How we would end up

Family reunion

"Talia." My moms voice lulled me out of my sleep. As I got up from the bed, she came into my room.

"Yes, mom?" I replied.

"I just wanted to check in on you. You good?"

"Yeah, I'm good."

"Okay. I just wanted to tell you that we're having a family reunion tomorrow and you're coming. No excuses."She deadpanned.

I sighed, knowing that there was absolutely now way I would be able to get out of it.

"Goodnight." I said as I closed my door behind her.

I hate these so-called family reunions. To me, they're just an excuse for the richer family members to come and show off. They're all like 'look at me,  I can afford four square meals a day and you're still living in a rundown apartment with your three kids' or 'you were once so high and now you're so low' and I fucking hate how they give money as gifts.

Not that I hate the money but  I hate the way the give the gifts. When they do it,  there's always fake sympathy in their eyes. It's like they could it just to mock or spite you and I can live a happy life without that.

Sighing once again, I closed my eyes and waited for the familiar darkness called sleep to drag me under.

•••

"Adrienne, good to see you." My Aunt Shirley or as my brothers and I call her, Aunt Fake face said. Not to her face of course.

Why Fake face, you ask?

It's because the woman has done more plastic surgeries than I can count on two fingers. From Botox to lip fillers to nose jobs. You name it, she's done it.

Needless to say, she's one of the privileged relatives. Pretentious and also a fake sympathiser.

I almost gagged as she brought my mom in for a hug. Come to think of it,  I almost gag every time I see her face, which is kinda hilarious if you ask me because whatever mirror she looks at, is not working for her.

The day went on and we sat down for dinner. The reunions were always held at Aunt Shirley's house because it was the biggest.

"Be careful with that cheese. It's imported. I know you can't afford it. Doesn't mean you should waste it." she bellowed to stop me from taking too much of her oh so expensive cheese.

Taking the last set of words that came out of her god awful mouth to heart.

I have her a fake smile and put my spoon down in a comeback.

"I'm sorry. I know my mom and I can't afford your fancy expensive cheese but at least, she could afford to teach me some manners." I deadpanned but I didn't miss the silence around the table.

I didn't mean any disrespect but that's what people like her deserve.

"Talia." My mom scolded. Sometimes, I really don't get how we're related. How could she be so naive to that not-so-subtle insult.

This is why I hate coming to these things. It's just a chance to get insulted. But in better judgement, I stayed quiet. Rage still simmering beneath the surface.

"So Olivia, which college are you going to?" My Uncle Derek asked, in an attempt to change the subject.

Olivia Santiago, my cousin. Aunty Shirley's daughter. The person I'm always being compared to no matter what I do. You should have done this, Olivia did it. You should have don't that, Olivia did it.

She's also in her senior year but like the opportuned brat that she is, she goes to a prestigious private school where their tuition probably costs more than our whole apartment.