Keep Your Enemies Close

Chapter Four Who To Blame

Luckily, I got home yesterday night without my mom noticing my new hair cut, so I was safe. For now, at least. I couldn't just keep avoiding her. I'd have to face her this morning.

Everyone kept telling me that my hair wasn't bad looking and that it actually looked good on me. Mr. Briggs was fooled and still thought I was someone named Hanna. I didn't want to go through the awkward encounter of telling the truth, so I hoped Mr. Briggs soon realized his mistake.

I pushed the stressful thoughts out of my mind. Groaning, I jumped up from my bed a little too quickly, almost tripping on the rug.

I barely had to brush my bed head since it hadn't tangled which was a huge relief. Brushing my curly hair had been a hassle, and sometimes I hadn't even bothered.

I fastened my velvety hair into a high ponytail, so it wasn't that noticeable with mom, but she was my mom, so she was going to notice.

I grabbed on a floral skirt (that was borderline girly) and a loose grey cardigan. When I was ready, I happily danced downstairs. As I turned into the kitchen, someone tapped on my shoulder from behind me.

I froze, and slowly spun around. Georgia stood there, making an 'O' shape with her mouth.

"Wow, your hair, now your outfits, you're actually making an effort to dress up! And maybe I can be seen with you in public and not be embarrassed!"

Georgia hugged me tightly which caused me to push her away with haste.

"You scared me! I thought you were mom!"

We both walked into the kitchen. Georgia snagged an apple, studying it. I grasped a cereal box and the milk carton from the fridge, starting to make my favorite Lucky Charms breakfast.

Georgia set down the apple on the porcelain counter as she stared at me defiantly.

"She'll soon be awake, you know." I diverted my gaze from her instantly, trying to erase the fact from my mind.

"Whatever, right? You'll back me up?" There was a pause, which sent my heart hammering.

"My darling sister, you are hysterical. No, I actually need to go now, so you still don't embarrass me in public."

I snorted while eating a scoop of cereal, which wasn't such a good idea. Georgia made a face.

"Where you going to? Your boyfriend?" I teased, stirring my cereal. Her face turned red, the embarrassment rising up on her face.

"Wait, what? You are? You have a boyfriend! I can't believe my sister has a boyfriend!" I practically sung, with a mouthful of cereal in my mouth. I tried to keep in my laughter, seeing as I didn't want to die choking on Lucky Charms.

"So? I'm sixteen, Mabel, you don't have to act like such a child about it," she argued defensively. She was just mad because she'd been caught. Though I almost wish I hadn't mocked her. She turned to leave.

"Wait, who is it?"

Georgia paused uneasily, which was surprising because she was usually  confident.

"Does it matter? you're always so nosy!"

She fled the room, pissed off. Yikes. Wonder what that was about. Whatever. Who knew what my sister was hiding these days. I promised myself everyday that I wouldn't become like her when I was sixteen.

My mom sauntered into the kitchen suddenly, her hair all tangled up.

"Do you know what happened yesterday, Mabel? It was ridiculous!" My mom hadn't even looked at me; she sounded pretty upset.