I take one good look in the mirror to see how my dress looks. The dress is flowy and comfortable with flower paterns all over it, and cut 2 inches above my knees. It belonged to my mother and it's the best dress I now own.
I brush my hair and curl it before letting it all loose. It's my favourite part of me. Smooth and Jet black, reaching all the way to my lower back. I like how it accentuates my light Amber eyes. I check the time and run downstairs when I hear my step mother shouting my name.
On our walk 3 blocks down from our house, my stomach rumbles with hunger and that's when I realise that I forgot my lunch box. I don't know if my step mom is going to be happy or sad about this. I've only forgotten it once before when I was 8, and the hunger was almost painful because when we go to the Masely's, we usually stay for hours after breakfast. Our families are close like that.
When we reach the Maselys, Lily comes rushing out. She hugs all 5 of my step brothers and waves to me. Mr. and Mrs. Masely usher us into the house with bright smiles. While everyone makes their way to the dining room, I walk to the courtyard outside and make my way to the small table I usually sit on during our visits. With nothing to eat, I put my hand on top of the other and lie my head down.
*****
4 hours later my stomach is still rumbling. Visible through the kitchen window, the Maselys and my family laugh and share joyful grins. My step mom speaks to Mr. Masely, while Mrs. Masely talks to my step brothers. And Lily, as always, keeps batting her eyes at Aeron and gives him one of her charming smiles while he ignores her. It's hard to decide what's sadder, her not being able to take a hint or the fact that he always fails to avoid these uncomfortable situations with her.
Just then, everyone stands up and my stepmother hugs Mr. & Mrs. Masely along with Lily. Then my step brothers all do the same — Lily pulling Aeron a little tighter than the rest — before they all head to the front door. I quickly follow, not wanting to spend another boring minute in this courtyard.
"Bye Mr. and Mrs. Masely, bye Lily," I say, turning back while crossing the hallway.
"....bye," Lily responds, staring at me with narrowed eyes and the fakest smile I've ever seen.
Mr. and Mrs. Masely nod — no smiles, no waves — before I close the door behind me. I run to catch up with my step family that are noticably walking with speed. My step mom turns, probably because of the loud sound my boots make, and looks at me with narrowed eyes. She walks toward me while the rest of my step siblings watch. In case I forgot to mention this before, I have 5 step brothers. Aeron, Michael, Jonathan, Ceinna, and Cody. We all became step siblings when I was 6, which is when I gained a step mother and lost my father. I've never really had a problem with Aeron and Micheal, both older than me by around 5 years. However, the same words cannot be expressed for the others. Especially Cienna, who is 2 years older than me.
After a minute, my stepmother asks, "where's your lunchbox?"
I look at her nervously, "I forgot it at home".
She looks at me with a smile, like she knew I would.
"You were 8 the last time you did that and I let it slide because you were little, but I think you're old enough to remember your breakfast now. It's a little embarrasing, don't you agree?"
I hear some of my step brothers cracking up behind her.
Telling me I'm embarrassing? That's a little rich coming from her given her countless failed attempts at flirting with half our town (including Mr. Masely). I don't know why my father ever married her but at least he doesn't have to suffer because of her presence. Nope, he left me with her instead.
I keep quiet and stare at her with shielded loathing. It's almost all I've felt for her ever since she came into my life. I know she already dislikes me but, with her talk, she's turned alot of people in my neighborhood (that used to know my father as well) against me. I don't know what others know about me that are making them distance themselves at every turn but, whatever it is, it's probably false.
She slowly turns and walks away, back to our house. While everyone else follows her, Michael tilts his head with a look of pity on his face, "sorry" he mouths and walks away. I also notice that Aeron's walking slowly on purpose. Then I see a wraped turkey sandwitch flying towards me and I stumble forward to catch it. Before I can shoot him an expression of gratitude, Aeron turns and walks faster to catch up with the rest.
Stomach screaming, I unwrapp the sandwich and eat on our way back. I try to distract myself with something, anything, from todays events to stop tears from flowing out. I look around me and take in the view of West Elona, which is much better from my bedroom window. I've lived here all my life and the best way to decribe it is a town of vast Greenery. Filled with beauty and vibrance, West Elona is a small town in the country of Gondel. Adorable stray cats and dogs roam around on the winding cobblestone roads accentuated by tall oak trees as little girls and their mothers pick different flowers in a variety of colors. We don't get much rainfall, but when we do, the town is at it's happiest, especially the farmers. West Elona has never experienced food shortages though because the town relies more on trade than agricultural practices.
It amazes me sometimes, how sharp the contrast is between the West and the East. I've heard lots of stories as a kid about a cursed tree that stood on the huge barren land that was once East Elona. Now, no one crosses it. Off course I think that if it weren't for the childish fears of this town, I think the Eastern lands could have had great potential for good use. We finally arrive at our house and I quickly head up to my room avoiding everyone along the way. Gertrude follows me upstairs and into my room before I close the door shut.