Rejection Hurts On Both Sides

Chapter 6: The Crayon in the Box

Chapter 6: The Crayon in the Box

"Pass the syrup, Anna," I mutter to her.

Anna shoots me a glare, her dark lashes emphasizing the hate in her eyes. "Get it yourself, jerk."

"Anna!" We look up to see our mother with a disapproving look plastered on her face. "Behave."

My sibling groans and hands me the syrup. "It's your fault I got grounded in the first place." She whispers fiercely.

"How can that be my fault?!" I roll my eyes. "Last time I checked, you were the one who snuck off to party."

"Well, you were supposed to cover for me!" Her voice becomes louder at this point.

Our mother sends a glare our way.

Anna and I wince in unison. "Sorry Mom."

I focus my attention onto my pancakes. I drizzle- okay, make that pour- the maple syrup onto my food. On cue, my stomach rumbles. I greedily stuff a few slices into my mouth.

"Blech!"

"Agatha!" My parents gape at the pancake-now-turned-mush. "What is wrong with you?"

"Before I answer that, I have a question," I wipe my mouth. "Who cooked this morning?"

Anna offers a sly smile. "I did, sister dear."

I gag and whip towards my parents. "You let her cook?!"

My father shrugs. "It was part of her punishment." He takes a few bites of his own pancakes. "Besides, her food is delicious."

"What are you talking about?!" I lean across the table and snag his food. I bite into it. The buttery taste flows into my mouth.

"Then why do my pancakes taste like shit?!" I demand.

"Agatha, watch your mouth," My mother berates. "I'm sure Anna has a perfectly good explanation."

We all turn to look at the culprit. She blinks. "What? It's not that bad." She scrutinizes my plate and snaps her fingers. "Oh. Those must be the pancakes that had those expired eggs. My bad."

I feel the bile rise in my throat. "What the- why would you put expired eggs in the mix?!"

Anna closes her eyes, as if lost in thought. "Come to think of it, I had to use sour milk too."

I cover my mouth with my hand. "Mom! Aren't you going to scold her?!"

Our mom sighs. "She's grounded already, so I can't do much."

"Dad?" I plead desperately. "I could have died!"

My so called father gives a shrug. "The worst thing you can get is food poisoning."

Gee, thanks.

Anna sighs. "Well, Agatha dear, I guess this teaches you a lesson." Her eyes flash with unhidden malice.

"Well, Anna dear, you made a mistake," I simper back. Our parents glance at the both of us warily.

I stand up to leave the table. "Well, if you excuse me, I've got a schedule I need to stick to." I pause mid-stride. "Oh, and mom? Dad?"

They focus their attention on me. My twin glares daggers my way.

"Anna's got an alcoholic boyfriend," I say nonchalantly, as if we were just talking about the weather. "And she always climbs out of her window to go to parties."

My twin looks like a deer caught in the headlights. "Well, you had a humongous crush on him!" She sputters. "You even stalked him more than once!"

I tilt my head. "So? Can't a girl follow where a boy goes now and then? Besides, you're the one who breaks curfew."