Escaping Fate

Chapter 1

8 Hours Ago

"I'm home!"

"Oh, hello Lyssa. Could you stay quiet please? Your brother's sick," Mom pleaded.

"Uh, okay," I said rushing to my room. Ugh! It's always about him... I never even got to tell her. Well, what did I expect? She never listens anyway. And why would she? It's not like I ever do anything. Ugh! I decided to start on my homework.

6 Hours Ago

Finally! I'm done. I wonder what's for dinner?
"Lyssa! Dinner's ready!" Mom yelled from downstairs.

"Coming!" I ran down the stairs into the dining room. "What's for dinner?" I asked.

"Jorden wanted raccoon brains, so that's what we're having," Mom replied.

"He's a senior in high school and he still calls it that," I shook my head and laughed, "Mac and Cheese sounds good, thanks Mom."

"But, Lyssa, you have to realize that Mac and Cheese sounds boring. Raccoon brains is much more inventive," Jorden replied.

"If you say so," I added before taking a bite. I wonder when I'll get a chance to tell them? They probably won't care though. As if reading my mind, Jorden spoke up.

"I heard a rumor that someone in this room is going into pre-cal in 9th grade," he said ruffling my hair. "I'm proud of you sis!"

"Thanks, Jorden," I replied smiling, "If I keep up with this, Mom, they said I'll be able to graduate next year in 10th grade!"

"Really?" Mom said, obviously uninterested. "Did you hear that Jorden got accepted to state?"

"No, I didn't, congrats!" I replied sadly.

Jorden looked at me apologetically, "You'll probably make it into Harvard. I could never be as smart as you are."

"Thanks, Jorden," I smiled at him and sat staring at my plate. "May I be excused?"

"Whatever, your dad should be home soon." Mom mumbled.
I rushed up to my room and decided to read.

Downstairs

"Jorden, I'm so proud of you, I knew you'd make it!" Mom gushed.

"Yeah, whatever," he pouted, "Why do you always praise me, but you never give Lyssa a second glance?! She does so much and gets no recognition! It's not right and it's not fair to her!"

"We have our reasons! Don't you go yelling at me!" Mom yelled, "All I'm doing is encouraging her! It's tough love!"

"Well your 'tough love' is gonna break her some day!" Jorden said before storming off.

Back Upstairs

I had heard everything that Jorden and Mom said... It wasn't like him, yelling at Mom like that. He'd do anything for me though, and I knew that... I couldn't take it though. I started to cry.
I then heard a knock on my door.

"Wh- Who is it?" I asked trying to choke back my tears.

"Oliver snuck in through my window again," Jorden answered, "He didn't want to be rude and barge in through yours."

"C-c-come in," I said in between sobs.
"Lyssa, what's wrong?" Oliver asked seeing me crying. He sat on my bed next to me and held me. "It's okay, now," he said, smoothing down my hair. We had been best friends for as long as I can remember. He's always been there for me. As long as he's here, I don't fall apart.

"Oliver," I sobbed, "I'm so glad you're here. Your timing is impeccable."

"It's okay, Lyssa," Oliver cooed, "I'm here now..." He put his arms around me as I snuggled into him. I breathed him in. Mmm... He always smells good. I've grown to like him in more ways these past couple years. But, we'll stay best friends. Nothing more. Nothing less. Just that.

"Thanks," I said looking up at Oliver. He's grown handsome lately. "How long can you stay?" I asked.

"I don't have anywhere to be all weekend," he replied, wiping my tears. "What happened this time?" Oliver asked sincerely.

I then told him everything that happened at dinner, "I just wish they'd be happy or acknowledge me at the least."

"Ssh, it's okay. I'm here now," Oliver added hugging me. "I can siege the night of you want," he said, "My stuff should still be here."

"Okay, but please don't sleep on the floor," I pleaded, "I've got an extra mattress."

"Alright," Oliver consoled me for another 10 minutes before we went to bed. Somehow, I always sleep better when he's around.

20 Minutes Ago

"Lyssa! Get down here now!" Mom screamed from downstairs.
I woke up to see Oliver in my bed. Hmm... That's not where I remember leaving him. I blushed and climbed over him heading downstairs. "Y-yes mom?"

"Why didn't you congratulate your brother? You know, he did make it to state!"

"Yes, Mom, I know. I congratulated him, but please don't yell. I was trying to sleep."

"You really ought to be more appreciative of Jorden. He works so hard."

"Mom! Are you even hearing yourself?! 'Jorden this!' 'Jorden that!' 'You should be more like Jorden!' I'm tired of it! If you would've listened, I'm going to graduate in 10th grade! But no one seems to care!"

"Don't you dare talk to me that way, young lady! Just go to your room! Remember that I love you..."

"No you don't! You don't care! Dad doesn't care! The only one who cares about me is Oliver and he'll never care for me the way I want him to! So, just stop! Leave me alone! I hate you!" I started storming up the stairs, but halfway up I heard Mom.

"What would you do if I died?!"
"Go ahead! Die! I don't care!"

The only reply I got was, "If you were more like Jorden, you wouldn't get like this!"

Little did I know, that would be the last conversation I had with my mom.