Disclaimer: No, I don't own the characters used... just the idea to put up this story.
Dedications: For my little sister, because I love her just the way she is (regardless of the fact she can drive me nuts sometimes) and she made me smile yesterday. Here's to you, FLB. :-*
It had been a long day for little Phoebe Louise Janeway. Her school had just had their end-of-year prize evening, a long event where the principal would publicly praise those children who had done well that year. This year, Phoebe (who, even at age ten, was confident and extroverted) had surprised her family by being nominated for a prize, although it was no surprise as to what she had won.
She was now on her way home with her older sister, Katie. Mommy and Daddy had stayed at the school to have a 'quick talk' with one of the teachers.
Phoebe was quietly skipping along side her sister, who was walking slower than usual. Usually she would have to run to keep up with Katie- she always seemed to be in a hurry when she was walking with her.
Katie coughed, and Phoebe stopped skipping to turn to her. She knew that cough- her sister was about to say something.
"You know, you should be proud that you won that," said Kathryn quietly, pointing to Phoebe's art award.
Phoebe lowered her gaze. "It wasn't the one I wanted."
Katie's brow furrowed. "What do you mean, Pheebs?"
"I didn't want that prize. I wanted the other one."
"Which one?" Katie asked, utterly perplexed by the ten-year-old.
"The science one."
"Oh, honey." Katie crouched down, and Phoebe saw her smile slightly at her. "You don't want that one- if you got that one you'd be just like me, and you don't-"
"Exactly." interrupted Phoebe, who looked mildly distressed by this point.
Katie looked surprised. When she didn't say anything, Phoebe simply continued.
"I want to grow up to be just like you, Katie."
Katie opened her mouth as if to say something in return, but didn't. Instead, she closed her mouth again and stood up- taking her sister's right hand in her left.
Phoebe glanced up at her older sister, but Katie wasn't looking at her anymore. She was looking straight ahead of her.
Phoebe was worried she'd said or done something wrong. Did Katie think that only she could be good at science?
She was about to ask, when her sister gave her hand a gentle, loving squeeze.
Phoebe smiled the rest of the way home. She didn't want the science prize anymore.
I hope you enjoyed it. AK :)
