Without Words

2- Mud Party

A/N: Italicized portion are flashbacks.

I gripped my knife, trying hard to cut the steak and not listen to the conversation happening around me.

"That's wonderful news, dear. I am so proud of you." Mom cooed as he praised Matt on something he did at school.

"Come on, mom. You told me I wouldn't make it."

"I saw your homework and quite honestly, you suck at Math."

"You're supposed to be on my side, mom. Besides, it was Andy who checked it."

"Only because Sophie told him to."

"And only because you let Sophie in my room while I was gone."

"Oh please, Sophie is like a daughter to me."

That snapped my head to them. Apparently, after unpacking and the tour of the house, they wanted me to feel comfortable by eating dinner together and both of them having a conversation I'm not a part of.

"Sorry." Mom said guiltily and smiled gently at me. "Sophie is a good girl, maybe you'll meet her at school tomorrow."

"Does she have to go to my school?" Matt whined from across the table. "It's bad enough that she lives with us and now, I have to see her at school as well."

After sending my school records in London, they deemed the extra hours I took for my advanced classes made me qualify as a senior in the US. Now, I'm enrolling in the same grade as my brother.

"Matthew." Mom stared at him hard. "You do not speak of your sister that way. It's disrespectful."

"I am never rude to Sophie."

"Matthew James Forbes!"

I slammed my knife and fork then took a large gulp of water. "I'm tired. I'm heading to bed. Good night." I stood up and never bothered to look back at them. I have never felt so alone in my life right now. If I can, I would book a ticket and go back to London. Anything than to be here with them and the constant reminder that this isn't my home nor that I even have a family here.

"We'll leave tomorrow at 8." Matt called. "If you're not ready, then walk to school alone."

..........................................

"That one looks like a bunny." Nine year old Eliza pointed happily at the clouds above them.

Matthew snickered. "No way, it's definitely a stegosaurus."

"Can you even spell that?" I snapped playfully at him.

He was quiet for a few moments. The cool summer breeze passed us as we lay on our backs at our backyard. "Bunny it is."

I laughed and slapped him playfully at the shoulders. "You are the lamest brother ever."

"Hey, I'm the one stuck with a sister like you." He smirked, an evil glint shining in his blue eyes. "At the rate of your appetite, mom and dad would probably need to work hard to feed a family of six."

I stuck my tongue out. "You said you didn't want the last cookie."

"Doesn't mean you have to eat the other three cookies, or the last two slices of pie." He shook his head disapprovingly. "You were in such a sugar high I had to stay up until 11 for you."

I frowned, not liking the fact that I became I burden for him. "You didn't have to do that. I could always just do things on my own."

He sat up abruptly and stared at me wide eyed. "Don't be ridiculous. I'm your big brother." He announced, as if offended by my statement. "If I'm not pushing you towards the mud, then I'm going to be by your side when that happens."

I giggled and smiled brightly at him. "So we'll both have a mud party?"

"Yup," He plopped down beside me as we traced our fingers over the clouds once again. "dirty and stinky but still together."

"I take it back." I inhaled the fresh air deeply, a sense of calm washing over me. "You're the best brother ever."

..............................

"If we're late for school, you are going to be in big trouble." Matt scowled as he swerved sharply to the left. "I told you to be ready at 8."

I rolled my eyes at his quite frankly, rotten attitude. "Don't be such a drama queen. We're just in time."

I woke up late because I wasn't able to sleep at all. My bed was comfortable but it didn't feel like home. I also put a pictured frame of my dad on my night stand and all I could do was stare at it all night and let all the tears flow quietly. I didn't want mom or Matt to hear me so I just poured out my grief in silence. Not a night has passed since his death that I didn't cry myself to sleep. They all tried to welcome me here warmly but neither of them talked about dad. Not one of them asked how he died, where he was buried or even a mention of his name. Even in my grief for his death, I still was alone. This wasn't the mud party I envisioned.

"We're here." My brother dear snapped. "You made us late so go to the registrar's alone. Main building, left hallway then, straight ahead. It shouldn't be hard to miss."

"I am brimming with gratitude." I said sarcastically as I took my bag and got out of the passenger seat.

"Don't start." He glared warningly. I was about to retort back when his name was called by a crowd seating at the stairs near the school entrance. So that's why he wanted to be early, he wanted to join his posse of so-called friends.

"You're ten minutes late for our first day of school tradition." A red headed guy greeted us as we approached the entrance. "And who do we have here?" He whistled wolfishly as he stared at me up and down.

"Why was she in your car?" A blonde girl then emerged from the posse group and went straight at me, pushing red head guy aside. She was wearing a cheerleading uniform with a letterman jacket over it. Great, I am in an American teen romcom. "What is the meaning of this Matt? Is this the slut you will replace me for? "

Another clone wearing the same outfit stood beside her. "She looks so cheap. Don't you know who you're up against, you tasteless b*tch?"

They eyed me up and down too but with malice and I wanted to laugh. I may be a lot of things but I am confident with my fashion. Dad spoiled me with all of the designer outfits, bags and shoes. I didn't want it at first but it grew on me later on. My designer jeans, blouse and cashmere sweater was definitely more than their polyester cheerleading outfit.

I bit back a smirk and raised my brow at the clones. Seriously, is this what normal people say to someone they first met? My father taught me better than that. "Hello to you too, ladies."

"We're not talking to you." First clone snapped back and blocked my path. Matt isn't the only one who have an attitude in the family.

"Fantastic. I don't have the time or energy to talk to you too. You see, I don't do shallow and pointless dramas." I bat my eyelashes and smiled sweetly at them. Their comments are rude, insults mean and reactions predictable. I don't need to engage in this kind of interactions. "I am Matt's sister who needs to be in the registrar's office and you are in MY way."

The clones looked shocked. Apparently, Matt didn't mention me to his friends. Not to mention he didn't do anything to defend me against their accusations.

"W-what? Sister?" First clone stuttered and I just shook my head in frustration. She's wasting my time. I need my schedule already and I'm sure they're going to make me sign and fill up forms.

"Dooo I neeed to speak loudeeer or sloweeer for you?" I enunciated loudly and very slowly for her, just in case she couldn't keep up with the accent or my point. "You are in MY way. Move." I eyed her sharply letting her know it wasn't a request. I don't have time for American dramas and clichés. "I will push you if I have to, blondie. Do not tempt me."

She pressed her lips and huffed angrily but as soon as she saw the glint in my eyes, she wisely moved to the side. Second clone grabbed her in an embrace as if she needs comfort. Well, the poor thing looks like she will explode, whether from anger of embarrassment, I have no idea.

I glanced disapprovingly at my brother. "Nice choice of friends, bro." And with that I left.