Chapter 5

Friends

Vivian

There he stood, in all his seemingly snobbish glory. His blonde hair was the same. The cowlick is still present. He looks older though. Well, obviously.

Both of us stood at the doorway for a second. I didn't know what to think of it. A million different thoughts ran through my head at the same time.

Why is he home so early? Mom fell for that nerd? What's with the sweater vest? I just know Luna does his shopping for him. Wait, is he wearing the same thing from mom's picture? Does that mean he's been wearing that for, what, fourteen years? Maybe he has a closet filled with identical clothing. I guess I know where Ed gets his looks. I know where I get mine too. Did I just imply the three of us are hot? Ugh, Vivian, concentrate!

My mouth hung slightly open, but I closed it and gulped a couple of seconds later. We stood there staring at each other, but then I remembered what he did. He was the one who left mom. He left her just like that, without an explanation. She's broken and it's his entire fault.

I felt a sudden anger want to burst out. I was about to say something when Luna pushed me out of the house. She made sure he didn't follow.

"It's him, that guy, it's him isn't it?" I almost yelled. I can't wait to give him a piece of my mind, the little coward.

"Sweetie, don't. I'll talk to him for you. You go somewhere else. Ed, go with her, and make sure she doesn't come here, or anywhere near me or Gill, okay?" She pushed me back, and Ed took my wrist and pulled me away, leaving Luna and Gill staring at me. I'm sure I looked very annoyed.

"Come one, Vivian. We should go somewhere, far away, like maybe, Ganache Mine District? Yeah, that's good. We could go to Praline Forest or something" He mumbled. I'm not sure if he's talking to me or to himself.

I pouted. I know Luna will do a good job of telling him off, but that doesn't mean I don't want to do it myself.

I walked next to Edward towards the forest. I have always wanted to climb a tree there, and that's where Luke works, right? I should have fun with him around.

I look away from Ed and I just observe the surroundings. This place will never ever get old. I could spend forever here. Too bad I wasn't able to spend my childhood here.

"Hey Vivian! Hey Ed!" A chirpy voice called after us. We turned and saw a short chestnut haired girl. It was Dakota. She placed herself between me and Ed then started talking.

"Hey, can I join you guys? Mom and dad left me alone at home again. What do they expect me to do anyway? I have nothing to do. They're both working and almost no one wants to hang out with me. They're all busy. Are you guys busy? I sure hope not, because if you are I'll have to go home again and there's nothing to do at home other than cook and that gets boring when there's no one there to eat the food. I don't really like to eat too much. So how are you guys? I hope I'm not talking too much again. Oh mean, I'm talking too much again. I should stop now shouldn't I? Ok, stopping now" She covered her mouth and I smiled. She was a nice girl. She is definitely like her mother, but not annoying like her.

"Maybe people would hang out with you if you didn't talk so much" Ed said, annoyed. I hit him from on the shoulder, but that was kind of hard considering Dakota's between us.

"Y-you don't mean that, right?" Dakota said, looking at him with big puppy eyes. He sighed and said yes. She smiled wide.

"Now Ed, be nice" I laughed when he grumbled. It seems like these two don't really get along. I giggled as Dakota moved behind me, shielding herself from Ed. He just grumbled and crossed his arms.

We reached Praline forest soon enough. I didn't think Dakota was interested in climbing trees, and neither is Ed.

I clapped my hands as I ran to the nearest tree. This is going to be fun. I touched the trunk and looked up. Oops. Looks like someone got here before I did.

"Hey Uncle Luke!" He was sitting on one of the higher branches, and he looked stuck. He scratched the back of his head and chuckled. I raised an eyebrow at him.

"You're stuck, aren't you?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

I laughed. I laughed a lot. How could a grown man like Luke get stuck in a tree? I have no idea, but he did. I closed my eyes and held my sides. I just kept on laughing. Ed and Dakota ran over to me to see what happened and ended up laughing as well.

