No One Cares, When You're A Delinquent

Living

          The house was amazing. The walls were so clean, and the paint looked so smooth and sniny. The windows were so clear, and each one had a pretty curtain on it.
"Don't just stand there, go inside" Rosemary said. I nodded and opened the door, looking at the house curiously. Inside smelled sweet, like cinnamon and apple. The air was cool, and felt so relaxing.
"Wow" I whispered.
"Yeah, yeah. My parents aren't aren't home so knock yourself out exploring and whatever, just don't break anything" she said, pushing me inside before coming in and locking the door.
"I'm gonna get changed, see ya" she said before going into a room and shutting the door. I sighed and explored the house. There were four bedrooms, but only two of them had furniture (one of them being Rosemary's bedroom).  The kitchen was fair sized, and there was lots of food in the fridge. There were two bathrooms, and a private bathroom in each of the bedrooms. The house had two floors, a basement, and an attic. When I finished "exploring", I knocked on Rosemary's bedroom door, feeling a sense of awkwardness and boredom.
"Come in" she called. I opened the door and came inside.
"What is it?" She asked.
"So um...your parents, they're on a business trip, for real?" I asked.
"Yeah. I lied about the nanny though. I knew that if Daniel heard you would be home alone, he wouldn't let you come" she answered.
"You really thought this through...you're really smart" I complimented.
"I only did the obvious. I can't be recognized, and I can't sound irresponsible. That's it. I had my parents call the school ahead of time so that it'd sound believable, 'cause of coarse they wouldn't let a kid like me take you home" she explained.
"Yeah, but you pulled off your disguise really well, and it was a good call to act shy so you wouldn't have to speak" I said with a smile.
"Thanks"
"Why did you choose red hair and green eyes?" I asked.
"Maya never met anyone with either of those features, and neither has her dad. I had to look like a stranger, but obviously it was too obviously a disguise. He recognized me because of my overall appearance, and determination to take you home" she said.
"Well, I'm here, so it's fine!" I reassured.
"Yeah" she said, getting up and digging through her drawers, before throwing a small pile of cloths at me.
"Take those and get changed. Those other cloths of yours have to get washed" she said, pointing to my dusty bag. I nodded and went to the bathroom, quickly taking a shower and putting on the cloths. It was a simple white nightgown with a Victorian styled collar. I looked at myself in the mirror, with mixed emotions about my appearance. I looked nice, and the pajama well suited my figure, but my hair was a total mess, and my face looked ghostly. I sighed and came back into Rosemary's room.
"I know this might sound rude, but where should I sleep?" I asked.
"It's not rude to ask questions, it's just annoying to apologize for it. You'll sleep in the attic, we have a large water bed up there. It's spacious, and it's clean, don't worry. There's a large book shelf filled with different types of books in case you get bored. Don't damage them" she said. "I don't have a nanny, but I do have a maid. She'll be here tomorrow, and she'll wash your cloths for you. Until then, you can wear the cloths that are too big on me" she said. I nodded before thanking her.
"Hey, won't you get in trouble for taking me without my mom knowing" I asked.
"No. I hired spies to get evidence on your mom's abuse, while you're gone. They'll do whatever it takes to make sure she's rightfully punished. And if anyone asks; I've been providing you shelter so that you can escape your mom's wrath" she explained.
"You really did that for me?" I asked in disbelief.
"You're not living here forever so don't get used to it. I'm only keeping you until your mom gets arrested, as well as your dad. That way you'll be put up for adoption. Got it?" She said.
"Yep" I said. "But weather you like me or not, what your doing is really generous, so thanks a lot" I said warmly. She sighed and nodded in response.
"Why didn't your parents hire a nanny" I asked.
"I've never given them any reason not to trust me" she said.
"But they still have a maid come over"
"Well yeah. I know how to clean and cook, I just don't want to" she said.
"Oh" I said, as I thought of another question. "What do you normally do in your free time?" I asked.
"Read, draw, paint, write, sing, sew, and study. Sometimes I listen to music, but I'm not allowed to use electronics every day" she said.
"Oh, I typically listen to music and draw most of the time, but I can't sing or sew, and I've never painted before" I responded.
"Can you read?" She asked.
"What kind of question is that!? Of coarse I can read!" I exclaimed.
"Considering where you go to school, I wouldn't be suprised if you couldn't" she said. I huffed in irritation.
"Why did you end up in that school anyway?" She asked.
"My mom was dating this guy, and sometimes when she's not around, he'd hit me. Usually just a few slaps and whatever, but still, I didn't like it. So I told her, and we argued when she didn't do anything about it. She ended up telling me that I was undisciplined, and I insulted her, saying she was undisciplined which is why she doesn't know how to properly raise her own daughter, and that I've practically raised myself. So she got mad and she spanked me until I couldn't sit, and then she signed me up for MTD Boarding School" I explained.
"Oh. That sucks" she said.
"Big time" I agreed.
"What about Daniel? How do you feel about him?" She asked.
"He's nice I guess. But I felt really awkward around him after I found out he's Maya's father...it feels like he sees me as his new daughter, and I just don't know if I'm ready to accept that" I stated honestly.
"Thats fair. He's an emotional guy, so I get why he may see you that way. You look just like her too" she commented. "But if you don't want to accept it, then I don't know what to tell you. Out of all the guys I've met, I think Daniel is the most fitting to be your dad" she said.
"I get that. I'm not denying that he's a nice guy, and he might be a great dad too...but I've only known him for a few weeks and he's already saying he cares about me...but I think he only cares about Maya, who he sees in me. I just...I don't want him to be my dad and then all I am to him Maya's replacement. I know I may sound selfish, but I want to live on being loved as me, not as my sister. I love her, and I appreciate her, but I don't want to be her" I explained.
"Understandable" Rosemary said. "Things will work out so don't stress or you'll get wrinkles, old lady" she said with a giggle. I growled at the title.
"I'm only four years older than you! You'll be 16 someday too!" I exclaimed.
"Yeah, and then you'll be twenty" she responded. I laughed a bit, not knowing what else to say and accepting defeat.
"Well I'm gonna go to sleep now. Thanks Rosemary, goodnight" I said before rushing up to the attic.
"Goodnight...Celia" she whispered.