Page 9 of Protector

“I don’t,” I defend quickly. “But it would be nice to know the feeling. You know, read about it.”

Maria studies me, and I glow a little pink in the cheeks.

“Hmm… alright, then, maybe I can borrow some books from the library for you?” she suggests, and I jump out of my chair, hugging her from the side.

“Oh! Really, Maria? That would be amazing.”

“I have one condition,” she says, and I slump back in my chair, knowing exactly what’s coming.

“You’re still going to make me read A Midsummer Night's Dream, aren’t you?”

She smirks and nods to the book in front of me, and rolling my eyes, I carry on where we left off.

I look myself up and down in the mirror, twirling my ankle from left to right to see how I look. I put on my favourite outfit, a light blue satin dress that floats down to my knees, and I tied a blue shiny ribbon around the middle like a belt.

Slipping my feet into some white trainers, I let the frilly white socks sit just below my ankle, sticking out above my shoes.

I feel cute.

I rush to the window and look out down below, directly onto the garden patio. King, Dax, and Puck are kicking around a football and trying to aim it in between two of the flower pots that sit on the brick wall.

As soon as I heard them playing outside, I rushed to get ready. I’ve been wanting to wear my dress in front of Puck for ages, but it’s been on the colder side recently, and with them at school during the weekdays, I rarely get to see them during the day. Now that it’s springtime, and the sun is shining a lot more, it's the perfect opportunity.

I know Puck doesn’t feel the same way for me as I do for him. I mean, I’m not really sure how I feel for him.

All I know is that the boom boom of my heart whenever I think about him, or see him, or talk to him is just as strong as the first day I laid eyes on him when I was eight.

The butterflies still flutter around my tummy whenever he’s near.

And that hug I wanted from him all those years ago, I now get every day. And I can’t help wanting more.

I want to give him a kiss just like Wendy wanted to give Peter. Just like the boys in the new books Maria borrows for me.

The thought makes my cheeks blush, and I shake my head.

Puck would never want to kiss me. I know he really likes me. I mean, he might even love me. But like a little sister. The same love that King and Dax feel for me.

Because even though we’re not related, I’m just the little sister everyone looks after.

I wish he would notice me in a different way.

I know it’s just a big crush, but I can’t think about anything else.

Running back to the mirror, I give myself a final once-over and twirl my dark hair that sits in waves over my shoulders. With a sigh, I grab my tote bag, making sure to have my books to take with me before I head out the door. A copy of Peter Pan is a must-have, and my latest book about a girl who is falling in love with her neighbour might be a new favourite. I don’t like to go anywhere without my books if I can help it.

Making my way down to the patio, I pause on the bottom step in the hall, my hand clutching the railing tightly as Daddy walks out of his office, towards the front door.

He’s on the phone, his eyebrows scrunched up tightly, like always, as he passes right by me.

I almost speak out. Say hello or even wave. But I don’t.

I’m invisible. Weak, useless, pathetic.

Over the past two years, he’s gone from just barely tolerating me to just acting like I never existed.

I’m not sure why, but I must’ve done something, or there’s something wrong with me. Who knows, maybe he hasn’t got a reason at all.

It just is what it is. Even though it makes my heart sink.

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