All about love

Chapter 3

            As soon as I got out of school, I went to buy black hair dye. My natural hair colour is dark brown, like my mother and pale skin like my father. I wish I could have met them, like any other orphan. I want to ask them why they gave me up for adoption, have they looked for me ever since? Do they even care? I have a list of questions that remain unanswered.

            “Are you sure you want to do this?” Lexi asked, holding the hair dye.

            “Yes, I’m sure. It’s a new year and there’s gotta be a new me.” I shrugged, and put my hands on my hips.

            “Wow, you’re confident about this. It’s something we don’t see every day; you’re taking this ‘new year, new me’ seriously.” Chloe said excitedly like she won a lottery. “I’m so proud of you!”

            “I’m going to be an adult soon; I think it’s time to start looking and acting like one.”

            “Don’t get me wrong, you look good with pink hair. Like one of ‘em hipsters, right?” Lexi added, we laughed. Chloe put her hands on her face and I fell on the floor laughing.

            “What, it’s true! I’ve seen it on the internet.” She barked, and then laughed right after.

            Lexi opened the box and took out the bottles; Chloe started combing my hair and put them in sections. I am nervous. I’ve hand pink hair since I was sixteen; it was my way of showing people that I’m different, and I guess it’s a warning too – I’m not like other girls. I’ve been abandoned too many times; I’ve never felt loved or welcomed. However, being in a small place like Manchester, New York, with family and friends make me feel at ease.

            I looked at myself, raising an eyebrow. I look like I’m in my twenties—never mind that; I look like a whole different person. My black hair complemented my piercing green eyes and pale complexion.

            “Who are you? And what have you done to Ella?” Chloe asked, as she took off the rest of the towel from my head, her face full of shock.

            “Whoa, watch out we got a hottie on the loose!” Lexi gave me thumbs up.

            Later that evening, I went downstairs to take out the garbage just like what Aunt Linda asked me to do. Donna and Anna were sitting in the living room, as always, like princesses. They’re Aunt Linda’s children, yes they’re my cousins. Donna looked at me with disgust, but Anna wasn’t looking, her eyes were glued to the television.

            “Changing your hair color won’t make you any better. You’re still a freak.” Donna shouted.

            I know Donna and Anna doesn’t like me very much, when Aunt Linda found me in the foster system I was happy. I was happy to find out that I had a remaining family that cared about me. However, Donna’s reaction to having another member in the house weren’t good, she cursed when she found out. Anna only shook my hand and gave me a smile through her blue eyes.

            Anna looked at me, then at her sister and then back at me. She shook her head, her blonde hair bounced. Anna has always hated Donna’s insults towards me, but she is tired of putting up with Donna’s drama. And so was I, so every time she comes up with a new and improved insult I ignore it—even though it tears me up every time.

            I ran out to the garage to put the garbage in the bin. The plastic fell from my hand and some of the leftover food had spilled on the floor. I was frustrated. I tried to clean it up with the dustpan, but I started crying. My chest got tight, it was hard to breathe and it was filled with pain. I gasped for air, only to hear myself moan and cry harder.