Hi! So happy summer`s here, I can FINALLY START LIVING!

HeDgEhOgSwItHsUnGLaSSes, I`m so glad you like it! I`m pretty sure cookie chapter`s next ^^

Eight

After six more songs, Constance is bored, Bonnie's fingers are sore, and Alice is asleep. So now we're just laying down in a row, watching the clouds. I'm in between Constance and Alice. Being close to them is strange, with one smelling pretty bad and the other smelling like baby powder. My poor nose must be all confused.

"That's a turtle," says Constance.

"No, that's a donkey," says Bonnie.

"Or maybe like a...like an antelope."

"What's that look like?"

Constance twiddles her fingers towards the turtle/donkey/antelope. "Like that, silly."

The only thing I can see is a bunch of white fluffy clouds against a blue sky. Nothing special.

"Bonnie!" I hear a stern motherly voice call. The two girls sit up with those crazy grins and wave at somebody. I follow, and find myself staring at a lady who looks a lot like my mom, just not as pretty and with blonde hair.

"Hi, Ma!" Constance waves even more, flailing her arm around.

"Who's this?"

My cheeks flush. Grrr. I hate that. I look at Bonnie and hope she'll help me out, but both these girls have foggy minds and seem to not remember it.

"Well?" She takes some steps closer, I scramble to my feet. Respect my elders. "Speak up!" she snaps, making me flinch.

"Oh!" Bonnie snaps her fingers. "Mom, this is Kirby. She's our new best friend. She doesn't talk."

The lady shakes my hand. It's clammy. "Nice to meet you, Kirby," she says in not an overly-friendly voice.

I put on my best smile. Streeeeetch, my mouth goes. She smiles back, and it seems real this time. Then she walks past me and lifts Alice up from under her arms. Alice's face is less red, but the top of her head is still lumpy. "Take better care of your sister," she says to Bonnie. She goes inside, leaving the three of us.

I don't know what Bonnie did wrong with her. Maybe just annoyed her, 'cause her face was so red.

Constance waves goodbye to me, rushing after her Mom. Like she's scared if she won't. Bonnie leads me back to the street, leaving her guitar laying on the grass. She grins crazily, gesturing to her house. "I'm gonna get outta here one day," she says, eyes determined, voice strong.

I walk home with a Bob Marley song stuck in my mind while I bob my head to a song about being happy and not worrying.


No one is home, as I thought. I'm bored and since I've finished Oliver Twist, I have nothing to read. If I weren't so lazy, I would walk to Ponyboy's and borrow a book. See if he's finished Gulliver's Travels. Pony's like my own little library. I love that fact almost as much as him!

My mind keeps drifting back to the Camonas. I wish I were more at peace with myself like they were with themselves. I usually can't stand myself. Constance, at least, is peaceful. The way Bonnie looked at me, the way she told me she was gonna get out, told me that she meant it, that this is not what she wants.

So I sleep. I sleep all day until TwoBit comes home. He shoves me until I fall off the side of the couch. Then he picks me up and throws me over his shoulder. I don't think he's been drinking, usually I can tell. "How's my baby sis?"

I hit his back, but it doesn't have much effect on his fat self. "That's good. What'cha do today all by your lonesome?"

He won't let me answer 'cause he just starts pacing around the house. I eventually get tired of trying to hurt him and let him carry me all over. I'm actually almost asleep when he drops me on the kitchen floor.

"Damn it, I want cake."

I make a peace sign with my hand.

"Yeah?" he says, uninterested.

I wave it in his face. He grabs my hand and pushes it down to my side. Angry, I scribble Constance on my arm. TwoBit nods.

"And how was that? Did'ja do Hippie stuff or what? Smoke grass? You'd rather follow her around than us?" meaning the gang. He sounds pissed. His grey eyes are cloudy.

Not on purpose, I take a step back.

He throws his hands in the air. "What?" he demands. The Mickey on his shirt is smiling and waving at me.

He's not backing down. I'm afraid of my own brother. I turn on my heel and quickly walk away, my breath shallow with anticipation he'll follow me and interrogate me, but he doesn't.

Enjoy your summer, guys! :)

Listening to: Under Pressure, Queen