Selena walked into the kitchen, still rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She was greeted by the delicious smell of freshly made waffles, and her stomach growled in anticipation. She poured herself a glass of juice and sat down at the table, digging into the waffles with gusto. The crispy exterior and fluffy interior were the perfect way to start her day.
As she ate, Selena felt a sense of contentment wash over her. She loved mornings like this, when she could just relax and enjoy her breakfast without any rush.
Just as she was finishing up her waffles, Selena decided to head downstairs to the laundry room to sort out her clothes for the day. As
she turned the corner, she was surprised to see her mom, Molly, standing in front of the washing machine, a big smile on her face. The room was void of their day's work, the deliveries all packed last night all gone.
"Boo!" Molly exclaimed, making Selena jump.
Selena laughed, feeling a little startled but also happy to see her mom's playful side. "Mom, you scared me!" she said, pretending to be annoyed.
Molly chuckled and handed Selena a bag full of new clothes. "Hey baby, I got you some new outfits. You're getting too skinny, we need to fatten you up!"
Selena rolled her eyes good-naturedly, but she couldn't help feeling happy that her mom was paying attention to her. She took the bag and peeked inside, seeing a bunch of cute tops and shorts.
"Thanks, Mom. You didn't have to do that," Selena said, feeling a little touched by her mom's thoughtful gesture.
Molly smiled and put her arm around Selena's shoulders. "I wanted to, baby. Now, how about we plan a fun day out? Just the three of us. We can go to the country fair and eat all the fried food we can find."
Selena's eyes lit up at the suggestion. She loved spending time with her mom and James, and the country fair sounded like a blast. "Yes, please! That sounds like so much fun!"
Selena stood there, trying to decide how to react, when her mom looked at her with concern. "Selena, is everything okay? You seem a little distant," she said.
Selena took a deep breath and tried to shake off her thoughts. She knew that she needed to try to be more like a normal 13-year-old girl, at least for now. "Yeah, Mom, everything's fine. I'm just a little tired, that's all," she said, trying to sound as normal as possible.
Her mom nodded, seeming to accept her explanation. "Okay, baby. Well, let's get ready to go. James is already up and has packed the car," she said.
Selena's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't realized that James was already up and getting ready. She felt a little guilty for not being more enthusiastic about the day's plans.
As they headed out to the car, Selena saw that James had indeed packed everything they needed for a fun day at the country fair. There were blankets, picnic baskets, and even a few of Selena's favorite snacks.
"Hey, kiddo," James said, smiling at Selena as she got into the car. "I packed all your favorite things. I hope you're ready for a fun day!"
Selena smiled back at James, feeling a little more at ease. She knew that she was lucky to have such a supportive and loving family, and she was determined to make the most of their day together.
Selena looked at James and Molly, noticing the mix of excitement and nervousness on their faces. She could understand why they were feeling that way. She had changed so much, so quickly. It was like she had flipped a switch and gone from being a carefree teenager to a driven and ambitious young entrepreneur.
As she thought about it, Selena realized that maybe she should take a step back and enjoy the moment. She hadn't gotten to experience much of her teenage years, and now that she had the chance, she should make the most of it.
"Hey, guys," Selena said, smiling at James and Molly. "Let's just relax and have fun today, okay? I don't want to think about anything else except enjoying the country fair with the two of you."
James and Molly exchanged a relieved glance and then smiled back at Selena. "Sounds like a plan to us," James said, putting his arm around Selena's shoulders.
Molly nodded in agreement. "We just want you to be happy, sweetie. And if that means taking a break from everything and just having fun, then that's what we'll do."
Selena felt her heart melt as she looked at James and Molly. She knew that she was lucky to have them in her life, and she was grateful for their love and support.
"Thanks, guys," Selena said, smiling at them. "Let's go have some fun!"
Selena's eyes widened as she gazed at Molly, taking in the changes that had occurred in her mom's life. She had never pushed Molly to attend Alcoholics Anonymous or to seek help for her alcoholism. All she had asked was that Molly not drink and drive, a request that stemmed from Molly's past accident and loss of her driver's license.
Instead of trying to fix Molly's problems, Selena focused on dealing with her own emotions and struggles. She started attending support groups for teens at night, where she could process her feelings and work through the challenges of living with a parent who struggled with addiction.
Selena's experiences in her past life had given her a unique perspective on her mom's struggles. She had walked in Molly's shoes, so to speak, and had struggled with her own demons. She had drunk, smoked, and experimented with drugs in her youth, and she understood the allure and the struggles that came with addiction.
As a result, Selena had chosen not to judge Molly or to try to fix her. Instead, she had focused on being a source of love and support, and on taking care of herself in the process. It was a delicate balance, but one that Selena was determined to maintain.
As they drove to the fair, Selena couldn't help but feel a sense of childlike excitement that she hadn't experienced in over 60 years. She had been so focused on her business and taking care of herself that she had almost forgotten what it was like to just let loose and have fun.
Molly and James were singing along to the music on the tapes that Selena had picked out, and their enthusiasm was infectious. Selena found herself laughing and singing along with them, feeling like a kid again.
As they pulled into the fairgrounds, Selena's excitement grew. She could smell the fried dough and cotton candy, and she could hear the sounds of laughter and music carrying through the air.
