- - -The Park; Twenty Minutes Later- - -
Marron handed me a stick of pink bubble gum before sitting on the swing between Brother and me. She's a little annoying but at least she's keeping Brother's anger under control, I thought for sure he was going to hurt me earlier.
" So you're going to be a Junior next month, are you excited?" Marron asked, handing a stick of gum to Brother. I wanted to ask Brother what a Junior was but he was scowling at me so I decided I better not. How can they sit on a swing and not swing? That's not fun, that's wierd! Dad was right, teenagers are lazy!
Brother forced himself to smile, whatever a Junior was, he didn't seem happy to be one. " Yeah, can't wait. You'll be in. . . eighth grade, right? Are you excited about that?"
Marron snorted," I was excited until Dad told me he'd be homeschooling me again!" Marron pushed herself sideways, gently bumping into Brother's arm." When I'm a Freshmen I'll finally be in the same school as you, then we can hang out all the time, doesn't that sound fun?"
Her face was getting too close to Brother's so I had to act swiftly.
" Look at me!" I shouted, jumping from the swing at the highest point it could go, doing a perfect front flip as I landed gracefully on my feet. The moment my feet hit the ground, thousands of small pebbles flew up, forming a mini crater where I landed.
Marron let out a fearful scream as hundreds of pebbles rained over her and Brother. I smiled proudly, until the pebbles cleared and Brother stood up from his swing with renewed anger. "Bulla!"
"Eeek! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" I shouted as I ran away from the swings and climbed to the top of the slide.
Marron shook the pebbles from her head," I think I should go. See you later Trunks."
I'll admit, I was a wee bit sad to see Marron jog away, not because I missed her or anything stupid like that, but because she was my shield. Without her, no one was around to protect me from Brother!
.
.
.
"For the last time, we're going home!" Brother yelled, grabbing me by the legs.
I wrapped my arms tightly around the metal handles on the top of the slide." NO!"
The rusty poles of the slide squeaked as Brother tipped most of the slide over, along with two of the poles that were buried into the ground to keep it sturdy.
"Let go, you're going to break the slide!"
"NO!" I replied. Who knew 'No' could be such a fun word to say?
Without warning, Brother let me go and my body shot across the park. I tumbled and rolled across the field before stopping at the center of it. Brother was already standing beside me, smirking, as I sat up. Angry, I folded my arms and turned away from him. Jerk.
"Fine. I give up. You can stay here all you want, I don't care! I hope you never come home!"
I turned to watch Brother storm away, back to our house. Tears fell and I silently wailed in Pinky's fur.
Don't leave me Brother, I. . . I think I want to go home now!
SIX HOURS LATER. . . NIGHTTIME
I played with Pinky in the field until it became dark, then I stuffed her in the backpack and took out my favorite princess book. There wasn't any light in the field, but there was an orange lamppost beside the swings. For the millionth time in my life I wished I could fly like Pan and Brother could, walking across the park is a lot of ground for a girl with short legs like me to cover! Why wasn't flying the first thing Dad taught me?
The orange light was dim and I doubted an adult could've read anything under that light, but since I couldn't read, that didn't matter. I flipped through the pages, only stopping to admire the pictures inside. Mom told me this book wasn't intended for someone my age since the pictures were full of people being killed and stabbed, or blown up depending on which war the picture portrayed. I giggled at one of the pictures. Dad had even smirked at the photo when I showed him the picture, which I had drawn over to resemble him and Goku. Let's just say it was one battle Goku couldn't win.
"Secrets of the Prince?"
I flinched, suddenly realising there was a fat man standing in front of me. He smiled widely, pointing to the cover." I've read that book too, it was good. Sad ending tho."
"I wouldn't know. My Dad changes the story all the time." I replied, then covered my hand over my mouth. Uh-oh. I forgot, I'm not supposed to talk to strangers!
The fat man sat in the swing next to me. He gently took the book from my hands and began turning the pages.
"You're supposed to ask for permission!" Who does this guy think he is? Did I say he could touch my book?
"Whoa, take it easy mija. I promise I wont steal it." He chuckled.
Mmm what do I do? Mom says I'm not supposed to talk to strangers.
"My name is Bulla. . . what's your name mister?"
"Carlos."
He held out his dirty, pudgy hand , but I didn't shake it, who knows where his hands have been. Well, at least we're not strangers anymore, that's one less thing I'm in trouble for. I pointed my finger at the picture he had just turned to. It was of the prince in the story, whom looked exactly like Brother except he had black hair and wore a colorful deel." I'm going to marry him when I'm older. That's my prince."
"Good choice," Carlos nodded, then closed the book and handed it to me." Little girls like you shouldn't play out in the park alone, especially at this hour. Where's your home little girl?"
"I don't have a home."
Carlos stood up." I don't have a home either." He pointed to the trees beyond the field." You see that forest? I live right. .. there. You can stay with me tonight, I'll even let you sleep in the sleeping bag and eat the last can of soup. Tomorrow we can find you a new home. Sound good?"
I shrugged, then jumped off my swing to follow after him. Why not? It's not like Brother or Mom wanted me to come back anyway. They'd be happier if I wasn't around.
"Excuse me." Carlos and I turned toward the voice. I yelped and fearfully hid behind Carlos. Carlos flicked his lighter, the small flame quickly cast dancing shadows across Brother's face. " What are you doing with my sister?"
"Is this true mija? Is he your brother?" Carlos asked, glancing down at me with a confused expression.
Whoa, déjà vu. I bit my lip, debating on how I should answer this time when Brother spoke again." Bulla come with me, now."
I had never heard Brother's voice sound like that before. He didn't sound mad, he sounded. . . scared for some reason. Pan has the same tone when she spends the night and I unplug her nightlight. But I thought Brother wasn't afraid of the dark. . .
The most amazing thing wasn't his voice, but the way he had his hand stretched out towards me. He wanted to hold my hand!
"Yes, yes he's my Brother." I squealed, taking his hand. Brother gripped my hand tightly so I couldn't let go. Don't worry Brother, I'll never let go!
"It seems your prince does exist." Carlos remarked, I giggled at Brother's frown." Hey man, can I bum a cigarette from you?"
"I don't smoke," Brother said, turning to leave.
"Smoking is bad for you!" I added." Believe me, I know."
.
.
.
"Is Mom still mad?"
Brother didn't answer, he silently led me out of the park.
"Are you mad I destroyed your room?"
Brother didn't answer, he silently led me across the street.
"Is Dad mad I beat him up?"
No answer.
"Will you read me a bedtime story tonight?"
Brother stopped." Just because I'm holding your hand doesn't make us friends. The only reason I came for you is because Mom wont let me back in the house without you. If it were up to me you'd be living with that hobo, now shut up."
I stayed quiet for a little while, until we made it in front of the house and Brother let my hand go, wiping my germs from his hands on his brown sweater.
"Brother. . . what's a hobo?"
He never told me what a hobo was. Mom yelled at me for blasting Brother's wall and denting the wall in the hallway. My punishment: A long, loud lecture, no desert for two weeks and Pan couldn't spend the night or come over to play during that time. Did she really think not having Pan around was a punishment?
Dad suffered minor bruises.
His main injury was his ego.
I decided it was best if I avoided him for a while.
The next chapter. . . Bulla dominates Kindergarten!
Guest: Marron agrees with you but Trunks says he doesn't want to date a 13yr old, also says he'll think about it. ;)
kimdc413: Yay! I'm glad you thought chpt.10 was a wee bit funny. I know my attempt at humor is a little cheesy, but thank you!