"Who the hell are you?"copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJJy0kvKZ6
I scowled at the tow-headed boy in front of me. The little brat stood with his hands balled into fists as he glared at me.copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSrCUVBg68
"I'm you."copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCbsxZZw4v
"Bullshit."copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBfA9gVF0V
I groaned. Little me was such a pain in the ass. How could I make this work. With a sigh, I rolled up my right sleeve, extending my arm toward the small boy. He looked at it, recognition crossing his features as he held his arm out toward me, revealing the same circular, symmetric burn marks that trailed both of our arms. We looked at each other in silence, as the younger me processed things. Slowly, he dropped his arms to his side.copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKOdmI9YZf
"I want to believe you, but your hair, and you're older and..." He trailed off, looking to me for answers, but unable to keep his eyes from trailing to the bathroom door. Water could be heard running from within.copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SSjkqjkXo
"Your hair darkens as you get older. You'll grow out of most of the blond by the time you are fourteen. How old are you?"copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPZ5p8llOm
"Eleven...almost. You?"copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡgz65NsNWrN
"21 on our birthday."copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡczF4TZvcks
The younger me looked impressed. "You can buy alcohol then."copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡAahzfHIB3w
I laughed, shaking my head. "Here's a secret, you'll be smoking and drinking long before it's legal for you to. You'll also ignore speed limit signs and get arrested for possession, but they'll let you off easy."copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡXk63pTwdPX
Small eyes drifted back toward the bathroom door while I took in just how underweight I was.copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01xF6qFBC0
"And Joey?" the younger me asked.copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4damMp4v07
I sighed. How could I explain that one to a kid. "He will be alright. I'm not going to lie, it'll get worse before it gets better, and he is always going to need you, but he will be okay. He will start talking again, and be happier, and so will you. A woman will take the two of you in and become like a mother, and you'll meet and fall in love with a woman a few years older and have kids."copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Yr81R2x4R
"Ew. I don't want kids. And women are no fun. Men are better."copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4T2K0tqC6
I sighed, shaking my head. I knew why the younger me though the way he did, but he was so niave, even if he was smart and wise for his age.copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHjA3607B1
"Well, too bad, you'll have kids, but that'll be a while. You'll have your fair share of women and men before then."copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDZGL0xNyC
"You mean like sex?"copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3Hz6sAzSd
"Yeah. And you'll still cuss just not as much because it annoys you're fiance."copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjUZUY5U5G
"I'll cuss as much as I fucking want," the younger boy declared, placing his hands on his hips.copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlkV25WzTv
"Little me, has anyone told you that you are an asshole?" I asked, glaring at the little brat.copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡczyT9FlKfe
"Look in the mirror," he snapped back, flipping me off.copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVxRUrPZmV
I groaned. This was so pointless. Why was I arguing with my younger self? Besides, I had something I needed to tell myself didn't I? Or maybe I just wanted to see myself with adult eyes, I'm not sure.copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡGih0ej6bS0
Whatever it was, I saw a defiant boy, emotions carefully masked and eyes that glanced toward the bathroom door every few seconds, always on alert.copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5AfYJUkua
"But he will be ok?"copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡyr65j0x90T
He didn't have to ask who 'he' was, I already knew.copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GcmHrFNCy
"He will be ok."copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiDoxC8sWC
Little me let out a sigh of relief. "That's good, that's all that matters. He's the most important thing," he said, walking over to wrap his arms around the boy who emerged from the shower.copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡDu3JAnK8wK
"Yes, he is," I heard myself mumble, knowing he always would be. Then, I turned to leave.copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CreY9GEXi
"Bye mini-me," I said, waving over my shoulder.copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLBQ99shCp
"Bye, asshole."copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfUXZvkJDR
"Fuck you!" I exclaimed, glaring back at the younger me who clearly needed his mouth washed out.copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFuVUt5A72
"No thank you."copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkNuaWDDdf
I wanted to say something, but instead shook my head. He would be alright. He wasn't that bad of a kid and in the end, he would be alright.copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37vX4uspd6
Meanwhile in his room, the younger me sat, mumbling to himself.copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHLLDGeIhl
"I won't fall in love, I won't ever have kids. That guy is an asshole."copyright protection333ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbFyFQujuI
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