Polaroids

12|Truths

My father always told me that on the day a girl turns into a woman, is not just her 18th birthday. It is the moment she realizes new things, that her girl self would have never known.

"Realization brings about wisdom, and wisdom therefore welcomes maturity" he would tell me. His father, well my grandfather, would always tell him that.

Waking up on the morning of my big day, I wondered what I'd realize that my girl self didn't know.

As I rise from my bed a feel a rush of sudden cold on my bare skin,the second i take off my blanket. Looking to the frosted window I smile in excitement.

Could it be?

I quickly put on a robe and slippers and dash down the stares, unlocking the doors and walking down the grand steps. My eyes sparkle in amazement, as I look to the grey sky and see droplets of light ice drop to the now fluffy white ground.

"The first snow of the year! On my birthday?" I exclaim spinning around happily. I dip my fingers into the thick snow and throw it to the sky allowing it fall onto my form. I walk around happily in the snow, continuing to play around with it.

My birthday was around the end of fall and beginning of winter, but never has the first snow of the year fallen on my birthday although ironically I really liked winter. According to mom, the day I was born it had been the first snow of the year, but it never happened again.

Today is going to be a birthday to remember.... I thought to myself with a smile.

"Katherine!" I hear Patricia's voice yell from the house. She comes out padded with atleast four coats, and I Chuckle to myself knowing she hated winter.

"Morning Patricia" I say, a smile unknowingly still plastered on my lips. She looks at me wierdly. "You told me good morning? Ah today will be a day to remember" she says mockingly. I roll my eyes.

"Exactly, cause I'm never saying that again" i reply and she laughs. "Wasn't expecting it to be a habit, now, get inside it's terrible out here" she says laughing at first but disgusted by the snow. O nod and Walk passed her.

I step into the house and hear Patricia close the door behind me. Going into the kitchen, I noticed a little white box with my name on it placed on the kitchen island.

I look to Patricia and see her trying not to show emotions. "Just take it"

"Who's this for?" I ask trying to spite her. "Well my name's not Katherine" she says walking past me annoyed. I smirk and take the box, grabbing an apple and heading up to my room.

I close the door behind me and take a bite out of my apple and opening up the box. My eyes widen at the gold pearled pendant placed carefully inside.

"Woah.." I whisper to myself.

Did Patricia really give me a birthday gift?

She hasn't done that since Dad was alive, which I always thought was because she was trying to impress him. I smile at it.

Maybe she's not that heartless after all..

Or maybe she's giving me a goodbye gift since I'm 18 and will be moving out soon.

Either way, I was still kinda thankful.

I remember my plans for today and quickly get my outfit out; a short red v-neck body hugging dresss that fit Emma and I's friendship necklace quite well; picked out by the apparently fashionable one, Allison.

The minute it turned 12am, Emma had called and oh-so-cringely sang me the entire happy birthday song twice. She said that by midday she'd pick me up, so I decided to sleep in, meaning I only had a few hours before time.

I quickly get ready, putting on my outfit and some light make up for the first time in a while. I pull my hair up in a semi pony and put on a fury white coat for the cold and also to enhance my look.

I grab my white knee highs and head down the stairs when I hear footsteps behind me.

"Someone looks good" I hear his voice say. I look back and stare at him blankly before continuing down the stairs. "What? Can't take a complement?" He asks and I ignore me. I hear him picking up the pace before he grabs me and turns me around, forcing me to look into those frosty orbs. "Common kathy-"

I slap him right across the face. The sounded reverberated across the stairway. I see the faint red marks on his turned cheek and feel satisfied with myself.

"I told you specifically not to be here when I am, what don't you understand?" I ask. He looks at me and suddenly that look of danger he had in his eyes during court flashed and I felt a brief moment of familiar fear. He takes a death breath and combs through his locks before his look calms.

"Common it's the weekend I thought it would be fine Kathy" he says with a clownish smile and nudging my side.

"Don't call me Kathy.." i spat at him "and don't you ever touch me" I add and he roles his eyes.

"Look, lucky for you I'll be out today, so you can stay, but the minute I tell Patricia I'm on my way you better get your ass out" I say in a threatening tone.

"My my little Kathy's all grown up, I see you've advanced in all the right places" he says, his eyes wonder up and down my body and I feel my skin prick in Disgust.

"Atleast have some small amount of decency since I am your step sister" i say. He steps closer.

"You didn't say that when I would sneak you booze.." he whispers "and you definitely didn't yell step brother the night we were-"

I slap him again, this time on the other cheek. I couldn't believe this bastard.

"Watch your mouth, Damien" I say looking him dead in the eye. "You've grown alot of wings while I was gone haven't you Kathy?" He asks touching his cheek. I don't bother replying, I just continue stomping down the stairs.

"Well I got you a little gift for your eighteenth" he says from behind me, and I turn around to see him holding a pack of cigarettes and a bottle of rum. My eyes widen and I feel a bit of a hunger within me.

I quickly turn away and I hear him laugh. "Don't worry, these are for me, I wouldn't give the person that ruined my life a birthday gift.." he says. He walks closer to me and I feel his breath at my neck "..but remember, the law can't save a grown woman from having fun" he whispers and I feel a shudder go down my spine.

I guess that's my first realization of today; Damien Anderson, was, is, and will always be a disgusting pig of a man.