Because of Samantha | Original Novel

22 - Because of Preparation

I lay on my stomach on my bed, busily writing down the answers for my math homework, checking them with a calculator, and moving on. Lately I've lost motivation to do, well, anything. However, today my teachers gave me a stern speech about how graduation is less than five months away. Today marked the first day of December, after all, and I needed to start taking charge of the last of my secondary education.

I brush a stray bang from my eye. Valentino lay across my legs, watching me with his large brown eyes. I could hear shouting downstairs - most likely amongst the siblings - but I didn't stop. The sooner I got it over with, the more time I'd have to do even more homework.

The teachers were right. I must start taking things seriously. The time to be an adult has come, and I needed to get over myself. I needed to push away all distractions and get things done for me. And by distractions, I mean Aaron.

"Saaaaaaaam!" mom hollers, carrying out my name like a long note. "Could you come down here for a second!"

It was a command, not a request. I stand up from my comfortable position, much to Valentino's annoyance, and shout back "coming!"

I walk to the stairs and step down, finding my mother and Robert standing beside each other in the doorframe of the kitchen. The disgruntled siblings sat at the table, arms folded and scowls on their faces. What they were fighting about, I didn't care to know. I ignore their presence and step in front of mom and Robert.

"Yes?" I ask expectantly.

"The wedding is less than two weeks away, so we need to get fitted for our proper attire," mom explains. "So we are probably going to do that tomorrow. I won't be able to be there, because I have to stay late at work. That means you will have to take Margret with you to get your dresses fit."

I meet the beady eyes of Margaret, and she glares at me angrily, nostrils flaring. I sigh, but before I can object, mom quickly says, "Neither of you have a choice. That's how it's going to go. Got it?"

Reluctantly, and at the same time, both Margaret and I groan, "Got it."

***

I look in the mirror consciously, eyeballing the bridesmaid dress my mother handpicked herself. It was a frosty blue color, light as the delicate winter sky she envisioned her wedding to be beneath. Ruffles gave my chest a larger appearance, and the sash around my waist defined my thin figure. I felt different somehow. Adult.

My 18th birthday is in a month, after all. Soon I would no longer be "just a kid." I'd be 18. My opinion would finally matter. They'd listen to me for once. Maybe, just maybe, I wouldn't be afraid to speak out. Knowing that someone is actually listening is, shockingly enough, a comfort.

I unbutton my dress, slip out of it, and put on the clothing I came in. I look in the mirror once more. I no longer looked like some glamorous adult - I was just me. Samantha.

Folding the dress and putting it back in the box, I sigh plaintively. The wedding was so close. Things were beginning to change, and I could feel it.

I sit down with the box in my lap and wait for Margaret to finish. I could hear her hollering at the tailor to chill with the sewing needle, or that the dress was too tight, and I roll my eyes. I don't really know much about her, now that I think about it. Perhaps I haven't had the capacity to listen.

The only thing I know about her is the mutual hatred we share.

Once she finished, Margaret stormed out of the room with her box in hand. I thank the tailors, who looked as if they weren't paid enough for what they do, and we were off to meet Robert and the boys.

***

A/N: filler chapter, as per usual. I'm so sorry about being so inactive lately. I'd been having to deal with school and performances with my violin lately, so I've had almost no time to sit and write.

Thank you for sticking around and reading. You guys are the best. <3