(Author's Note: Sup guys? What?! Two updates to stories in one day?! Yeah, not doing much else. Anyway, enjoy:)
Chapter Six: Day at the Park
Bored. I'm not usually that direct, but it was the truth. I didn't really have anything to do today. I'd finished my schoolwork and had read most of the books that I own.
Walking out of my room, I was met with the (all too) familiar sight and sound of my siblings. Though, it wasn't really anything different than usual. Lori speaking on her phone (probably to her boyfriend Bobby), Leni talking out loud about something random (I think that I heard her talking about gum?), Luna playing her guitar, Luan telling jokes, Lynn tossing around a sports ball, Lucy huddled up and writing in her poetry book, Lana and Lola fighting over something, and Lisa working on chemicals. I saw that Lincoln's door was open just a little bit and I would see him reading a comic book on his bed.
I heard a small noise and a pull of my shirt. I turned to see Lily standing there with her arms raised, a clear sign that she wanted to be picked up. "Hey Lily." I picked her up and began tickling her, causing her to laugh.
"Lena sweetheart," I her mom call from downstairs, "Could you bring Lily downstairs please?"
"Okay mom." Very carefully, I walked down the stairs with Lily to see both of my parents at the door. "Are you guys doing somewhere?"
"Yep kiddo," dad took Lily from me, "We're taking this little one to park so she can play with a few kids her own age. We told your sister Lori so that she'll know that she has to watch the rest of you."
That gave me a thought, "Can I go with you guys?" Both of them seemed confused by my question.
"Are you sure Lena?"
"Yes mom. To be honest, I don't really have anything to do here."
"Alright then kiddo, come on. Lori! We're taking Lena with us too!"
"Okay!"
I walked with mom, dad, and Lily out of the door. The four of us piled into Vanzilla, mom strapped Lily in her car seat next to me. Lily reached out and began pulling on my sleeve, laughing while she did so. I smiled and tickled her again. Lily may be the only sibling that can always make any of the rest of us feel better and/or laugh whenever she wanted to, regardless of how we were feeling.
Even the most emotionless of us like Lucy and Lisa aren't immune to her ability.
If any of us were asked who our favorite sibling was, most of us would try not to answer. But, if we had to choose, I'm sure that at least a third of us would choose Lily.
Plus she's a baby, so she's easier to deal with.
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We had just arrived at the park. On the way over here, mom had handed me clothes to put on Lily while in the car (most of it was done while we were stopped at a gas station). She was dressed in a lavender shirt and blue pants with shoes.
It's no surprise that there were so many people here, given how nice of a day it was. I took Lily in my arms and walked her over to the playground while mom and dad took a seat on one of the benches. I set her on the ground and let her go off. I couldn't help but smile as I watched her play with kids her own age. Very similar to Leni, her smile and good mood was infectious. Especially to her family. It was so...nice and peaceful out here and I really enjoyed it. While I love my family and my home, I do need a break from their chaos every once in a while. I liked this peace.
"Oh wow, look what the cat dragged in." Annnnnnnnnnd, my good mood was immediately ruined by the sound of that voice. I turned around and would have recognized that unnatural hair from a mile away.
"Ryan. What are you doing here?" I spoke to him with squinted eyes and an icy tone that I've learned from watching Lucy aftet a few years.
He rolled his eyes, "I'm babysitting." He pointed at a small blonde kid wearing blue. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here with my parents and my baby sister."
"Oh?" He gave me an arrogant smirk, "And here I thought that you were the baby sister," he laughed (in that annoying way that he does) and I balled my hands into fists. Now, I'm not a fighter. But I wanted to throw a punch at him so badly right now. But I knew better (but a girl can dream can't she?).
"Ryan, can you leave please? I really don't want to put up with you today.
"Yeah whatever, I'm so hurt."
"Why would anyone trust you to watch their kid anyway?"
"I'll have you know that I'm very responsible, especially when babysitting. You can say whatever you want about me, but I'd never let any harm come to little Sam," wow. That might have been the most mature thing I've ever heard him say. "Besides, I know for a fact that I'm a better babysitter than you." And, there it was.
I raised an eyebrow, "No offense Ryan, but I doubt that. Given our history of course."
"Oh, is that a fact?!"
"Yes, it was!" It might have been how rude and obnoxious he was, but Ryan always figured out how to get on my nerves and get me to raise my voice (which was a very rare occurrence for me).
"Care to...prove your theory, Loud?"
"What are you saying?"
"A little contest between the two of us. Proof over who iunderstands kids better."
I rolled my eyes, "Only you would choose to turn babysitting into a competiotion."
"Scared?"
