I want to write a oneshot for all of my characters, and Maria just seemed to make the most sense next...She has a story that should be told -C
Her life has been a constant struggle, despite what Maria would tell people. It's not just bright red lips, painted faces, and mindless struggle. Sure, she has managed to end up in college through a lot of hard work. It wasn't a rich family granting her as much money as they could possibly.
She is part of the big family, the Lewises. Okay, maybe not that big. But she had five siblings at one time, and she even had a half brother. Maria couldn't be the center of attention no matter how much she wanted to be. She also couldn't get all of the things she deserved, such as beautiful dresses and makeup. They weren't very well off...They couldn't even say that they had everything that mattered.
She was the one of the younger, the third daughter...But the fourth child. Sarah and Susanna beat her out for age though. Col was barely older, but he was still older. The oldest three were always working themselves to the bones...
Until the first tragedy happened. Her life really can be classified by the tragedies that occurred.
Her mom, Susanna, gave birth to triplets...And all three died during birth. Maria had watched her mother come home, climb into bed, and she practically just kept crying. Maria never knew that someone could hold that many tears within them. Her mother had proved her wrong though.
Col, Sarah, and Susanna started desperately fending for only themselves. Somehow, they had known what was going to happen. It didn't make sense to Maria, who was watching her family fall apart. She didn't get all of the things that were about to occur.
One day, the crying from the closed door vanished. Maria was the one who crept in, having made breakfast for her mother to show that she was still there.
Her mother had stared at her blankly and then told her to get out.
That was the night that her father got in the car. She had ran out while her siblings stayed on the porch, and her mother was holding Col, Susanna, and Sarah as closely as she could. Maria screamed at her father as the car revved. 'Daddy! Please! Please...Please don't go, sir! Daddy, don't!'
It's safe to say that her plea fell on deaf ears.
Her mother shut down, refused to help them. Susanna started working as much as she could, disappearing after school and returning with a thick wad of cash. Maria asked her once what her job was, and Susanna shushed her and told her to stay quiet. Col clearly didn't approve of whatever she was doing as he was working every night as a way of competition, desperately trying to earn more money. Sarah and Maria were the ones who tended to the household. Maria made every meal and made sure her mother left bed once awhile and got some food in her stomach. Sarah cleaned.
When the cops arrived at their house, it didn't take a genius to know Susanna had goofed. Susanna literally took off running, trying to get away from the cops. Sarah had pressed her face against her dress, refusing to let Maria see what was going on. Col was screaming, and her mother was sobbing.
Three gunshots rang out to symbolize the end of the chase.
Susanna was dead the next day, and the cops were interviewing her mother. Somehow, her mother knew how to play an act perfectly. She acted like she had everything together, that she didn't know the money from her daughter's job was earned illegally and wow, who would have known.
There was no funeral. They didn't have enough money. Maria had snuck off with her piggy bank money and went into the flower store. It was so bright and colorful. After she bought red roses, she got distracted by a perfect family.
Just a dad...But a dad is okay. But...But this man looked remarkably like her dad. It took a few more looks to realize that no, it wasn't her dad, Maria was just so desperate she was seeing things. He had three daughters frolicking around him like sheep to a shepherd. The oldest was stunning, her charm and grace radiating off her with every confident step. Maria could sense the quiet confidence and the kindness coming off the second tallest, maybe the middle child, dressed in a gentle blue. The last girl resembled her greatly with locks of brown curls and tan skin. However, the last girl had rosy cheeks and an optimistic air floating around her. Maria had sunken in cheeks and a hopeless look in her eyes.
That night, she vowed she would change everything.
With only four in the family, only three functioning, things had to change. Everyone was doing odd jobs, but Maria was doing the most. She was mowing everyone's lawn in the neighborhood, and every dollar she got went to the police for the charge of negligence upon her mother. She babysat, singing children to sleep easily with her deep vocals. She started giving singing lessons to the younger kids. She would cook dinners for those who needed help, as long as they let her use their kitchen and they wouldn't mind if she snacked a little.
And she brought her grades up. She was working herself to the bone. This time, though, she would not be left in the dust. She wanted to be like that girl, who she was convinced might have been an illusion.
After awhile, Col and Sarah left the home to go to college or at least live freely elsewhere. Sarah got to live with her husband, and Col made it on a scholarship and support from his other parent, the one that Maria didn't get to share. She was a tiny bit jealous of that, but she was fine...
It was her third year of high school when the biggest paycheck came to her. Someone had asked her if she could pose as their girlfriend for a family gathering that lasted an entire day. They would pay her a hundred dollars, a hundred, and let her use another hundred to prepare herself and let her to get dolled up.
With that hundred, she got her first dress. A bright red dress, like the roses she got for her dead sister, that had a low collar, sleeves that went a little above her elbows, and ended halfway down her thigh. She stole her mother's bright red lipstick to match the dress, found Susanna's black boots that would go up her calf, and she had brushed her hair until it gleamed in its locks. The rest of the money went into her saving account for college.
It became a regular gig. Maria, just come to my family dinner, pretend to be my girlfriend. Hundred bucks for you. Maria, go to prom with me? Seventy-five dollars! Maria, kiss me in front of my crush so she might get jealous.
She felt slightly dirty, but she wanted to go to college. And she really liked red dresses. They were her favorite, and they were rarely cheap.
By the end of high school, she had enough money to go to college, and she had fifteen red dresses. She wouldn't buy anymore...But she always felt beautiful in the red dresses and not like a reject by everyone.
Maria, with her money and good grades, graduated one year earlier than everyone else. She got into a college in New York. Right before she left, her mother had staggered out of her room. Smoking a cigarette from God knows where...And wearing a brand-new outfit that must have cost a fortune.
She had spent all of Maria's money.
It took another year for Maria to get all of her money back, and then she was finally off to New York.
Maria tried to hide her hurt when people stared at her like she was no more than a common slut. After all, she had gotten to where her dreams had once lead her. She could have a bigger life than whatever her life was before. She could be bigger than anything her mother expected...Or even her father...
This time, men wouldn't run from her. When she asked them not to go, they wouldn't leave her.
