CHAINS OF OUR BLOOD

Defying Aurelia

It's scary...becoming like the person you loathe...

Fainwyn was puzzled by her parent's reaction when Meredith informed them that they were going to have a sleep-over. The shock was expected but the concern her father showed was not, so was the rather puzzling question her mother asked them, "So Aurelia suggested a sleep-over?" and the relief she obviously felt when they told her that they decided to have one on their own. She was extremely puzzled with her father though, he just hugged them both and told them not to worry a bit, even saying that he loved them. They were both puzzled on how to feel. As it was they were both dazed, sitting on her bed.

"Is this all a weird dream Faith?"

"If it was Mer, we'd be dreaming the same weird dream."

"What could mother have said to your parents for them to act that way?"

"I don't know, nothing good, but this is the first time father showed any emotion, other than to cry over your aunt Amy every year. And he told us, he loved us, should I be happy? Should we?"

"I don't know Faith, you deserve love though. I don't. I'm a horrible person. Just like my mother. And I don't want to be weak just like my biological father, no offense but your father is a wimp."

Fainwyn looked at Meredith and saw that she believed herself to be as horrible as her mother. And she knows how it feels to not want to be weak.

"You know, both of my parents are wimps, but am I one? What they are is not who we are. We are who we are Mer."

"You've got a strong and loving grandmother Faith, you have a positive role model."

Fainwyn laughed at that. "Oh Mer, the truth is my grandmother makes your mother look like a saint! She loathes me, that is the truth, you know all those mishaps? She orchestrated most of them, to make me look like a stupid fool and to make her look like a loving and understanding grandmother, to boost her reputation as a kind and loving ruler."

"Whaaaat?!!! Really??" Meredith was obviously shocked, Fainwyn thought she knew about that, but it was plain to see that she believed her make-believe stories about how nice her grandmother was to her.

" Yes, seriously. I thought you already knew."

"No, I didn't. I envied you so much because of that. I thought that someone admirable loves you unconditionally, I'm already envious by your mother's love for you, but I always tell myself that she is not someone I would wish to love me, not that I don't like your mother because I would trade her for mine in a heartbeat but she's not mine and I need to reason with myself to stop the pain of longing for a mother's love, but I could never stop myself envying you for what I thought was your grandmother's love."

They didn't realize they were both in tears. And burst out giggling at the situation.

"Okay, enough with this crying. We're looking like crybabies now. Let's do something fun." Meredith said wiping the tears from her eyes.

"What do you suggest we do?" Fainwyn asked as she too wiped her tears.

"First, let's get into our pajamas and then let's talk about the things we have kept a secret from each other." Meredith said as she got up.

"Sound's like a plan."

An hour later, they were in their pajamas, sitting cross-legged on the carpeted floor with a tray of food beside them, "So let me go first, I have a personal assistant who buys me all my clothes, and does my make-up everyday." Fainwyn saw Meredith's eyes lit up in merriment.

"Ha, so do I!"

"Seriously? I thought you choose all your clothes yourself Mer!"

"I thought you were too!''

They both laughed and started talking about the things they have lied about and kept sercet from each other.

"I hate looking exactly like mother, I hate my blonde hair, Faith, I've loved and envied your raven tresses for forever. I don't want raven hair though, I want to be a red-head. Mother hates red-heads. She says they're all just a bunch of good for nothing trash. She hates a lot of things actually."

Fainwyn excitedly got up and rummaged though her dresser.

"Aha! Here it is. I have been keeping this for like a month. It's fiery red. I just kind of at the spur of the moment bought one. Let's dye your hair! What do you say?"

"Hmmmn, I am scared of mother's reaction. So, hell yeah!!!"

They went to the bathroom and after making a mess checked out their work. Meredith was now a redhead. And she rocks red locks!

"You look A-mazing!" Fainwyn said, admiring her work.

"I do, don't I? I can't believe that I'm actually looking forward seeing mother. Just to see her reaction to my hair!" Meredith said, and they both laughed.

"I wish I could witness that!"

"Well, you could! We can have a sleep-over with Ika and Roarke tomorrow, father's going to be home, so were more or less safe from my witch of a mother."

"Okay! I can't wait!"

They both went to sleep smiling.