My family seems to be perfect from the outside looking in. We have the big house, the money for things, the million-dollar-smiles... but nothing is ever as it seems.
We're plastic. We're fake. So fake, in fact, that we hide the little things abo...
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There's a new girl today. She sits in the back with a scowl on her heavily make-upped face. Her short, spiky blonde hair has streaks of purple and blue in them. They won't stay that way though because the principal won't allow it. Long hoop earrings hang from her ears and she wears a leather jacket, although it's far from cold outside. She's smacking on gum loudly as the teacher calls her up to announce her.
"Students," Mrs. Ramirez smiles. "I would like you to meet your new classmate, Dahlia. She just moved here from Mississippi."
Dahlia gives a sarcastic wave. Mrs. Ramirez seems uncomfortable in her presence, and I wouldn't blame her. Dahlia is tall, and she looks like she can take out a brick wall.
"Please spit out your gum. The trash can is—"
"Whatever," Dahlia croaks as she tosses it into the can. She looks straight at me and sneers. "What are you looking at, Barbie?"
I don't respond as she walks back to her desk in the very back.
When the bell rings, she stops in the doorway and I physically run into her by accident. She turns around and runs her tongue across her teeth in annoyance.
"I'm sorry," I say, trying to slip past her.
She throws out her arm, blocking my path.
"I don't believe you are, Barbie."
I shift uncomfortably. "I'm sorry," I say again. "My name isn't Barbie—"
"Give me a break. You scream plastic. Everything about you is fake."
Whispers start behind me. I don't know what to do!
"Excuse me," I say, bobbing my head in the direction of her arm. "Please let me through."
"Whatever, Barbie."
She pulls her arm away and I walk down the hall, the whispers following me.
~
Dinner that night is different. My mom seems to be in a hurry and my dad seems to want to talk about everything.
"Amabel, how was school?"
I almost choke on my food when he speaks up for the first time.
"Um, it was okay. There's a new girl."
"Oh?" he asks as my mother stands up. "What's her name?"
"Dahlia," I say, picking at my food.
"What a pretty name," my mom comments happily as she leaves the dining room.
"Is she nice?" my dad smiles.
I don't know about nice...
"Yeah, I guess."
"You should invite her over for dinner."
The food in my mouth turns sour as I swallow it. Invite her over for dinner? She hates my guts and all I did was look at her.
