It was the final day of summer break. I was enjoying the last day with my two best friends, Gordy and Gina, who came over to see Miranda.
We sat on the patio in the backyard, Miranda squealing in delight kicking a pink ball. I kept a decent eye on her while still paying attention to my friends.
"Tomorrow's the day! We'll be juniors in high school!" Gina exclaimed as I playfully rolled me eyes.
"Yeah, and the year after that we'll be seniors and then we can graduate and get out of that hell hole."
"Why do you hate school so much, Angela?" I gazed at Gordy retorting to his stupid question.
"Do I NEED to remind you of the two people who go to school there?"
"Oh…right." He took a breath of his inhaler in nervousness. Miranda toddled over to us, dropping something in Gordy's lap as he took another inhale from his inhaler.
"Giiiiinaaaaaa…" he whined as Gina sighed taking the caterpillar from his lap, putting it in the grass.
"Miranda, I think it would be best if we didn't do that."
"Why?" she asked.
"Because…the caterpillar's natural habitat is the grass, and it prefers the grass." Gina explained as Miranda placed her finger to her lips.
"Hab…hab…" she gave a confused, pleading look as I laughed.
"It means its home." I explained as her face lit up.
"Oh! Okay!" and with that she toddled away.
"She's growing up so fast." Gina exclaimed, "Soon she'll be in high school!"
"And her hair has gotten longer too!" Gordy said with a smile on his face, I sighed.
"I wish she could stay my baby forever..." I said as I felt a hand on my shoulder.
"Just because she's growing up, doesn't mean she won't be your baby! She'll always be your baby, Angela Anaconda! Even when she's 100!" Gina gave me a hug as I returned it.
We started talking about our future plans after high school.
"I'm wanting to go to university to get my PhD is psychology!" Gina exclaimed, "I really liked the psychology class I took last year, and I plan on taking one this year!"
"My plan is to marry you, Gina." Gordy said while blushing, Gina blinked and rose her eyebrow.
"Yeah...no...not until I finish my university studies and have a stable job...you should think of college before marriage, Gordy..." Gina retorted as I gave a snicker.
"Well...we could have a long engagement..."
"College, Gordy!" Gina exclaimed in a strict manner, crossing her arms, Gordy gave a nervous chuckle.
"I do want to get my degree in pastry art..." he said as Gina rolled her eyes with a smile, turning her attention towards me.
"What are you going to do, Angela?" Gina asked as I placed my hand on my cheek.
"I guess go to the community college, I...can't go to an out of town university since I have Miranda..." I looked over at my baby who was tossing her ball up in the air and catching it, "They do have an astronomer degree at the community college that I'm interested in...but I'm not sure if I want to start right after high school, or wait until Mia is in school." Gina placed her index finger on her chin.
"You still have some time to think, and whatever you decide, I know will be right for Miranda!" I smiled as Gina took out her buzzing cell phone.
"Oh, mom wants me back home. Dinner's ready!"
"I better go too." Gordy said as Miranda toddled over towards me, I picked her up as she yawned, I giggled.
"Say bye-bye to Gordy and Gina, Miranda!" my daughter waved her chubby hand, resting her head on my shoulder. I just laughed, she was so tired. She honestly didn't even have a nap today.
As Gordy and Gina drove off, I walked back into the house, sitting on the sofa between my older brothers, Miranda's head still on my shoulder, her breathing became uneven, showing the sign that she was asleep.
"You two have another week before you go back, right?" I asked my older brothers.
"That's right emo-sister." Mark said as I rolled my eyes.
"I am not emo. I just like my hair styled like this."
"We know, we're just kidding." Derek said in defense...
There was an awkward silence for a few moments before Mark broke it.
"Can I hold Miranda?"
"No way, dude! I get to hold Miranda first!" Derek exclaimed.
"I'm her favorite!"
"No I am!" Miranda began to stir and whimper a bit.
"Can't you two be quiet? Miranda didn't even take a nap today." I whispered loudly as they stopped.
"Can I put Miranda to bed?" Mark asked as I sighed.
"No." I began, sighing "I'll put her to bed." And with that I hoisted myself from the sofa, walking upstairs into mine and Miranda's room. She opened her eyes, and began rubbing them.
"Hey, Mia-bug!" I said sweetly, "Let's get you in your pajamas. Then you can go back to sleep, okay?" she just nodded her head tiredly.
I took her sundress off and slipped her pajama top on her, she began to lean forward into my chest; after I slipped her pajama pants on, I rested her little head on her mattress, pulling her duvet to her chest. I walked to my closet, dressing in my pajamas and climbed into bed, turning my little lamp off.
"Good night, Miranda..." I whispered reaching my hand to stroke her soft cheek.