Miatrella

Belonging.

Ever since the death of the Knight's daughter, Vanessa, the parents couldn't handle the loss of their only daughter. It seemed like she was everything to them, so they adopted me. I remember their reaction, as.. as it was like yesterday. They rushed towards me, tears in their eyes, calling their dead daughter's name. I was confused of course, but after seeing them every week, I knew I was going to be a replacement for their deceased daughter. They always kept mentioning how similar I was to Vanessa. It seemed that I was around her age, have the same color eyes, dimples, and hair color. It always pissed me off. I wasn't Vanessa, I was Mia. I wanted to get out of this orphanage as soon as possible, so I acted the way they wanted me to act. After some time passed, the Knights came over to the orphanage as usual, but it felt odd, as both the parents seemed like they had wanted to say something.

"You know Mia... We've grown to love you, we really.. really want to adopt you, sweetheart!"

The Knights mother mumbled to me. Both she and her husband went over to me, hugging me. I was shocked... I knew they were just using me as a replacement for Vanessa, but I wanted to get out of this orphanage so bad, and the feeling of being loved felt so good. Tears begin to form, as I hug them back saying,

"I love both of you guys, I really want to be with you!"

They filled out the paperwork, and once everything was ready, we went off to their home. They explained to me how their two sons, Ethan and Matthew were not happy with them adopting a new daughter, but they told me they both would get used to it. Understandably, my new brothers wouldn't be happy with a new sister, since Vanessa has only died somewhat recently, but I hope we can get along in the future. We arrived at their home after driving on the road for some time, I was very nervous meeting my big brothers, but I was excited at the same time. Dad grabbed my hand and helped me out of the car, we walked slowly towards my new home, my grip tightens each step we take. Mom opens the door and they tell me to wait here, so they can introduce me to my new brothers! I was shaking, but ready to meet both of them.

"Mia, come over to the living room!"

Mom yelled at me, I was finally meeting my brothers! I slowly walked over to the living room, my mind was in shambles, I didn't know what was gonna happen. I took one last step and was finally in the living room, I see my new brothers, sitting on the couch. I walked over to the couch, and smiled, introducing myself cheerfully.

"Hey, guys! My name is Mia... I'm your new sister, I hope we can both get along."

Both Ethan and Matthew looked away as I was making my introduction, but for some reason, Matthew was a little red. I looked at Matthew and wanted to ask him what's wrong, but before I could say anything, Ethan screamed,

"You are just a replacement for Vanessa... we will never accept you as our own sister, nevertheless a member of our family! Don't even bother trying to get along with Matthew and me, you'll never be our sister." 

His face was filled with anger, he got up and pushed me down to the ground. I was shocked at what he did, I wanted to cry. Matthew put out his hand, but Ethan grabbed his wrist and pulled him away.

"Don't do that Matthew! She doesn't need any help, she's just a dirty outsider." 

I felt so angry, sad, and disappointed. I thought this meeting would turn out better than I thought. Tears fell to the ground, I tried to stop crying, but they kept going. Mom yelled at Ethan and told him to go to his room. Mom grabbed Ethan and brought him over to his room. Dad told Matthew to look after me, so they could talk to Ethan personally. Dad left and it was just me and Matthew alone in the big family living room. Ethan pointed at the couch, it seemed like he wanted to sit with me. I nodded and headed over to the couch with him. It was awkward, silence filled the air, I tried looking towards him, but he kept looking away from me. Does he not like me as well? I just wanted to get along with my new family... I looked away from him and dug my hands into my lap. 

"He-hey... s-sorry bout' Ethan. He just ain't over Vanessa's death, they both were close. O-of course I ain't over her death, but he has been super depressed." 

Ethan mumbled, stuttering over his words. He glanced over to me, pushing up his glasses.

"Don't worry about it, I understand. I know it'll take time for you guys to get used to me... I'll try my best to not get in your guy's way!"

I chuckled, looking back at him, his face was redder than before. I was worried, that something might be wrong with him, so I shuffled myself to be beside him. I put the back of my hand on his head, it felt a little warm. Matthew's faced turned fully red, he jumped back, almost falling.

"Are you, are you okay?! You almost fell back!! Your face is bright red, are you sick or something? I can ask Mom and Dad to take you to the hospital."

I frowned, was me being adopted making the two brothers feel this way? I felt so guilty, a pain was building inside me.

"No, it ain't your fault, I-I'm just a got a little nervous and surprised when you touched my head. Don't frown, it ain't your fault I promise!"

He got close to me, patting my back awkwardly, his face was still bright red. It felt great that Matthew was treating me kindly compared to Ethan! My cheeks turn red, as I mumbled,

"Th-thanks for treating me so good Matthew... I know it's weird having an adoptive sister, but I really appreciate you acting this way towards me. You don't know how happy this makes me feel!"

I teared up, Matthew was a great guy. He grinned and looked into my eyes saying,

"Do-don' worry Mia, as long as I'm with you, I can protect you from your big, bad, mean older brother Ethan!"

I laughed, wiping away my tears, I smiled saying,

"So if you're gonna save me from my big, bad, mean older brother Ethan, I guess I can consider my big brother Matthew as my hero then?"

Matthew, clearly embarrassed at what I said, responded with,

"Y-yeah! I ain't your sup-, n- no, I mean I am your superhero! Just call my name and Big Bro Matthew will come and save you from anything!"

We both laughed our heads off, it felt so good that I was getting along with Matthew. As we both were laughing, Dad came over and chuckled at us.

"Hey Mia... sorry for how Ethan was acting earlier, he just isn't ready and I hope you don't feel too bad about what happened. Ethan will apologize to you later at dinner, he's just in his room with Mom until he calms down. "

Dad sighed, I told him,

"Don't worry about it Dad! It'll take time for him to get used to me being around. I'll try my best to have a good relationship with him."

I winked at Matthew and said mischievously

"And besides, I have a superhero to protect me if anything bad happens!"

Matthew's face turns as bright as a tomato, he jerked his head away so fast at my joke. Dad and I laugh.

"It seems like both of you are getting along quite well! I guess I don't have to worry about my little man being mean to you Mia!"

"D-dad! I ain't a little man, I'm already 16. I'm pretty much an adult already!!"

"If you're pretty much an adult already, could you head over to the store and grab some ingredients for tonight's dinner? I'm gonna make a feast tonight!"

Matthew sighs,

"Why ain't you just get Ethan to do it as punishment, make him blow off some steam yow know?"

Dad agreed with Matthew's idea, he heads over to Ethan's room to tell him to go instead of Matthew. Ethan stomps out of his room and slams the door as he gets out of the house. It seems that he's still pretty angry about me... I hope our relationship won't be as strained in the future.