In The End

One

Us Easterlings' are tall, blond, blue eyed, tan perfectly, and can do nothing wrong. All five siblings have straight A's, wavy hair, and play multiple sports. We have an old-money house in the Hamptons, and vacation there for the summer. It doesn't matter if we break a leg, catch a deadly disease, or fall in love

fall in love so deeply that great sacrifices must me made

We ought to live up to the reputation.

~~

My name is Florence Easterling. My parents, Mark and May, met on a blind date in highschool. They became sweethearts, were prom king and queen, both went to UPenn, and are now married with five children.

Let's talk about my siblings.

Eleanor, the eldest, is your ideal daughter. She was valedictorian of her high school class, attended Princeton University, and has zero flaws. She's the type to paint in her free time, or write beautiful poetry about the feeling of watching a sunset with your lover. I look up to her. We all do.

Claude, the second child, and the extreme athlete. He plays a total of 5 sports. Football, soccer, baseball, hockey, and lacrosse. He's a D1 athlete with a full-ride football scholarship to Stanford. Though he may think it's no big deal, he's always the topic at our annual Christmas parties. The perfect son, right?

Then there's me, Florence, better known as Flo. I may not be as special or perfect as my other siblings, but I can find things about myself that I find appealing. I love when a chill breeze flows through the loose strands of my hair, the feeling of cold sand on my toes, and I admire how the moon glistens on the ocean at night. The small things stand out.

Finally, there are the twins, Wyatt and Daisy. Side-by-side throughout the day, they never leave each other's sight. Though they're still in elementary school, trust me, they have more talents than you can imagine. Wyatt, somehow, has a magical touch. Guitar, piano, the harp, you name it, he can play. And Daisy? Daisy has the voice of an angel. Her vocals can bring tears to your eyes whilst keeping you in eternal bliss. I adore her. They were made for each other.

~~

Sunday, June 2nd, 2019

I woke up to the sun beaming down on my face. At the end of my bed were the two Goldens, Bentley and Margo. We had gotten them both for Wyatt and Daisy, right when they turned eight.

I pulled the silk sheets up and off of myself, and checked my phone.

11:56 AM

When did I start waking up so late?

I stumbled to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and wiped the extra toothpaste from my mouth with a cloth.

Back in my room, I changed and went downstairs.

"Good morning Flo, or should I say good afternoon?" My mother said smartly.

"Good morning mom," I said with a slight grin.

I whipped up eggs, sunny side up, with a bagel and cream cheese. The twins, Wyatt and Daisy, came running down the stairs.

"Hi Flo"
"Hi Flo"
They both said at the same time.

"Hi guys, good morning.."

They both ran out the back door onto the grass by the trampoline. I started to converse with my mom.

"Hey, mom?"

"Yes?"

"When did you get your first boyfriend?" I was trying to be slick.

"Well, I think I was about.. hm.. maybe fourteen, fifteen? Why?"

"I don't know. You know, I was just wondering, if TJ found a way to find someone, why can't I?"

For context, Taylor Jane Coleman, also known as TJ, has been my best friend since birth. Not only are we a month apart, but we were born in the same hospital, and were even delivered by the same doctor. She's stuck with me through so much, she was more like a sister than a best friend. She's dating this boy named Tate Bradford. She met him at sleep away camp and apparently they've been going strong for 5 months. I don't know. I guess he's cool. Moving on..

"Honey, just because TJ is dating Tate, doesn't mean you have to date someone too. You'll find a boyfriend when you're ready. Don't rush it."

I'm currently sixteen going on seventeen. Yeah, sure, I've kissed like, two boys at a party, but I want a relationship. A good, strong, healthy relationship. Now.

~~

1:30 PM

After eating and watching some TV, my dad came in my room.

"Hi sweetie."

"Hey dad."

He gave me a kiss on the cheek.

"Hey, your mother told me about this boy situation where you want a boyfriend because TJ has one? I don't wan-"

I interrupted him.

"Okay, one second. Number one. I don't want a boyfriend because TJ has one. Number two. I don't need a boyfriend. I am perfectly fine on my own."

That was a lie.

"And number three. The only men I need in my life right now are you, Claude, and Wyatt."

"Oh! Well.. okay. Good for you. I'm glad that you figured this out on your own. Never let anyone determine your value. Don't forget that." My father said with a caring expression.

"Yes dad, I know. I love you."

"I love you more."

He left the room.

Ugh.