to an old man.Hey,I don't mind old people;I think of them I think of age spots and saggy skin,not someone who came fresh out of kindergarden.

“If you dont believe me,just hop in the water.”he continued,kicking up some waves.”don't worry,if you deage and can't swim I’ll help you out.”

“Kid,you're crazy.”I snap.”Im not going in the water.”

“Why?Are you scared or something?”

“No,my clothes will get messed up.”

He giggled,”Thats a pretty stupid reason.Kids these days are stupid.”He reached a hand out and gripped my ankle.He had a surprising strong grip for a kid his age.”Come on,if you don't ill just drag you.”

“Then drag me,theres no way I'm going I-”I felt myself get yanked down,and before I could finish my sentence I was submerged.

“Stupid,stupid girl.”I could hear his giggling under the water.I could feel my lungs desperate for air,and my constant flailing exhausted me;I soon fainted.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

 

I re entered the cave a while later.Maybe if Chris is still there I can still apologize for what happened before.

I walked through the dimly lit cave,again,with nothing but my small knapsack and flashlight.

If that kid is there too...I guess I can say sorry.I doubt I will,but theres still a chance.

I heard the sound of water splashing at the far end of the cave,and I couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen.

There was a sound filling the air,that of an old mans laugh.It couldnt be the same kid could it?Theres no way he sounds like that...but then again those two were the only two in here.

The only two...crap.

I ran down the stone path,the laughter growing louder and louder. I swear,if he did anything to her I'm going to-

I never got to finish my thought.

I eventually found myself back at the underground spring.The boy from before sat hunched over by the waters edge.He looked as if he was hiding something,and Chris was nowhere in sight.

“I’m sorry...I’m sorry.”the boy was muttering to himself,but it was still loud enough for me to hear as far back as I was.

“Sorry for what?”I asked him,reaching a hand over to shake him out of his thoughts.He didn't want to answer.

“Sorry for what?”I ask again.”And where the heck is Chris...the girl I was with earlier,did she go somewhere when I was away?”

He didn't reply that time either,well didn't reply the way I expected…

I expected him to say something like ’Oh she went outside the cave,’ or ‘she went exploring for a bit,but shell be back any minute now.’;I didn't expect him to continue on with is begging,almost pleading for forgiveness.

“Im sorry,but you friend she...Damn it!I really should stop pushing people into things like this.”

“Into things like what?”I was starting to get mad.”What did you do to Christina?!”

“You came here looking for the fountain of youth right?Well here's your proof that it exists.”He stood up,handing me something that was covered in a light blue sweater.It looked exactly like the one chris was wearing before in the car.”Now just stay the hell away from here,dont ever come back understand.”

“What the hell did you do to her?”

“Nothing of your concern,not just go.I already feel guilty enough as it is.”

“Im not leaving until you tell me whats going on you son of a-”I got cut of by my phone,which was vibrating in my left pants pocket.

Shelly had texted me:U guys r taking  2 long,hurry up in there.I want to go home.

I held back my tongue as I read her text,”Your lucky,I would have beat you up,but I’ve got someone waiting for me to get back.”I say,turning around and heading towards the cave’s entrance.

I really goofed up this time!

3: Reason 3:Because being young is over rated anyway.

Reason 3:Because being young is over rated anyway.

 

I ran and ran,I didn't stop until I could see sunlight and feel it against my skin.

I shouldnt have brought them here,...I shouldnt have left her,why did I leave her?

Thoughts plagued my mind,I couldn't think straight.I almost missed Shelly as she called for me from the passenger's seat of the car.

“Hey,did something happen in there?you look like you’ve seen a ghost.”Shelly didnt know what was going on,I didnt have the time to text her back in the cave.Not that it would have mattered,the reception was bad in there anyway.Im surprised her text had came through at all.

“Its nothing,nothing at all.”I didn't feel like starting an argument with her,not now.I handed the small,wrapped form to her.”could you hold this for a sec,”I really screwed up and I can't stop shaking.”I'm scared,I’ll drop her if you dont.”

“Uh,sure...but what do you mean by she?”Shelly looked confused.I didn't want to fess up.She had asked me something else,but I hadn't answered her.

 

A foot poked through the blue sweater;it was chubby and small but it didn't look like it could have belonged to a baby.

Thats good,at least we can communicate with her.

