Low Life

5 - Cousin

Shania POV

The last thing I wanted to do was be stuck in a room with Laceys sister for another hour. So once the bell rang I got up quickly and left knowing I had a certain someone to deal with. Precious was my cousin in the year below but, people often mistaken her for my sister, I couldn't really blame them that much since she looked like me a lot.. from behind. The only thing we had in common was the same complexion and dark hair. She was 5'5 compared to me and her face was always sparked with energy. Her eyes were a light brown which always seemed to be playful and her eyelashes were long and thick. When she spoke, she spoke quickly and it would often sound like tongue twisters. She knew what she was doing most of the time to try and get a reaction. I would normally try and avoid her in school but she was practically everywhere. And it didn't make it any better when she joined in Year 7 and she would go around telling everyone we were related, so each time she did something stupid it would always come back to me.

She would normally hang around the playground of the school where most students would be. The reason she done this was because she loved being in the limelight and getting attention boosted her inflated ego and gave her serotonin. She was quite popular as it were but she wanted more and more. I would say I couldn't blame her but I did, she had always been like this and mirrored my aunties behaviour aka her mother. She tried so hard to be like her and it had a negative impact on her. If it wasn't for my popularity she wouldn't of been where she is. Like I mentioned before once she had told people we were related they seemed to respect her more and she got away with small things, she quickly climbed up the social hierarchy and everyone seemed to like her bubbly behaviour.

All this walking and thinking of that idiot got me to the centre of the playground quicker than expected and I was met with friendly glares and smiles from different year groups. I ignored them before walking up to Precious who was surrounded by a group of Year 10s, I pushed past them putting a hand on her shoulder to be met with a quick embrace from her. "Shaniaa!!" She squealed hugging me tightly. I groaned before pushing her off me and grabbing her arm taking her to the toilets. She saw the look in my eyes and all I saw in hers was fear.

I almost forgot I wasn't allowed to be lurking around the premise and I was meant to be confined, but the anger took over me and it was a minor issue at that point. We entered the toilets which had empty stalls everywhere and the cheap marble floor was decorated with muddy footprints and tap water. I pulled her further in before I grabbed her by her collar pulling her up so she could look into my eyes, she didn't dare speak and I sharply expressed my anger towards her "You know what happened this morning?" I questioned her, rhetorically. I paused for a second whilst she shook her head and I continued, "I got in trouble for smoking, the funny thing is I don't smoke." A deep crimson red arose in her cheeks of embarrassment and shame. She tried to speak but no words came out. The embarrassment painted on her face was partly because I told her to not smoke and avoid getting in trouble, but did she ever listen to me? No, she didn't. And each time she would get in trouble my auntie would always somehow put the blame on me and it didn't help when my mother didn't defend me.

I released my hold on her and before I could drag her out again we were met by Laceys sister, whose name I still did not know, honestly I was hoping Precious would say her name so I didn't have to keep referring to her as "Laceys sister" anymore. And luckily she did, Precious ran towards Laceys sister screaming "Lauren!" engulfing her in a fat hug burying her face into her neck. I was met with a gaze from Lauren who blushed slightly before hugging back my cousin patting her back. I stood there impatiently tapping my foot watching them before I spoke up. "Come on Precious, lets go." she shot around staring at me with fear, which I liked because it showed I had a sense of authority over her. But honestly I just wanted her to buy me food.

Precious sighed loudly before looking back at Lauren who seemed confused, she then turned back around to face me and ask "Can Lauren come with us?" and as much as I wanted to say no I couldn't, I nodded before walking around them leaving the toilets and being hit with a sharp cold gust of wind.