School went by a breeze that day, and I felt so, so relieved. I was dragging Ol' Ben by my side, hoping that the last of his little doggie hairs wouldn't fall out. Dad called him a hairless dog. I called him a cute dog. Addi and Mom called him a dog that probably should've been dead by now. I didn't comment on that. I was skipping with Ben through the dirt road before I remembered where I was. I was on that walking trail that goes through my neighborhood. With my intensely annoying sister. I stopped skipping, realizing that I was literally dragging Ben, not figuratively. I guess Ol' Ben can't walk like he used to. Suddenly, breaking the nice and peaceful silence, I hear Addi mutter something under her breath.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwjuAGQ42U
"I hate... I just wish..." I try to ignore it. Mom always said that whenever bullies say mean things, it's because they secretly want you to respond or give an answer. And Addi counts as a bully. I breathe in through my nostrils, trying to recirculate the calmness within me (That Addi always says I never had...) and I realize that my fists are clenched. I loosen the grip of the leash because I'm gripping it too hard and because I know that Ben cannot run away. Addi starts muttering again; this time, I know she wants me to hear it.
"I hate having to go on walks with Arlo. I hate Arlo... I wish he..." I feel the need to argue with her, push back up against my throat, like it's bouncing around my mouth.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpX0Kd0fZAr
"Would you stop saying that you hate me? That's... That's not only mean, but it's against the-" I stop myself. I can't bring myself to say what I originally was going to, so instead I quickly think of something else. "You're stupid, you know that?" I turn back, anger on the verge of bursting out. Then I notice her look. She doesn't seem amused; she seems surprised.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsQ8TAbgd9
"And in what universe would you stop having anger issues?' She laughs at her own terrible joke and turns back. "Anyways, can we please go back home? I hate being outside." I roll my eyes but don't complain. I follow her back home.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbUIiCy0RN
Right before I reach for the doorknob, Dad opens the door from the inside. Addi clearly looks upset and runs past him to get inside, but I smile at him.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvLsSC67IF
"Welcome home, boys... And not boy." He grins when Addi groans from halfway up the stairs. Ol' Ben plops on the floor right next to the door, and I don't even bother taking off the leash.
"Hey, Dad. Hi Mom." I wave to the laptop on the kitchen counter. There are three dots on the screen before words form on the computer screen. "Hey, sweetie. How was the walk? You know... With Addi?" I sigh as I move the computer to the dining table and sit down.
"I uh... I kind of yelled at her..." Even if Mom doesn't have a face sometimes, I know she's disappointed. "Oh, Alro... Don't you remember what I-"
"Yes. I do. I tried. It just... I just..." I don't finish the sentence. I don't need to. After a minute or two, Dad walks over to Mom and me and steers the computer towards him. He clicks a few keys before sliding it back to me.
"There. I think Mom was lagging just a bit." He says before returning to the kitchen.
"That's because Erica is a clanker!" I hear Addi yell from upstairs. I see Dad looking upset, but he doesn't respond right away.
"That is no way to talk to your mother, Addison." Mom responds firmly. Dad nods in agreement. And then there is more yelling between all three of them. This is how it goes. Everyday. I feel like Addi hates Mom and Dad or something. She always yells at them, and they always yell back. It's like there is a war, and for some reason, even if it's uneven, Addi always wins the little battles. And that makes me mad. I wish Mom and Dad would win. They continue being mad over dinner, and Mom acts annoyed, as if she's hungry, but I know she can't eat human food. After a bit, they rush us off to bed and, yet again, I'm forced to be in the same room as Addi for more than five minutes... UGH. I try to go to sleep as fast as I can, so I don't have to talk to Addi out of boredom, but there's just one question that keeps me awake.
"Why do you call Mom by her real name?" I ask quietly, half hoping she won't hear.
"Should it even be considered her real name if she isn't real in the first place?" I hear her whisper back, barely audible. I try not to get upset at her response. "Can you answer the question?" I try again.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINiROUQ1Pf
"It's cause she not actually our mom. Duh." She doesn't hide her voice this time. She's proud to say it. I hate that she has to keep on pressing about how our mom is not real. That she's just some computer code. Just some AI. My eyes begin to burn.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKH8MkST7jX
"But you do the same thing with Dad, too. Isn't he our real dad?" I press another question to stop myself from crying. I can see her shrug even while she's on the other side of the room. 13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVk6TYy4201
"I guess I just don't feel like it."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Strd6HO5w
Pause.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5XYUCx83f
"Why do you wear skirts?" This question wakes me up completely. It was unexpected, after all. "What?" I try to hide the fear in my voice. She knows? I feel heat come to my face as the long silence fills the room. And it continues until I hear her mutter, "Never mind." And turn towards the wall.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZAKhlFSOy
and then Add to home screen.