When I got my composure back, I looked up to see Luke with his arms crossed and his mouth in a pout. I smirked and leaned on the tree.

"What's in it for us?"

He groaned. Ed and Dakota looked up at him too. We all waited for a response. He stared at us angrily, hoping we'd just help him, but I just smirked.

He sighed and gave in.

"What do you want?" I told him I wanted him to give me his favorite bandana, which happened to be the one he was wearing right now. He visibly flinched.

"Why?"

"I've always wanted to know what you looked like without that thing" I giggled as he slowly took of his beloved bandana and tossed it to me. He looked almost the same, except of course his bandana, but then I noticed his hair. Wow, that is messy.

"Wow. Your hair is…horrible." It was true. A second after he took it off, it started sticking up everywhere. I felt sorry for the guy.

"Ok. Now I'll help you"

"How?"

"Jump"

"Oh" He jumped down, and I stepped backward. He landed in a tangled pile in front of me. I crossed my arms and smiled at him. He was straightening himself up.

"Am I really as stupid as I look?" He asked, grabbing his bandana from my hand and tying it back on. I smiled and answered him.

"No, not really."

"You're actually stupider." Ed butts in. I elbowed him sharply.

"Ow!" He grabs his side and rubs it. Dakota just giggles at him.

"He didn't mean that, right Ed?" I say to Luke, glaring at Ed, expecting him to apologize. He doesn't. He probably gets his arrogance from his dad, even thought his dad has so much more.

"I cannot tell a lie" This earned him a smack. Honestly, this boy becoming annoying.

"Oh man, I should get back to work. I've been stuck in that tree for about an hour" With that, he ran off. I sighed. That man really needs to grow up.

"Sometimes I forget he's a grown man" I sigh and look back up the three he was in. I smiled, and then began climbing. I took each step carefully, loving the feel of the leaves around me.

"Hey, Vivian? Why are you up there?" Ed called from the ground. I laughed. Now I'm the one acting stupid.

"What? At least I can get down." I said, jumping down and landing on my feet. I stood up straight, and I was face to face with him. He looked annoyed. I just smiled.

"Is that all you came here to do?" I nodded, and he sighed. I don't know why I get these sudden impulses, but I do, and I have fun.

I smiled wide, and skipped past him, to Dakota. She was looking on at us with a small smirk. I don't know why she was, but she looked cute.

I pinched her cheeks, telling her this. She looked shocked, and freaked out. How strange.

"I AM NOT CUTE." She screamed, to no one in particular, but it was most probably for me. I took a small step back and just stared at her, wide eyed. She crossed her arms over her chest and pouted. I shrugged it off.

"How about you?" I walked over to Ed, with my hand on my chin. I studied his face, deciding whether he was worthy of my praise. He rolled his eyes, and I smiled. He's worthy.

"You're too cute too." I patted his head. He was a couple of inches shorter than me, so I didn't have to reach far. He looked appalled.

"Why am I cute?"

"Well, you have this adorable little cowlick, this pinchable little face and a pipsqueak height. Why wouldn't you be…" I was cut off. Ed was furious.

"PIPSQUEAK?!" He yelled, and stomped his foot to the ground. I stepped back. What is with these people? I compliment them and they get offended.

"I AM NOT SHORT!" He clenched his fist and yelled at me again. I waved my arms defensively.

"All right, all right, you're not!" I said. He took deep breaths and stepped backward. Okay, someone has height issues. I mean, come one. I'm almost a year older than him. Of course I'd be taller.

"You've got issues, Ed." I held back laughter. He was fuming. It was funny to look at, to be honest, but I'd rather not make him angry again.

"I know." Wow. He actually admitted it. At least he's not in denial.

"What's with the height issues?" I asked, skipping out of the forest. He followed.

"Well, it's because, um, the other boys, they've always been taller than me." He chuckled nervously. That's it?

