Mystics of the Light

Family

When the bell rang, to say school was over, I ran to my locker, got my stuff, and left for the bus. My bus number was 95, so I looked for the number. When I finally found it, I saw that the bus driver gave us assigned seats.

"Hey!" I heard.

I looked and saw Val. I smiled and waved. I looked up and saw the post-it said:

Valery Eco

Reese Albino

I smile and sat next to her.

"I guess we're both lucky huh?" she said.

"Yeah," I replied, "I'm really glad I get to sit with someone nice."

She chuckled. I looked up, and my smile instantly turned into a frown. That brown haired kid, from science, was in the seat across from me. When he caught sight of me, he smirked.

"Guess it's fate that we meet again," he said.

I rolled my eyes and decided to draw again. This time, I decided to draw a picture of a mermaid. I saw, in the corner of my eye, Val watching me draw.

"You're so good at drawing," she whispered.

"Thanks," I whispered back.

The bus started moving, and I saw the boy looking at me draw. I glanced his way, while drawing more slowly, to see what he wanted. What I saw was a surprise. He had this curious face on him. Almost like he's never seen someone draw. I stopped drawing, to look at him, and he noticed.

"What?" he asked, "Can't I see you draw a little bit?"

I look at my drawing.

"Not after what you did in science class," I replied.

He sighed.

"Fine," he muttered, "I'll leave you be."

A bit after, I came to my stop. I said bye to Val, and she waved back. When I got off the bus, I was greeted to an unhappy father. My day was officially ruined.

"You should be glad you don't have to clean the house today," he said.

"Why is that?" I asked.

"We decided that since it was your first day of school, you don't have to be our maid."

Got confusing real fast didn't it? Well, anyone in my family who's different, they are treated like trash. I know I know, it's harsh, but they get away with it. I was the only one with purple eyes, so I was the one who cleaned up after everyone. It's really harsh. Sometimes, when I have to clean my brother's room, he will purposely make the most disgusting messes.

"Well, that's nice, but what about-"

"Don't get used to it. It's only because you're in a new school that we're doing this."

I nod and go into the house. When I got in, I was shocked to see how clean it was. The floors were polished, the carpet was vacuumed, and the dishes were all clean. Dad caught the surprise on my face and glared at me.

"This is the only time we will do this for you," he added, "Again, don't get used to it."

I nodded and went into my room, to finish homework. As I was getting my math homework done, I heard a knock on my door.

"Sis?" it was my baby brother, Daniel

"Come in," I answered, annoyed.

He slowly came into my room. He held out his hand. I looked at it, and I saw it was a chocolate Twix bar.

"What's this for?" I asked.

"I got it from my teacher, and I decided to give it to you."

Daniel was the nicest person to me. He was the ONLY person who treated me like family in this place. 

I take the candy and thank him, as he leaves. I slowly open the golden package and take out the bar. When I bite into it, I savor the smooth chocolate on my tongue, and the stickiness of the caramel. I smile and get back to work.

A bit later, I was almost done with my homework, when I heard a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" I asked, annoyed.

"It's me, Michael," My older brother answers.

"What do you want?"

"I just wanted to ask how your day was."

"It was fine. Now go."

I heard his steps slowly fade away, and I hear a door closing. As you can tell, Mike and I don't have the best sibling relationship at ALL. I mean, like I said earlier, Daniel is the only one in this family that treats me like family. Probably ever since Mom died.

My mom died giving birth to Daniel. Ever since, I promised her that I'd take care of everyone and everything. That's also when my dad started being abusive to me.

FLASHBACK

"But why can't I go play outside?" I asked.

"Because you still need to do the laundry, clean everyone's rooms, and you need to cook dinner," my dad said sternly. 

"Why can't you help me?"

"Because, first off, I'm not in a good mood, and second you promised your mother that you'd take care of everyone and everything. So you go do whatever I told you to do." And he went back to drinking his alcohol.

END OF FLASHBACK

I decided to go make dinner for everyone, so I turned off my lamp and ran downstairs. I went into the walk-in pantry and got my apron from the door. Before I put it on, I felt the fabric. Mom was a seamstress, and she use to make aprons. One day, I wanted to help her in the kitchen more, and she made one, just for me!

I shake the memory out of my head, to keep my tears from falling out of my eyes, and get to work on making dinner.