Amulet

Chapter 1: Beautiful

      Seleil glances at her little sister who is looking out the window at the sky, her messy ponytail blowing the wind. She smiles to herself and looks at the driver's seat. I can't believe it... She inhales deeply and exhales, we're finally out of that lousy foster care. This is the best day of my life...

     "I agree," Luna said, turning her head and looking into her older sister's eyes. Seleil meets her eyes and smirks. Luna always seems to know what her sister is thinking. She always seems to know what her sister is feeling, craving, or even stalking. "The foster care was terrible and it had terrible employees," she looks at the driver, "no offense, Mr. Freedman."

      "None taken," shrugs Mr. Freedman as he takes a sharp turn, causing Luna to slam her head on the door and Seleil to hit her head on her sister's shoulder. "Oops, sorry girls!" He said, slowing the car down.

      "It's fine," Seleil said, sitting up straight and rubbing her head. Luna sits up and places her hand on her bruise. "So... Can you tell us about our new foster parents?"

      "Parent," he corrects her, "actually, she's not gonna be your parent because you're already related to 'er." Luna and Seleil share glances and look back at him, "she lives alone in a small town near a forest. She's actually not your foster parent, she's your real Aunt which is why she adopted you."

      "Our Aunt!?" The girls exclaim in unison.

      "Yes, your Aunt Rosa. She is the sister of your father, I bet she can answer all those questions you have about your parents." He said, looking through the mirror at their smiling faces. "She lives in a pretty big house," he said, looking back at the road and running a hand through his white hair, "two stories, six rooms on the first floor, four rooms on the second floor, a backyard and front yard. Oh, and a pool!"

      "Sweet!" Seleil jumps with excitement, looking over at the smiling Luna. Luna never smiles... She thought, her smile fading and her energy slowly getting drained as she remembers a horrible memory.

Flashback
      She was the perfect child. She is the perfect child. Luna would think, I'm nothing, I'm ugly, I'm hideous, I'm fat! She begins brushing her hair faster, pulling chunks out, she's everything! Gorgeous, skinny, kind, weird, fun, funny, tame, strong, confident, calm, popular, eveyrthing! She begins breathing heavily, holding back the tears that threaten to fall.

      And in that moment, the door swings open and in runs Seleil, a frown on her face. "Why would you do that!?" She exclaims, grabbing the brush form her sister. Luna stands up, holding the Amulet and tightening her grip. "You're gonna pull your hair out! And why are you crying!? What have you done to yourself!? I'm worried about you, Luna! Stop hurting yourself!"

      Tears begin streaming down her cheeks as she looks down at her cuts and bruises. Seleil grabs a strand of her soft and gorgeous hair, "Look how pretty your face is, Luna! You're amazing and perfect, why would you do this-"

      Luna slaps her hand away, "I'M NOTHING! I'm imperfect, I'm ugly, fat, stupid, weird, crazy, annoying! I'm nothing you are! I should just die!" She falls to her knees, her tears hitting the ground. Her sister watches her as she cries, her eyes wide and her heart beat rising.

      Seleil drops to her knees and hugs her sister, "you know, Luna.." Tears fill her eyes, blurring her vision, "I used to wish I could be you..."

      "Don't lie," Luna orders.

      "I'm not lying, sister. It's the truth. You're so pretty and strong. No one dares to walk over you... But me... I'm a doormat and I don't know how to fix it. If this were you, you would be able to fix it."

      "That's not true and you know it... You saw how much it hurts me when they say mean a things... I just pretend to not care and be scary because I want to seem strong! I'm weak and fragile, sis... I'm ugly... It's true."

      "You don't see what I see, Luna. Everyone is perfect the way they are," Seleil said, breaking the hug and standing up.

      "I'm tired," Luna said, her eyes slowly closing. Seleil laughs and holds her hand. She walks her to her bed and tucks her in. Luna looks up at her older sister, "I hope it's not too much to ask.... Can you sing me a song, Seleil?"

      Seleil smiles and nods as she slowly sits next to her sister on their bed. Her voice is a gentle melody, soothing young Luna. (The song below is not mine!)

"You said they make fun of your body...
Humiliation in your eyes when you told me.
Well I'm going to find them don't you worry.
I'll make sure they're really sorry.
You said you're embarrassed of your body,
You told me you think you're really ugly...
Well my love, I know you don't see what I see...
Anything that is beautiful, people want to break,
And you are beautiful...
I'm afraid.
Anything that is beautiful, people want to break,
And you are beautiful...
I'm afraid.
You said you're ashamed of your body.
You'd rather die than show me.
But I would love you in any form you'd take.
You said that they say you're disgusting,
That they told you... You were fat and unworthy...
Well my love, I hope you trust me when I say you have a perfect body."

End of flashback
      "Look alive, children!" He said, stopping the car. Seleil is knocked out of her daydream. She look ahead of her, as does Luna, at the great big house in front of them. "Welcome to your Aunt Rosa's."