JUNE 2004
The semester flew by and before I knew it, it was summer vacation. I was looking forward to having some time where I could do stuff I enjoyed. By that I meant hanging out with Daisy, and writing stories in my journals. There was nothing better than being able to relax and write some silly short stories on a rainy day. And I knew I would get to do it a lot. In Belgium it rained quite a bit. We had similar weather to the UK at times.
It was a gloomy day. It was downpouring outside, so I wasn’t planning on going outside. So I grabbed my journal and set up at the table to write some stories. Mum and Dad were at work and Daisy was out at the mall with some friends, so I knew I would have some quiet time to write. I was happy to have complete peace and quiet, with the only sound being the rain hitting the windows. I got lost in the stories my pen was putting on paper and before I knew it, Mum got home with Daisy. She had picked her up from the mall on her way home from work.
“Oooo! Whatcha writing?” Daisy came up to me and sat down next to me at the table.
“Nothing.” I laughed as I covered the writing with my arms. I was a bit self conscious about people reading my stories. I was always afraid they sounded stupid to other people.
“Can I read some?” Daisy asked. “Just one story?”
“Alright fine.” I couldn’t say no to Daisy. I flipped back a couple pages to a short story I wrote based on a prompt. I liked to do this challenge where I would pick a random prompt and I only had 5 minutes to write something about it. I let Daisy take the book, and she started reading it. Out loud. In her loudest and best narrator voice she could manage.
I practically died of embarrassment as Daisy read my story out loud. Mum was right next to us getting dinner ready, so she could hear it all perfectly. I could feel my face burning up. Mum never read any of my stories. She didn’t even know I liked to write until I said I wanted to have a career related to writing or editing in the future. I expected her to get annoyed by the reading, but Mum actually smiled to herself at the parts that were supposed to be funny. I couldn’t believe it. Did she actually like it??
“Wow, that’s really good!” Daisy smiled as she finished reading it. “I like the funny parts the best. Who knew you had a comedic side to you??”
“Oh shush.” I mumbled. “It’s just a dumb story.”
“Dumb story my butt!” Daisy said. “That story is gold!”
“I would have to agree with Daisy on that one.” Mum laughed. “That’s a pretty good story.”
“You think so??” I was stunned Mum thought that. She was usually quite tough on criticizing my work, hence why I never let her near my stories.
“I do.” Mum nodded.
“See? Even Mum agrees!” Daisy grinned. “It’s two against one!”
“Alright, you win.” I laughed.
--
Second year of university flew by. I was so busy all the time, the year only felt like a couple months. I had a lot of school work to do, and if I wasn’t doing schoolwork, I was with Daisy. It was her graduating year so she had a lot of grad stuff going on. She wanted me to be there with her for most of it, and I wasn’t about to say no. She was moving out for university so I wanted to be able to spend as much time with her as I could. She got accepted at a university that was not too far from home, but even though she could stay home, she wanted to move out. She had enough money to get a small apartment which she was excited to move out to.
I wished I could’ve moved as well, but I knew that wouldn’t be happening. Mum refused to let me. She said once I finished university and got a solid job I could move, but until then I was staying home. Even then, I was pretty sure she wasn’t letting me go to Canada.
Eventually, the day came that Daisy graduated. She was super hyped about the whole thing. She was especially excited for prom. Her and Mum went out to look for a dress earlier in the year, and she found one that she absolutely loved. Her and her friends were all going together. Most of her friends had dates to bring, so Daisy surprised me and asked me if I would go with her. Of course I said yes.
The big night came along and I had a sudden realization. I didn’t have anything nice to wear. I never owned a suit, and the most I had was an old button up. Unfortunately it was the best I had, so that’s what I put on. I threw my hair back into a bun and went to go see if Daisy was ready to go yet. Daisy was waiting for me in the kitchen. She had her dress on, and even did a bit of makeup. She looked absolutely stunning. Unfortunately she didn’t feel the same about me.
“Isn’t that button up extremely old?” Daisy pointed on. “You are not seriously wearing that are you?”
“It’s all I got.” I shrugged.
“Hm. Maybe you can borrow something of Dad’s?” Daisy suggested. “Cuz’ not to be rude, but that looks awful.”
“Thanks.” I joked. “I’ll go ask him, one sec.”
I went and found Dad outside getting some work done in the yard. I was really hoping he would let me borrow something because I didn’t want to look like trash beside Daisy on her special night.
“Hey Dad?” I went up to him. “You wouldn’t happen to have a nice button up I could borrow would you?”
“Uh, I might.” Dad replied. “Why?”
“This is the only one I got.” I said while pointing at the one I was wearing.
“Oh, pft.” He chuckled. “That is quite old huh?”
“Yea, it is.”
“Give me a minute and I’ll go see what I got.”
“Thanks.”
