Knock Knock* "CJ? Are you ready?" Daddy called behind my bedroom door. "Just a minute!" I yelled while scrambling to put on my clothes. "Ok see you outside." He said.
I rushed into the dining room, hanging up my backpack on the chair. Daddy set the plate in front of me. Pancakes and eggs with toast and bacon. I looked at it and hesitated. "D-Daddy- you never made this since-" I muttered. "I know." He whispered heavily.
>> Flashback
I stand up and hug mommy as she lifts me up. She rubs her nose on mine as we walk out of the dresser and into the dining room. Daddy puts the three plates of food on the table. Pancakes, and eggs with toast and bacon. Even as I look into mommy's brown and blue eyes the Sunday sunrise echoes unto her face. Her small nose and pink cheeks that hold dimples. I gently put my hand unto her cheek. "You're really pretty." I giggle.
>>
I picked up the knife and the fork and I ate. It tasted delicious, just like back then. I hid that my hands were trembling, because it's been almost a year. "I need to be a big girl now." I thought to myself confidently.
"CC, the boys are acting really strange aren't they." Izzy said to me. "Yeah, boys are weird but this is even stranger than usual." I replied. "Well they are boys." Isabel giggled, covering her mouth. I laughed. "Some of them aren't that bad." She continued. "Jeremy hasn't changed, he's always in his seat reading a book." She pointed. "Oh I didn't even realize, it seems like you've been watching Jeremy a lot." I smirked. "W-what!? No!" She waved her hands and blushed. She laid her chin down unto her hand on the desk, then she looked over at him. I saw a scar on her lower neck inside of her clothes. I looked away, because I shouldn't have looked. "Tommy, James and Luke don't seem to be involved with the boys' games either. " She turned back at me. "Ohh, okay. " I said. Then the bell rang to end the break.
At lunchtime we ate together and after school my daddy and Isabel's dad talked and seemed to get along. "CJ, let's go to Isabel's house." Daddy smiled, holding out his hand to me. "Yay!" I jumped and took his hand as we walked out into the parking lot. He opened the door and took me up by the waist and put me up into the truck. We followed their car to their house. As daddy took me out I looked down into his emerald eyes and I smiled. The house was beautiful, it was much smaller than ours, but it looked lovely. Izzy held my hand as we walked up the porch and into the house. Daddy followed close behind holding our backpacks. We greeted her mother, she was sitting on the sofa, then we went upstairs into her room. It seemed like Isabel was more excited about it than me. I laughed as we climbed up the stairs. When we opened the door there the puppy was. We rushed to pet and play with it. It was white, and it had a blue collar. "We should see if it's a boy or a girl." I said as it licked Izzy's face. "W- wait. Stop." She laughed. The puppy ran into the corner of the room and whimpered. Knock Knock Knock* "Girls, may I come in?" Isabel's dad asked. "Yes dad." Izzy replied. "Hello, my name is Hobbinson, but you can just call me Mr. Hobbs." He kindly introduced himself to me. "Nice to meet you Mr. Hobbs." I politely replied. He was a fat man, but he seemed very strong. He wore suspenders and a checked shirt. He went to Isabel next to me and kissed her forehead. When he did, Isabel flinched. Perhaps it's her shyness, she probably doesn't like to be kissed. "There are snacks downstairs, where we'll be watching the game." He said. "Okay." We both replied, as he closed the door. "Come here boy." I tapped my lap calling the dog. The puppy ran and leaped onto me, licking my face as I laughed. "CJ?" Isabel called. "I don't want to check if it's a boy or a girl." She confessed. I sat up in concern and the puppy did as well. "Why? Is something wrong?" I asked. "Well it's just… What if it's a boy?" She blushed while looking at the floor. "I've never seen it before." She covered her face. I laughed "It's just a dog!" I said. "It's uncomfortable to think about, ok!?" She raised her voice. I stopped… "Well… ok, we won't check." I whispered. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." She apologized profusely, then held my hand. "Apology accepted." I whispered. Suddenly the door behind me opened and I heard her mother’s voice. "I brought snacks!" She sang. Izzy squeezed my hand, just a little tighter. "Thank you mom." Isabel said, as her mother put the dish of snacks and sweets onto the table. "Let's have a tea party!" I excitedly yelled. "Yay tea party!" Her mother’s British accent showed. "My name is Michelle. You're quite an adorable young lady, CJ." She complimented me.
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At sunset Izzy and her mother began talking about having a bath together. "CJ, Would you like to have a bath with us before you leave?" Mrs. Michelle asked me. I felt uncomfortable, the only person who has seen me is my parents. "Umm… I- Im not sure, let me ask daddy." I replied, walking out of the room. Daddy had on a football T-shirt and cap when I saw him standing next to the couch. He was yelling in excitement about the game and talking with Mr. Hobbs. I hurried down the stairs as Isabel and her mother were close behind me. I rushed to daddy and hid behind him. "CJ? What's wrong?" He whispered as his entire demeanor changed. "We were wondering if it would be ok to take a bath together, just us girls." Mrs. Michelle stated. "Oh, no that's ok. CJ isn't comfortable with it." Daddy said politely. "Oh that's fine, we hope you get home safely then." She said, then she looked at Isabel. "Go give CJ a hug goodbye." She gently said. Izzy hugged me and we left. At home in the shower I wondered how I would feel bathing with other girls. I wondered.