Not So Bad Of A Three Months

Chapter 1

What do you think is worse, going to Germany for summer vacation, or staying with my aunt's family, for summer vacation? It's pretty obvious which one it is. My mom left me at my aunt's house for quite an amount of time, and honestly, I don't even know what to do there for the summer. Everyone else gets to go somewhere, but of course, I get to spend time with my sixteen year old cousin.

I hate her. Obviously. Who wouldn't hate a sixteen year old who pops gum, straightens hair, and texts on social media the whole day? She doesn't even care about me. The only time she's actually nice, is when her friends are around. I want to go home. But no one is home. My mom is on a business trip in Germany. Naturally, I couldn't go. Her reasoning was "what would a thirteen year old do in Germany for three months, when she could be spending time with the other parts of the family?" Yeah right. Like I'm getting any affection back from these people. Aunt Lucy goes to work for basically the whole week and comes back on Sunday. If she and her colleagues ever hear about work from home I think they'll drop dead on the floor. Uncle Stan is on a business trip like Mom, but in some place cooler. Saudi Arabia. He's an architect, a travelling one, so he doesn't see his family much. He does bring back really cool souvenirs though, as Brittney showed me. This basically leaves Brittney a free bird. She does whatever she needs, and takes care of herself. And for these three months, she's my "Mom."

My real mom left me here and told Brittney and Aunt Lucy that I was a GREAT kid and I shouldn't give them any problems. When she said that, Aunt Lucy said, "Great, I have a full time job now, so it's really nice that Jessica won't trouble Brittney." Brittney just rolled her eyes. That was exactly when I knew that this was going to be the worst summer vacation possible. The only cool part was that we were living in New York City. I've been trying to reach my friends, but they're all off on some fun vacation in Florida, China, or India.

"What. Are you doing?" Brittney asked coming over.

"That depends. What do you expect me to do just sitting in this chair?" I retorted.

"Stop being such a smart allick, and get dressed. We're going somewhere." She said.

I thought for a minute. "Where? And are we going somewhere for your needs or because you want me to have fun for a change?" I smiled.

"Aunt Grace said you weren't trouble, so get dressed. It doesn't matter where we're going, or whose 'needs' it favors."

I got up and trudged to my room. If I was going somewhere with my cousin who thought I was such trouble when I wasn't, why not show her what my trouble really was?

I pulled on a tye-dye shirt with neon pink overalls. I looked in the mirror. Not enough embarrassment. I split my hair into two ponytails and braided one. I circled up the other one into a bun and clipped it to my head, along with a bow. I wore my tye-dye socks with my white canvas, and looked in the mirror. Just right, and maybe a little beyond. I was ready to go.