03 | ℑ𝔫𝔳𝔦𝔱𝔢 -
SEPTEMBER 25TH, 1989
It was awfully quiet today, not a teen in sight bickering about the other or goofing off around the house bothered Gina to an extent.
From the beginning her children were always her biggest distraction, her main priority 一keeping her on her toes when she least expected it.
Now that the girls were off to school, Her loneliness was her biggest enemy. With the house being empty, the still quietness would seem peaceful to an outsider looking in. But to her it took a toll on her more than she had thought.
Thoughtfully, she thought it'd be nice to go back to her old job. Since the kids were finally in school and most importantly could take care of themselves. It would keep her mind off things and earn some money in her pockets
Consulting with the girls, she had made a decision to call her old boss in hopes to get her flowering job back. She would go back to being a nurse but figured it'd be too much and too soon. Time with her kids was still important.
Gina had walked towards the door slipping on her shoes carefully with her hand on the wall keeping her balanced. She looks up happily in time to see her daughters walk in with inviting laughter and smiling faces as they come and place their things at the door.
Rosalie was about to go upstairs when she spotted her mom dressed in her purple coat and non-slip shoes, coily curls in a bun, and face rid of makeup. "Mom, are you heading to work?" She takes her thin jacket off and places it on the coat rack before approaching her with a soft, loving hug. Her question perks the others to look at their mom.
"Yeah, they need an extra hand. It's getting crowded with customers at the moment." She goes over to do the same to Liberty and Penelope.
Penelope checks her watch, it was ticking past 3:30, "They couldn't get someone else to come in?" Penny scrunches her face, feeling her mother's lips press against her head sweetly as she grumbles, "It's movie night!"
"I know, I know." Sighed Gina, "But I'm the best at what i do which is why she asked me to come help. And it'll probably be only for an hour." All three of them gave each other looks and sigh in defeat. "Now, Cherish is upstairs studying for her upcoming exam. Please, please, please do not disturb her. Your father is still at work, food will be ready in an hour. In case I stay out a little later, Penny you're on dish duty, Liberty trash needs to be taken out and Rosa make sure everything is nice and tidy and be in bed by midnight, okay? I'll be back before you even know it." And with that she grabs her things and leaves out the door.
The house was pretty quiet whilst the girls did some homework before dinner time. Liberty rolls her neck and shoulders feeling pressure pop from beneath her bones, noticing how her muscles had been stiff for a while. She could feel her coily curls tickle around her shoulders and neck as she moved her head around slowly, careful not to make herself dizzy. Inhale, exhale the scent of vanilla from her burning incense on the side and hear the sound of music play lightly in the back sends her vocal cords to hum along, bobbing her head to the beat of the music.
with a single glance at the clock it was going on at 5:45. Pushing her glasses up on her nose and undoing the messy bun that held her curls from her face to then tease it back to its natural form. She was nearly done with her work, satisfied with what she did tonight.
Liberty closes her books and puts away her materials back into her bag to save the rest of her work for later. She acknowledges the yawn slipping from within her lips as she stretches her body out a bit before hurrying down the stairs to set up the table for dinner.
The sound of chattering voices filled the house, the kids gathering the food and setting it on the table along with plates and cutlery. Everyone sat at their seats holding hands while Liberty spoke a small prayer blessing the food before telling them to go ahead and serve themselves and Penny gladly went first.
"How was school, Lib?" Rosa asks. The warmth from the plate transcends through her hands, feeling goosebumps arise along her arms. If it was one thing she hated more was the feeling of being cold, all day it had been chiller than most, the sunny weather was replaced with clouds and cool winds with a few droplets here and there, unfortunately.
Liberty shrugs, "Pretty good, just like any other normal day. The usual boring mornings, constant annoying students and strict teachers." She rambles monotonously, "The one thing I will definitely miss is the silence. Normally I work well under a quiet atmosphere, this time around you hear every little thing in the classroom and it's kind of irritating. No one can just sit still or stop talking knowing that they're not supposed to." It had officially been two weeks since they attended Eden high and so far, Liberty was satisfied with what she was promised. Although she had to adjust to the new environment and learn the new system, she had gotten accustomed to so many students surrounding her every single second of the day, she didn't mind it, but because she was conditioned to do work alone in her lonesome, it was hard to work well with others.
"How about you?" Liberty inquires and Rosa nods in agreement, "I couldn't agree with you any less."
