Chapter 7
Genevieve
Ector makes me laugh. I haven’t genuinely laughed like this since Esme passed. The joke he just made makes me happy, but it also makes me miss my sister even more, because that’s the kind of joke she would’ve told.
No one really understood us like we understood each other. Now this guy suddenly reminds me of her and it feels odd and unreal, but it feels like home too.
My chest tightens and my heart feels heavy.
Even though I’m her older sister, I’ve always been the one looking up to her, never the other way around.
She could easily do things that I had such trouble doing, like being social without feeling awkward or odd.
She could speak to anyone and everyone while I was, and still am, so impressed by that.
It made me so joyful seeing how easily she made friends, so I watched her and tried to act like her. I told her I wanted to be like that and she helped me in all the ways she could.
She introduced me to all her friends and told me that if I were confident enough in myself, no one would care if I say something odd, because if I said it with confidence, no one would even think twice about it.
”What was your sister like?” Ector interrupts the memory of Esme.
“I would love to tell you sometime.” Tears were already building up, and I immediately pushed them down. “I fear I’m just not ready to speak about her yet.” My voice was mild, weak almost, and full of uncertainty.
“That’s fair, no pressure. I would love to hear a bit about her whenever you’re ready.” The smile on his face brings instant comfort, making me feel like it's okay to relax my tense shoulders.
As both of us feel full, we decide to continue our journey.
“Do you want to hear a joke?” I ask him, knowing I will say it no matter his answer.
“No.”
I’m going to laugh before I even finish the joke.
“There were two muffins in the oven. One said, ‘It's really hot in here,’ and the other screamed, ‘HOLY SHIT A SPEAKING MUFFIN!’”
“Ha. Ha.” Ector says ironically, but I can see his grin.
Not being able to stop laughing, I’m going to pee myself while crying out of happiness.
“Gosh, calm down.”
My knees go weak, and I lie down in the soft grass, continuing my hysterical laughing, my stomach hurting.
Ector moves towards me and I see his smile through the tears in my eyes. “Okay it was a little funny, but come on now,” he admits, and it only fuels my laughter.
Taking a steady grip under my arms, he lifts me from the ground. I try my best to stand on my legs but fail. He bends down, grabs me under my butt, and throws me over his broad shoulder as I let out a shocked sound.
“I said, let’s go.” He says while holding me in one hand and the map in the other.
“When are we there?” I ask after a few minutes of taking deep breaths.
“I don’t know, do I look like I know everything?”
“Yes.” The answer comes out confidently.
He sighs and stays quiet.
“Hi. Huh, hiii! Hello???”
“Genevieve, be quiet for two seconds, please.”
“That wasn’t me, Ector.”
“Hiii hello, where are my nuts?! Did you take them?! HELLOOOOO????!!!”
Where the heck is that sound coming from?
“I’m down here, you nasty fairies!”
“Awww, a squirrel!” My hands capture my face as I look at the adorable animal in awe.
“Why is this fairy girl thing on your shoulder? Poor girl! I don’t like you, man fairy thing!”
“My name is Ector.”
“Did I fucking ask for your name, man fairy thing?”
“No, but-“
“You are a pretty girl!” The squirrel says and spins around like a ballerina, jumping to boop my nose while I’m upside down over Ector's shoulder.
“What is your name, girl fairy?” The squirrel says while playing with my hair.
“My name is Genevieve. What is your name, squirrel?”
“My name is Ca... Uh, my name is... I don’t remember if I have a name...” His eyes went wide with confusion as he spoke, one of his fingers placed on his lower lip.
“He’s tricking you Genevieve, don’t talk to him.”
“Are you jealous of me, boy fairy thing?” He runs around to stand before Ector, stopping him from continuing walking.
“My name is Ecto-“
“I still don’t care, boy fairy,” he pauses and runs around again so that he’s standing before my face, “Genevieve, you can give me a name.”
“No, don’t do it. He’s going to follow us everywhere.”
He’s looking at me with puppy eyes, how could I not name him?
“I name you...”
“Yes, yes, yes! Say it!” He answers, gleaming with excitement.
“Your name will be Cutiepie.”
“Ye... Noo!”
“I’m kidding! How about Ollie?” The odd name leaves my lips, and even I felt shocked.