Learning to be Sister's [discontinued]

Azeala Nine

                         Azeala strutted into her home with her purse dangling on her arm and walked up the stairs and into her room. She threw the bag onto her PINK bed spread and grabbed her duffle bag, another Victoria's Secret product; Kloe worked there and sometimes bought Azeala little things with her discount.

She closed her door and locked it with her keys, before heading back downstairs and into the kitchen. Opening one of the doors on the large stainless steel fridge, she peered her head in and snatched up three water bottles and two granola bars.

Azeala rested her duffle bag on the granite counter top and opened the zipper, throwing the items on top of her practice clothes. She was barely done zipping it back up when she heard the familiar sound of her mother clearing her throat.

With a sigh, Azeala looked up and quirked an eyebrow at her mother.

"We need to talk."

Azeala could see the stress her mother was going through. It was the way her shoulders were wound tight, the way her hair fell flat and lifeless on her head and the darkness around her eyes. So, against her better judgment, Azeala sat on one of the tall chairs.

"What do you want to talk about?" Azeala already knew of course. It was about Ana. Because how could they all be a perfect little family if Azeala kept fucking it up for her?

"I want to know what's going on with Ana and you."

"You already know what's going on. Ford cheated on me with Ana. End of story."

"Do you really think Ana meant to? How was she supposed to know?"

Azeala shot out of her feet, stumbling slightly before regaining her balance and snatching her bag from the table. "Do is matter if she knew or not? Does you think it makes the hurt sting less? You out of all people should know it doesn't."

Azeala knew she had crossed a line with her comment, her father wasn't a subject her or her mother liked to talk about. He was a touchy subject, so touchy they didn't talk about him at all. But Azeala was furious; furious her mother was already blaming her when Ana was the one that had slept with Ford. It was not Azeala's fault.

Azeala couldn't stop the last sharp jab from slipping through her lips, "Krystal didn't know father had a family and you still hated her; she tore apart our family."

"This isn't the same thing Azeala."

"Isn't it?  Ana tore apart my heart apart and that's almost the same thing." Azeala didn't wait for her mother to respond, storming out of the house and wiping her sleeve across her face, trying to dry the angry tears that were streaming down her face.

Why couldn't her mother side with her? Why couldn't her mother understand that she was hurting? That the betrayal from Ana cut deep and Fords deeper?

She bit her lip and climbed into her car, turning on the engine and peeling away from the house. Azeala wished she could say she had the strength to refrain from looking back but she didn't and the instant she looked back she knew the momentary satisfaction from lashing out was nothing compared to the guilt of seeing her mother watch the car speed off with tears in her eyes she wasn't bothering to wipe away.

Azeala didn't turn back however, she kept going.



After she got to the school, she sat in her car for a few minutes, just soaking the silence and trying to steady her breathing. When she managed to stop her hands from shaking she grabbed her bag and opened the door. She shut it behind her and listened for the click of the automatic lock before walking into the school.

Then Azeala quickly found the gym and changed into the locker room. The gym had an exit that led right to the football field where both the team practiced and her cheerleaders when it was nice out; which it was today.

When she got out, she saw that Kloe had already put the girl to do their stretched and Azeala was thankful for that. She was frustrated to say the least and the waste of time would've just made her snap at them unnecessarily and that would lead to questioning which she didn't need. Everything was fine, everything would always be fine.

Azeala shot Kloe a thankful look as she walked towards the group although she couldn't help the wince the the boys football team coach blew his whistle.

"Pay more attention to the ball and less attention to the cheer leading captain, Alan!"

Azeala smiled to herself and shook her head, looking over her shoulder. She spotted Alan quickly, the metallic glint of the small brace that was placed on his nose was visible; even while wearing a helmet. Damn, Jonah must pack a mean punch.

Despite what the couch said, Alan lifted an arm and sent her a wave which she returned slowly. She watched as the boys around him elbowed him and she jumped back slightly when a ball came flying out of nowhere and thunked against his helmet.

The boys on the teem guffawed and Azeala looked to where the couch was shaking his head and she knew he was the culprit. Except he too he looked around surprised. Who had shot the ball?

Looking slightly past him, Azeala made the realization that it was Ford. She knew it was him even with face covered, the number 23 on his jersey gave it away. She had worn his spare jersey too many times to mistake it.

With a shake of her head she turned around and continued on towards her team. Then, she got to work.