"I could!" Penelope remarks after stuffing her face with chicken. The twins have always known they were polar opposites but they also realize they have different tastes in friends. They got along with a few students at a time in some way shape or form, but for once they decided to separate themselves every other day during lunch to be able to have time with their friends and with each other, so far everything was working well. "So far everyone I've met has been pretty chill. I've even gotten invited to three parties, complimented multiple times for my outfits and have been recruited for the volleyball team."
"Volleyball?" Cherish quirks.
"volleyball? That's in season?" Rosa perks at the thought of her sister playing such a sport.
"Yeah, I think I might try out."
"I think you should too, I mean you're physically fit for it."
"How'd you get recruited anyways?"
"We were playing during gym class and Coach Mariah thought it'd be a good idea if i'd try out." Penelope was definitely the sporty type out of all them, didn't mind sweating and overworking herself to get in some type of shape.
"Well, are you?" Liberty asked.
"Sure thing." Penny answers.
"But wait, I thought basketball was your favorite?" Rosaline looks over her sister with a confused glare watching her stuff her mouth with food making her cheeks blow out like a chipmunk. "Wouldn't hurt to sign up for both."
"True..."
"Any cute boys?" Liberty eyes them suspiciously.
A shy Rosaline shrugs, "Maybe..."
Cheesy Penelope who then praises out loud, "Hell yeah!" claps her hands and begins going through her pocket and pulls out a few pieces of paper.
"Ooooh do tell!" Liberty gasps, reaching in the middle to look at each one.
"Well there's Carl, Tony, Jacob, King, James and a couple of others I can't remember."
"Are they all in your class?"
"Just about, yeah. What about you Rosa? You got that geeky guy's number yet?"
Rosa deadpans, "His name is August and yes," she admits, "but he isn't my type." Everyone's eyes glanced over at Rosa, finding her statement intriguing. "You got a type?" Penelope quirks.
"Well, yes, of course... everyone has a type, right?" Rosa freezes, her fork lowered on the plate to look at her sisters with knitted brows.
Penelope shrugs, "of course. I just didn't think you had a type."
"Well he's in my math class, part of the chess club with Nicholas, and plays soccer."
"Hmm, interesting."
"Then there was this guy named Maxwell but he wasn't all that interesting."
"Wait, you mean Maxwell Bell?" Liberty inquires.
"Yes..."
"He's short, black hair, tattoos, nose piercing and looks like a dope boy?
"Yes, why?"
"Rosa, that boy is a manwhore." Penelope snickers.
Rosa's mouth gaped open in shock, capturing a moment of silence to hear everyone start bursting out of laughter, "You're joking right?"
"Not at all!" Penelope shakes her head while she holds her stomach, feeling it ache from laughing so hard.
"Don't worry, Rosa." Liberty brushes off, standing to her feet for more yams, "You're not the only one who's liked a manwhore." She emphasized, catching Penelope deadpan at her, cutting off her laughter. "Hey, that was one time, alright? One time! And I told you to never mention it again."
"Oh well." Liberty carelessly shrugs .
The sound of creaking was heard from behind. "Could you girls be any louder?" An alto voice spoke with such drowsiness in her tone. Cherry had come down the stairs in a black sports bra and biker shorts with her hair disheveled and eyes hooded, a couple of dishes in her hands heading for the kitchen.
The girls froze at her presence, and how the mood suddenly switches. The horror on their faces at the sight of Cherish made them worried, "Damn, Cher. You look like shit." Penny observes taking a sip of her water.
"Wow, thanks Penelope," she draws out sarcastically, rolling her eyes as she turns towards the refrigerator to take out a pitcher of juice and pour herself some.
"Sorry, Cherry, I guess we were louder than we thought." Liberty apologized watching her sit down in one of the chairs.
She shrugs, "it's all good i needed to get out the room anyways. So, how's school going? I hear you girls talking about a manwhore?"
Liberty chuckled, "Oh, yeah, apparently Rosa likes a manwhore.
"Oh?" Cherish smiles a little.
Penny smirks, waving the piece of paper Rosa had taken out with his name and number scribbled on it. "His name is Maxwell Bell but she got a number from August Howard." She teasingly sings .
'No, I do not." countered Rosa, referring to Liberty's statement snatching the paperback from Penelope with a scowl.
