Daddy Dearest

Chapter One

I winced at the heat of light and turned over. Through lethargic eyes and the inadequately light of the room I struggled to awaken. I felt like I was still asleep yet awake. Maybe I was dreaming? I peered through skewed eyelids and tried to find something familiar. Soon the solid mist cleared and I could see the spotless silver crack between my magnolia white curtains too thin for my tired orbs.

I gave up and closed my eyes.

It had to be really early in the morning to make me feel so drowsy. That or it may have taken me a long time to finally gain my forty winks.

Yawning, I sat up and gave my room a good look through tired eyes.

My cream coloured walls were the same as they’d always been, as was my ivory white door leading into my closet. I glanced over from the door to the ledge beneath my window. It was a great spot for taking pictures and I’d sit there, camera in lap in case something beautiful would suddenly appear.

From there I went to the ivory nightstands at the sides of my queen-sized bed. On the top of one nightstand was a lamp and on the other were a digital alarm clock and my cellphone. Following that was my walnut brown computer desk and black adjustable office chair. I stared at the flat screen monitor on top of the desk and the piles of paper, pencils, scissors, and an abundance of other school and art accessories. Beneath the desk were the PC, printer, scanner, and boxes for a bunch of other art supplies. I moved back up to the mess on my desk. I’d have to clean that up when I got up. That’s when I noticed the light shining from the corner of my computer. I must have left the system on. My mother would have definitely not appreciated that. I pulled down my violet sheets and pulled my bare feet over the bed. I yawned and stretched my arms over my head. I felt the cold pale taupe floor beneath me and shot my head up. I caught a glance at my ivory dresser. On the small shelves framing the mirror were all my cosmetics. The surface was covered in lotions, lipsticks, mascara, blushes, powders, skin care regimens, perfumes; I really did have to sort that out when I got home. I gazed at my image in the mirror. My chestnut brown hair was tangled and some strands were even glued to the side of my face. My eyes had dirt all around them and possibly some dried tears. I knew that people looked bad in the morning but this was ridiculous. It was hard to believe the girl in the mirror was me, Holly.

I ran my fingers through my hair, pondering over if it was a good idea to have it graduate from dark to light when I heard a knock on my door.

“Come in,” I mumbled.

“Morning,” my younger brother Julian walked in with a foolish grin on his face. “Happy birthday, Holly.”

That was probably why I'd woken up so early, my birthday. I was seventeen today; almost an adult. The shy smile fell, soon I would be off to college and I’d have to leave Julian and all of this life behind.

“Hey,” I heard my brother take a seat on my bed and felt his arm wrap around my shoulders. “That better not be a frown.”

“It's nothing,” I lied. “I have to get ready.”

“Holly,” Julian whispered. “Be happy today; at least for mamá and papá.”

That was right; mom would be throwing me a big party today. I'd heard her talk about it with her sister.

A bunch of family would be coming over for good food and some family time. Since my birthday was in the summer, it always became a family gathering rather than a birthday party, but I didn't mind.

So I smiled and Julian, agreed to his request and sent him off so I could get ready.

After a nice, hot shower, a quick blow drying of my hair, and tossing on a summer dress, I was pinning up my hair underneath itself, trying to create a fake bob effect like I'd seen my cousin do. When I finally finished I moved onto my make-up. I needed something light and subtle; the last thing I wanted was for my aunts and uncles to think I was some kind of prostitute.