growth

11

     "Yeah, and we're your brothers. I don't know who this kid is, but you better stop putting x's to him." Xander tells her.

     "Or what?" Amalia challenges.

     "Or I'll lock you in your room and feed you Petal." Xander retorts.

     Amalia gasps. Cole snorts a laugh. Then my daughter yanks her phone from her older brothers grasp and blows a raspberry at him. "I'm gonna go put x's to every boy I know now, you monster!" Her unicorn slippers pad softly on the floor as she reaches down to grab Petal, sending her brother one last glare before stomping out of the room.

     "Try it!" Xander shouts after her.

I sigh.

• AMALIA •

OLLIE💗💗💖💖🙂🙂🥰🥰🤭🤭: U coming to dance tomorrow?

ME: Yes my brother is taking me.

     OLLIE: Okay good.

     I smile. Does that mean he's happy I'm going?

     Gracie messages me at the same time, and I click on her notification.

     GRACIE💋🤍💗: I have a crush on Ollie.

     My heart sinks.

     ME: ??

     GRACIE💋🤍💗: I think he likes me back too.

     ME: Why do u think that?

     GRACIE💋🤍💗: Because he's always trying to talk to me.

     ME: I liked Ollie.

     GRACIE💋🤍💗: Oh.

     GRACIE💋🤍💗: That's cute Amalia, but I think he'd like me. You're not really his type.

     GRACIE💋🤍💗: Sorry.

     ME: What's his TYPE?

     GRACIE💋🤍💗: He likes... errr like more pretty girls. Ur pretty too but more cute. Like a child. I'm growing up faster so he'll like me.

     I frown and turn my phone off.

     Maybe Gracie is right; Ollie wouldn't like me.

• ELIJAH •

When I walk into the living room, Amalia is sitting on the couch, arms crossed with her eyes pinned to the floor.

     "Hi, angel. You okay?" I ask, ruffling her hair as I walk past her.

     She nods.

     I furrow my eyebrows. "No you're not. What's the matter?"

     "Nothing." She replies quickly, but the sad pout on her lips contradicts her words.

     "Amalia." I say.

     "Nothing." She repeats.

     "I know when you're upset, Lia. Tell me." I reply.

     She clenches her little fists in anger. "I don't always want to talk about everything."

     "But sometimes it helps." I attempt to convince her.

     "Well it won't." She says.

     "Angel—"

     "Leave it alone, Elijah." She whispers.

     I look at her for a moment before signing and nodding. "Fine."

     She returns my gaze, then glances away.