Miguel and I went on our baseball date two days ago. Thankfully the Dodgers won by a single run, but a win is a win. My family flew in yesterday, and I practically cried seeing Kenny. This is Kenny's first time in California, and I want to make it as memorable as I can for her. So, later on tonight Miguel and I are going to take her to Golf-N-Stuff. As for now, we're walking around the mall just to kill time until Miguel tells me he's ready for us.
"See anything you like?" I asked Kenny, as she was scanning through the shirts. "No," She frowned, "Not really." I then looked around the store, to see if I could perhaps find something that'd catch her attention. Of course, I did. "Hey," I smiled, "How about we go look at some makeup?" Her face immediately lit up, "Oh my gosh, yes!" "Let's go!" I grabbed her hand in mine, and we made our way to Ulta Beauty; which was only across the way.
She adores eyeshadow, so those were going to be the first things we will look at. On an aisle in the front left of the corner, is where they had their newest eyeshadow pallets displayed. "Check out this one!" I handed over a pallet with a very vibrant variety of colors within it. "I love this one! It kind of reminds me of my unicorn one you got me." She smiled. "Oh yeah," I scoffed as the memory came back, "I forgot about that one." "It was so much better than the creepy doll mom bought me!" She laughed. "Yeah, that thing was a tad creepy." I joined in on her laughing.
We then continued looking through the eyeshadows and even made our way to lipsticks. Then I had received a message from my mom asking if I'd seen Kenny. I had told her that I have her, and we're in Ulta Beauty. Immediately her voice boomed, "Kendall? Kendall, where are you?" "We're over here." Kendall replied, as she peaked her head around the aisle. She then marched up to us, the sound of her heels clinking against the ground.
"Mom, I'm sorry that we worried you. I just—" "Lola, how could you?! What if something could have happened to her?!" She then crouched over to Kenny, examining her, "Baby, are you okay?!" "I'm fine, mom." "What? Mom, I'd never let anything happen to her! She's always safe with me, you know that." I defended. "How do I know that?" She immediately questioned. I sharply inhaled at her question, "Mom." "Well," She continued, "How do I? How do I know you're not trying to harm her?" My dad then approached us. "Dad," I looked to him, "Do you hear her?" He shrugged, "I didn't. I don't care to know what happened either, let's just go grab a bite, okay?" He then grabbed my mom and Kenny up to guide them out of the store.
I stood there so hurt. I was internally speechless. I should be used to this by now, but it still hurts me for whatever reason. Some days more than others, and today is one of those days it's killing me. I haven't seen Kenny in months, and I just wanted one moment with her. But, that's too much to ask for I suppose. I still had the items in hand, the ones that she liked. It was two pink lipsticks, one slightly darker than the other, and the vibrant eyeshadow palette. I sucked it all up, and decided to buy these for Kenny because she was completely gaga over them!
We were at my aunt's, finally, and Kenny has offered to do my makeup for the night. I couldn't deny her the pleasure, since I am the one who bought her the items. She was currently finishing up my eyeshadow, then there was a knock on the door. "I'll get it!" My aunt announced. I then heard the door open, followed with, "Miguel, hi!" "Hello, Mrs.Moskowitz." He greeted back. "Your girlfriend is currently getting her makeup done." She giggled. "Girlfriend?" My mom questioned, "Who's his girlfriend here?" "Miguel," I called without looking at him, "I thought you were going to text when you were outside? I wasn't expecting you to come in."
"I've been texting," He answered, "But now I see that you're at the spa and that's why you didn't reply." He chuckled. "Oh," My mom chimed, "You're dating Lola, hm?" "Yes, ma'am. I am, and you are?" "Christy." She answered. I mentally rolled my eyes, "She's my mom." "Oh, okay. Well, hello I'm Miguel," He introduced, "And I'm your daughter's boyfriend." "Oh, Lola scored herself a boyfriend, huh?" I heard my dad bud into the conversation. "Yeah," My mom replied, "He's the one who—" "Okay, Miguel we're ready!" I cut her off. I have no idea what she's about to say, and there's no way I'm about to stay long enough to let Miguel find out. I don't want her to release her poison into him so early.