For me,holding the child was out of the question-I had been deemed the driver of the mission-So Shelly had to hold her.Unfortunately,Shelly can be a bit of a butter fingers,and every time I made a turn or eased my way over a speed bump the blanketed child slipped.(Im surprised that she was stayed asleep throughout the majority of the car ride,but then again she might have hit her head and gotten knocked along the way.)

“Hey,could you slow down?Geez! You're acting like someone just died-”

“Could you please just shut up?! What's with all the questions?”I snapped back.I didn't mean to yell at her,it wasn't her fault that Christina was like this,it was mine.I Shouldn't have brought any of them here,its all my fault that this happened.

Shelly fell quite,a small frown etched in her face.In the temporary scilence I was able to wallow in self pity.Wallowing was something I just needed to do,so that I could get over it.

The silence didn't last long.

“YOU IDIOT! ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION THE THE ROAD,THERE’S A CAR HEADED RIGHT FOR US!”

Butterfingers Shelly had reached a hand over,grabbing the steering wheel.I’d somehow made my way onto the wrong side of the road.I turned sharply to the right,and the car weaved,barely passing the ongoing truck.

“Just whats your damage? You aren't focusing at all,and you almost got me and whatever this is,”she held the baby up so that I could see it from the corner of my eye,”pulled into your suicide attempt.”

“I’m sorry...guess I can't concentrate quite well.”I replied,giving a wry smile.

“Then let me drive.You're obviously going to get me killed if you dont.”

“Cant do that,you don't have a license.”

“I’ll pay the fine,so just pull over and let me drive.”

“I...ugh,fine.”I groaned and let myself cave;she was right after all.

There was a space for cars to pull over for pitstops up ahead.We switched seats,and that meant I had to hold her.

Or at least...I thought it was a ‘her’,I never really had the time to check the babies face...maybe I should now…

I was tempted to pull the blanket from the child,for nothing more than a peak.If it was Chris,it would be fun to know what she looked like as a child.She didn't have any pictures of her past,but it sounded interesting enough.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

 

“So your telling me you came from Newstone?”I’d asked her.Christina didn't look like the type,with the way she dressed and all.Always an oversized sweater or vest over some faded jeans.

“Just because I came from Newstone doesn't mean that I act like the people there”she frowned.I didn't like her frown,it made her seem older than she actually was.

“well,you see when I think of Newstone I think of limos and fancy rich people and shit...you just seem like a bumpkin-”

“Bumpkin?!”she scoffed,and then started to chuckle,”Well I guess I do in comparison.”

I couldn't help but laugh nervously,She continued to talked about the old town she'd come from.Turns out its not the town I-anyone from our little town out in the middle of nowhere-had thought it  was.

“Weve got to deal with things the same as everyone else.Taxes are higher since everyone makes more in general.” She said.”there are some nights when my folks wouldn't get home until late.”

“No kidding?”I always thought that people who lived in Newstone thrived.I didn't know that her parents had to work multiple jobs to keep up with the taxes.I never had to spend a night worrying about where my parents were,they were always home when i got back,ready to scold me over the littlest thing.

“Bullies are the same I guess”she shrugged.I guess it makes sense,even rich kids have to deal with the worlds scum.

“Just what would they make fun of?”I asked.

“What do you think,anyone who didn't have the newest  gadget or clothes.”she said almost nonchalantly.

“Makes sense…”

“Theres also a few kids who'd make fun of you if you horse wasn't of pure blood…”

“wait what?”

“I'm just teasing,no one in there right mind would have keep of that size contained.”she laughed.She believed that everything with a consciousness had a right to be free.

 

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

 

We pulled back into town around dusk.I could still feel myself shaking even then.

“Well,we made it.”Shelly sighed after having to drive for the about three hours total.The longest she's ever drove,but then again she doesn't drive much to begin with.

The child moved,its head poking out slightly.There was an unruly amount of raven curls spilling from the blue sweater.

“Dark...dark scary…” a small sound yelped from the sweater,sounding feminin.

Seems shes going to be alright. I breathed,not noticing the breath I was holding.

She squirmed,her vibrant blue eyes appearing as she glancing back at me,and then she turned her head.She squirmed again,hoping to get out of my grip.

“I guess she doesn't like you as much as you think she does.”Shelly started to giggle.I frowned;of course she liked me,all little kids liked me.

