Sophie stared out her bedroom window, the sun shining brightly, mocking her as it lit up the world outside. She wished she could be out there, playing, laughing, enjoying the warmth. Instead, she felt like a ghost haunting the hallways of her own home, unseen and unwanted.
The door creaked open, and Ethan stepped inside, his presence sending a chill down her spine.
"Hey, Sophie," he said casually, leaning against the doorframe with that infuriating smirk on his face. "You still sulking in here? You know, the world doesn't revolve around you."
"Go away, Ethan," she muttered, not bothering to turn around.
"Aw, come on! Don't be like that," he teased, stepping further into the room. "I just came to check on you. Mom's worried you're hiding from us."
Sophie rolled her eyes, wishing he would leave her alone. "Tell her I'm fine. I don't want to see anyone."
"Sure you're fine. That's why you're up here like a hermit," he replied, walking closer. "You could at least make an effort. We're having a little get-together tonight. Just family and some friends. You should join."
"Family?" Sophie scoffed. "Since when? You and Vivian are practically strangers to me."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, pretending to be shocked. "Ouch! That hurts, Sophie. You're really good at being dramatic, you know?"
"Why do you keep bothering me?" she snapped, turning to face him, her voice trembling with anger. "Can't you see I want to be left alone?"
"Can't you see you're just being a baby?" Ethan shot back, his smile disappearing. "Maybe if you tried to be a little more normal, you wouldn't feel so left out."
"Normal?" Sophie echoed incredulously. "What does that even mean to you? Laughing at my misery?"
Ethan stepped closer, his voice lowering. "Look, if you don't start acting like part of this family, you're going to be left behind. Just like you always wanted, right?"
Sophie felt the sting of his words cut deeper than any physical blow. "I never wanted this!" she cried out, her voice breaking. "I didn't ask for any of this! You don't understand!"
Ethan shrugged, a cruel smile creeping back onto his face. "Maybe you're right. I don't understand why you want to be the sad little artist when you could have so much more. But hey, if that's what makes you happy..."
With that, he turned on his heel and sauntered out, leaving Sophie reeling.
The days turned into weeks, each one blending into the next as she found herself increasingly isolated. Every meal felt like a reminder of her solitude as she sat at the dining table, watching Vivian and Ethan laugh and talk animatedly, the noise of their happiness drowning out her existence.
"Pass the salt, please," Vivian said, her voice light and airy, as if she hadn't noticed Sophie sitting quietly at the end of the table.
Sophie stared down at her plate, feeling invisible. "I'm not hungry," she muttered, pushing her food around with her fork.
"Come on, Sophie," Ethan chimed in, his tone mocking. "Just because you're sulking doesn't mean you can skip dinner. You need to eat."
"Why do you care?" she shot back, unable to hold back her anger. "You've made it clear I don't belong here."
"Maybe if you didn't act like such a weirdo, we'd actually want you around," he replied, grinning at her discomfort.
Vivian shot Ethan a warning glance. "Enough, both of you. This is a family dinner, not a bickering session."
Sophie felt the tears welling up but fought them back. She had grown tired of crying, tired of feeling like a burden. "Maybe I should just stay in my room then," she said quietly, pushing her chair back.
"Fine by me," Ethan replied, barely looking her way. "It's what you do best."
The night of the get-together arrived, and Sophie knew she wouldn't be able to hide away forever. She could hear laughter and music echoing through the house, and her heart sank at the thought of being surrounded by strangers who would likely see her as a pitiful outcast.
She tiptoed downstairs, her heart racing. Peeking through the living room door, she saw the small gathering. Vivian was chatting with a few guests, her laughter ringing out like a siren song. Ethan was in the middle of a story, gesturing animatedly, his friends hanging on his every word.
"...and then I said, 'That's not how you ride a unicycle!'" Ethan exclaimed, causing the group to burst into laughter. "Sophie, you should've seen it!"
Sophie's heart raced, and she quickly stepped back, not wanting to be seen. Why did it hurt so much to see him happy while she felt like a ghost?
"Hey, Sophie!" Ethan's voice pierced through her thoughts. "Come join us!"
"No thanks," she called back, trying to sound confident but failing miserably.
"Aw, come on! Don't be a party pooper!" he shouted, the mocking tone returning. "Mom, make her come here!"
Vivian looked over, her smile faltering for a moment. "Sophie, come on. Just for a little while?"
Sophie felt her stomach churn. "I really don't want to," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Fine! Stay in your room then!" Ethan laughed, his friends joining in.
"Ethan, stop it," Vivian said sharply. "This is not how we treat family."
"Family? What does that even mean to her?" Ethan shot back, rolling his eyes. "She doesn't act like one!"
Sophie turned away, tears streaming down her cheeks. She hated feeling so weak, but no matter how hard she tried to hold it together, she couldn't escape the reality of her situation.
A few days later, Sophie decided to brave the world outside, hoping the fresh air might clear her mind. She wandered into the nearby park, the chirping birds and gentle breeze soothing her troubled spirit. She settled on a bench, sketchbook in hand, ready to escape into her art.
But the peace was short-lived.
"Look who it is—the lonely artist!" a voice called out, breaking the tranquility. Sophie looked up to see Ethan striding toward her with a couple of his friends in tow.
"Why are you here? This is my spot," she snapped, feeling her heart race with irritation.
Ethan smirked, glancing at his friends. "Your spot? I didn't realize you owned the park, Sophie."
One of his friends chuckled, making Sophie's blood boil. "What are you drawing? A picture of your sad life?"
"Shut up!" Sophie retorted, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks.
"Oh, don't get mad! It's just a joke!" Ethan laughed, crossing his arms. "You really need to lighten up. Maybe draw a happy picture for once?"
"Maybe you should mind your own business!" she shouted, feeling small and angry at the same time.
"Business?" Ethan echoed, feigning shock. "I'm just trying to help you! Maybe if you put yourself out there a little more, you wouldn't be such a loser."
With that, he turned away, laughing with his friends as they walked off. Sophie stared after them, fury and hurt boiling inside her. She felt like she was suffocating under the weight of their cruelty, her art abandoned beside her as she fought to hold back more tears.
The next week brought more torment. At school, she overheard a group of girls whispering as she passed by.
"Isn't that Ethan's stepsister? The one who never talks to anyone?" one of them snickered.
"Yeah, I heard she spends all her time drawing in her room," another replied. "What a weirdo."
Sophie's heart sank. She wanted to disappear, to shrink away from their cruel words. Instead, she clenched her fists and walked past them, refusing to let them see her pain.
But as she sat in class, she could feel their stares, the whispers following her like a dark cloud.
"Hey, Sophie," Ethan said during lunch, plopping down at her table, his smile infuriatingly bright. "How's life in hermit land?"
She glared at him, feeling the bitterness rise in her throat. "What do you want, Ethan?"
"Just checking in. I heard you're the new topic of conversation," he replied, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "I think they're jealous of your art skills."
"Jealous? Of me?" Sophie scoffed, feeling her heart ache. "You're delusional."
"Am I?" he countered, leaning closer. "Maybe you should start embracing who you are instead of hiding away. It's not healthy, you know."
"Maybe you should stop pretending to care," Sophie spat, her voice low and furious. "You don't want me around. You just want to humiliate me."
Ethan raised his hands in mock surrender. "Fine, whatever you say. I'm just trying to help." He stood up, glancing back at her. "Don't be surprised when no one wants to hang out with you."
As the days wore on, the isolation deepened. Each evening, she retreated to her room, her sanctuary