Mutinous

Chapter 17

"Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?"

I gave Maggie a small smile and shook my head. "You know how they are." I complained having heard the front door open. Our lovely grandparents had arrived, and I was in no mood of having them here.

"They aren't that bad," Maggie tried.

"But they are! They favour you, you know that." I snapped at her, not meaning to sound like a spoiled child. I wasn't sure why the favoured Maggie, but they did just like everybody else did. It was as if I had a neon sign on my forehead reading 'troubled child' or something along those lines that made me less likeable. I even remembered small parts from my early childhood right before Maggie was born where even mum's belly would get more attention than me. When I was younger, I had asked mum why, and she had explained to me that I didn't need the same kind of attention as Maggie, but I knew that wasn't true. However, I never asked her about it again. I was just the black sheep of the family, the one who always got in trouble without doing anything wrong. I wish I could say I had gotten used to it, but honestly, I hadn't and that made Harry all the more important to me. I knew it sounded selfish, but I wanted to be someone's number one priority and with Harry I knew that I was most of the time.

"El. Ellie!" Maggie was persistent, and I realised I had zoned out.

"Sorry."

"C'mon we gotta go. They are waiting for us." She took my hand, and we walked downstairs hand in hand. Goosebumps arose all over my body, and my pulse increased. I didn't like having all attention on me especially not when I knew a comment or two would be made about my appearance any second.

"Look at you two. So beautiful," mum gushed, and I faked everybody a smile.

Both my grandparents and father stared us up and down, and when their eyes met mine they looked away quickly.

"Hi Nana. Pap," Maggie said embracing both of them while I awkwardly stood to the side once we had made our way all the way down.

"Look at you, dear. You're so grown." Nana kissed Maggie's cheek.

I bit my bottom lip awaiting their greetings. "Elliot," Nana said with a change of tone in her voice. No nicknames on my behalf, but I really didn't care. The way she talked to Maggie always had me want to vomit.

"Hi Nana," I placed my arms around her, but she quickly pulled away not bothering about a kiss or any unnecessary contact.

I wanted to say something, but I quickly pulled myself together knowing nothing good would come out of it. Maggie squeezed my hand quickly knowing how they made me feel.

Pap wrapped his arms around me in a tighter embrace than Nana, but just like hers, it didn't last long, and they both looked me up and down. "Don't you think that dress is a bit too short?" Nana commented, and I stayed quiet.

"I think she looks lovely," Mia added in sending me a smile. I thanked her with one in return.

"Nobody asked for your opinion," Nana snapped and headed for the dining room with Maggie in hand.

"Sorry," I said to Mia planting a kiss on her cheek. "Thank you."

"Don't listen to them."

"I try not to, but it's hard." I faked her a smile.

"I know, but what they are saying isn't true. You know that don't ya?"

I nodded though Nana's words still hurt.

"Elliot, hurry up. Leave Mrs. Morrison alone," father called for me, and I felt everyone's eyes on me the second I entered the dining room.

"How can you let her wear clothes like that?" Nana asked mum, and I wanted to roll my eyes, but I knew now wasn't a good time. Instead, I quickly sat down just like everybody else.