The hot summer day was a sweltering blanket of heat that wrapped around the county fair, making the air shimmer and dance with mirages. The sun beat down relentlessly, casting a golden glow over the vibrant scene. The smell of sugary treats wafted through the air, enticing visitors with the sweet scent of funnel cakes, cotton candy, and caramel apples.
As you walked through the fairgrounds, the sounds of laughter and excitement filled the air. The rickety wooden rollercoaster creaked and groaned as it climbed to dizzying heights, only to plummet down steep drops, sending screams of delight echoing through the crowds. The Tilt-A-Whirl spun wildly, its brightly colored cars whirling around in a mad dance, while the Ferris wheel slowly rotated, offering breathtaking views of the fairgrounds from high above.
Everywhere you looked, there were games of skill and chance, each one promising a stuffed animal or other prize to the winner. Balloon darts, ring toss, and milk bottle toss were just a few of the many games that lined the midway, each one staffed by a barker or carnival worker, urging passersby to "step right up and win a prize!"
Clowns, with their bright red noses and oversized shoes, wandered through the crowds, making balloon animals and squirting water at unsuspecting fairgoers. Their antics added to the general air of merriment and joy that filled the fairgrounds.
"What do you want to do first? Do you want to win a toy, eat, go on a ride, the choices are all up to you today Selena," Molly beamed. She slathered sunscreen all over the family until she was satisfied.
"Can we go on the Ferris wheel first?" Selena asked, her eyes shining with excitement.
Molly and James exchanged a look, and then Molly grinned. "Of course, baby! We'll ride the Ferris wheel, and then we'll eat all the fried food we can find!"
Selena squealed with delight, feeling like she was on top of the world. This was going to be the best day ever!
Selena excused herself from the rodeo, where Molly was cheering on the riders. "I'm going to go to the bathroom," she said, getting up from her seat.
Molly nodded, distracted by the action in the arena. "Okay, sweetie. Be careful."
Selena made her way through the crowds, searching for the porta potties. As she walked, she noticed a boy staring at her, his eyes roaming over her body. Selena recognized him as Brad, Amber's boyfriend.
Brad caught up to Selena, falling into step beside her. "Hey, Selena," he said, his voice low and suggestive. "Selena MacDonald? Hey you are looking really hot today. Want to meet up later and get to know each other better?"
Selena felt a surge of annoyance and disgust. She didn't like Brad's tone or his implications. "Ew, Fuck off, Brad," she said, her voice firm and clear.
Brad's face turned red with anger and embarrassment. "You're a real bitch, Selena," he spat, before turning and stalking off.
Selena watched him go, feeling a sense of satisfaction and relief. She didn't have time for Brad's crap, and she wasn't afraid to stand up for herself.
As she continued on her way to the porta potties, Selena noticed a group of teenage girls staring at her, their eyes filled with hostility. Selena recognized one of them as Amber, Brad's girlfriend.
Amber stepped forward, her eyes blazing with anger. "You think you're so special, don't you?" she sneered. "Well, let me tell you something, Selena. You're not special. You're just a poor freak. But at least you're not a fat fucking pig anymore."
Selena raised an eyebrow, a sarcastic smile spreading across her face. "Wow, Amber, I'm so glad I could improve myself to meet your standards. Now we're the same, right? Except, of course, that I'm not dating a dog like Brad. Maybe you should work on controlling him instead of trying to insult me."
Amber's face turned red with rage, and she took a step forward, her fists clenched. Selena stood her ground, ready for whatever Amber had planned. But before things could escalate further, Tiffany's friends grabbed her arms, holding her back.
"Let's go, Amber," one of them said, trying to calm her down. "It's not worth it."
Amber struggled against her friends' grip, leaving Selena smirking "Yeah, better go catch Brad coming on to someone else who thinks he's fucking trash." Selena taunted her.
Amber's face twisted with anger as she spat at Selena, "How long did your slut mom have to grind on boners to get you here?"
Selena's eyes narrowed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, about half as many dicks your mom had to suck and fuck behind Blimpie's. Did you really think your cashier mom could afford those Guess knockoffs you're wearing, loser?"
Amber's face turned red with rage, and she threw a few wild punches at Selena. But Selena was ready, dodging each blow with ease. Selena laughed in a mocking tone.
Amber's friends cheered her on, but Selena just yawned, her eyes never leaving Amber's face. Then, in a swift motion, Selena threw a hard right hook, connecting with Amber's jaw.
Amber stumbled back, her eyes wide with shock, and Selena took advantage of the momentary distraction. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a sock filled with quarters, using it to take down Amber and her friends.
The sound of quarters connecting with flesh filled the air as Selena fought off the group of girls. She was a force to be reckoned with, her movements swift and precise.
When the fight was over, Selena stood tall, her chest heaving with exertion. Amber and her friends lay scattered around her, nursing their wounds. Bloody noses, red and purpling bruises.
Selena smiled to herself, feeling a sense of satisfaction. She had defended herself, and she had come out on top. She turned to walk away, but not before catching James' eye, who was watching from a distance, a mixture of concern and pride on his face.
Selena walked away from the fight, her adrenaline still pumping. That's when she noticed a guy watching her from across the way.
He was tall, with messy brown hair and piercing blue eyes that seemed to sparkle with mischief. Selena froze years of trauma flooding into her very core.
Selena's instincts kicked in as he approached her, and she backed away.