"Aren't you younger than most of them?" I asked, now walking normally, but swinging my arms back and forth. I headed towards Dale's Carpentry.

"Well, yeah, but…"

"Then it's only logical you're shorter." I smiled at him as I knocked on the door. I waited for Uncle Dale to answer.

"I guess you're right." Ed sighed in defeat.

"Hey kids. Watcha doin' here?" Dale asked, and I looked inside the shop.

"Is Uncle Luke here? I want to make sure he's okay." I bit my lip as I smiled. This wouldn't be the first time I've injured to poor guy.

"I don' t know, Vivian. My memory's not what it used to be. Why don't you go ask Bo?" He was getting old. He's old enough to be a grandfather.

"Alright then, thanks!" I smiled, waved, and skipped off again. I heard Ed grumble something about me being bipolar, but I didn't mind. I guess he can be a bit sarcastic. I'll have to get used to it.

"Hey, where'd Dakota go?" I asked, suddenly spinning around, causing Ed to step back to avoid being hit.

"How am I supposed to know?" Ed, seriously, you are no help at all.

"There she is…oh" I looked over to Dakota, who was trying to make conversation with Van. He didn't seem interested, in contrast to her, who seemed to feel the exact opposite. I looked over to Ed to see he disappeared.

"Hey, Van!" I cannot believe this guy. I would smack him, but he's too far. I walked over to them. Dakota looks a bit disappointed while Van's talking with Ed. I look at her and I roll my eyes at them. She sighs.

I look the two chattering boys. There must be some way I could get Ed away. Oh, right.

"Hey, Dakota, let's go to Waffle Town! There's someone I really want to see!" I made sure he heard, and I playfully pulled Dakota's arm towards the path. Well, it worked.

"H-hey! Vivian! Don't go anywhere!" He pulled away from Van and he pulled me back. I smirked and pulled harder. Ed let go and I looked at him with innocent eyes.

"Alright, alright, Van, me and Vivan have got to go somewhere. See you later." He gave in, and I let go of Dakota. I smiled wide and skipped to Brownie Ranch.

He followed reluctantly, leaving Dakota and Van confused. I looked back at the two and I laughed. Ed just looked annoyed.

"That was uncalled for." He said, now walking next to me. I just smiled and resumed skipping. Dakota and Van were now chatting away happily.

"So? I got you away from them, didn't I?" I chirped, still skipping a couple of steps ahead of him. I smiled widely, while he seemed really annoyed.

"Am I annoying you?" I asked, suddenly stopping and my smile disappearing. Ed almost bumped into me, but he stopped soon enough.

"Why, yes actually. Thanks for noticing!" He said, in mock gratitude. I smiled again, but this time, cheekily.

"Well, I am your sister." I said, pointing it out. His eyes widened and then he scowled.

"Isn't the little brother supposed to be the annoying one?"

"Yeah, but you're much more mature than I am." I said in a sing-song voice. I turned back around and headed to Alan's tree. I looked up to the blue sky, then down to the soft grass.

"You're not going to climb that too, are you?" Ed asked, annoyed. Well, now that I think about it…

"Maybe, maybe not." I shrugged, looking up at the blue sky hiding behind the bright green translucent leaves.

"You are hopeless." He said. He reached me and eyed me as I stared up into the sky. I never noticed it was so blue before. It's so bright. It's so calm. I can't believe I've barely ever seen it.

"Hey look!" I shouted all of a sudden, running over to the foot of the tree and crouching down to look. Ed was shocked for a moment, but he followed.

It was a bright red flower.

Sorry for the wait guys "-.-

I just came from exams O_O Yeah, I now hate Algebra.

I guess this chap's builiding Viv's relationships with the other people. And yes, she is bipolar. I'm like Bethoven when I write. Happy in the morning, angry in the afternoon, humorous in the evening and sad at night. So...her emotion changes a lot.

I hope you like it :

LotsofLove
xox,

SammiE