"What's the difference?" Jessie sighed as she bought a green apple to her mouth, and took a tentative bite.
"What's the difference?" Lily repeated, mortified.
Jessie shrugged, and took another, larger, bite from the juicy apple; "It's really not a big deal……..to me" she said, slowly, placing her words carefully.
Lily stared at her for a long time, taken back by her care free words; "Jessie-" she said, taking a step towards her, "-this is you're sweet sixteen!" she smiled, and outstretched her hand, to tuck a piece of loss golden hair behind her ear.
Jessie moved away slightly, and Lily's hand fell; "……..Yeah……..and I know it's SUPPOSED to be a big deal, but…….. I truly couldn't care less" Jessie took one more, small bite of the apple, and walked past Lily to the bin, where she dropped it.
JESSIE sometimes I feel so………out of place……..and I just wish there was a hand book to life. Cause, it's like……….if I'm not interested in the things everyone else is interested in……..then I'm an alien!
Like………..parties! Sweet sixteens! Skimpy skirts! Midriff tops! ………. boys………looks nervously at the camera
Jessie turned around, to see Lily's face completely dropped and expressionless; she bit her bottom lip and sighed; "But………I guess………if you really want to throw me a party…………." Jessie began; Lily looked up, a small smile making it's way across her lips.
"……..Then I'd prefer to have a formal party………" Jessie said finally, and tucked a piece of loose hair behind her ear.
JESSIE but, everyone once in a while……… I think I might just know exactly what I'm supposed to do……..like a gut instinct………..
"Oh Jessie! This is going to be so great! I promise you will have a GREAT time, all you're friends will come over, it will be elegant……….you will LOVE it, I promise!" Lily's smile grew wider and wider; until she finally took a small step forward, and kissed Jessie quickly on the cheek before leaving the kitchen.
JESSIE ……….and I do the exact opposite!………..
"What's going to be great?" Eli mumbled as he entered the kitchen- only just catching the last snippet of Lily's speech.
Jessie sighed, and took a seat on the kitchen stool- watching as her brother clumsily poured himself a cup of coffee- "my sweet sixteen……….apparently!" Jessie sighed, shaking her head slightly.
Eli turned around, a half smile on his face; "Lily is throwing you a sweet sixteen?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Jessie met his quizzical expression, and returned it with an icy glare; "Yes! She is!………and it's going to be elegant, and great……..and………perfect!" she sighed again, allowing her face to slump into her hands.
Eli turned around fully, leaning against the kitchen counter; "And you don't want her to throw you one because………..?" he asked, gently.
JESSIE ………..it's weird looking away form camera………..when I KNOW I've made the wrong decision looks at camera and someone on the outside tells me I've made the wrong decision………….looks away again………and I wonder, how do they know me better than I know myself? Is there something here that I'm missing? That everyone else but me can see?
"I'm fine with it!" Jessie declared, forcing herself to life her chin; "infact, I am looking forward to it!" she half smiled, and Eli's eyebrow rose higher.
"Ok, so what sort of cake do you want?" he asked, crossing his arms.
Now it was Jessie's turn to raise her eyebrow, "what does that have to do with anything?" she asked, perplexed.
Eli half smiled again, "every girl I have ever known has been so excited about their 'sweet sixteen'……..so excited, that since the age of 8 that have been planning it……..right down to the smallest detail………like what sort of cake they want!"
Jessie shrugged, and slid off the stool; "I have always had better things to do with my time than plan a stupid birthday party………and worry about whether to have chocolate or vanilla cake!" Jessie declared, folding her arms as she stood before her brother.
Eli smiled again, and turned back to his coffee; "you cant fool everyone Jess………..once in a while………a few of us get to see you're true emotions………maybe once in a while out could let yourself see them aswell" he turned around, mug in hand, and lifted it to his lips- took a sip, then lowered it again, the whole time fixing his eyes on Jessie.
"That way you wouldn't get talked into doing things you really cant handle!" he looked at her, for a lifetime longer- then turned and left the kitchen, leaving Jessie breathless.
JESSIE something I'm missing……….?
