Invisible String - Jake Kiszka

Dangling There, Golden And Fair

He leaned down close to her, resting his elbows by either shoulder and gently holding her head. Her eyes fluttered open as he brushed her cheeks with his thumbs. 

"Get away from me weirdo." She whispered.

"No."

"You're so mean." She told him when he refused to move.

"You're the one doing all the name calling, miss girl." She rolled her eyes and closed them again, resting her face in the palm of one of his hands.

"I do love you, Gigi." He said. "I'm really sorry about the school thing, you know I am. I miss you just as much. Maybe even more."

Josh knew how hard that year had been for her. At the end of her 7th grade year was when she finally realized that her and the twins wouldn't be in the same building anymore. He watched her cry. For days. And everyday after school for a month and a half. She didn't really cry about it anymore, he just figured she ran out of tears for the time being.

"I do miss you. Even though I see your stupid face everyday." She giggled at him. "But it's not enough."

Josh groaned at her. "Why can't you be nice to me??"

"I'm so nice to you all the time, Joshua." Sarcasm clear in her voice as she smirked up at him.

"No you aren't."

"Are too."

"Are not."

"Are too."

"Fine." He relented. "Get up."

He backed his way off the bed and she propped herself up on her elbows.

"Where are you going?" She watched him as he picked up his shirt off the floor and turned it right side out.

"Home?" He laughed at her. "I gotta go get ready for school, remember?"

"Ugh." She leaned backwards off her bed and held her feet in the air so she was completely upside down.

"You have to get ready too." He told her, slipping his shirt back on. "The bus will be here in thirty."

"Yeah, yeah." She kicked her feet over her head and they landed on the floor. A rush went to her head from standing up too fast, so she gripped Josh's arm when she wobbled a bit.

"You good?" He asked smiling down at her. She nodded in response and walked over to her closet, opening the doors. Reaching in, she pulled out a white t-shirt and pair of blue-green floral overalls and threw them both on her bed.

"You're coming to dinner tonight, right?" Josh asked her.

"Can't." She shrugged. "Turn around." Josh spun on his heel and faced the door, giving her privacy to get dressed. "I've got late rehearsals tonight." She told him as she peeled off her pajama shorts and oversized t-shirt.

"How late do they go?"

"I won't be done until ten."

"Can I come watch you then?" He asked.

"If you can get out of dinner, then sure, I don't see why not." Gigi pulled up the overalls and admired the soft fabric of the wide legs. "You can turn back around."

"I like those." He said pointing to her overalls. He walked over to her closet and pulled down her Birkenstocks for her. They turned to the door when they heard a knock behind it. The door opened and Marjorie peaked her head inside.

"Good morning, you two." She said with a wide smile on her face. "I was just making sure you were awake."

"We are." Gigi grinned at her mom. "But no thanks to Josh..."