Reacting

This is my story for the Three Word Wednesday prompt this week.



“You really do need to learn to be proactive instead of reactive, Aerial,” Shawn snapped. “You let people run all over you, claiming it’s in your best interest. By the time you figure out what they’re up to, it’s too late,” he finished with a sigh.

“There’s nothing wrong with trusting people,” Aerial replied earnestly. “You’d have more friends if you gave people a chance.”

“I don’t need more friends,” Shawn replied. “Especially not like yours.”

“I have very good friends,” Aerial huffed.

“Yeah, why aren’t they here helping?” he inquired.

Aerial looked at him, tears welling in her eyes, before turning her back. Seeing her shoulders slump, Shawn felt like a total cad. He started to apologize, but then remembered one of her ‘friends’ was the reason they were in their current predicament, and kept his mouth shut. He shook his head, not understanding how even Aerial could let someone paint a mural on their parent’s garage.

Aerial couldn’t handle the silence any longer, so asked Shawn if she could do anything to help.

Shawn handed her a rag, “start wiping,” he said, and resumed his own scrubbing. “I think I’m almost through the first layer.”

“I’m sorry you have to do this, Shawn,” Aerial whispered. “I thought it would be a cool surprise for mom and dad. I never dreamed he’d paint naked fairies!”

“It’s ok, Sis,” Shawn sighed. “If I’d been home like I was supposed to be it never would have happened.

Aerial giggled.

“I don’t see anything funny here.” Shawn grumped.

“If you’d stayed home instead of going out with Shirley, you wouldn’t be cleaning paint of the garage door with me,” Aerial told him.

“Yeah, so?”

“Looks like you’re doing a little reacting of your own,” Aerial smiled, ducking the rag he threw at her.