ANAYA, S POV
"I am coming, Shay, just give me 20 minutes," I told my best friend over the phone while looking for the project I had done yesterday night, but now it's missing from my bed stand. "Did anybody take my project from my room?" I asked as I went downstairs, where my sisters and parents were now sitting, whispering something. '' What are you on about this morning, drama queen? You always have complaints; are you looking for daddy's attention again?'' Complained my eldest sister, rolling her eyes at me
My sister has been my number one bully ever since I was small, and my parents say nothing about it.
They see her bully me, and her friends bully me in school with her permission, of course, but none of my parents say anything to her. My dad tries to intercede once in a while, but of course, my mother has the final say in this house, and since I am the least favorite person in this family, she supports her favorite daughter as she tells everyone who cares to listen. My mother has always treated me differently from my other siblings simply because I am curvy, unlike my sisters, who look like models.
My mother and sisters think of me as an outcast of the family because I am a bit curvy and have blue eyes. My complexion is different from theirs. I have always felt different from everyone in the family, but every time I talk about it, my dad tells me I look like my grandmother, who apparently died before I was born. Hence, I have no way of confirming that. My dad loves me, and he shows me and tells me every day that I am beautiful and different in a good way. I believe him as my personality and physical; we are different from my siblings and my mother. My mother never fails to show her dislike for me at any time I am within her space, and I am so used to that that it no longer bothers me. I have never felt my mother's love for me in any way; as surprising as it may sound, my mother has never hugged or held my hand for comfort or any other reason.
''I know you have something to do with my missing project''. I told my sister. '' You have no proof I took it; I don't go to that dirty, stinky bedroom of yours; who knows what infection I might come out of there with said as she caressed her arm, admiring her skin. I decided to leave her to her imagination and sat at the dining table where everyone was sitting. ''Good morning''.I greeted as I prepped my plate and cup of coffee. ''good morning, sweety, slept well?.''Asked my father, who, as usual, was the only person who greeted me back. My mother and sisters ignored my existence at the table and were busy showing each other things on the phone, which seemed impressive as they were busy smiling and discussing. I quickly finished my breakfast and picked up my bag to walk out when my dad called me. ''Anny, we have an important matter at hand concerning the family; you have to be here early today after school''. ''okay, Dad, I will try to be back early''.I answered, rushing out quickly while looking at the watch.
I saw my best friend's car packed outside our gate, and I rushed over. I knew she was mad as she had always been good at keeping time, and today, she waited for over thirty minutes. Shay and I have been best friends ever since I saved her from being bitten by our neighbor's dog when we were nine years and since then, we have been inseparable. ''What kept you, woman? You know how I hate being kept and lateness.''—complained Shay. ''I am sorry, Shay, my project is missing, and you know I am not a careless person to lose things. I searched everywhere in my room, and I am sure I left it on my bedstand. Even in the morning, when I went to take my shower, it was on the stand. I explained tearfully to Shay, who had now calmed down and was trying to console me.
''We will ask the lecturer for extra time and explain the situation; you have been a good student with good grades; I am sure that when you explain to the lecturer, she will add an extra day, and then we can look for it after classes.''.Shay assured me, and I relaxed, hoping for the best outcome. We got to school, and some student were busy greeting each other, others catching up with stories in the corridor while others were rushing for their classes. I hurriedly walked to the office to find the lecturer, and as I expected, she was there busy writing things. she raised her head when she saw me headed in her direction. ''hello, professor, good morning to you.''.I greeted, trying to relax with the eyes she was shooting at me.'' yes, who are you, and how may I help you?'' She asked and proceeded to do her work like I didn't exist. that made me nervous, and I could feel myself sweating. I narrated my ordeal to her, and to my surprise, she agreed to add me an extra day. I was left speechless as I didn't expect it would be that easy, as I was already looking for words to add to my explanation and convince her. ''Is that all, or is there something else?''.She asked, and I was confused by the question before I realized I was still standing there; I quickly apologized and rushed out of the office.
After our last class for the day was over, Shay and I rushed home on a mission to find my project. I was only given an extra day to submit it, and I didn't want to disappoint the lecturer or seem like an incompetent student.