Vicky Parrish
Five Years Later
"Why do I have to go to your moms stupid cook out?" I ask Darrin as I stand in his backyard.

"Cuz my dads coming home." He simply says and I roll my eyes.

"Yo dad just wanna come home and chill. I guarantee he's gonna be mad all these people here." I noticed how his mom started putting out food.

"What did your dad go to jail for anyway?" I asked irritated.

"I don't know. He's been in jail since I was born." He said and I left it alone.

A couple of minutes later people started filling in the backyard and the music was loud. I had already started eating multiple plates.

"That's like ya fourth plate. Don't you think you should slow down?" Darrin looked at my plate and grimaced.

"How about you stop being ugly and then I'll stop eating." I was hungry.

Darrin's father had walked into the backyard. I guess Darrin's uncle had picked him up. But the look on his face made me want to run back to my house.

"I think you should go hug your dad." I nudged him and he timidly got up.

I rolled my eyes and grabbed his arm and pulled him towards his father.

"Scaredy cat!" I teased and the gave him one big push.

I watched as he tapped his fathers shoulder. He stood up as his face lit up. He was happy to see his son.

Soon Darrin came back over and grabbed my arm.

"What are you doing?" I asked as my eyes widened.

"Come on."

"No your dad looks scary!" I yelled but I was already in front of his father.

"I'm not that scary." He said making me nervous that he heard me. I really need to stop yelling.

"This is my best friend Vicky!" Darrin said excited I get to meet his father.

"I'm John." I shook his big hand.

"Are you like a murder or something?" I asked making Darrin slap the back of my neck.

"No." Mr. John laughed and then spoke again.

"I went to jail for some fraudulent stuff. Stay in school kids." He said before walking over to his wife.

"See it wasn't that bad." Darrin said and I rolled my eyes.

"You didn't have to slap me in the back of my neck like that." I said running back to get another plate of food.

****
I was sleep in my room when I heard knocking at my window. I rolled my eyes knowing how it was.

"What's wrong?" I asked him as he had a sad look on his face.

"My parents are fighting already. Can I just sleep in here?" He asked rubbing a hand on his face.

"Come on." I said grabbing a extra blanket and pillow for him.

I closed the window and gave him the stuff. He laid on the floor in silence. I needed to say something funny.

"Aye Darrin." I called out.

"What?"

"You still ugly." I said making him laugh.

"Whatever."

****
The next morning Darrin was gone but the blanket was folded up on the floor. I walked downstairs in my fuzzy slippers and robe.

"I need to braid your hair tonight." My mother said looking at my messy hair.

I flinched when she raised her hand to touch it. My dad laughed as he sipped his coffee.

"I really should stop hitting you in your mouth when you get smart because your started to flinch a lot." My mom gave me a plate of bacon and eggs.

"What was Darrin doing sleeping in your room?" Dad asked me and I stopped eating my food.

"His parents were fighting and he couldn't sleep. But please don't go telling his business." I begged not wanting other people to know his home situation.

"I won't tell." My mom said and I looked at my dad.

"As long as y'all weren't doing nothing."

"I don't even like him. He's ugly and boys have cooties." I said rolling my eyes.

"Your still saying that at thirteen years old. Your gonna have to learn that you'll end up liking boys." My mom said.

"Don't put all that into her head!" My dad said.

They still treat me like I'm eight but I still act like that.

"School's starting next week! I can't wait for you to be starting the eight grade." My mom smiled at me and I gave her a blank look.

"School is like jail."

Authors note:
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