“Fine then,you hold her.”I say annoyed,and hand her over to Shelly.Shelly took her up in open arms.

“You know,she kind of looks like Chris,”Shelly was always a perceptive one.You couldn't hide anything if shes the one you’re hiding it from.

“is there something you’re not telling me?”She asked.I shook my head.

“I’ll tell you tomorrow.”I reply.

“Then just where will she stay?”She asked.

“Isn’t your house available?”

“Well...then let her stay there,I don't know how to take care of a baby.”

“...I’m not a baby…”Chris frowned in Shelly’s arms.(wait was it Chris?Shelly was right,They kind of do look alike.I really hope its her…)

“Just take her already.I’ll explain tomorrow.”I say,disregarding the child’s words.

I ran off to my house,not catching if Shelly said anything in return.

4: Reason 4:Time goes by to fast,and the past is always painful…

Reason 4:Time goes by to fast,and the past is always painful…

 

I met up with Shelly late in the afternoon.It felt awkward having her sit with me like this,we’ve never sat down to talk;or should I say,never by ourselves.

Now,the Christina look-a-like-baby was sitting with us too,but it didn't feel like that was Christina at all.Chris was independent,this child couldn't stay by herself at all.Shelly went on to tell me about the many shenanigans that the baby had been a part of  the night before.

It didn't take long for her to finish her rant;about one-hundred twenty dollars worth of property was destroyed,most of which were items that could be replaced like a vase or plates.

“You’ve had your time,now spill,”Shelly started,the Christina look-alike sat in a wooden chair.We’d agreed to meet up at an old cafe in town  late last night over the phone.

“Ok,but you'd better not freak out.”I reply.Shelly might not be the most open about her feeling,but she really does care about people a lot.If I didn't chose my words correctly I might as well have been a dead man.

“I’ll freak out if you don't stop stalling and just tell me what the hell you're hiding.Come on!You have me watch this kid and don't even tell me why,or how,you have her in the first place.”She was starting to get pissed.

“Trust me,if I could explain how-”I was cut off.

“I dont need your excuses,I need answers.”She didn't want to raise her voice any more than it already was.”Stop stalling already.”

“Im telling you,I dont know how the hell this happened!”I snap at her,The Christina look-alike had stared at he,as if id done something wrong.

I guess there wasn't much shouting wherever this kid comes from.Your scaring her,just calm down.

I took in a breath,and continued;I explained what I knew from the cave,trying to fill in the gaps in some way.The Christina look-alike looked fascinated in the overview,as if it was a fairytale of sorts.I explained everything:the boy,the spring, the argument,me leaving Chris in there.

“Who’s ‘Chris?’” the raven haired child asked me.I couldn't give her a direct answer;imagine yourself in my situations,having to tell the Doppelganger of another person about the person they’re copying?It sounds confusing,I know,but its really weird too.It feels like I’m talking to a mirror.

“Shes a friends...and she went away for a bit,but she’ll be back soon.”I couldn't just lie to her,but I most certainly was not going to tell her about what happened either.

“Why did she leave?”A child's curiosity is a force to be reckon with.

“I’m not entirely sure,”that much was in fact true,”but she will be back.I know that much for certain.”

“Can I see her,when she’s back?”

“I promise,you're so much like her you already know who she is.”

“Oh,ok.”The Christina look-alike gave a warm and innocent smile.

Shelly was growing bored with our little ‘brother-sister’ moment.She immediately cut me off before I could say anything else.

“Hey kid,just how old are you anyway?”She asked.

The raven haired girl held up 5 fingers.”This many,”She replied.

“Do you have any folks,?”

“Folks?”

“A parent,grandma,aunt,uncle:anyone we can send you to.”

“There all busy,there always busy.”The look-alike say this somberly.I never knew a child could ever feel this sad.

“How about a name,we've got to call you something.”

“Christina…”she thought hard for a moment and continued,”Smith.”

Shelly froze for a moment,she didn't ask another question to the girl,and instead her eyes were turned to me.Even in shock I could feel the burn of her glare.

“Sweety,you see that playground over there?”Conveniently enough,one of  the town's newest additions-a small playground for the neighborhood kids who couldn't stay out of trouble but didn't want to go home- was across the street.

“Yes”

“I'm going to take you over there,don't stay too far from there ok?”

