Lizzie's pov
"Brrr." I folded my arms across my chest and tucked my chin into my jacket collar. "I'm freezing. Whose idea was this, anyway?" I glared at my brother. I knew exactly whose idea it was.
Who else in the Parker family would think it was a good idea to have a Saturday afternoon picnic at Round Valley Snow Park in February? I gritted my teeth, still glaring at Philip.
"What?! I just thought this would be fun," Philip replied as he picked up a sandwich from the picnic basket, smirking at me.
My evil big brother. There have been many occasions where Philip has done something crazy. One time, he kept a rat in my room because I kept sleeping in, so he thought it was a good idea to wake me up early for school. Or the time he put bees in my piñata on my 16th birthday because he wanted me to run—he said I looked chubby. He's just evil.
Philip chuckled. "Aww, come on! I'm just trying to have some fun. You're always so serious."
My annoyance peaked. I scooped up a handful of snow and threw it at Philip, hitting him squarely on the chest.
"Hey!" Philip yelped, laughing. "You're going down for that!"
He retaliated with a snowball of his own, and I ducked just in time. The snowball hit the tree behind me with a soft thud.
The snowball fight was on. Philip and I hurled snowballs at each other, laughing and shouting. We stomped through the drifts, creating a snowy battlefield.
My aim was surprisingly good, and I managed to hit Philip several times. But Philip was relentless, and soon I found myself dodging and weaving to avoid his snowballs.
Just when I thought I'd had enough, Philip tackled me to the ground, and we wrestled in the snow, laughing and trying to pin each other down.
Finally, we collapsed side by side, panting and giggling.
"Truce?" Philip suggested, holding up his hands in surrender.
I grinned mischievously. "Only if you admit I won."
He chuckled. "You won this time, sis. But I'll be back."
As we caught our breath, Philip turned to me with a goofy grin. "Hey, sis? I'm gonna miss you, you know?"
My expression softened. "I'll miss you too, Philip. You're the worst brother ever, but I love you anyway."
Philip chuckled and ruffled my hair. "Yeah, yeah. I'll try to survive without you."
Just then, Mom called out, "Kids! It's time to go! Your father has the car packed up!"
Philip and I exchanged a look, and he kissed my forehead and gave me a quick hug. "Don't forget to come back and visit me, okay?"
I smiled and hugged him back. "I'm going to college, I'm not getting married. Of course I'll come visit you on holidays."
As we pulled away, Dad appeared next to us, a gentle smile on his face. "Hey, princess? I'm gonna miss you so much."
My eyes welled up. "I'll miss you too, Dad. I love you."
Dad hugged me tightly. "We love you too, sweetie. Always remember that, no matter where you are."
Mom joined in, wrapping her arms around me from the other side. "We're so proud of you, Liz. You're growing up to be an amazing young woman."
I felt a lump form in my throat as I hugged my parents back. "I love you guys too. I'll come back and visit soon, I promise."
With one last squeeze, they released me. I entered the car, feeling a mix of excitement and sadness as we drove back home.
As I settled into my bedroom, I couldn't help but feel a swirl of emotions. The goodbye with my family still lingered, but I was also excited for this new chapter in my life.
I drew a hot bath, sinking into the warm water and letting out a deep sigh. After cleaning myself up, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and couldn't help but admire my reflection.
I had a curvy figure—a slim waist with a full bust and hips that swayed when I walked. My skin was pale, smooth white with a slightly pink undertone, similar to alabaster stone. It had a gentle warmth that made my features shine.
My face was a work of art, with smooth, unblemished skin and a sprinkle of freckles across my cheeks. My eyes were deep, dark brown—almost black—with a hint of warmth that made them sparkle like chocolate. My features were stunningly sexy, with a sultry gaze and a pouty mouth that seemed to beg for attention. I felt a sense of self-love wash over me.
But as I began to get ready for dinner, my mind wandered to college. I was nervous about making friends.
My struggles in high school weren't because I was shy or couldn't make friends. I had actually been close with one person—my best friend, Luna. I mean, my ex-best friend. But Luna had turned out to be a toxic friend, fueled by jealousy and a desire for attention.
I caught the eye of a guy Luna had a crush on, and Luna's insecurities boiled over. She began spreading vicious rumors about me, claiming I had stolen her boyfriend and that I was a slut. The rumors spread like wildfire, and soon the whole school was against me. Luna's manipulation was masterful, and I found myself isolated and alone, with everyone turning against me.
The once-friendly hallways became a gauntlet of snickers and whispers. I faced a daily barrage of bullying and harassment. Luna's cruelty had turned my school life into a living hell. And no one at home knew about it.
Seeking comfort, I slipped into my brother's room and borrowed his hoodie and some boy shorts. As I put them on, I couldn't help but feel a sense of freedom. Boys' clothes were so comfortable, so relaxed—it was like a breath of fresh air. I felt like I could be myself, without the pressure of societal expectations.
For a moment, I forgot about my worries and simply enjoyed the feeling of being me. Mom was cooking dinner downstairs and Philip was helping. The thought of him cooking scared me.
As I drifted off to sleep, I knew that no matter what college threw my way, I'd face it with a newfound sense of self-confidence and a comfy hoodie to boot.
A/N: If this gets 10 reads, I'll publish the next chapter.
Please? 🥹😭