let me go || l.h.

o n e

as i look around the room, i let out a deep sigh. here i was again, attending yet another boring family reunion. what a great way to spend the first day of summer holidays! walking into my auntie's house, i was assaulted with bone-crunching hugs and sloppy kisses. lazily rubbing at my cheeks, i felt smears of too-red lipstick rubbing off onto my fingers. to be honest, i didn't even know half of these people, yet i was still constantly reminded of how much i had grown, and how beautiful i was.

when i found out this morning that my family- me, my little brother and my mum and dad- were heading over to my aunties house to attend this month's gathering, i tried every excuse under the sun to escape my fate. five hours of complete and utter boredom? no thanks! "but muuuum!" i whined earlier that day, "i have too much homework!" always one step ahead, mum replied with, "we won't be long- do it when you get back!" i just couldn't get out of it!

***

as yet another exited toddler ran past me and trod on my toes, i decided to get myself another drink. walking over, i pushed my waist length black hair back over my shoulders and smoothed it down. if there was one thing i prided myself on, it was the fact that my hair was always well-kept! i may or may not carry a hairbrush around with me at all times... that's for me to know and for you never to find out! reaching across the bar, i smiled as i picked up a bottle of my favourite drink- iced coffee. although my auntie's gatherings can be a bit overbearing, she does do her best to make sure that she always has a bottle handy just for me!

i make my way over to my mum, drink in hand, to see her chatting to an aunty i don't really remember- also she seemed to recall watching me at jrock in grade 5 and made various comments about "how many hearts i must break and how beautiful i've grown up to be." yeah, right. if i was as beautiful as all my relatives made me out to be, i wouldn't be 16 and a boyfriend virgin! quickly snatching my book from mum's handbag i scurry away, before my aunt can tell me embarrassing stories that she's witnessed from my childhood. i've already been told three times that i used to sit on my brothers head when he was little. but being an only child for the first two years of my life, i was used to attention, so could you really blame me?!

making my way back over to my little perch- watching my feet to ensure i do not to run into any hyper-active two years olds on my way over- i hear the bustle of yet more people arriving. car keys jingle and high heels click as a flurry of kisses and hugs are exchanged. i plonk down into my seat, attempting to remain inconspicuous as the new family members arrive. bracing myself for the worst, i smooth down my shirt and run my fingers through my hair. i snuck my phone out of my pocket to check the time and then stick my headphones in my ears. i let out a relieved sigh as i snuggle down into my seat and pull out my favourite book (at the moment), city of bones. book review: page 203 and still no mention of the skeletal system.