“Yay,a park!”we both could get the gist of her reply.

It was now time for the ‘adults’ to talk.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

“Theres no kid to lie to now,so if you don’t explain why the hell that girl has Christina’s name right now you're going to be in a world of hurt!”Shelly was furious.

“I already told you;I was there with her,I left,and She's who I found.”

“Your half assed answer isn't going to work this time,why would you just leave her in a place that's seeping with whatever the hell was in that cave!”

“She could have come out you know.”

“She listens to you the majority of the time,if you said stay then she was going to stay!She trusts you,you Fucktard!”

Gee,way to make me feel worse than I already to.

“you make it seem like shes just some helpless dog,she has a mind you know.She has a mind you know,she can make her own choices.”

“In a situation that she knows nothing about,do you really think that she made the right choice?!I don't think even you know what you were doing in there.”

There was no point in arguing.She made a good point.

“Fine,Im sor-”

“Save you apology for Chris,if and when we do get her back.”She gave be a mischievous smile,and in return I gave her a confused look.

“You do have a plan right…”

“Of course I do.”I say triumphantly.”The effects should wear off eventually.”

“Dude,I need a time frame…like now.”

“Maybe a few days...or weeks...or months…”

“A few months?!”

“Hey,this is ancient Juju were dealing with.”I cringed slightly at my own words,but I had to face facts.I messed with something old,and it got me back hard.”Just be glad its not permanent ok!I'm pretty sure that 25 year old Christina is not going to want to hang around with 37 year old me and 36 year old you.”

“Your point is?”

“Its temporary,so please don't bite my head off?”I asked sweetly.She gave me one last scowl and sighed.

“Fine,but you're watching Chris tonight.”

“Sure thing,I've got no problem with that.”

5: Reason 5:Children are awkward,and children should NOT take care of other children!

Reason 5:Children are awkward,and children should NOT take care of other children!

 

As we agreed,I had custody over Chris for the night.Shelly walked with us to my house,but left shortly before we’d made it to the front yard.Its fairly large,but that's only because my immediate family is huge.Im pretty sure that the expression ‘multiply like rabbits’ definitely applies to this situation.Two of my younger siblings-Dana and Samson,but people normally refer to them as the twins-were playing outside.Dana held a pink soccer ball in her hands and was running around with it in the yard,following suit was Samsom.He was screaming and his face was bright red.

“Give it back Dana,its MY turn!”he howled.

“No its not,YOU just had it.”She laughed,continuing to run.

“But you had it all YESTERDAY!”

“Tell that to dad.”she says in reply,and ran over in my direction.

“Hey could you guys call down for a moment.”I say to the two,and they stop almost instantly.Christina gripped at my pants leg.

“Who’s the girl?”Samson asked.”Don't tell me she’s staying the night.”

“As a matter of fact she is,so can you please not try to kill each other tonight?”I ask.

“There scary…”Christina says,and I could feel her grip tighten more as Dana walked over to her.She gave Chris a warm smile.

“Do you want to play dolls with me?”She asked.Chris loosened her grip on my pants leg and nodded vigorously.

Well,that was easy...now just how will everyone else respond.

“I've got a buddy,I've got a buddy!”Dana had grabbed Christina's hand,and was dragging her into the house as if she were a prize from some game.”Lets play Dollies buddy!”

“What about the ball?”Samson asked her.

“You take it!”she set the ball on the ground and kicked it to him.Samson grabbed it.

Well,that was easy.

0o0o0o0o0oo0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

The first person I saw as I entered the house was Claire;she sat on the couch texting away in her cell phone,her long dark brown hair cascading from her head and onto her shoulders.

“Hey,Tye.”She always had a way of telling just where people were:shes also good at telling how people feel.She's also the only one who calls me 'Tye'.

"Oh,hey Claire."I gave her a small smile,even though I already know it would go unnoticed.

"Jesse's supposed to be coming over ok?"

"Oh,sure th-Wait Jesse?!"I was a bit surprised by the news,"Are Mom and Dad ok with that?"

"They're not here,I never told them."she replied in a monotonous way."Well,did you at least tell Tabitha?"

“She’s not here yet,she called saying something about her game being held up.”Claire didn't sound like she cared either way.

“I see.”

“There’s lunch on the lunch on the table if you're hungry.And it's your night to cook dinner.”

I'm pretty sure that she's just relaying information now.

