Moonlight drifted in through the window. Dust covered the floor like an unwanted rug. The window was filthy, the bed was rusty, and there was a rat living in my dresser. Why did I live here? I could live anywhere. I could live with Brendan or Lani or maybe even my dad. So why did I stay in this terrible place?
It took me fourteen years to realize that my family didn't really love me. It took me fourteen years to realize that I could leave whenever I wanted. It's like Brendan said, I thought, I have the potential to do whatever I want. I looked at the clock and saw it was 11 o'clock.
"You should get some sleep Danny, "I said to myself, "tomorrow's a big day." I took one last look at my last set for Fashion Freak. A black and purple skirt that was long in the back and short in the front and a black shirt with long lace sleeves and a skull with roses on it. They'll be in the mail tomorrow, I thought.
I put my sets in a large envelope and turned out the light. The moon shone beautifully in the dark blue of the night sky. This was the only advantage of this room. I had the perfect view of the beach. The dark vast ocean that looked so omnious. It was odd to think that the ocean was both deadly and could set someone free. Your going to leave one day, I thought, your going to sail across that ocean and never look back. It was this final thought that put me to sleep.
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"Danny!" my mother shouted.
My eyes flew open. My clock read that it was 7:15. I jumped and made to run downstairs, then I realized I wasn't their maid. I took my time getting dressed and checking that the envelope for Fashion Freak was safely in my backpack.
After ten minutes I went downstairs and into the kitchen. My mother and siblings were standing in the kitchen looking cross.
"Do you have anything to say for yourself?" my mother asked.
I pretended to think for a moment and then said, "I enjoy Poptarts."
"Think this is funny do you?" my mother said in a surprisingly calm voice.
"What? Hallie's face when she tries to look mad? Yes I do think she looks quite ridiculous, "I said.
"Hey!" my sister shouted.
"We are all starving, "my mother said, ignoring Hallie, "we are waiting for our breakfast."
"Well are you waiting for the food to cook itself?" I said, "Sorry but food is an inanimate object. Oh that means it doesn't have a life force." My brother's confused face at my use of a word not in his vocabulary was quickly replaced with anger.
"Don't be sassy girl!" my mother shouted, "You cook us our breakfast!"
"Why should I?" I said calmly, "I'm not your maid."
"You will cook us breakfast as you always have, "my mother said angrily.
"No, "I said, "not anymore. You can cook your own damn breakfast." I turned and stormed out of the house. As I walked down the driveway I pulled out an object in silver wrapping, tore the wrapper off, and enjoyed the delicious poptart inside.
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Lani was immensely proud of me when I told her the events of my morning.
"Your finally sticking up for yourself, "she had said, "finally fighting back!"
"I figured it was about time, "I said.
Later, when we were walking home, Lani still wasn't over it.
"We have to go tell Brendan, "she said.
"I have a ton of homework to do, "I said, "How about we meet up at his driveway at 4 o'clock? I have to go help him with his taxes and then he's going to help me with our new song."
"4 o'clock it is, "she said. I turned and walked up my driveway. I wasn't sure what my mom was going to say to me. I didn't know whether she had burned all my belongings yet. But I still walked into the house proudly and unashamed of what I had done.
The house was quiet and seemingly empty. I walked into the kitchen to find no one. I stepped into the living room silently and found my mother on the phone. I intended to turn around and pretend I was never there. But then I heard a small piece of the conversation.
"Now Mr. Tork that is truly awful, "my mother said, "what kind of mother do you think I am?" She turned towards me and I ducked behind the pantry door. "Now I know you think my daughter has talent but I'm telling you she doesn't, "my mother continued, "and no I do not think I'm a bad mother for saying this! I am just telling you the truth. Now if you wouldn't mind calling my daughter and telling her you changed your mind..." There was a pause and then my mother said, "Now, now there's no need to call child service's or anything. You know what forget I called. Knowing Danny she probably forgot about all this fashion design nonsense all ready." She ended the call and immediately started to dial another.
The phone rang for only a few seconds. "Stephanie? Oh my God I'm so glad you picked up!" my mother said, "I was trying to get that stupid magazine to fire the brat but they won't do it. How do they not realize that she's just an ungrateful, non talented, little bitch? I can't believe Todd loved her so much. I wish he would have just taken her with him when he left."
I had had enough. I came out of the pantry and faced my mother.
"What do you think your doing listening to my conversation?" she shouted.
"Your going to listen to me, "I said, "You might want to think about what you say to me before your on your death bed. Because you know that spoiled, selfish Kyle and Hallie are going to be too busy to help you. So if you want someone to come care for you I suggest you thing about what you say to and about me." I turned and walked to out the front door.
"Hey, where do you think your going?" my mother shouted after me, "We're not done here!"
"I am!" I shouted back.
YOU ARE READING
The Neighbor
Teen FictionDanny's life is hard. Her father left, her mother abuses her, and her siblings treat her like a maid. No one can tell she's part of her family since she looks the complete opposite of them. She harms herself, thinking it will make her feel better. F...