"Okay, yeah let's go then." He stated awkwardly. I then faced him and he seen my makeup for the first time, before even I could. "Wow, you look great!" He tried not to laugh. "Sissy bought me new makeup, and she let me do hers." Kenny smiled. "It looks better than the way she actually does makeup." My mom retorted. I just took in a deep breath and ignored her, "Let's go have fun now." "Yeah, let's go Pinky Winky." Miguel teased. I rolled my eyes at his oh-so-funny nickname, "Hilarious." "Let's go have fun!" Kenny grabbed Miguel's hand and practically dragged him out of the door.
We were now in the car, and I decided I wanted to drive. Driving helps me clear my head. "Hey," Miguel softly spoke, "Are you okay?" I inhaled then exhaled a deep breath, "I'll be alright." "You know you can tell me anything, right?" "I know," I answered honestly, "I just don't really want to talk about it." "My mom is really mean to her. She was being mean to her all day today, and my dad kind of was too. They always do that to her." Kenny explained. I then eyed her through the rearview mirror, "Thanks, Kenny." "What did I do?" She innocently asked. I just shook my head, then locked my eyes on the road again.
"What was your mom doing?" He questioned. "It doesn't matter." I replied. "Sissy took me to the makeup store without telling my mom, then my mom got super mad at her and said that I'm not safe with her." Kenny, once again, explained. I then eyed her once again through the rearview mirror. "And your guys' dad?" He asked her. "My dad just ignored it and had me and my mom walk away with him." She answered. I rolled my eyes and shook my head at her cooperation. "Wow, she opens up more than you." Miguel commented. "She's a kid," I retorted, "Kids say too much all the time."
"Brielle, I just want you to open up to me more." He softly noted. I sighed, "I know... I know you do. I promised you I'd open up and I intend on keeping that promise." "When?" He questioned. "Not tonight. Tonight's about Kenny, and I'm not going to remember this in a negative way." I replied. "Okay," He nodded his head, "I respect that."
We had just finally arrived to Golf-N-Stuff, and we started off with a few holes of mini-golf. I could lie and say we let her win, but that little girl was a natural. She definitely had the two of us beat. We then went go karting and I assumed the three of us were going in separate karts, but no. Kenny swore she needed to go in a double seater with Miguel, because she 'doesn't' know how to drive a kart. Though I tried to argue different, she stubbornly insisted she should ride with him. It was a two against one verdict, Miguel took her side of course.
"Are you having fun so far?" I asked her. "Oh, yeah," She answered, "I want to play Miggy in air hockey!" "Miggy?" "Yeah, she's Kenny and I'm Miggy." Miguel smiled. "Wow," I raised my brows, "Nickname base already, huh? Seems you two are getting along just swell." "Definitely!" Kenny laughed. "Yeah," Miguel chuckled, "We're definitely getting along great." "Well I guess it helps that you have the mind of a child." I teased. His jaw dropped, "Wow!" "I'm kidding." I laughed. "Sure you are, Pinky." He smirked in amusement. I had completely forgotten I was wearing makeup done by a nine year old. "I look good." I laughed, flipping my hair. "You always do." He smiled, planting a kiss on my forehead.
"You guys are so cute!" Kenny awed. "Thanks," I giggled, "Let's play some games at the arcade now, yeah?" She immediately grabbed both mine and Miguel's hand, "Let's go, let's go!" "Okay, okay!" The three of us then scurried our way to whatever game she chose to drag us to first.
We literally played every game in the arcade, and we even took pictures at the photo booth. Watching the way Miguel and Kenny immediately connect, has been the most sweetest thing. They both mean so much to me and Kenny taking a liking to him was something I was kind of nervous about. But now I see, there's nothing for me to fear. We were walking back to the car to pick up something to eat, and Miguel had Kenny on his shoulders. "Are you hungry?" He asked Kenny. "Yes," She replied, "I want a hamburger!" That caused the both of us to laugh. "Do you want In-and-Out?" I asked. "Yes, yes!" She beamed. "Okay, it's on the way to the house. So we can take a trip there." I smiled.
