Chapter Text
"So, are you coming to the father-daughter dance?"
Staci winced and turned around, her feet padding along the sidewalk as she cocked her head. "Huh?"
Miranda rolled her eyes. "The father-daughter dance. Don't give me that look, you have a granddad."
Staci laughed nervously, "Little different, don't you think?"
Miranda huffed and pulled up her backpack strap. "Whatever. Well, my dad wants you to come with us, he feels bad." Staci squinted at her. "I know. I dunno why he's so hung up on it still."
"...Oh, look. My house. Bye, Miranda." Staci turned to walk up the stairs to her house.
"Yeah, yeah," Miranda scoffed. "See you Sunday."
"You sure you don't want to come see championships tomorrow? It's just across town, I'm doing the long r—"
Miranda slammed her door shut.
Staci closed the door behind her and locked it. She trudged up the stairs and threw her backpack on the ground, then flopped into her desk chair. The ceiling was popcorn-y and cracked in places, but served as a clear screen for the silhouettes in the lit window across the way to hug on. Miranda embraced her mother, who swung her around while her father laughed and held out a tray of food. Staci grumbled and yanked her curtains shut, slumping down with her arms crossed.
"Staci!" Her grandmother called from downstairs, "Dinner!"
When she arrived at the table, her grandparents were already sat down with half-eaten sandwiches. She took a bite, chewing in silence.
"How were your days?" She asked.
"Mhm," her grandfather murmured.
"Fine, dear," Her grandmother replied, not looking up from her food. "Another day in the lab."
"Oh, well. At least you have tomorrow off." Staci reasoned.
"Not even that," her grandfather said, "We're in for the audit tomorrow morning."
Staci jolted up. "What? But, my track meet is tomorrow."
"We're sorry, dear," her grandmother said. "We don't have the time. But we know you’ll do great. What are you doing this time?"
"I—" She started, then cleared her throat. "I'm actually team captain."
"Really?" Her grandmother said, quirking up an eyebrow as she surveyed her. "Good for you!"
"Yeah," Staci continued, sweating, "I'm top of my team. Might, uh, get a scholarship, even. I made a fourteen-foot vault the other day." She pushed down a hiccup while her grandfather smiled at her, nodding while her grandmother collected their plates.
"Hm, very cool," he said, "Wish we could make it kiddo. We hope you understand."
Staci nodded, looking down again. "Yeah. It's okay." She stood up and pushed her chair in.
She turned to grab the staircase when her grandmother's voice made her jump. "Oh, Staci!" She turned around and saw her grandmother holding a cream-colored envelope. "Mail for you."
"Oh, gee," She said, taking it and cutting the seam with her nail. "Thanks."
She unfolded the letter hidden inside and scanned over the words, her eyes growing wider as she got further in.
"Guys!" She slammed the letter on the table. Both her grandparents jumped. Her face lit up like a Christmas tree, a grin spreading across her face. "I got picked!"
"Eh?" Her grandfather asked.
"For Total Drama! They want me to join next season!" She cheered. Her grandmother smiled and bustled over to wrap her in a hug.
"Oh, great job, Staci! We’re so proud of you!" Her grandmother exclaimed.
Her grandfather ruffled her hair. "That's my girl!"
She laughed, tears budding in her eyes. The letter sat on the table, curling back up into its folded state.