Over the broken fence

Chapter 1 - hole in the ground

I could hear my mother humming behind my head as she gently tug along my long
midnight hair.
"That hurts!" I would cry out at each knot because, I was known for having a tender head.
Mother would only snapback saying, "Real ladies don't cry." As she tugged harder on my hair. I felt a tear roll down my cheek trying to suck in my cries as demanded.
Once done my mother stroked my hair over my shoulders taking hold of my shoulders looking into the reflection.
In a cheery tone she commented "Now look how pretty you are. Your hair is just perfect. You can go play now, but be careful."
She left her basket of hair supplies as she walked elegantly out of my room. I watched her leave closely, and once I knew she was long gone I snapped open the basket pulling out one of her ribbons. I pulled my hair back into a low ponytail my hair too heavy for a high one at this point my hair being low to my waist.
I stuck my head out the door, glancing around before bolting towards the stairs. As soon as I nearly made it to my destination, I felt someone grab my wrist with heavy force, snapping me back. There stood mother, a disappointed look on her face.
"Leigh..how many time have we spoke about this? You must be proud of your hair, not pulling it back like a light head," she said.
"But mom, my hair makes me all hot! It makes my head lean because it's so heavy, and it gets all tangled!" I whined. She only glared, not changing her mind.
"Leigh, you're just going to have to learn it the hard way when you get older I guess." She dropped hold of my hand walking away. I was surprised she didn't rip the ribbon out of my hair like she usually had, but at the same time I felt relieved.
I finally made it to my favorite spot at this dungeon; my tree. It wasn't too big or too small, just right. It was where I collected all my thoughts that I had during my short life of twelve years. Mother didn't approve of it because she thought I could get dirty or, leaves would get in my hair. It's the only place I can run away to from my mother that loved me too much, my father who didn't care at all, and my three older sisters. Laying back I reflected on what my second eldest sister Ava told me.
A week ago, my sister Ava decided to tell me about our eldest sister, Isabella. I've never met Isabella, when I was born she moved out of this house simply never returned.
Ava turned to me and said "Leigh, I want you to know that Isabella says she might come for your birthday! But, I kinda doubt she will because she's getting married the day after your birthday which kinda sucks." I didn't feel anything towards that. I just gave her a smile.
"Oh, that's fine," I replied. She stared at me intently.
"It's fine if you don't care, but one day I'll be the same. How I would rather never come back here," she said. I nodded in agreement since this place was pretty boring and strict.
Ava was my favorite sister, she's funny, she listened to my problems, and I just love her a lot. One time she was doing her math studies during our homeschool session and she turned at me and snapped her fingers. I snapped my head back at her in confusion as she lifted her paper to show where she made a number 8 that look like a person. Then she made it look like mom nagging which I snorted. That was clearly a mistake because, mother heard us, looking at us annoyed
"Ava you should be paying attention!"
Ava scoffed, "Yes mother."
- -
I also thought about my third eldest sister. Her name is Charlotte. She's a little... different from the rest of the family. Everyone else has midnight black hair and she has a acorn brown hair. She often argues with my parents about how unfair she's treated and how we should be in a class with kids like us, to learn about real life. A conversation I remember between her and our mother that didn't go so well,
Charlotte was writing, then got frustrated when mother kept nagging about how she had ugly handwriting.
"Maybe if you read what I'm writing you'd like it!" Charlotte snapped at her.
Mother gasped, "Don't speak to me like that young lady!" Charlotte shook with anger
"Shut up! You're all hypocrites!" she cried, before standing up, storming away stroking her hair. I've noticed this was a normal thing she did when upset. Mother scoffed under her breath while she left.
"Stupid girl, I wish you were never born, you brunette trash."
- -
Charlotte and I shared a bedroom together. She'd often cry herself to sleep while I listened wide awake, feeling guilty for doing so. One night I went over to comfort her.
"Charlotte it's going to be okay," I whispered to her, I stroking her back. She stiffened under my hand.
"I don't need your sympathy you stupid little girl! Just get away from me!" she yelled suddenly. My hand quivered in response to her words, making me retract my hand and return to my bed. I tried hard not to cry, I just didn't understand what I did to make her hate me.
- -

A few months from then, I remember feeling something soft touch my face. My eyes were closed, so I didn't know who it was. I'd learn later it was a kiss from Charlotte; a goodbye kiss.
No one was bothered by her disappearance. Not even Ava, Mother or Father seemed to be bothered. They all wanted to pretend she didn't exist. One day, I asked my mother while she brushed my hair, "Where do you think Charlotte went?" Mother gripped my hair making me bite my lip.
"Leigh I want you never ask about her ever again she only brought shame, and pain to this family," she replied snarkily. I nodded so she would let go of my hair.
While under my tree I thought, I just can't wait to leave here. I miss Charlotte, I loved her, but she hated my guts. Would I ever see her again? Would I ever know where she went or if shes even alive? None of these questions seem to have an answer to them and who knew if I would ever find out. Maybe something will happen to change my dull life.