Winchester Legacy 2.4

“Ohh…you look gorgeous. This hair do really brings out your facial features and the little bit of makeup I put on you is perfect.”

I wanted to bounced excitedly in my seat but I was aware of the photographer standing behind me. And I was pretty sure that she would be showing mom and dad all these pictures. She always did. Which is why I sometimes got into so much trouble. Sometimes I forgot that she was there when I did things and then I’d  get in trouble for them and I’d have to think back to all the stuff I had done. And I couldn’t even talk my way out of it like a normal teenager. Noooooo….there had to be hard proof staring me in the face!

I waited impatiently for her to bring me the mirror and when she did I couldn’t keep the surprise off my face.

“Daaaaaaamn, I look good!”

The photographer laughed and the hairdresser looked slightly psychotic. But I mean, look at me. She had done a great job. I looked a little mature and  she was right. The little bit of makeup made my eyes pop. Maybe now that guy will notice me. Not that I care if he does. Boys are stupid anyways.

“Thank you so much! It looks great! I’ll be right back. I have to go and get some money from my ‘rents.”

And just where were my parents? I hadn’t seen those two since they went walking hand and hand down the sidewalk. You would think, after being married for so long, that they’d get over all that mushy stuff.

Apparently not my parents. After I gagged a little I knocked hard on the glass. They took forever to break apart before dad turned to me.

“Hey sweetheart! You’re hair looks amazing. Wow, you look stunning.”

“Thanks dad!” I turned to mom and she was blinking back tears. Oh for crying out loud! Mom was the biggest softy in the world.

“You do look beautiful baby! I remember-”

Yawn!! She was going to talk about how she remembered when she had me. I cut her off. “I need some money mom.”

That cut her reminiscing off as she started to grumble about us kids only coming around for money. And something about how she couldn’t wait for us to grow up and make our own money.

After we paid the hairdresser we went sightseeing for a bit before deciding to head home.

“SHOUT GUN!!!”

Gai hollered that right as I was reaching for the door handle. Startled, I stepped back and she wormed her way in front of me and slipped into the front seat.

“Hey! No fair!”

“It’s her turn to sit up front Val. Get in the  back.”

When my dad used that tone of voice I knew there was no point in arguing. I got in the back.

“Neil, can we listen to the radio? Can we go the long way home? Are you going to teach me how to drive? Can-”

“Can you please shut up with all the questions?” I grumbled from the back.

Gail turned around and grinned at me. “I like your hair Val.”

Before I could say anything she turned back around and continue to ask Neil questions.

I guess he had more patience than me. Shoot, I would have giver her a noogie by now. Instead Neil just grinned over at her and started answering all her questions. I guess he takes after dad that way. I mean I know my dad isn’t his dad but still. He grew up around him. Some of his manners were bound to rub off on Neil.

So, as we drove the long way home and listened to about a minute of each song as Gai fiddled with the radio, I stared at my reflection. What had I gotten from mom and dad? What had rubbed off on me?

The minute the car stopped Gai hopped out and started waving her hands in the air.

“Look at what I can do. Look! Look! Look!”

God, she could be so annoying. I don’t think that I was ever like that.

“What can you do Gai,” Mom asked indulgently.

I rolled my eyes. Whatever. She was still a show off.

“I’ve been practicing and now I can do a headstand!”

“Hey, how about you do that and we’ll all come back in a few hours to check on you?”

“Val!”

I shrugged.

“Boo!! That had to be the shortest headstand in history!” I said as she wobbled for a moment before landing on her stomach.

“Valencia! Be nice! Now apologize to your sister!”

“I’m sorry your headstand was so lame,” I said before hurried into the house. I went into Neil’s room and starting practicing on the drums. A few minutes later the door opened and Gai came in. She glanced quickly at me before heading to the bookcase. She picked out a thick book then climbed into the panda chair that Neil had yet to get rid of.

“What are you doing?” I asked finally.

“Studying on how to do a headstand.”

I beat out a few more notes before putting the drumsticks down. “I’ll teach you,” I said with a sigh.

“Really?”

I rolled my eyes at her excited tones. “Yeah…now hurry up before I change my mind.”