The Death of Me

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

            End of summer.

            An anxious, saddening feeling always overwhelms my days in the last weeks of summer. August 1st, and I knew it was exactly a month before school started back up.

            I rolled out of bed at 12:00pm, my beauty sleep fulfilled, and walked groggily to the shower.

            I entered to see Gabby in front of the mirror, clogging her pores with foundation that matched her tan skin perfectly. Gabby was that rare kind of exotic-looking beauty, the kind you wish you had but know you probably wouldn’t pull off. She had dark hair like Mom, with dark, long lashes, and really tan skin; some people often thought she was Arabic or even Spanish. She hadn’t quite sprouted breasts yet, and always griped at me that she wished she had mine. I always reassured her that big boobs were overrated, but I always told her this with a smug smile on my face.

            At least I had one advantage over her. I didn’t have the dark, glittery brown eyes, or the shiny ebony hair, or the tan skin. I took after my dad’s side, with slate blue eyes and sandy blond hair. I wasn’t tall and skinny like Gabby, at least for my age— we were actually the same height, but I was curvier, and when I sat down, yes, I had rolls in my stomach. A girl needs to eat, okay?! …excessively. But I’m not obese or anything, I’m just… as I said… curvier. Filled out.

            Gabby smiled at me in the mirror’s reflection.

            I grunted in response, shuffling towards the shower. I carefully curled my fingers around the fabric, a little paranoid, and then flung it open, sticking my head inside. All clear. No crazy rapists, or men with knives and ski-masks. I sighed and turned on the shower, all the way to boiling hot.

            “What are you getting all dolled-up for?” I asked, smiling suggestively at her. She rolled her eyes at me, but I saw her tanned cheeks grow bronze with embarrassment.

            “My boyfriend’s coming over,” she said, sounding coy and excited. I giggled, walking over and nudging her shoulder with mine. She laughed, too, nudging me back. “When he comes, don’t embarrass me, okay?”

            “Oh, please, Gabby! Save it! Of course I’m going to embarrass you, it’s what older sisters do!” I explained, my voice a tinge whiney. She pouted, but I just pinched her butt playfully. She shrieked, then punched me in the boob. There’s no modesty in this family, in case you were wondering.

            “Ow!” I cried, flicking her in the forehead. She snickered, then held up her hands in surrender. I smiled and rolled my eyes, walking back to the shower and stripping down to nothing. I slipped under the water and heard the doorbell ring.

            “Ooooh, Ben’s here!” she squealed, and I heard the door open and then slam shut behind her. If this guy breaks her heart, I will make his life a living hell, I swear it.

            I decided to make my shower quick, so then maybe before they leave, I could get a glimpse of him… maybe even stick to my promise of embarrassing her.

            After my hair was clean, I shut off the water and grabbed my robe from the hook outside, covering myself and stepping out. I left the curtain open, checking inside once more, and then smiled contentedly.

            I stopped in front of the mirror, leaning in to examine the zits that had recently sprouted from my nose and cheeks. I huffed, and then applied my make-up. Light foundation, which I usually didn’t wear because yes, it clogs your pores, and then applied some dark brown mascara and cherry-flavored chap stick.