"Who the hell are you?"copyright protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3rzoqvwCY
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 protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnqlRxoH3I
"I'm you."copyright protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3H2inxH0oy
"Bullshit."copyright protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIB9h0ANwd
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 protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIAc4sJs9N
"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 protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡadudvSLcS9
"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 protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡKASmKamkXT
"Eleven...almost. You?"copyright protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJC8VGAF9K
"21 on our birthday."copyright protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjXXxtQjFI
The younger me looked impressed. "You can buy alcohol then."copyright protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqjlM3w9ot
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 protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WdE59lFPu
Small eyes drifted back toward the bathroom door while I took in just how underweight I was.copyright protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiOoflR5Ex
"And Joey?" the younger me asked.copyright protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8X7tKb0Uz
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 protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWwHBBQWhF
"Ew. I don't want kids. And women are no fun. Men are better."copyright protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHXf5dBXjf
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 protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7nsfRdqR7
"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 protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0l4w3F8TCp
"You mean like sex?"copyright protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡz37widKTa3
"Yeah. And you'll still cuss just not as much because it annoys you're fiance."copyright protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ebx7rpkSh
"I'll cuss as much as I fucking want," the younger boy declared, placing his hands on his hips.copyright protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTDwqGbyzO
"Little me, has anyone told you that you are an asshole?" I asked, glaring at the little brat.copyright protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9R4Gahq4s
"Look in the mirror," he snapped back, flipping me off.copyright protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡue6GMd7cy0
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 protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0T6wjMHSm
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 protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPvnUbycCC
"But he will be ok?"copyright protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6RLNDZVPx
He didn't have to ask who 'he' was, I already knew.copyright protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡVixPp39cL1
"He will be ok."copyright protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhR4FLgdYS
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 protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDZGpMkoH9
"Yes, he is," I heard myself mumble, knowing he always would be. Then, I turned to leave.copyright protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCsusRxB4j
"Bye mini-me," I said, waving over my shoulder.copyright protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDAtHffXtd
"Bye, asshole."copyright protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiRPZgBjFj
"Fuck you!" I exclaimed, glaring back at the younger me who clearly needed his mouth washed out.copyright protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBVW5oODZS
"No thank you."copyright protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBvx5cNkag
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 protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0zqQzGsTl
Meanwhile in his room, the younger me sat, mumbling to himself.copyright protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmXHi256G4
"I won't fall in love, I won't ever have kids. That guy is an asshole."copyright protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDGuaLHY6R
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