Page 38 of Saving Little Jenna
Kristen was supposed to arrive fifteen minutes ago and babysit us while our Daddies went clubbing with their friends. Michael liked to exaggerate things, so I didn't know how much of a jerk Kristen would turn out to be, if at all. But wasn't she age playing herself? So how could she even be mean to someone from the same community?
I brushed Michael’s concern away but he continued. "We need to stay together at all costs. You never know what antics she'll come up with to antagonize and humiliate us. So keep your eyes open and stay sharp."
If Michael was right, we wouldn't be having a fun night as I hoped.
"Whatcha whispering about, Michael?" Uncle John asked midway through his conversation. "You know you're not supposed to keep secrets from your daddies. I want you both to be on your best behavior, and that means no shenanigans."
"Yes, Daddy." Michael giggled and nodded. "No shenanigans when the Daddies aren't around. We're most likely to get away with it in your absence, but we'll still behave because we're good Littles. We were just whispering about how fun our first sleepover is going to be and how well we’re going to behave."
When Michael elbowed me with a forced smile, I agreed with him. "Uh-huh, we'll receive nothing but kisses and rewards for our behavior when you come back tonight."
The truth was, I was far more excited about the sleepover tonight than I had anticipated. Initially, I was scared to stay away from Daddy for so long, but knowing that I'll be in his loving arms at the end of the day made it easier. I knew Daddy wouldn't leave me for the world and that being abandoned was just an unreasonable fear I had due to my unloving upbringing.
When the doorbell rang, Michael jumped in surprise and then sighed.
When our Daddies went to answer the door, he whispered again. "Here goes nothing. I hope I don't end up with a sore bottom like last time when this night ends. Apart from being mean, Kristen blamed all her mistakes on me the last time we were alone. I'm too nice to get someone in trouble, so I took the blame hoping it was a one-off thing."
He truly feared Kristen, which instantly became confusing the moment I lay eyes on her. She walked towards us with a bright smile on her face. She was dressed in hip clothes and looked like a teenager who was too eager to grow up.
"Aw, don't you both look adorable dressed in onesies!" She bent over, patted our heads, and then pinched our cheeks.
I giggled at the compliment but Michael's expressions were dead serious. It was enough to convince me that Michael must've misread her intentions or something.
"I'm Jenna." I stuck my arm out and she eagerly shook it.
"I'm gonna call you cutie instead. God, Littles are so adorable."
Michael crossed his arms, scoffed, and rolled his eyes. He wasn't buying any of it.
Daddy looked at his watch and bent over to give me a quick peck on the lips. "Have a great time and be a good girl for Daddy."
"You too," I said joyfully as uncle John kissed Michael goodbye.
The moment our Daddies left Kristen closed the front door. Suddenly there was fear in Michael's eyes. The poor boy was worrying for no reason.
Kristen walked over to us and sat next to Michael, sticking her hand out. "Listen, Michael. I know there were misunderstandings last time as to who was responsible for what. Let's just both agree that mistakes were made by both parties and move on."
"Both parties?" Michael's jaw dropped as he shook his head in disbelief, his eyebrows joining to form a frown. "I'm naughty too sometimes, but at least I don't go to extremes by being mean. And I definitely don't blame it all on someone else who had no involvement whatsoever. My bottom was sore that day and I could've told Daddy the truth, but that's how I am. I took spankings that day to save you from being spanked by your Daddy. I'd rather bear pain than see someone else in pain, but what do I get in return? More pain probably, seeing how you're gonna do it again and get me in trouble one way or another tonight."
"Aw, forgive her, Michael." I rubbed his back and put an arm around his shoulder. "She says she's sorry. Didn't you tell me once that forgiveness and second chances were important for people to change, that they were some of the best qualities one could have? Besides, we're gonna have a sleepover tonight and there's no room for unfriendliness at sleepovers. Everyone knows that."
Michael's frown slowly faded away as he thought for a while, finally rolling his eyes and shaking her hand. "God, I know I'm already going to regret this, but just in case you've had a change of heart, I forgive you, Kristen. It'll probably take a long time for me to get over your betrayal, but… Oh, who am I kidding? I'm in my Little headspace and if you meant what you said, it's all water under the bridge."
He gave her a quick hug with a smile before continuing. "Well, if you don't mind, Jenna and I are gonna play in the nursery. I'd ask you to join, but you're a Middle and you'd find our toys boring."
"Sure, just call me if you need anything." She stood up and walked over to the couch. "I'll just sit here and watch TV. Tell me when you're done and we can play hide and seek together."
Taking my hand, Michael rushed me upstairs until we were in the nursery.
"What's the hurry?" I asked when he finally let go of my hand.
"Well, you don't want to stay in her sight for too long." Michael pulled up a toy bin and started lining up some of the toys. "That's when she starts coming up with ideas to get you in trouble."
"What?" I couldn't believe him. "But you just forgave her."
He sighed and put the wolf figurine in his hand onto his lap. "I want to believe her, and maybe she truly has changed. But I need to be careful until I'm absolutely sure she's a better person now. Until then, I need to protect both my heart and my bottom from getting hurt again. It's painful to see someone you consider a friend betray you the way she did."
I waved a hand in the air. "You're overthinking things. I'm here to witness any mean thing she does this time. Our Daddies will have to listen to us over the words of a stranger."
