Hello my lovelies! I wanted to release this at midnight. But-I decided NOW was way better. I worked extensively on this hot mess, and frankly I am damn proud of this next chapter. :D I'm so happy, like eeee! Happy.
Regarding the kiss ordeal: YOU ALL ARE SLUTS! (Don't deny it ;D) I'm sort of channeling classic authors like Jane Austen & Charlotte Bronte. Where the kiss meant everything: the passion, the devotion, and the knowledge that you'll know those characters are together forever.
But yeah. Here it is.
Ch. 12: Picked All My Wheat
"SHARPAY! Look out for the Blehblehbleh!"
Ry and I turned back, giving Kels a crazed stare.
"Did someone release you onto the internet again?"
…
"…Yes."
Ryan laughed, "Oh sweetie…"
I clutched the tin that held Ry and mine's cherry pie. I know he said not to bring anything, but…Ry's the Homo Martha Stuart. And…I need something to get me through this fucking hell.
I let out a deep, cleansing breath before knocking on the door.
Chad answered, "Oh God you're finally here!" He held Ryan, "Oh…hey you two."
Kelsi gave him a deadpan stare, "Love you too Chadsie."
He stuck out his tongue, "You know me." Chad led us inside, and then dragged Ry off into a secluded corner. Smacking noises could be heard-are all men equivalent to horny dogs? Kels and I walked into the kitchen; Troy was at the oven. Granny Smith in the fridge.
"Sunshine." He saw my reflection through the microwave door on the counter above, "Thanks for coming."
"Yeah well. Good will and all that…" I smiled, a bit tense. I set the pie on the breakfast bar.
Granny giggled, "I think you're thinking of Christmas." She smiled while closing the fridge; butter and milk were in her hands.
I smiled: tense again, "Must be." My eyes diverted to a knife block on the counter the bar was jetting out from. If I could just casually inch over to it…
Kelsi obnoxiously cleared her throat; damn you for being such a good brain twin!
"Sharpay, could you help me?" Granny already had the milk in a liquid measuring cup, "The butter's already in, and my Mom told me that the best way to make her mashed potatoes is if you pour the milk in while mashing." The nerves were in her smile; she looked as though she'd just asked Satan for a favor.
"Sure…" Troy gave me a look that I couldn't refuse. She's trying, his eyes seemed to speak. I get that some friends want their friends to gel with whoever they're dating. But seriously? Troy, I don't understand.
Granny smiled; I poured while she mashed. I watched her profile out of the corner of my eye. She seemed so…confident. So passionate…so…everything I wish I was at this point. Everything is sewn and complete for her. My own threads unraveling and falling apart.
"Shar…?"
"Sunshine?"
I looked down; my legs were spotted with milk, and the measuring cup in pieces on the floor.
"Are you okay?" Granny looked to me, "I didn't bump you, or anything while I was mashing? I get really into things sometimes, and-"
"No." I shakily sighed, "You did nothing wrong. I just…wasn't paying attention. I need some air." I crossed over to the back door exiting quickly.
..:….:..
"Shar, Shar! Shar!"
"What!" I whipped around, Kelsi had been tracking me. We were in his backyard away from any windows. My eyes were already a mix of red and black.
"What happened?"
"I-I get it."
"…Get what?"
"Why he's with her." I sighed, "He needs stability. He needs someone to be a living example; someone who shows him things'll be okay. Someone who lives day-by-day in a constant light…of love. And acceptance regardless."
"You got all that be looking at the side of her face?"
"Her eyes Kels!" I pointed to mine for emphasis, "They say everything…I can't give that."
"What?"
"What Troy needs. I can't give him that. I am a fucked up mess! And I know I won't be mended soon…he needs her."
Kelsi hugged my tight; I cried into her shoulder.
..:….:..
Kelsi kept Troy and Granny distracted while I snuck off to the bathroom. I wiped my eyes on toilet paper, and caught a glimpse of me.
Bloodshot eyes; shaken soul.
Sloppy hair; beating brain.
Shaky hands; shaken heart.
I heard the knob jiggle and the door opened. I looked to Troy through the mirror. He closed the door, and held me close.
"What is it?"
"It's nothing."
"Crying eyes don't mean 'nothing'. Talk to me."
I shook my head, "I'm not the one you should be holding, okay?"
"But I want to."
I let him.
..:….:..
Dinner was set. Granny, Kelsi, Ry, and Chad were responsible for the fashionable set up. While I was crying with Troy in the bathroom, they set it up.
The meal was actually amazing-even the mashed potatoes. And as I looked around the table of all my friend's and acquaintance's faces; I realized that, although fucked, it's the best family I've had in a long time.
..:….:..
"Bye." I smiled: hugging Troy, and politely waving to Granny. I headed back to my car.
Ry sighed, "Thanksgiving is my new favorite holiday."
Kelsi giggled, "That pie was amazing!"
"I know." Ry smiled.
"What do you think Mom's doing at home?"
Ry shrugged, "Being her ever avoidance self."
Kelsi nodded, "She does know how to avoid."
We entered the apartment.
It was dim; never a good sign when the lights are off. I walked down to the kitchen, spotting a slouched body in Dad's seat.
"Dad?"
"He's at his office party for Thanksgiving…"
I walked into the kitchen. Candles were lit, and set I their holders. A decked out multi-course meal was set on the long table.
"Umm…"
My mother shook her head, wiping away forgotten tears, "I…haven't felt this fallen since…a very long time."
I sat in my chair-frozen in time.
"He promised me. Tonight he'd break away from his busy schedule, and have a nice romantic dinner…"
"Mom…"
"But where is he!" She slammed her hands down on the table. Various goblets and silverware clinked and clanked.
"I don't…"
"I just want him to say: I love you…" She began to weep; lowering her head onto the table. Ryan and Kelsi stood in the awning to the kitchen.
I wanted to say that she deserved iy. That she was a shallow, vapid nothing. And that I don't care about her.
I walked up to her, and placed my hand on her shoulder, "I love you Mommy…"
She looked up, and smiled.
This is it.
A jillion kudos to the person who can tell me where Kelsi's opening line is from.
Be kind
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