Prove It

Chapter III

"We'll have dinner when Dad comes home."

I don't answer, but I know she knows I heard her. I toss my bag onto my bed and walk to my bathroom from there. Sliding the glass door to the shower make sure the water is just right.

I sigh when the water hits my skin. After being so gross I always find great pleasure in taking a nice cool shower, just having all the grime and sweat wash down the drain.

Just when I come out of the shower I hear my mom calling from downstairs it's time to eat. And thank goodness for that.

I make my way to the dining room and sit down in my designated seat around the table right next to Emma. Holden has his spot at the end near my mom. She's the only one who can handle him spilling everything. I swear that kid is a bull in a china shop.

Like clockwork my dad walks into the dining room while looseining his tie. He comes up behind my mom and kisses her on the cheek, something they've done ever since I can remember. A lot of my friends find it strange that my parents are so touchy-feely with each other, but it's just normal for me. Don't get me wrong it can be embarrassing sometimes, especially when they kiss in public, but I guess I'll find it cute when they're old and wrinkly.

"So how was your first day back?" my mom asks the three of us.

"Fine" we all mumble at once and continue to stuff our faces with roasted chicken.

"Somebody give me something here"

"Well I went to class, then to lunch, then to class again, and the day was over" Emma explains in her signature monotone voice.

"Well at least tell me how that sweet boy of yours is doing" my mom says. It doesn't escape my attention that Emma starts to blush and my dad's face goes from neutral to a deep forehead wrinkle frown.

"You're still seeing him?" my dad asks sternly. I know dads are supposed to protect their little girls and whatnot, but Chris is such a gentleman I don't know why my dad doesn't like him.

"Yes, I'm still seeing Christopher, Dad. And he's doing fine" she answers, getting up from her seat. "And no, he will not be coming over any time soon. Not until Dad stops harrassing him". She pushes in her chair and leaves the room, her footsteps heard from where we sit.

"Tristan when will you give that poor boy a break? He's so nice" my mom chastises my dad who runs his hands down his face.

"You don't know what that boy wants from Emma, Elizabeth".

"Dad, they haven't even had their first kiss yet. What makes you think he wants sex?" I ask, catching both my mom and dad off guard.

"How do you know they haven't kissed" my mom asks at the same time my dad asks, "Why are you talking about sex?"

"Because she told me" I say, ignoring my dad's question. That is not something I want to be talking about with him in front of Holden. That's just not happening.

My dad repeats his question, but I'm in the kitchen by the time he finishes and ignore him again. I don't always ignore my dad, but when he's trying to talk about boys with me I am out of there.

My golden retriever, Charlie, follows me up the stairs and into my room. Even though I hate cleaning the fur off of everything later, he's just too adorable to say no to. I mean, how could you say no to a puppy?

"Oh Charlie you're so adorable!" I exclaim when he hops onto my bed. "You're just living the doggy dream, aren't you?"I ask in a high-pitch voice and scratch his soft ears.

"Amanda!" Holden's voice booms through the space as he barges into my room.

"What the hell do you want?"

"Charlie" he answers. "Julia's coming over and she loves dogs". He goes for his collar, but that's when Charlie goes for Holden's hand, snapping his teeth.

"Well clearly Charlie doesn't want you. Now get out of my room" I demand.

"Shut up. Charlie, come!" he commands. My little baby just tilts his head to the side and stays put on my pillows next to me.

"Just get out. Stop using Charlie to get girls" I say and push him out to the hall and close my door in his face.

"Why did I have to have a brother? I would have been perfectly satisfied with Emma" I explain to Charlie, who is now happily attacking one of his toys.

I jump onto my bed and rest my face on his side and pet his silky fur. "Everyone is just so annoying. Telling me I should date Marcus, who do they think they are?" By now Charlie is bored with the toy and sighs deeply.

"I just hate it. People just need to mind their own business" I rant when I hear a knock at my door.

"It's open" I call and my mom peeks her head into my room.

"Amanda, please help me get dad off my back about Chris" Emma pleads, flopping onto my bed. Charlie stirs from his position, but keeps put when she begins to stroke his ears.

"What am I supposed to do?" I ask. "He's not my boyfriend".

"I don't know. Just something. Lord knows he won't listen to me" she grumbles.

"Emma I don't know how I can fix this. It's not like he'll listen to me any more than he listens to you about this. I would just wait. He can only not stand this kid for so long" I say.

"You're no help, Amanda. And when you get a boyfriend and Dad's being a jerk about him, don't be counting on my help" she snaps and slams my door.

I look at Charlie, who is now at high alert from the slam. "On second thought, I would have been okay at Mom and Dad stopping at me".