Ring! I quickly pulled my phone from my back pocket, and rolled my eyes at the name spread across the screen. "Who is it?" Miguel questioned. "My mom." I replied. "Uh, oh!" Kenny sighed. I then slid my finger across the screen and answered, "H—" "Where are you guys?" "We just finished, we're about to eat." I replied. "No," She retorted, "Bring her back!" "Why? She's hungry?" I asked. "She's been with you and that stranger boy long enough!" "He's not a stranger, he's my—" "I don't care what he is to you. You're lucky your father even convinced me to let her go with you alone." She growled. "But mom." "But mom, nothing! I'm done talking about this, bring her back now." Before I could say anything, the phone disconnected.
"Are you okay, sissy?" She asked. I took in a deep breath to take control of my nerves, "I'm okay. Everything's okay. Mom said she wants to take you somewhere special for dinner, is that okay?" "No! I want to eat with you and Miggy!" She whined. "I know, I know," I sighed, "But we don't want to make mom mad, right?" "Right..." She replied saddened. "Okay, so we have to do what she says." I gave a small smile, to reassure her. "Hey," Miguel tapped her calve, "We'll take you out for a burger soon, right, Pinky?" I shook my head at the nickname, "Yes, that's a promise." "Tomorrow?" She asked. "Maybe," I shrugged, "If Miguel isn't busy with karate or anything."
"Well actually, we're having our first session tomorrow." He noted. "In your oh-so-cool-dojo?" I teased. "Yup," He chuckled, "Nothing like fresh air hitting some sweaty skin." "Gross!" Kenny cringed. "Oh, yeah?" Miguel smirked. He then grabbed her into his arms and started tickling her. I don't know who was laughing more, her or him. I just smiled at the sweet sight, then we approached the car and all buckled up. This time Miguel was the one driving.
We had finally arrived at my aunt's, and honestly I was not looking forward to seeing my mother's reaction when she gets Kenny in her arms. Before I could even help Kenny from the car, out came my mom busting through the door. "Kendall!" "Hi, mom." She smiled. My mom immediately embraced her into her arms, "Are you okay, hun? Did everything go okay?" "It was fun, mom! I wish I could eat In-and-Out with them." She pouted. I then shot her a look, reminding her not to upset our mom. "But I know you have a nice dinner place for me waiting." She added. My mom looked totally confused then decided to roll with it, "Right, yes! I do. So, let's go do that now."
I just stood there, feeling so out of place. At least she didn't chew me out for whatever reason her crazy ass could come up with. "I just wanted to say thank you, ma'am, for allowing me to take Kenny out." Miguel smiled. She then looked him up and down, "Oh, Lola has you calling her that ridiculous name too?" Miguel and I just stood there awkwardly, both scared to say anything. "Don't mention it." She added replying to his previous statement, offering a clearly fake smile. He then smiled back awkwardly, and she turned on her heels to make her way back inside. Kenny, however; stayed behind. "I don't want to go with them." She whined. Before I could speak, my mom exclaimed, "Kendall! Come here, baby!" She must have a sixth sense of knowing when I'm going to speak or something, because she seems to always talk when I'm about to.
"Just go, Kenny. I'll see you when you get back." I smiled. "Okay," She frowned, "I'll see you soon too, Miggy?" "Of course! Nobody can break up Miggy, Kenny, and Pinky." He smiled. She then started laughing, "Right." She then made her way inside also. "My mom's probably going to call my dad, so they can eat." I noted. "Are you okay?" He asked. I let out a deep breath, "I'm fine." "Are you sure?" "Can we just go somewhere?" "Anywhere." He answered.
