WARRIOR

just because you're rich doesn't mean you're not an outcast

There are some things you need to know about me. 

I was named after Odysseus, the king of Ithaca. I know, Ophelia, Odysseus, doesn't really sound similar or connected, but my mom insisted on the name. I guess she and Percy's mom decided to name their kids after Greek heroes. 

Also, my mom's side of the family is pretty wealthy. Oh, who am I kidding, they're loaded like a baked potato. They own hotels, do real estate, jewelry companies, and a lot more. I admit, being rich as its perks like going to movie premieres, meeting famous people like the cast of The Vampire Diaries and the Originals (which I totally don't try to do on my free time...okay maybe fine I do), but I don't let that dictate my worth or who I am. 

Third, my dad left me when I was three, not too young to forget him but not too old to understand why he left. I remember vividly the day he left. It was two to three weeks after I turned three (my birthday is in October, October 25th to be specific), he woke me up so we could see the sunrise. My mom was still asleep, so it was just me and him. After, he got me breakfast and we walked back home. And then, he told me that he had to go and he said he will come back and left. My mom found me outside two hours later. And since that day, I've never seen him again. No phone calls, visits, texts, or post cards. Nothing. But at least Noah makes up for it. Noah is my step-dad, he married my mom when I was seven. He's chief of police and he knew mom when they went to high school together with Sally, Percy's mom. He has a daughter named Taylor, who is four years older than me. She's cool and I'm glad I have her as my step-sister. Taylor and I also share a half-sister, Keiko, who is four. 

And finally, third, ever since I was young, I've been labeled an outcast. Not by my family, oh god no, but by all the kids I have ever met. I've been labeled an outcast due to some of my disorders, like being a pathological liar, having adhd, and kleptomania. In addition, I have night terrors and nightmares, so it's kinda hard to sleep at night and I draw them in a sketchbook because the therapist thought it would help. And to wrap it all up, I hear voices in my head sometimes. 

Yeah, I'm a pretty messed up twelve year old. 

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

I raced quickly into the lobby, hopped into the elevator, and hit the penthouse button. It felt like forever when the elevator doors finally opened. I quickly rummaged for the key in my bag and unlocked the door. The living room was opulent, but my mother added some touches that made it feel homey. It smelled like tea, courtesy of my Jiji (which means grandfather in Japanese). Suddenly,  a large blur of grey and white fur came and leaped onto me. I squealed. 

"Slushy! It's good to see you too!" I said petting the excited husky. He started sniffing me, especially my hands and pockets. I laughed. "Sorry, Slushy, I don't have any treats on me. I promise to get some next time." Odysseus, our black cat (yes I named my cat Odysseus, don't judge) purred and rubbed herself against my leg. 

"Ophelia?" my mother said, coming out of the kitchen. My mom had me when she was young, she has blackish-brown hair and has some similar features as me. Same chin structure and nose. She was wearing a flowered blouse with long sleeves and black pants. 

"Mom!" I said, hugging her. I looked around the kitchen, and I saw it was only just her and her laptop. "Where are the others?" I asked. 

"Noah is at work, Taylor is at her friend Isabel's house, and Keiko is with Aunt Emmeline." 

"So, it's just us?" 

"Just us." 

Even though it was lonely with just my mom and I when my dad left, she made her best to make up for it. And it was nice to have alone time with her. Whenever she had to give a dad talk or something related to dads, she would put on a fake moustache and jacket and played the dad role herself.