Penelope argues, "the guy sleeps with any girl that willingly opens their legs for him."
"Ew, gross," A disgusted look comes onto Cherry's face as she settles the glass down on the table, feeling bad that Rosa had even met the guy. "Don't fall for it, Rosa. Boys like him tend to carry baggage."
"I know," She groans, "and I'm not going to, August seems much nicer anyway." She stands to her feet and walks into the kitchen to place her dirty dishes in the sink.
"Besides, you guys shouldnt be even worried about boys. Any new friends?" Cherish carefully observing them.
The question made Rose's face brighten up like a Christmas tree Immediately sharing who she's become acquainted with so far. Cherry couldn't help but to smile when she quickly described each person with such unique characteristics.
In a way, Cherry could hear the excitement in her voice explaining everything. All Cherry could do was listen and watch as her facial expressions became clear with interest, internally proud to know that Rosaline was stepping out of her shell for once.
The girls had finally finished up dinner when suddenly the phone rang from within the living room, catching Penelope at a perfect time. She held the phone tightly against her ear, hearing a Hispanic voice at the other end ask for Liberty. Immediately knowing who it was, Penny rests the phone to the side calling out for her sister. "Liberty! Marisol is on the phone!"
Liberty stands to her feet and walks over to Penelope thanking her before holding the phone to her ear, 'Hello?" She holds it tightly looking back to see Penelope leave the room out.
"Yo, Liberty! Wassup, home girl, what'chu up to?"
Liberty instantly smiles at the sound of her friend beaming through the phone, putting the receiver closer to her ear. "Nothing much, girl just finishing up dinner."
"Oh shit, my bad! Is it a bad time?' She apologizes, making a 'yikes' look, "I could call later."
"Aw, nah you good, wassup?" Liberty sits down in the love seat and leans back comfortably into the velvet cushions.
"So, I was wondering, right? Are you going to Maxwell's party?"
"Um, I mean, no not really...not unless you're going."
"Oh, dang, I was thinking the same thing..." she laughs nervously.
"Oh, wait for real?" Liberty chuckles.
"Yeah, girl! Ain't no way I'm going without some backup."
"But wait, I thought you hated Maxwell?"
"I mean, yeah." Marisol sighs, "but apparently two of my other friends said they got invited by the brute himself, he was thinking that maybe he could pick us up and we'd all go together."
"Hmm, I don't know. I still have to talk to my mom about it. She's been pretty busy lately, and hasn't had much time to talk to her about it, ya know?"
"That's understandable. Well, let me know then. I could spend the night and we could go together or something like that. I really don't want to deal with Maxwell's shenanigans alone."
"Actually, that wouldn't be a bad idea and what makes you think I do?"
"Because he seems calmer when you're in the picture, but anyways Nicholas and I and a couple of other friends are hanging out at Royal's diner saturday evening and wanted to know if ya down. He's been begging for us to hangout."
"Oh yeah I heard that joint opened up last month, I've been wanting to go. If we do go, you care if my sisters roll with?"
"Nah, bring them too!"
"Okay, let me talk to my folks first and then I'll let you know."
"Bet." Mari smiles.
Suddenly Liberty hears her groan, there was a bunch of shuffling,obnoxious laughter in the background and yelling at the tops of their lungs on her end "Oop, girl I'ma have to talk to you later. My siblings are over here acting like hooligans ー AYO! PUT MY SHIT BACK!." Marisol yells.
"Alright girl I'll see ya later." Liberty hangs up the phone heading over to help Cherish with putting away the food and cleaning up the dishes. Even though it was Penny's turn, Cherish decided to clean since she didn't do much around the house today.
"Oh no, I got this. Why don't you go watch a movie with the girls." Cherish suggests as she stacks the dishes up and places them in the left side of the sink that was filled with hot soapy water.
Liberty looks at her like she's crazy, "Oh? Are you sure? I can help clean up a bit. Afterall you gotta go back and study." Taking all the condiments, she places them in the fridge along with the water and juice pitcher and stands beside her ready to rinse.
But Cherish insists, "trust me. I need a break from the books, any minute longer reading about the human body and its functions I might lose my mind." She eyes her sister carefully, noticing her presence wasn't moving from her place. Deciding to booty bump her gently and smirk, she nods to the girls. "Go ahead. I'll finish up from here and take the trash out."
