“I see.” A long pause. “Asher doesn’t let many people tag along.”
“He didn’t just tag along,” I huffed. “He demanded. Because he’s a nuisance.”
“What’s that?” Lucky asked, shoving her way to my side once again. Then, because I could, I picked her up, and she clung to me like a koala bear.
“Someone who drives me nuts.”
“Oh....Like my sister then.”
“Amilia is gonna be like that. She’s a teenager now.” Thirteen, I think. But I wasn’t sure. She and I hadn’t really gotten along all that well. It probably had something to do with the fact I wasn’t the friendliest person when we first met, and by then, she already had her opinion made up of me.
Something I was used to, unfortunately.
“How many siblings do you got?” Beckett asked, curious.
“Two,” Lucy answered easily. “But don’t tell Amilia I’m the favorite.”
“Your secret’s safe with me. Promise.”
I couldn’t help but snort at that.
“Alright, I’m going to go visit Zee before all the food is ready.”
“Alright,” Lucy sighed like it was the end of the world. “I’ll keep your nuisance busy, then.”
“You be sure to do that,” I laughed, knowing she would. I sat her down and made sure her feet were on the solid floor before releasing my hold fully.
“Okay, come along now.” She didn’t bat an eye, grabbing Beckett’s hand and leading him away. When he turned to look at me, his eyes gave away his helplessness, but also something else I couldn’t name.
I waved my fingers, a smile on my lips. I never said I played nice with others. Beckett would learn the hard way.
“As your parent,” Scarlett started because she was the only parent I’d ever have, “I shouldn’t ask what that was all about. But the psychiatrist part says I should.”
I think that was a bit backward. The parent part should always ask about their kids, no matter how old they are.
After a deep breath, I spoke. “He’s Noah’s...something. I don’t know why that man gets on my nerves the way he does. It’s just....him, I think. He’s great for Noah though.”
“Is he good for you?”
“He hasn’t touched me if that’s what you’re asking. We barely talk.” I answered too quickly, giving away my true feelings on that.
It was not fair to have Scarlett as whatever she was to me. She was much more than a foster parent, that was for sure.
“The best thing to do is don’t lie to yourself.”
“I’m going...” I pointed towards the area where the stairs were, then promptly left before she could question me any more about things that were out of my control, and out of my thought process.
Beckett and I were nothing. Mere strangers that were only brought together by my best friend.
At the top of the stairs, I walked to my old room. I knocked twice on the door before pushing it open and waited for Zee to look up from his video game.
Not much had changed since I had last been here. The bed was still right under the window. The same window I spent many sleepless nights looking out. Only now, it had a dark red blanket over the top, since I had taken the gray one. Which I still use on my own bed now.
It didn’t take long for Zee to look up, eyes widening with what happened. “Ash.”
“Hey, you. Can I come in?”
“You don’t have to ask that,” he spoke quietly, barely more than a whisper.
