Sticks and Stones

Chapter Two - Emily

New York Vacation day

I'm sitting on my bed staring at my empty box. My family thought it would be alright for us to leave to our vacation home for the holidays.

I hated it there. Why would I have to go to a place with hardly any network connection and boring views when I could stay home and shop and so whatever I wanted to?.

My older brother Max knocked and peeped behind the door. When he saw my empty box he let out a very loud laugh.

"Em, really?" He came in and crossed his arms. "I can't believe you're still rebelling"

"I'm not going"

"Yeah you are. Dad won't listen to you"

"Mom would"

He laughed then ruffled my hair. "Its only for a month, spend some time with your family before you leave for college"

"Dan is not family"

I was talking about Max's best friend. He was always with us most of the time. A rich spoiled brat. Even his parents didn't care about him and he just seemed so attached to my family that my parents even took him for a second son.

"He'll get out of your way this time"

"You can't guarantee that"

"I can" we both turned to the door where the voice came from.

Dan!

His voice was so deep. When I first heard it, I fell in love with it. Even amidst his fine facial features. His sharp jaw line and blue eyes, and soft hair. Ugh! But I detest him now. Ever since he ruined my date with my crush last year.

It was summer and Josh (my crush) had just recently confessed that he liked me. We hung out a few times and I decided to let him come over to my house for dinner. Problem was Dan was always at my house for dinner.

"So were you going for the 'geeky yet hot' look?" Dan asked Josh while we were seated at the table.

"Uhm, not really" Josh sounded uncomfortable and smiled weakly.

"Oh, if you were I'd say that sweater is a total fail and doesn't match at all with your shirt. Looks like you shop at 'geeks r us' stores" Dan laughed and it irritated me at once.

"Would you shut the fuck up?!" I yelled and my Mum looked at me sternly.

"Honey don't say that at the table"

"Didn't you just hear what he was saying to Josh?"

"I don't mind, really" Josh held my hand but I wasn't taking it.

"No, I won't eat unless Dan leaves the table!"

"I can't, I'm already halfway into my food" Dan said with spaghetti in his mouth "And besides Joshy doesn't mind" he smiled deviously at Josh and I stood up and walked round the table to where he sat. I took his plate and slammed it on his face. Spaghetti and sauce spilled all over his crimson shirt.

"Emily!" My Dad yelled my name but I was too angry to care. I took Josh's hand and walked out. Since that day Dan made it his lifelong goal to make me miserable. Because he was everywhere around me, Josh seemed bothered and asked for a break. But a break that takes two months is actually considered a break up.

As he entered fully into the room, I sighed and dropped my face in my hands.

"Please go away"

"Why Milly?" He sat on my bed with a flop making it bounce.

"Can you not?"

"What?"

"My name is not Milly and my bed is off limits" I poked him continuously until he grabbed my hand and sat on it.

"Ow!!"

Max grabbed him by his collar and laughed while apologising to me.

"We'll leave you now" Max said while pushing Dan out the door. "Please just pack up. We have an hour left"

I stood up involuntarily and walked to my closet. Everything was arranged. I didn't like my stuff being scattered around so I sometimes spend time arranging my clothes like an assignment.

I picked out my day wear and fancy wear and placed them neatly in my box. My shoes went into another box. My makeup also went into another box. Then I picked out what I would wear to the airport. I found my black jumper and wore that with a sandal I had bought from India when we went on a trip there.

My makeup was plain. Mascara, ChapStick and  tint on my eyebrows. My parents always took me for a princess because, as they put it, I looked like they picked me from a catalog and it arrived better than expected. Dan just called me a test tube baby because that was his way of saying I was perfect.  I tied my hair in a messy bun and pouted my lips and vainly admired myself again before heading downstairs.

When I heard a soft whistle from none other that Dan the Annoying, I could already see the worst events that could happen on this trip.
 

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Authors note

So guys I inserted a picture of what Emily's jumper would look like. I hope you like this chapter. Please vote.