"So since you keep bringing up this kid I want to meet him. I want t peer into his soul and see what he's about."

Those words! The words any 16 year old girl hates to hear their parent say about the guy they crush on. Even if he is famous all of that flies out the window when he hears that you like someone.

  "Dad you can't! He doesn't know!" I shrieked worried that him meeting Tre might blow the top off of my adoption causing me to have more friends than I cared for.

  "What doesn't he know? That your adopted?" My dad asked as he continued picking at his salad with his fork rather aggressively.

  "No that YOU are my dad. You know how much damage that could do to your privacy if the word gets out?"

My dad stopped picking at his food and placed the fork down.

  "Damage? HERE?!?!? Oh sweetheart you definitely don't have to worry about that."

  "Ummm why not?"

  "Because I've lived here for a few decades. Trust me. I'll be fine. The media here and in Minneapolis know better."

  "You'll be fine? What about me!?!?!? I hate to break it to ya old man but I'm not trying to be popular at school. I like being invisible."

He stood up from the table taking his plate with him.

  "Why would you want that? Your a good kid! Someone like you should make friends pretty well?"

  "What for? They only pick on me behind my back anyways."

He could tell that I was sad about the whole not having a lot of friends. Deep down I probably did want them but I wanted them to come to be genuinely and not just because my dad is rich and famous.

  "Carlyn listen to me." He said as he came back to the table.

  "You shouldn't have to isolate yourself. Does this have something to do with you still feeling like your unwanted?"

I didn't say a word. I just bit into my pizza and chewed quietly.

  "Come on now don't be shy about it. If you are you can tell me. Besides you need friends your age. I get that you love your brother but he's adapted at school and he's been through it too right?"

  "Yeah but Joey wasn't sitting at an orphanage for as long as I have. So of course he's not gonna have a problem making friends. When your little you can befriend a tree and be perfectly fine. It's different when your older. When you're older you see things. You remember them. All of them."

We had a little bit of a stare down as he tried to read how I felt emotionally. I wasn't going to let him shrink me like the last time so I decided to pull my trump card.

"Besides there's still things you don't tell me and I'm your daughter. I'm sure there was a reason why your still not married. I kinda wanna know dad."

My dad flashed a famous smile of shyness as he lowered his head.

"What makes you think that I still don't want to get married again?" He asked in his deep voice.

"Daddy I know you're lonely. I know you want to be loved just as badly as anybody. You're a good guy. Well with the exception of the spandex and trench coats I honestly think you're alright."

Daddy stood up and took my hand.

"Oh my child. You might not wanna know this but the spandex and trench coats was what got me many relationships over the years when I was younger."

"Dad?"

"Hmmm?"

"Your not 21 anymore dude you're almost 50 and you need a wife to come and fatten you up. Maybe even help you grow a little taller!" I joked.

My dad laughed hard as I got up from the table leaving him in his hysterics.

"Hey! You're grounded for the rest of your life!" He said as he laughed.

He followed behind me still laughing as we went back upstairs to my room to talk some more. When we got there we sat on my bed and talked a little more before he had to go into his studio and work some more. I wish he wasn't working so much. I wonder if he will take a break. He needs a vacation. As I laid on my blue comforter I began thinking about Tre. I don't know why but he was suddenly on my mind. I was hoping to see him Saturday night. Maybe get my first kiss officially now. I wasn't ready before but I think I might be now. When it does happen I want to be fully prepared. I just have to find a way to get in some practice. I didn't want to go to my dad and ask him how to kiss somebody because it would be weird. As I looked around the room my eyes fell on my long body pillow. I felt a sinister grin sweep my face quickly as I came up with the crazy idea to roll play.

  "Well hello Tremaine." I giggled as I grabbed the pillow and sat it upright like a person.

My imagination got the best of me as the pillow turned into Tre right before my eyes. His smile was big and bright. He looked at me with those entrancing eyes and I could feel his hand touch my face.

  "I love you Carly." He said.

He leaned in forward towards me and I went for it. I went in for my first kiss and when our lips touched the fireworks exploded above our heads. I think my heart had stopped when his lips touched mine. The butterflies were going crazy and I could have sworn I heard the dove crying like literally crying! My hands gripped his shoulders tightly. I was never so happy in all my life. Soon my happiness turned into complete and sheer embarrassment when I heard my dad call me from my bedroom door.

  "Carlyn?" He called confused.

My eyes popped open and Tre was gone. The pillow was still planted on my face and my body was flush with embarrassment. I turned to find not only to see my dad standing at my door giving me the side eye but Tony as well.

  "You feeling alright there mama?" My dad asked as if he didn't wanna know the answer.

I pushed the pillow down onto the bed and tried to get my words out but I was so afraid that I was stuttering my life away.

  "We-I-You-and-"

Both Tony and my dad could do nothing but laugh. I was so embarrass that I let out a loud shriek and run to my bathroom. I could still hear them laughing. Note to self. When learning how to kiss: ALWAYS CLOSE YOUR BEDROOM DOOR!