Is there anything that you want to eat?”

“Anything's fine,just make sure that the twins can't make a mess of it.”

The front door opened with a loud thud as the doorknob hit the wall.

Oh no.

“I think I'd better go.”I say,as I started to walk off I could hear heavy footsteps against the ground.I then felt something hit the back of my head.It was soft but the impact made me lose my balance for a split second.

“Did you think you were going to leave without saying hello?”A voice says,I felt a hand grab at my shoulder and pull me back.My brother,Jesse had pulled me into a half-hug-half-squeeze,and ruffled my hair.

“Maybe if you weren't so hot and cold all the time I’d consider it.” I frowned.I could hear him laugh in my ear.

“But its fun to keep you guessing,why else would I do it?”He gave me a mischievous smirk,I knew he was messing with me.

“To piss me off dumbass!”Unfortunately I'm not really good at hiding when I'm angry.

“hey,is that anyway to talk to your older brother?”

“Your no older brother of mine,”I muttered.

“I'm hurt,I can't  believe you'd say something like that to me!”You sure don't sound hurt…

“Just leave me alone…”I groan,”I don't have the time to deal with your mind games today.”

“Fine,fine.But do you know where I can find some fo-”

“The same place everyone else keeps it!”

My brother loves to play dumb,when in actuality he’s crazy smart.He turned down Harvard for crying out loud,now mind you he had his reasons but it’s still Harvard.He also likes to play pranks,if you didn't know who he was you’d assume he was just a really tall sixteen year-old.Im not entirely sure what college he decided to go to,but whatever it is it must have a really good robotics program.He’s also a robot entuseist.If it weren't for the whole ‘robot revolution’ some people piss there pants over he’d marry one.

Ok,that's not actually true,but he just might!

“Did you get the package I sent earlier?”

“What package?”

He smirked before walking to the kitchen,that shit eating smirk that could piss off even the Pope.

“Oh,nothing really but if I were you I wouldn't think about using any of the dairy products in the house.You know how mom can be,she just sets things down in the mail...I'm surprised our house hasn't been bombed down or anything yet.”

“Shut up! Theres no way something nothing like that would happen.”

“Don't be to sure,and don't forget that I’m a wiz in Science.So unless you feel like spending the next few days in the bathroom youd better be extra careful.”

That’s a bluff right...Please tell me that's a bluff…

“He did send a package over,earlier this week.”Claire confirmed.

Well,damn.All that ice-cream I bought is going to be wasted.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

I spent the next half hour trying to think of something to make for dinner.I never realized how many things had dairy in it until I started keeping an eye out for it.I also never realized how much dairy we ate as a family.This was going to be tricky.I didn't feel like looking up a vegan meal online,but I also didn't want to admit defeat to anyone either.Thats when the perfect meal came to mind.A steak dinner!We haven't had stake in a while and it wouldn't take long to make either.

I made my way to the kitchen to start preparing the meal,there was enough so that everyone would have a fair share,which was important because the twins and Tabitha always complained about how little or how much anyone eating with us would get.

About an hour later dinner for a family of 8-plus one- was made.The meal was perfect...so why did I feel so anxious?

6: Reason 6:Family dinners are the worst,but a friend can get you out of it.

Reason 6:Family dinners are the worst,but a friend can always help get you out of it.

 

Oh right,because this is the first time in a while that my family has had the chance to sit down and eat as a family.

My mom has been really busy lately,she got a promotion at work a few months ago and so shes been having to stay out later and later each night.There are some nights where my dad has to unlock his stay-at-home powers just to make sure the house doesn't fall apart.

My dad has a good job with pretty decent hours,he’s normally home around 6 so he should be arriving home soon.

The last night owl thats getting roped into this is Tabitha,my older sister.She somehow manages to stay out later them Mom on any given day.Its a gift I tell you-hey,its not a good one but it is hers.

The table was ready around 6:30,and somehow everyone had managed to be inside.Also no one had managed to severely hurt the other.Which was good,very good.

And yet why did I still have a sinking feeling that something was wrong?

Oh right,because this is my family that we’re talking about here...oh boy.