Thankfully, Dad had something nice I could borrow for the night, so I didn’t end up going to the dance looking like trash. Mum was the one to drive us, and man did she ever look proud of Daisy. I secretly envied how proud Mum was of Daisy for graduating. Unfortunately Daisy could tell.
“You’re upset aren’t you?” She asked as we headed inside the building where the prom dance was being held. “About Mum treating me differently?”
“A bit.” I admitted.
“I really wish she wouldn’t.” Daisy sighed. “It’s not fair on you at all. She could’ve at least shown up to your graduation.”
“Oh well.” I sighed. “It is what it is.”
“Just know I’m always proud of you.” Daisy smiled. “Always.”
“Thanks.” I smiled back.
Prom night was really fun. Daisy and I spent the night dancing and talking to others. Daisy was very social and liked being around people. I liked being around people but only to a certain extent. People tired me out a lot. Thankfully, Daisy noticed I was getting tired and called it a night. She called up Mum and had her come and get us. Once we got home, both of us hit the bed and knocked out.
As for her graduation, it went a lot better than mine did. The family was there to watch the ceremony and we all celebrated afterwards as well. Mum went out and got an ice cream cake and we all had a big bonfire party. We even brought out sparklers and made smores. Daisy was a bit upset about them throwing such a big party for her, but ignoring my graduation as a whole. Mum refused to listen though. So Daisy made it so that both her and I would be celebrating as if we both just graduated. It was a bit silly, seeing as I graduated 2 years ago, but she insisted on it.
--
Daisy only stayed for a couple weeks after graduating before she moved out to her apartment. She got herself a summer job to support herself, while Mum and Dad were keeping her schooling funded for September. She was super excited to be able to live on her own and start being more independent.
“Well!” Daisy smiled as she set down the last box of stuff in the living room of her apartment. “That’s everything, yea?”
“Yep.” Mum smiled. “Do you need help unpacking?”
“No, I’ll be ok.” Daisy said. “It’ll give me something to do.”
“Alright then. So I suppose I should head out and let you get to that?”
“Sounds good to me.”
“Kicking us out so soon?” Dad chuckled.
“Yes I am.” Daisy laughed. “Lemme have my space already.”
Mum and Dad laughed. It seemed like such a proud moment for them to see Daisy moving out and finding her place in this world. I was happy for her, but I couldn’t deny how much I envied her. I wanted to be in her positions so badly. Being able to move out and be independent seemed like such a luxury. But that’s just how it was. I would just have to wait.
“Take care of yourself dear.” Mum and Dad were giving Daisy a hug. “Make sure to visit and call us, ok?”
“Mummm!” Daisy whined. “You’re treating it like I’m moving to the UK or something!”
“I worry!”
“Alright, alright. I’ll call.” Daisy smiled. “And visit. Just don’t worry too much.”
“Deal.” Mum laughed. “Alrighty, we better go.”
Mum and Dad started leaving just as I gave Daisy a hug goodbye.
“Come on Kevin.” Mum said. “Let’s go.”
I sighed. “I’m going-”
“Oh! Actually! Would you mind if he stays?” Daisy asked suddenly.
“Uh, what for?” Mum asked suspiciously.
“I just wanna hang out with my big brother!” Daisy said. “Nothing wrong with that right?”
“I suppose.” Mum didn’t look too happy about it, but she let me stay. Daisy promised she would drive me back before a certain time that night, and finally Mum and Dad left.
“Mind helping me get some boxes open?” Daisy asked as she started cracking boxes open. “I wanna get everything set up as quickly as possible.”
“Sure, no problem.” I knelt down and started cracking open the boxes. “Any reason why you wanted me to stay?”
“I figured you didn’t want to go back home.” Daisy sighed. “This is probably hard on you, huh?”
“It’s fine. Just wish I could have moved out when I graduated.”
“I know. I wish you could move out with me but I guess Mum is staying firm on not letting that happen huh?”
“Yea. I guess waiting two more years won’t be too bad.” I said. “Mum seems to have calmed down a lot. I’m not getting yelled at as often anymore.”
“Hopefully she stays that way.” Daisy sighed. “I have a feeling she’ll start going back to her old ways without me there. I won’t be able to stop her like I used to.”
“I hope that doesn’t happen. I don’t know how I’ll handle that alone.”
“You’re not alone.” Daisy looked up at me. “If you ever need a place to go so you can get away for a bit, you’re welcome to come to my place. Always. Even if I’m not home. Once I get a spare key, I’ll be giving it to you so you can get in.”
“Thanks Daisy.” I knew I would be spending a lot of time at Daisy’s. Especially if Mum started getting mean again. “You’re my favorite sister.”
“I’m your only sister, Kevin.” Daisy laughed. “Anywho! Let’s get this stuff put away!”
We spent a couple hours setting everything up. Once we finished, it was time for me to go back home. Daisy drove me home, and we said goodbye to each other before I faced going into the house alone for the first time.
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