Chapter 18

      “Watchu doin’?” Ivy appeared at the top of the stairs. I jumped, quickly looking up. She was in her usual sleep attire, consisting of baggy sweatpants and some band t-shirt. This one in particular had flashy colors on it with four men, all with odd makeup.

“Me?” I asked dumbly.

“No, the ghost behind you,” she joked with a roll of her eyes and a smirk. “Yes, you.” She laughed.

“Oh…nothing,” I shrugged.

“Nothing?” She asked in a playful tone.
“Does everyone in this family think I have some top secret information I’m hiding now or what?” I snapped. Ivy smiled, shaking her head in amusement.

“I’m only kidding. And you don’t have top secret info, I’m assuming, but you sure have developed an attitude,” she said with a smirk. “Come in my room,” she invited with a wave of her hand. I hesitated for a moment before jogging up the rest of the stairs and to Ivy’s room just at the top, across the hall. I walked inside, taking a seat on her bed. Ivy’s room had always been really relaxing and cool. Ivy had always been cool to me. Cool toned walls, posters hanging about, some type of music playing nearly all the time, decorations everywhere, cool lamps. I didn’t have the interior design skills she did.

“Get any new records?” I asked as I adjusted on her bed.

“You know what? I did,” she hummed, flipping through the crate of records. She had an array of different genres and styles. “I got this new one…I think you’ll like.” She murmured as she picked up a record with a colorful cover.

“Yeah? What type of music is it?” I asked curiously. I watched as she sat it onto the record player, adjusting the needle and turning down the volume a smidge. I adjusted on her bed again and laid down with a sigh.

“Eh…I don’t know. It’s kinda beachy? A little reggae? I’ve been trying to figure out the genre,” Ivy shrugged, coming to join me on the bed. “Anyway, what’s up with you?” She asked curiously.

“Up with me?” I asked.

“Mhm,” she nodded her head. “Yeah, like, what’s new? Anything you wanna talk about?” She asked, lying her head in her palm.

“No…no, not really,” I said casually, shaking my head. Ivy was always so, I don’t even know the word, just…perfect, maybe? Not in most people’s eyes, like Dad’s, but in mine, she was so picture perfect. I didn’t even know how to explain it.

“Nah…” she mused with a nod of her head. “Okay,” she sighed as she turned on her side a bit. “How’s being grounded then?” She joked.

“Oh, you know, just wonderful. Amazing, really,” I said playfully. Ivy laughed at that, a smile gracing her lips, blooming into one that showed off her straight, white teeth. I smiled back, my eyes crinkling at the corners. It was quiet for a moment as we sighed in tandem and giggled again. I glanced over to her, hesitating a moment, thinking.

“Hey…” I spoke up slowly again. “What do you…what do you think of Dad?” I finally asked.

“What do I think of him?” She asked curiously, brows furrowed.

“Yeah…just, like, what are your…thoughts.” I murmured into my hand, resting my cheek on my hand.

“I mean, really?” Ivy laughed. I nodded. “I think he’s a control freak. And a little weird and too strict about things, is what I think. I think his emotions get the best of him frequently. Dad and I have never been friends, though. You obviously shouldn’t listen to me. I still love him.” She rambled and waved her hand dismissively.

“I…agree with all that, though,” I admitted. She cocked a curious brow. “I think…he is weird about things…and his mood swings are…ugh,” I murmured, faking a shiver. That got a laugh from Ivy, one of great amusement as she smacked the bed gently.

“Oh, trust me, I know,” she giggled. “Yeah, I mean, he’s ridiculous,” she laughed. “But again, don’t listen to me, seriously. You and Kaylee are obviously different than me.” She said.

“No, I think…I just get it now,” I said softly.

“Coming of age?” Ivy teased lightly.

“I think so,” I admitted. “I just…I don’t know. I don’t wanna act all badass or anything but after-,”

“Eve Opal? Cursing? Wow…” Ivy gasped dramatically, putting a hand to her chest. I paused from a moment, laughing, waving her off and gently pushing her shoulder. “Maybe Dad’s right, you’re corrupted, my darling. Where’s the Bible?” She whispered scandalously.

“Shut up, shut up,” I giggled, continuing. “No, no, it’s just after, like…leaving that night and all that, and me actually…realizing not everything is that…serious…I like it like that. I don’t need to take everything to heart. And you say that all the time…I just…I think I finally understand.”

“You sound like me,” Ivy laughed in amusement, rolling onto her back. “I remember saying nearly that exact thing to Kristen.” She murmured. Kristen was Ivory’s very best friend. Now, she was away at college, but she came to visit sometimes. They still acted exactly like teenagers when they were together.