The Runaway Sister

thirty-two | sweet 16

My sixteenth birthday is meant to be a joyful celebration. It is not meant to be a reminder of why everything in my life is wrong and demented.

They wanted to have a party for me, but I can't imagine doing anything. I can't imagine being happy. I can't imagine having a sound mind, after what I've done.

I lay in my bed. That's all I do. I don't go to school. I don't eat. I remain fixed on the bed, staring at the wall. It reminds me of the cell.

Why am I acting this way, now? I was fine at the hospital. I ate. I talked. I slept. But now I'm actually back at the mansion. It's all too normal.

My brothers want me to act like nothing happened. They want me to get rid of all my memories from the cell. They want me to be normal once more.

The girls from school came by once—Lavender, Aria, and Daphne—but I couldn't bear seeing them. They'll be happy. I'm not.

Luke has gone so far as to show me a picture of a smiling Benny. Benny stood next to his mother, who looked dizzy and weary, but still smiled.

"Do you want to visit him sometime? It might do you some good. Or I could call the therapist." Alexander asked me yesterday.

"No," I replied.

I should see Benny. I should face the past and get it behind me. I should apologize to the little boy and confirm that he has everything he needs to be happy.

But right now I feel selfish. Alone. Devastated. I don't care what I should be doing. I don't care that I am wasting my life away.

Right now, I just don't care. I don't feel anything. I only feel this deep sense of guilt, eating me away. It takes my heart in little pieces, running away forever.

If I was a well, I'd be empty. If I was a flower, I'd be wilted. If I was the weather, I'd be gray and rainy. Cold without shelter.

The twins are always in my room. They either talk, watch movies, or try to coax me into eating or at least moving. I mainly ignore them.

They left around an hour ago. I'm not sure why, but I didn't stop them nor did I ask. I'm glad, honestly. Now I have quiet.

To my disappoint, the door opens. I turn my head slightly, and nearly pass out when I see the three girls, standing in sundresses and grinning.

Daphne rushes up to my side and pulls me off the bed. She barely gives me time to think as she shoves me into the bathroom. "Shower, and when you're done, it's makeup time!"

She closes the door. I blink once, then twice. I rub my forehead with my hand, feeling a headache coming on.

Why are they here? Who let them in? Either way, I know I smell, so I shower. I wrap myself in a fluffy white robe when I'm done.

When I step back outside the bathroom, into my room, cold air seeps into my skin. I shiver, and I can almost see my body turning blue.

Lavender wields a hairbrush. Aria clutches onto a makeup palette. Daphne holds onto lipstick, mascara, and eyeliner. I cock a brow.

"What's going on?" I ask. "Who let you in?"

"You've got to get ready, silly. Sullivan led us up here," Daphne pipes in, shoving me down into my vanity seat. The three begin working on my face and hair.

"Get ready for what?"

Aria laughs softly. "Are you sixteen, or are you sixteen?"

"I wanted your brother to rent out a big ballroom in New York, and invite all of the socialites! But you know what he said? No! He said you'd want a small party. It's not too late to change your mind," Daphne rambles.