My mom never let the Sinclair name go. After the divorce, she kept the last name, she even adopted a child by herself and gave that child the name. I was never into being in pageants and the southern socialite lifestyle, so I lived with my dad.
My mom moved away, out of California and adopted a little girl as her prodigy. I never held a grudge and I also never blamed her. It didn't even make me mad.
I was happy she found something to keep her happy and busy, without making me miserable.
Then my dad got a phone call.
My mom had been in jail for statutory rape, and a few weeks later she was let out because my so called sister became paralyzed. That phone call changed everything. My dad informed me that I will be staying with my mother.
Mostly to keep her sane.
"Honey, do you want anything else to eat? I can make you anything you want?" My mom asks as I refuse to eat kale salad for the million time this week.
"No thanks, I think I am going to go to my room," I reply.
I rush upstairs and go into the room I share with Dixie. She smiles and looks at me as soon as I walk in.
"Come on sister. We are going to Magnolia Barnard's house tonight," She smiles throwing me my backpack. I put on one arm strap and look at her. She smiles and grabs my hand. I follow her lead downstairs.
"Mother, Eliza and I have a sleepover to attend. We will be home sometime tomorrow," Dixie smiles. Our mom ignores us and I slip on a pair of shoes. Dixie doesn't let go of my hand until we get inside her car.
"Who's Magnolia Barnard, and why do I care to have a sleepover with her?" I ask.
"Why, she is my best friend!" Dixie gushes. I roll my eyes and let it happen. She starts driving until we get into a rich neighborhood. Full of big houses and fancy cars. Reminds me of my dad and back home.
Dixie pulls into a big white home with two sports cars and a jeep in the driveway. We get out of the car and walk up to the front door. A tall girl answers the door.
"Dixie what do you wa- who's that?" She asks. Dixie grabs my hand and lets herself in before I can say anything.
"Magnolia, Eliza. Eliza, Magnolia. Now I need to speak with Patty," Dixie runs away somewhere in the house and the girl smiles at me.
"Oh, so you are the other Sinclair. I'm Magnolia," We walk into the kitchen and I see a few other people. "This is Christian, Patty, and Brick," She smiles. I smile at the three people and then notice two adults.
"That is my dad and his-"
"Boyfriend. Hi I'm Bob," Her dad says butting in. I smile at him and his boyfriend. After I get a chance to say hi to everyone, we all start walking upstairs. As soon as everyone makes it into the big bedroom, the door shuts and locks.
I sit back and watch the most cliche high schooler sleepover happen. Thankfully Dixie didn't introduce me as her sister. The normal things happened like truth or dare, never have I ever, alcohol.
And I thought beauty queens had to have the perfect life.
"What is your body count?" Magnolia asks me. I look around at the people I'm next to and sigh.
"Zero," I reply. She laughs a little and I look at her. "Yeah, unlike everyone else in this room I have class. I don't sleep with whoever seems like the perfect person in that moment," I say. I see Magnolia and Dixie and Patty sit up a little.
"Yeah well at least guys like us," Patty smiles back. I roll my eyes and look at her.
"Oh come on. You think these two dickheads care about your actual feelings?" I laugh. "Please. They are horny teenagers,"
"You don't know anything about me," Brick adds in. I look at him and laugh a little.
"Ok. Look if you guys are done here. I have better things to be doing," I say getting off the crowded bed. Brick follows me out of the room and stops me after closing the door.
"By the way, I did love her," He rolls his eyes.
"Still hung up on that?" I laugh a little. "And did is past tense,"
With that, I walk downstairs and out of the Barnard household. I get in Dixie's bright yellow hummer and drive back home. Or to my moms house. Because home would be way too long of a drive.
