Good as Galinda

A cherry on top of a cone of disasters

Anna

I would like to say that I stayed strong during the car ride.....but that would be lying. Jason had to tell me repeatedly that I had done the right thing, but I couldn't help but wonder if he was just saying that for my benefit. I had left my own brother. Straight out left him. He was a drunk, and addicted to drugs, so he didn't have control over his actions. I thought I would feel better about walking out, but when I actually did....it didn't feel as amazing as I expected.

Then-of course- as if my day wasn't already being directed downhill, I heard Antonio and Tom talking about why Antonio didn't like me. Those idiots thought they were being quiet, but they were honestly, louder than a cheerleader who had just gotten off her period. And then, to put a deliciously sweet cherry on top of a cone full of disasters, as soon as I got out of the car, I heard something that made my heart break in two.

"Why don't you like her?" Antonio snorted, and I knew he didn't know that I was only a few feet behind him, catching every word he said.

"Because, I don't date nerds who don't have sexy bodies." That hit a nerve. I was proud of my body. My curves were in the right places, I had a decent tan and my legs weren't all that unattractive.

"Anna's got a sexy body." I smiled as Tom said that, a blush rising to my cheeks. Trust Tom to say that kind of thing about me.

"Not with those ugly bruises she doesn't." And then, my world came crashing down. He heard me as I walked backwards slowly. Then, with one last glance in his direction, I ran. Nope...ran is most certainly NOT the right word. I bolted, needing to get my ass out of there once and for all. Guess what the sad thing was?

No one called after me.

I wasn't that far away from my grandparents house. We lived a good thirty minutes away, but since was near Antonio or Tom’s house, I was closer. Stopping to catch my breath, I stood outside of their porch, debating whether or not I wanted to knock. My need for water took over, so I lightly tapped my knuckles on the wooden door. Someone yelled,

“COMING!” Soon, the knob turned and the mahogany door swung open, revealing my grandmother in a light pink apron. When she saw who it was, she called over her shoulder,

“Tony! Come here!” My grandfather appeared beside her, and when he saw me, his mouth fell open. I think they noticed the silence, or maybe the urgency in my grandmother’s voice, either way, my two brothers tip toed next to them. When Ethan saw me he grinned and pushed past my grandparents.

“Annabelle!!” I hugged him tightly. We hand’t seen each other in over a year, and I heard the difference in his voice. He was much thinner, and muscular, and much, MUCH taller. The last time I had seen him, he was fourteen years old and 5”11. Now, he was easily 6”1, and fifteen.

“Ethan.” I buried my neck in his shoulder, from my tiny height of 5”2 and a half. He smelled like my father did, pine and nutmeg. I heard more footsteps and felt arms come around me, shoving Ethan out of the way.

“Jamie! You’ve grown so much!” He was twelve and even though he wasn’t as tall I was, he was coming close. 

“I missed you Anna.” I kissed the top of his head.

“I missed you too buddy.” My grandmother cleared her throat. I turned towards them.

“Why are you here?” Grandpa asked coldly. I gently pried Jamie’s arms off of me and walked confidently up to them. 

“I wanted to see my brothers.”

“We don’t want you here. You’re just as disgusting as those bastard brothers of yours.” Ok, at this point....I’ll admit that I might have lost a teensy bit of control. Just a little! I swear!