Dinner started off decent enough,My mom complained about her boss,the same as she normally did.Is it weird to think my mom is beautiful? Now,I'm not saying that I would date her because that would be weird and pretty awkward,but I can see why my dad chose her to be his wife.She has dirty blonde hair that hung low below her shoulders and its downy to the touch.Around this time of day she always had it in a ponytail or messy bun because She chooses to wear it that way to work.Like me she has steely grey eyes,the only difference is when she stares you down you don't start to laugh:you want to go on your hands and knees and beg for forgiveness for whatever it is youve done.My dad says thats shes a curvy woman,but I dont pay much attention to what she wears outside of her pajamas.Thats the only thing I can catch her in now adays because she leaves for work long after I go to school and changes faster then The Flash runs.

“I swear,if I have to listen to another thing that man says I’m going to quit that job.” she says,cutting a piece of her steak to eat.”If only the pay weren't so good,I would have left a long time ago.”

My dad counters her,”You know,you don't have to work so hard.Why don't you let me get a job so that the stress gets of of your shoulders for a while.”he suggests.My dad is a caring man.I get most of my features from him,so much so that when Dana and Samson were little they would mistake us alot.I dont understand why because its pretty obvious to everyone else that im not him,and the last time I check I dont have have much hair on my chin.

Dad usually let mom do whatever she wanted job wise,but he would always bring his foot down whenever it started to affect her negatively.Twice before he has made her take on a vacation from work:he also made sure to take on a part time job while she was on her vacation so that we as a family wouldn’t starve. My dad is a good man at heart,but he can go overboard at times.

“I know how this is going to turn out,your gonna put me on a week long cruise to some island I haven't even heard of.Listen,Rick,I’m not stressing out so just stay here with the kids alright.”she says to him.Dad let out a sigh.Even if he does put her foot down,there’s no stoping the woman unles a plan is fullproof and planed in secret.

Tabitha snorks out a giggle,almost choking on her string beans in the process of trying not to laugh.”Dad,she sure got you this time!”Tabitha is pretty much everything you'd expect of an 18 year old girl.Well,granted she’s not 18 as of yet but she won't let you admit it in front of her.She’s your typical movie mean girl:blonde hair,blue eyes,snotty attitude to boot.I don’t think I’ve seen her in a non-narcissistic light since she started her senior year.She's also got height on her side,she's tall enough to look down on every girl in the school but is still small enough to be considered hot by every guy with three brain cells and a testosterone surplus.If I had my phone on me,I'd snap a picture of her and send it to every number I have saved on my phone.This is definitely not her most flattering moment.

“she did not,and I wasn't going to send her on cruise anyway,I did that a few months ago and my wallet still doesn't feel as full.”he says to her,and then turned his gaze to mom,”thats the last time I let you make payments on my card.”

“Hey! You said to enjoy myself,just be glad I did-”

“Mother,if you don't mind I'd rather not hear about your trip.”Jesse says,he almost looked sophisticated eating at the table.”but it is fun to hear about your day,mind continuing?”

“I want to talk about MY day!” Dana and Samson says to him.Dana spoke up first,leaving Samson to listen unhappily.”I made a friend,see my friend,”she then points to Christina.”Say hi Christina!”

Poor,Chris.She looks terrified.

“H-Hi…”she says.

Dana continues to talk.”Shes like the best ever,and shes not like the kids In first grade either.They always want to read or play games on the computers at school but not here,We played dollies all after noon.”

Samson sighed,”Enough with the dolls already,they don't even look like people.”

Dana scoffed.”They do too,and when I grow up I want to be just like Barbie!”

“Then I’M going to be Ash Ketchum!”

A triad started between the two,I've learned it's best to stay out because most of the time they got over the problem by themselves...or dragged mom and dad into it.

Again,Christina looked terrified.I wanted to help her,honestly I did but she was sandwiched between the bane of my existence and Dana.Jesse just sat back to watch the fireworks,Tabitha acted as if the children weren't even there.Claire had her headphones on so she couldn't hear a single thing going on around her,and Mom and dad were trying to stop the twins before things got physical.I groaned and sank into my seat,this wasn't supposed to happen...none of this was supposed to happen...God,Buddha,Allah,any god will do,but if you're out there then please make them stop.

Just after I started my silent prayer I heard my mom give a question.”Dana...just where did your friend come from anyway?”she asked.The entire table grew silent,and Dana pointed to me.

“Tyler brought her over earlier.”she says with a smile on her face.

And I thought that Shelly was bad,how am I going to explain myself to these two…?