Liberty sighs with a small smile, giving her cheek a kiss. "Okayyy, if you say so..." She sings turning on her heel over to the twins preparing the fort in the living room. They took the couch cushions out and three chairs around the room before covering them with sheets.
Pillows, duvets, snacks and juice boxes settled on the floor within the middle of the floor with the TV on ready to play their favorite movie Beetlejuice. Once they were done, the three of them went upstairs to change into their pajamas, turning any source of light off before getting comfortable in their chosen positions.
Liberty only had to change into her pajama shirt and bonnet before coming down to make popcorn while the rest of the girls finished getting ready. It had taken a few minutes to get the popcorn going till the sound of groaning was heard from the living room.
"Liberty, hurry up with the popcorn!"
"Girl, don't rush me. I'm only one person," Liberty looks over to see Penelope peeking her head from within the fort, "Why don't you come help me?"
"You need help popping popcorn?" Penelope quizzically looks at her .
"I'ma need help popping you if you don't get your butt over here and come help me."
"Ooh alright, hold on." Penelope sighs, rushing out of the fortress to her sister's side, hearing kernels form and pop in the pot, careful not to lift the lid till they are ready.
"So, this...someone, hmm? Do you like him? Or should I say her?"
Penelope chuckles. Turning her body forward so she could lean against the counter, looking down at her fingers playing with the ring that shined on her forefinger. She suddenly felt nervous. She had never admitted to the rest of her family the sexual attraction she has for girls, except for Liberty. Nothing against everyone else, Liberty was her most trusted out of everybody else. She confided in her things that would make people look at her differently.
"You can tell me." Liberty encourages giving her a gentle look.
"I know, I just..." Penelope sighs, fidgeting with her ring nervously, "I don't know much about her; we've only exchanged a few words."
"Hm," Liberty asks, glancing at Penelope for a split second, "Is she in your class?"
A smile creeps on her face, "Yeah, biology and history class. She's so intelligent too. She has a way with words, a beautiful mind i tell ya. Such an extrovert, bright personality. Chocolate complexion, 5'5, curvy but petite. Has such a beautiful smile, perfect straight teeth, dark brown eyes.... She looks like a princess. She's trying out for cheerleading."
"Hmm, and you got all that within a few words?" Smirked Liberty.
She was silent for a moment looking anywhere but her sister, "I'm just a very observant, okay?"
Liberty laughs, "I'm just teasing Penny, but keep talking to her, maybe something good will come out of it."
"Maybe..."
"Is the popcorn done already?" Rosa hollers.
"Yes, coming!"
"I doubt she'd find me attractive, or even have an attraction for the opposite sex..." Penelope slightly pouts, buttering up everyone's popcorn before grabbing her bowl.
"It wouldn't hurt to try though." Liberty grabs both bowels leading them back into the living room and underneath the fort.
"Finally," praised Rosaline.
"Oh hush," Liberty chuckles, "start the movie."
"But what about you?" Penny asks curiously and Liberty eyes her, "What about me?"
"Do you think anyone is cute?"
"No, not really." Liberty answers truthfully
"Are you sure?" Penny questions.
"Yes..." Liberty frowns and tilts her head, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Oh, no reason, just the fact that everyone keeps gushing about how hot you are."
Liberty eyes widened in shock, "No way."
"Mhm"
"Especially during lunch." Rosaline rolls her eyes suddenly hearing the other students' words resurface in her head, "Practically everybody is drooling over you."
"Sucks for them," Liberty was aloof to the fact, shrugging her shoulders as she leaned back against the couch eating on a chocolate bar. "I'm not interested."
"Bet," Penny proclaims, "one day some boy is gonna be all up in your face asking for your number and then you're gonna be acting all shy and shocked."
"Mm, we'll see, i'm so focused on school right nowー"
"See? That's your problem."
"What is?"
"You're so concerned over them damn books, you should learn how to loosen up and have some fun."
"Pennyyyy," Rosaline scolds. "Language."
"I don't know how."
"Just worry less?"
"You make it sound so easy..."
"That's because it is..." Penelope slowly looks at her, "All your life you've been conditioned to be introspective, serious, tough...now that we're older and can take care of ourselves, there's nothing to really worry about. It's about time you balance work with fun."
"Hm," Liberty thought. "You got a point."
And Penny smugs proudly, "I know I do." before stuffing her mouth with popcorn.