I glared, "What kind of competition are you thinking about?"
He thought for a moment, "How about, a short little talent show? We each do a skill for the kids and see who they like more."
I thought for a moment. The whole competition idea was probably (most definitely) stupid, but I would love to do something to wipe that stupid smirk on his face. "Fine. You have a deal."
"Good."
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Ryan and I had spoken to all of the parents atthe park. Instead of saying that it was a competition, we told them that we had a talent show at school and wanted to practice our routines. I don't like lying, so Ryan just told me to shut up and let him due the talking then. Begrudgingly, I did.
After all of the kids had (for less of a better term) gotten together, Ryan and I began preparing ourselves.
"Care to go first Loud?" I hated that arrogant smirk plastered on his face.
I gave him one of those smiles that I've seen Lola give our siblings, or anybody, before she takes revenge for something that happened in the past, "No. You can go first Ryan." I saw him slightly unnerved by my expression and, I'm not gonna lie, I kinda liked it.
Cracking his neck, Ryan walked in front of the kids. Then, he did something that I honestly didn't expect him to do: martial arts.
Truthfully, I was pretty surprised with how skilled Ryan was. He was punching, and kicking, and leaping through the air. I found myself slightly memorized by his skills. I had seen Lynn do martial arts on multiple occasions in the past and, at minimum, Ryan seemed to be just as skilled as she was (knowing how much Lynn liked to compete against people who are close to her skill, I was unsure if I should tell Lynn about Ryan's skill).
The kids definitely enjoyed Ryan's display of skills as they were laughing and clapping throughout the entire time. Even Lily (which left me feeling a little betrayed, even though I understood that she just like the entertainment). I noticed that even some of the parents were impressed with how agile and strong he seemed. I gulped, this was gonna be harder then I thought.
Within a few minutes, Ryan was done and had actually worked up a sweat. There was a thunderous applause and loud cheering that followed his performance. He took a bow and walked over to me, and I'm hating that arrogant smirk he was wearing even more second by second, "Your turn, milday," he gave a short little mock bow.
I shut my eyes and clenched fist before trying to slow my breathing, "Calm down Lena." Without saying a word to him, I walked away.
I steadied my breathing as I stepped in front of everybody. Even though my eyes were closed, I could all of their expecting eyes on me. I felt just as nervous as I did when I performed my recital (A/N: CONTINUITY CALLBACK!) that my siblings missed, although I had long since forgiven them for it.
This was ridiculous. I had done this on multiple occasions and there was no reason that I should be nervous right now. I breathed in, breathed out, and began my dance.
It felt nice to dance in front of people again. My ballet class had just started teaching us some new routines and it would still be a few weeks until our next recital.
I felt...actually at peace when I was dancing. And let me tell you, peace is something that you definitely want when your family and house life is as wild and chaotic as mine. I felt so light on my feet when I was dancing and every leap felt like I was flying. Honestly, during my performance, I had completely forgotten that it was supposed to be a competition between me and Ryan. I just saw it as me dancing with all my heart.
It was only when I had finished my dance that I had remembered why I was doing it. I opened my eyes and saw everybody's eyes on me. For a few moments, not a single person said a word or made a noise. My face was actually burning from having all of those eyes on me.
Slowly, but surely, I heard somebody clapping. Eventually, the noise got louder and louder until virtually everybody was cheering and clapping for me. I looked into the audience and saw my parents clapping for me and Lily with a big smile on her face. I felt my anxiety melt away as it was quickly replaced with joy.
I walked away to see Ryan with crossed arms and an annoyed expression on his face. He sighed, "Welp Loud," he put his hand out, "Congratulations."
I just looked at his hand, "What?"
He rolled his eyes, "I'm not a sore loser. Now are we gonna shake, or not?!" With a shrug, I took hold of his hand and shook it (his grip on my hand was a little tight). "Well, I'll see you around. But DON'T think that today will EVER be repeated again! EVER!" He yelled before going back to the kid that he was babysitting. I glared at him as he walked away. Of course he just HAD to be a jerk just as I was beginning to have a little respect for him.
"Lena!" I turned to see my parents, with Lily in my mother's arms. Dad ruffled by hair, "That was very impressive kiddo."
"Thanks dad."
Mom bent down and gave me a kiss on the forehead, "Very good sweetie." Lily reached to me with her arms and I carefully took her from mom. She looked up at me and laughed, which brought a smile to my face.
This turned out to be a better day then I thought.
(Author's Note: And curtain! Hope you liked it. I'm actually feeling a little self conscious about this chapter, so I hope it turned out okay. Review, favorite, follow, and I'll see you guys next time:)
