It was worth it • Jj Maybank

0.1

I was sitting by the pool at my house, soaking up the sun on my light tan skin as I laid on my stomach. I wore my red rim sunglasses, matching with my red two piece bathing suit and my shoulder blade length hair resting to one side of my shoulder.

My sun tan was cut short from my mom yelling from the sliding door of their house.
"Isla! Hurricane is going to hit tonight, I suggest you get back inside!"

I obeys my mom walking back inside changing into grey sweatpants and a green hoodie. Around eleven P.M I was reading 'That Was Then This Is Now' when my mom walks into my room with a panic expression.

"Kiara's not back yet. It is eleven PM and that hurricane is starting to hit. I-I have work in the morning and so does your father; I can't be staying up waiting for her to return.. but I'm worried and I just-"
My mom rambles pacing back and forth. I cut her off, getting up off my bed to embrace her in a comforting hug.

"It's okay, I'll stay up. Don't worry about it, I'll take care of it."
I comfort my mom. I used to hate hugs but you get used of it when you constantly have to comfort someone in the family daily. I hear my mom sigh in relief.

"Thank you so much.. What would I do without my perfect daughter?"
That word.. perfect. That word alone makes a twisting sickening feeling in my stomach. I shrug it off every time, no matter how much it feels manipulating, or insulting. It doesn't matter. Even when I feel like I'm on display..

•

3:46 A.M
I was sitting on the couch waiting for Kiara. Tapping my finger anxiously on the arm of the couch. The wind picking up its strength knocking down branches that hit the living room window, the thunder rumbling louder with lighting flashes or bangs, the rain pouring harder and harder with every hour that I sat here waiting for Kiara.

I hear the front door open and I get up from the couch right away. Kiara walks in and rolls her eyes as soon as they set on me, she tries to walk straight to her room but I step into her path blocking her.
"It's almost four o'clock in the morning, Kiara."
I say in a harsh whisper, trying to be somewhat quiet so our parents don't wake up.

"I can read the clock, thank you."
Kiara replied in that sarcastic tone that makes me want to bang her head on a pole. She tries to go to her room again.

"No.. Kiara, I have a scholarship interview that I have to get ready for in three hours. I have not slept yet, because of your stupid reckless decisions."
I run a hand through my hair getting frustrated. From the disgusted attitude face Kiara just made as I spoke I could tell she doesn't care.

"Oh I'm so sorry, princess. But, I didn't make you stay up to wait for me. You did that on your own. So, you can be mommy's little hero again."
Kiara's words make my stomach form into knots, making it feel like I haven't eaten in a month.

I scoff shaking my head. I don't have time for this, I should get as much sleep as I can. I think before I walk up the stairs hearing Kiara return the scoff.

•

Three hours of sleep later I get up, change into a black above the knee length skirt, with black tights and a white button up shirt. I leave my hair in it's natural brown curls but just braid it into two. Once I'm ready I head downstairs seeing my mom leave to work at their restaurant The Wreak. My dad smiled as I walk into our living room.

"My girl, look at you. Ready for a scholarship interview."
My dad smiled proudly. I smiled back walking up to my dad engaging him with a small hug.

"Come on, let's head out. Don't want you to be late"

•

We pull up to the place we've agreed to meet. I take a deep breath, anxiety feeling like it's filling up my lungs. I have to get this.. for my parents.

"Be good in there. You will get it, I know it."

•

"With your grades, your attendance record and your GPA, you must have a perfect life.. Tell me about your life?"
Jules requests, making me rub my knuckles nervously just above my knees.

"I was raised by my mom and dad with my sister Kiara, in a beautiful house on the south side of this island. I go to Kook Academy, I'm in grade eleven going to be in grade twelve next year. I volunteer to clean up the beach every summer since I was six. I work at my parents restaurant The Wreak."
I tell Jules still rubbing my knuckles up and down my leg anxiously.

"You seem to have a very organized lif-"
Jules was cut off by my phone ringing. I flinch at the sound.

"Sorry, I uh-"
I apologize before I look and see the caller ID.
"It's my mom. Sorry, excuse me for just a second."
I get up from my seat answering the phone taking a few steps away from Jules.

"Isla, your sister Kiara stormed off to god knows where! We were trying to educate her on how those boys, are no good for her! Then she just stormed off, I'm worried sick over here, Isla!"
My mom rambles on, I run a hand through my hair.

"I'll be right there, mom. I'll sort it out, don't stress about it."
I reassure my mom before hanging up. I gulp walking back to Jules.

"That was my mom there's a family emergency. Sorry, I'm going to have to cut this meeting short."

•

I walk into my house and I hear my mom yelling and stuff being thrown around. I quickly run up the stairs seeing my mom throwing stuff away in Kiara's room.
"Mom, I thought you were at work? Hey, hey, hey. It's okay, Kiara will be back in a few hours. C-Can you stop? That's Kiara's stuff."
I try to grab my mom's arm to stop her but she shoves me off.

"I make the punishments and decisions! I'm the adult here!"
My mom yells angrily shoving more of Kiara's belongings into a garbage bag.

"Then why do you call me?! If you're the adult, why do you call me?!"
I argue back getting frustrated I start walking away, not wanting to say anything really hurtful. I grab the jeep keys.

"Isla! I'm sorry, please come back! I need you!"
I hear my mom yelling at me as I close the door behind me.

•

I drive to the Château where Kiara hangs out with her friends. No one's home so I go driving around looking for Kiara. I decided to check figure eight and as I drive by a mansion still being built I see Jj, Pope, John b and Kiara come running out. I quickly slam on the breaks rolling down the passenger window. I see a security guard chasing after them.
"You gotta be fucking kidding me"
I whine, while Kiara yells to the Pogues to get in the jeep.

"Go, go, go, Isla!"
Jj rushes me, hoping into the jeep along with every other pogue. I drive since I'm apart in whatever they did now.

"Kiara, are you fucking crazy? Actually don't answer that, it's pretty obvious."
I mumble while we take off driving past
Outer Banks Paradise on Earth..