We had found this little hill where you can see the city lights. It was honestly so beautiful and peaceful to be here, sure the hike was somewhat a pain in the ass, but it was worth every step. "The view's beautiful, isn't it?" I smiled. "Yeah, it is." He agreed. "I've always found these views beautiful. And the way you're away from everything," I closed my eyes to soak it all in, "The silence, it's peaceful." I then opened my eyes, and turned my head and met his. "You think that's weird, don't you?" I asked. He shook his head smiling, "No. I like it." "When your world is full of chaos, sometimes the silence of isolation is peaceful within itself. But it's also something easily taken for granted." I pursed my lips together.
He immediately looked at me intrigued, desperately wanting to know what on earth could I possibly be getting at. And he deserves that, he deserves the explanation. He deserves to know me, all of me. "My mom wasn't always the crazy woman she is today," I began to explain, "Before Kenny was born she was amazing, and so was my dad. They were almost like your stereotypical movie-like amazing parents. They never raised their voices to me, they laid a finger on me, when I'd get into trouble they'd just sit me down and we'd have a rational discussion about it. I was able to come to them for anything and everything. I remember every Tuesday and Friday were family days, and we'd do whatever we could come up with. Whether it was spending time at a park, or going out, or us making dinner together, or whatever it may be; we did it. For as long as I could remember we did it."
"That sounds amazing." Miguel cooed. I nodded my head, "It was. My dad used to coach my basketball team, so we'd spend even more time together. My mom was my biggest cheerleader, and the loudest mom in the stands. Up until I was seven, my life was perfect. Then my mom got pregnant with Kenny and everything just changed." "She became who she is today?" "Yeah," I replied, "She was weirdly protective and I was excited to be a big sister, y'know? But she never let me around her, she would never leave her side. Then there was one time she left her alone in the bed, Kenny was about six months and she was already figuring out how to crawl. So I quickly made my way into the room, just to see her for a second, and Kenny was rolling around when I walked in. She had made her way to the edge of the bed, and she had rolled off. I ran to catch her, but I wasn't fast enough. She fell and I grabbed her up, trying to calm her down. My mom stormed in and never even let me explain, she just yelled at me."
"I'm so sorry, Brielle." Miguel frowned. I just shrugged, "I'll never forget that day. My dad then stood up for me, explaining that I'm just a kid. But that just caused a huge fight between him and my mom. Then after that, my dad just stopped getting involved. He never wanted to argue with my mom, so he just brushes everything off and just tries to get my mom to walk away from the situation. So now I have a psychotic mom, a distant dad, and an asshole of a cousin." "That's so awful!" "It's just life. After my mom really never trusted me with Kenny after that, Eli started getting close with me. On top of that him and I were getting bullied, so we had that to relate to. We were each other's safe place, we became siblings. We talked every single day, and visited every school break and summer. Then, y'know, he turned into a dick." I sighed.
"Yeah, we all know what happens after that," He shook his head, "But I never knew you gotten bullied before." "Yeah," I sighed, "Once things started getting weird at home I just started distancing myself from people at school. I'm from a small town and everyone has their own cliques, and I never became apart of one. So I was seen as the outcast— the weirdo, if you will. I started getting called freak, people made posts about me online, and yeah. I hate that school. Some kids at the shitty small public school I go to found out that Kenny goes to some preppy private school, and started picking on me about my parents not loving me." I gave a dry chuckle. "Brielle, that's literally so fucked up and makes my blood boil!" He clenched his jaw.
I shook my head, "No, it's whatever honestly." "No," He began to rebuttal, "It's not! You're such an amazing person, and I'm not just saying that because I'm your boyfriend. You're sweet hearted, treat everyone fairly, see the good in people, funny, and just an all around amazing person. I hate that you get treated like shit everywhere you go!" "Miguel," I grabbed his hands, "Calm down. I know it sucks, but don't work yourself up too much, please?" He took in a deep breath and spoke in a calmer tone, "I just can't understand why anyone would do such horrible things to you." "That's something neither one of us have the answer to." I stated honestly.