"Oh Amy, that dress is super pretty. I'll do your make up before you get changed. We don't want to get makeup on it."
"It used to be Kathleen's . I would have chosen purple, but I like blue too." Amelia explained.
"We'll it really suits you and fits you perfectly."
"Thank you."
Addison was getting all her make up out sat on Amelia's bed. When Derek and Amy had told her how tiny the room was she hadn't quite realised what they had meant when they said it only just fits a twin size bed. "You sit on the side of the bed Ames and I'll do your foundation. This one is quite pale so it probably will match your skin tone. She was planning to do Amy's make up natural for her end of elementary school disco, but with a bit of glitter at the child's request. She couldn't believe that with 3 older sister and a mom, none of them had offered to do Amelia's hair or make up. In fact not a single one was there. Derek was downstairs watching tv, while Addison and Amy were upstairs doing what he called 'girl stuff.'
"Do you sisters like doing hair and make up?" Addie asked. "Not mine." Amy replied. "They don't like me."
"I'm sure that's not true."
"No it is. Elizabeth's okay. She's just a bit weird. Always sewing or knitting or reading. She's not so mean. She's just Elizabeth...we're very different people. Although she did make this for me. For my 11th birthday." Amy held up a knitted unicorn. "I love unicorns, they're magical!" Amy smiled. "Lizzie, she just lives in her own Lizzie world, and the rest of us aren't a part of it." Amy explained as Addison did her foundation. "Katie's often busy. She's on the college drill team. Which is apparently dancing, not like woodwork which is what I thought. Why can't they just call it a dance team Because drills are like tools?" Amy said and Addison chuckled. She could understand the younger girls confusion. "I think she thinks I'm annoying. I try not to be annoying but she still thinks that I am. And ugly, and dumb, and stupid, and evil. Both Kathleen and Nancy do. Like I'm Maleficent or something."
"Maleficent?" Addison asked.
"The evil fairy who curses Aurora in sleeping beauty. They think that it's my fault that me dad died." Amy said looking at the ground
"Amy?... Amelia... look at me please. It is not your fault that your father was killed. It was a tragic, horrible situation. But your sisters are wrong. Derek told me what happened. The only person responsible for your father's death is the man who shot him. Okay. Close your eyes and let me do your eyeshadow."
"Sparkles?" Amelia asked. "Yes I can do sparkles." Addison answered.
"Do you like it Amy?" Addison asked a short while later, once Amy's make up and hair was done and she had her dress on. "I feel like a Princess." Amy smiled twirling around letting her skirt flare out. "You look beautiful Amy. Now let's go see what that frustrating brother of yours is up to?"
"You think Derek is frustrating ?" Amy asked. "Are you going to break up?" She continued eyes wide. "Hey. Hey Amy. No, I was joking."
"You can't break up with Derek. Please don't." Amy pleaded. "Wait a second. Sit back down Ames" Addison said leading Amy to sit back down on the bed, wondering why the little girl seemed so distressed. "I'm not planning to break up with Derek anytime soon. But why does that worry you so much?"
"It's selfish." Amy muttered looking at the floor. "It doesn't matter everyone is a little selfish sometimes." Addison answered and Amy took a deep breath. "if you break up with Derek, he looses you, but so do I. You're like a sister but I like you. You're one of the only people who doesn't hate me."
"I don't believe that I'm one of the only people who doesn't hate you but how about this, not that I'm planning to break up with Derek because I love him very much, but I love you too Amy.."
Addison started. "You love me?" Amy asked. "Why?"
"I love you and Derek in different ways, but yes I love you Amy. Because you're sweet and kind. You're funny and you always make me laugh. You're fun to be around and smart and pretty." Addie tried to explain how much she loved the young girl who thought so little of herself. "You're an amazing young lady, who I love very much, but back to your original concern. You always have me, if you want me, whether I'm with Derek or not. You know where I live and you can call me anytime. For anything, and if I can't answer I'll call you back. If your family are giving you a tough time, if you're just having a rubbish day, if you have any girl questions or anything else. I've got you Amy, you've got me. Okay?"
"Okay"
"Now shall we go get Derek, have a snack and get you to your disco?"
"Let's go"
"So my best friends are Maria, she's Greek and so funny. Rose, and we always say she's sweet as a rose. She's so lovely and then there's Sarah she's most like me I think." Amy told Addie as she walked her to the end of elementary disco at her school.
"Are you going to miss them now elementary school is over?"
"Maybe for summer but they're all going to Edgewood middle with me."
"Ah that's good then. I'm glad you'll still be with your friends."
"Yeah most people from my school are going to Edgewood, except a few of the religious ones. I've been there a few times, my brother and all my sisters went so when I was very little I went to a few events there. Concerts and stuff. And we did a trial day last week. Their science labs are so cool, and the art department has so many cool resources."
"You're excited for middle school then?"
"Very."