Fake It 'Til You Make It

|09| Plans

The ride home was dead silent except for the rush of wind slapping against my eardrums. There was also the overly loud music blaring from Vienna's phone. She sang along, her voice not horrible but definitely not worthy of the stage.

By this point in the day, I wasn't overly annoyed. I had gotten used to dealing with Tala and her buddies. Even though they quite obviously disliked me, I made it my mission to not let it show. My mission was still to become popular no matter who stood in my path.

Glancing over at my half sister, I couldn't help but mull over her actions. She was so nice to me the day before, but in school acted at though I ceased to exist. However, I wasn't just going to sit there and simmer.

"Vienna?"

"Yes?"

I took a deep breath, attempting to make sure I stayed calm. Frankly, I was pretty calm. Over the course of the day, all my annoyance and agitation had faded away. That isn't to say my questions didn't linger.

"Why did you just ditch me this morning?"

Maybe she saw someone she knew. Maybe she was scared that she would be late for class. There had to be a plausible explanation.

She kept her eyes on the road, long hair wildly flailing about. "What?"

"I went into the office to get my stuff, and then you just left. Why? I thought you would have stayed to show me around or something."

She shrugged, by this point pulling up the long driveway to the mansion. "I wasn't comfortable being around that woman. I was already late, so I went to class."

I sighed as the car settled into a halt. The roof whirred to life and slowly inched over our heads. I felt a little better knowing she had a simple explanation. Yet, I felt like she was barbering something against me.

"We never interacted all day," I pointed out, climbing out and softly shutting the door. I had my bag slung over my shoulder as I followed her inside, being greeted by no one.

Suddenly, Vienna stopped short and a sigh escaped her lips. She turned to face me as I shut the door to the mansion. She almost looked like she was battling within herself.

"Well, you had people talk to you."

Finally, I started to become agitated. "Vienna, please stop beating around the bush. What did I do to you?"

"You're the new girl who just moved to town. You're the result of my dad cheating on my mom. It would be difficult for me to just parade around with you."

"Dad cheated on Melanie? And they're still together?" It wasn't fair! How come his family wasn't torn apart and mine was? My father was a great man, an amazing father until this all came to light. How come people like him got happier endings?

She slowly nodded. "I'm sorry, but-"

I held up a hand to silence her. We both had reputations to either uphold or create. In a way, I understood. I could really see it from her point of view. On the other hand, she should have just been honest with me.

"Ada-"

"I get it. You don't have to explain yourself."

Wordlessly, I sprinted up the stairs. My bag constantly whacked me in the side until I reached the door to my room. I gulped in a deep breath, attempting to calm myself. Then, I typed in the combination, locked myself inside, and flopped onto my bed.

Never in my life had I felt more alone. Not one of my half siblings seemed to give a hoot about me. Here I was, stuck in a foreign city, with no shoulder left to lean on.

I felt my eyes water but rapidly blinked them. This wasn't the time to cry. This wasn't the time for an emotional breakdown. I rolled into my stomach, my phone in my grasp. I called the number of the one person I prayed would answer.

It rang. And it rang. And it still rang. My heart nearly leapt for joy as I heard an end to the ringing. Maybe, just maybe-

"Hello?"

"Hey, this is Amelia! Sorry I've missed your call. Or maybe I'm not. I might call you back. Or I might not. Byyyeee."

A fat tear fell onto the screen.

"Hey, it's me. Adalaide.  I just needed someone to talk to, but you're busy. I get that." I sniffed. "Maybe call me back?"

I hung up with a sigh. There was nothing to do or no one to care. I flipped onto my back and stared at the blank ceiling. Salty tears ran down my face and into my blonde hair. My nose stuffed and my body shook.

I never imagined this would happen. How was Amelia? Was mom treating her okay, or was she worse off than me? My stomach twisted into knots at the thought. She was my sister. I didn't want anything to happen to her.

We were both teens trapped into a world like this. Trapped into a world full of more evil than good. Trapped into a place where affairs happened and not everyone was honest and good.

Swiping the back of my hand against my eyes, I heard noise across the hall. I creaked open my door, letting my eyes be the only thing anyone could see.

There were the three siblings, Vienna, Lydia, and Carson, changed out of their school clothes and into casual attire.

"Where are you going?" I found myself asking. I wasn't going to be some little push over they had under their control. If I had a question, I was going to ask it. 

They all started.

Lydia turned to me with malice in her expression. "We're going to hang out with our friends."

"Oh, you have friends?" I found myself becoming snarky.

She rolled her eyes. "Unlike you."

"I do too. But at least I'm not a spoiled brat."

"Leave her alone!" Carson snapped. "You're not invited, so go back to your room."

Vienna sighed. "We shouldn't be so me-"

"Save it! I'll make my own plans!" With that, I slammed the door in their faces.

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