Sage Rose Parker, a seventeen almost eighteen year old girl getting ready for college with her two friends.
Having the world on her shoulders and her past in her mind she's down to break.
An alcoholic as a mother and an abusive father in jail didn'...
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The perfect house ==================================== "Alexa, play Dollhouse by Melanie Martinez," I shout to the small Echo Dot on my nightstand as I make my way toward the bathroom. The familiar melody fills the air, and I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. ====================================
From the outside, the house was perfect—or at least it seemed that way. Freshly painted walls gleamed under the morning sun, the windows sparkled from a recent cleaning, and the meticulously trimmed lawn painted a picture of suburban bliss. But like a porcelain doll, it was only a facade, a delicate mask hiding the darkness that festered inside.
A perfect disguise.
The truth lived in the silence between words, in the spaces behind closed doors. Each wall held secrets no one else could see, horrors that should remain buried deep. Each and every wall hid a secret. Secrets most people don't know, some secrets aren't meant to be known, some secrets are supposed to be kept hidden.
The drinking; The yelling; The crying; The abuse; The resentment.
The house was a shield, keeping the brokenness concealed, protecting the illusion of a perfect family. There was the mother, always with a glass in hand; the father, quick with a temper; the daughter who silently bore it all; and the older brother, oblivious or perhaps pretending not to see.
No one knew. No one could sense. No one heard a thing.
It was indeed not the perfect home. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Play with your dolls, we'll be a perfect family," I hum the lyrics to myself as I step out of the shower. My breath fogs the mirror, temporarily hiding my reflection, as if even the glass knows the truth and wishes to keep it hidden. I dry off quickly, tugging on a pair of gray sweatpants and a baggy black hoodie. As I pull the hood over my damp hair, I glance at my reflection once more, fluffing out my hair as if that would make a difference. I frown at the faint dark circles under my eyes.
"Alexa, turn off," I groan, slinging my backpack over my shoulder before heading out of my room.
Sage, hurry up! You're gonna be late!" Jay's voice echoes up from downstairs.
I roll my eyes at the sound of my brother's familiar tone. "Coming!" I call back, taking the stairs two at a time. As I enter the kitchen, I see Jay already at the stove, scrambling eggs in a pan.
"You want breakfast?" he asks, turning to me with a questioning look.
I shake my head. "Not really. I'm not that hungry," I mumble, avoiding his gaze.
He frowns. "At least eat some fruit, Rose." His tone is firm, leaving little room for argument.
"Fine," I sigh, opening the fridge and grabbing a small carton of strawberries. After washing them off, I pop one into my mouth, savoring the sweet burst of flavor as I walk to the front door.
