Well, she does make very cute babies.
Phew. Crisis averted.
Eventually, I’m going to put my foot in my mouth messaging her. But thankfully, I haven’t royally screwed up on day one. Idowant the girl to like me, after all. It’s been a while since I’ve made a new friend, and I know it’s been even longer for her. There’s bound to be some awkwardness in our future, but I plan to avoid it for as long as humanly possible.
Matteo
She does indeed! I think she’s going to end up like my father and make herself a whole basketball team with that brother of yours. I envy that you’ve never had to see them making their disgusting googly eyes at each other or the way they flirt.
Matteo
Seriously, I just shivered thinking about it.
Not even an exaggeration.
I feel like I need to rinse my eyes out with soap, just thinking about the horrible things I’ve seen in this house. This house is a fortress of safety, love, and protection. But it’s also a prison where I walk into the kitchen to find my little sister with flushed cheeks and bruised lips.
Ugh, gag me.
Anya
That does sound awkward.
Matteo
You have no idea. Let me think of how to change this topic. Why did my brain go there?
Anya
Someone told me once that 80% of our thoughts are negative and 95% are repetitive. We think about things that we don’t want to think about all the time.
Matteo
Umm, okay, Ms. Insightful. That’s actually wild. I don’t think I’ve ever heard that before.
Matteo
I told you that you were smart.
“Dad, Matteo’s been taken over by some kind of entity that makes him ignore food in favor of his phone. I think we need to take him to the hospital.” Jade’s tone is entirely too serious.
I look up to find our father has joined us, having scooped up baby Isobella and now sitting next to Jade.
Deciding to mimic her, I let out an exaggerated sigh. “Dad, Jade is being nosey and won’t leave me alone to text in peace.”
“Textwho?” Jade asks again.
“My friend,” I reply with a huff, secretly finding her frustration amusing. Jade is one of the most sweet, levelheaded people I’ve ever met. Riling her up is rare, and any time it happens, I swear she looks like a little pissed off cartoon fairy princess.
“Matteo, I will tackle you.”
“Not in front of the kids you won’t.”
“You little?—”
“It’s Anya,” I finally say, cutting off what would likely be a censored curse.
Jade is shocked silent with only two words. It’s almost comedic, seeing her mouth open and close like a fish out of water as she struggles to find words.
