1.12 Getting By

Nazari

   As time went on, and we got used to life without Ernesto, I actually started to like the damn dog. I decided it was probably because it was something he'd been excited about sharing with us, Ladybug was the last piece of himself he gave to us, someone to protect us when he wasn't around. She wasn't so bad... But she did need her fur trimming! It was like having a bush wandering around. I decided I'd have to get Aria on to the matter

   I threw myself back into my career, this was my dream. I had moved to Starlight Shores to become a pop sensation, it was singing that had ended up with me living here, and living here had bought me and Ernesto together, and so by that logic I had to pay back fate by completing my dream. I knew fate and everything wasn't real, but it gave me something to focus on.

   Becca tried to take her fathers place in the kitchen, but she didn't have the natural skill... I was sure she'd get better with time, but for now, with me out performing and Aria always busy with friends, Becca made the meals. Even if they did tend to be so over-seasoned you'd need a gallon of water to counteract the salt...

   Aria did find the time to have the dog trimmed, though. And she looked a lot better for it! Aria seemed to have a natural touch with animals, she just seemed to know what they needed immediately. I wondered if she'd become a vet or something, but unlike Becca who definately wanted to do 'something sciency', Aria hadn't given it much thought, and didn't seem like she was bothered about it right now either.

   Geneva had married Aubrey in a small ceremony a few months earlier. With the death of her step-father leaving nobody to walk her down the aisle, she'd decided the big do wasn't for her. She was Mrs Geneva Browne now, which felt weird to me, but I was happy she was happy. Aubrey was a successful business man, and although they weren't filthy rich, they did have a house made of bricks and a pool out back. She often invited me over on her days off to cool off from the summer sun in her pool, and on one of the occasions she made me the happiest woman alive.
   "I'm pregnant!" She announced, a huge beaming grin on her face. I tried to congratulate her, but all I could do was shriek and hug her. Since Ernesto had gone, all I'd wanted was grandkids, I wanted to know that I would see the next generation, because he couldn't, and now it was happening!

Aria

   "Ner-ner! You'll never score!" I chanted at my sister as I tried to put her off. Sure, she couldn't throw a horseshoe, and she'd decided to wear a dress to play football, but she could kick better than I could keep goal...
   "Ariaaaa!" She whined, I loved that it worked and she was annoyed at me. I stuck my tongue out at her and she booted the ball way over the crossbar in frustration. "Swap." She demanded after I returned with the ball.

   "Actually, no, Aria, I'm scared!" Becca panicked as I lined up my shot.
   "Incoming!" I called as I blazed the ball into the top left corner. Becca cowered and covered her face with her arms. I laughed at her. "Come on chicken, lets go home and get showered for prom!"

   Hours later, we sat down on the sofa to unwind with some TV, our feet throbbing from dancing, and throats sore from shouting over the music. What a rush, if prom was this fun, how great must clubbing be? That was it, I was officially counting down until my eighteenth birthday. I had so much fun I had barely even thought about dad!
   "So did Kenyon tell you about Beth?" Becca asked me?
   "What, that after she dumped him for Marty Best, she turned up with Freddie Worthington?" I asked.
   "Yeah, apparently Freddie's so much more mature." She turned to me. "He has chest hair." She said mock-dreamily, before pulling a face and gagging.
   "Chest hair appeals to me about as much as old lizard lips." I stated, making reference to a guy in the year above me who I'd stupidly kissed when I was grieving badly for dad. Becca laughed.
   "And me, I mean, I have no experiance of mens chests, but I don't get why I'd want it to be hairy?"

   "Does Kody Anderson have a hairy chest?" I poked, giving my little sister a knowing look.
   "I don't know..." Becca blushed, biting her lip as she chose her words. "I don't know if I'd mind if he did..." She giggled.
   "Ew, Becca! Don't lower your standards just cus some guy spends the evening flirting with you!"
   "It's not like that! He was just a really sweet guy!"
   "Did you kiss?"
   "No, he hugged me goodbye and gave me a kiss on the cheek... He said he'd text me tomorrow about meeting up."

    "What about Ethan?" She asked, changing the subject as quick as she could.
   "Nope." I replied. "He spent weeks leading up to prom trying to get me to go with him, well, as you know, I said no because 1, I don't like him, and 2, he only wants one thing... He had this bet with Edgar that he could get in my pants, so I wasn't ever going to say yes to him! Anyway, so when we get there he tries for like the first hour, and then when he finally got the picture, he was off on the dancefloor properly grinding up against a ton of girls like it would make me jealous. I mean no, how disgusting..." Becca pulled a face. "Don't worry. I've sworn off high school boys. They make me sick. I'll get school out the way and then I'm sure I'll find someone. For now I'm fine with just having friends, besides, Kenyon and Daryl are all the men I need right now."
   "Sorry you have such bad luck with boys." I shook my head, I didn't want her pity, I genuinely didn't care. "Oh, did you see that Chelsea went home with Kenyon at the end of the night?"
   "What? Chelsea? I didn't think she was his type!"

Nazari

   I don't know if it was the full moon, or the fact the girls had got in late from prom, but I stirred in the night. Not being able to sleep, I slipped outside for some fresh night air.
   "Ernesto..." I breathed. He was sitting in the sandbox, making sandcastles.

   "Nazari. I've missed you." His voice was small and thin, like it was a long way off, or he was tired or something.
   "I've missed you too, so much!" A tear slipped down my cheek, and his cool hand swept it away.

   "I know it's hard, but you have to be strong for the girls. They're going to need you, and I'll wait until your time comes. Then we can be together again." He pulled me into a hug, and I realised how much more I'd missed him than I realised. But he was right, I had to live my life until my time came, there was no sense moping and wishing he was here, because I couldn't bring him back. I could only live my life to the fullest so I'd have plenty to tell him when we were together again.

   But that didn't mean I didn't miss him. With my whole body too. I guess even ghosts have needs...

   It was just a shame it was only a dream...