CHAPTER 15
It's my birthday week. Well, at least my assumed birthday. Last week was totally crazy, from mom, to Leila and Gregor.
Speaking of Leila and Gregor, I hadn't seen them since morning. I was grateful for that.
I took a deep peaceful breath and opened my lunch. I gasped. Mom really went all out on it. She made me my favorite sandwich (peanut butter and jelly) and cut it into fun shapes and decorated it with edible markers.
I picked up a birthday cake cookie and tossed it into my mouth. I moaned at the delicious taste. My eyes roved over the sumptuous and colorful fruit salad. I wondered where I was gonna fit all of my lunch.
A pink piece of paper piqued my interest. I unfolded it and read through the message.
I'm really sorry for being so mean to you this past week. I hope this lunch makes up for it. Don't worry,it's not a one time something. I just want you to know that I love you so much. Happy birthday (in advance)
Momđź’•
I smiled. But something nagged at me. Mom was always like that. Sometimes she'd be so mean and very scary and other times she'd smother me with love, gifts and attention.
I sighed and scarfed down my lunch, noting I had twenty minutes left.
****
I blinked slowly waking up to the muttering voices of my parents shushing each other and giggling like kids. "She's awake", mom whispered. "Happy birthday!", they shouted.
I winced and plugged my fingers into my ears. "I thought I might be getting a surprise party", I said and tilted my cheek for the both of them to kiss me. Dad decided to kiss my forehead.
"Your mom was too impatient". I giggled. That was definitely my mom. "Argh. Let me be. It's our first child's birthday. I gats enjoy it". "And you will. But you need to remember it's birthday girl's day". "I did. Kyra, get dressed. We're leaving now".
"To where? That's the surprise sweetie". I hurriedly rolled off the bed, landing with a thud. Dad chuckled, mom gave a surprised 'oh'. I stood up quickly, and ran into my en suite bathroom.
****
What's the best way to enjoy your birthday that happens to be a Saturday? Of course! In an amusement park.
I gleefully ran from ride to ride, my parents enthusiastically paying for my tokens. I had lots of cake, cotton candy and chocolates. I'm certain the tooth fairy will be paying me a visit in a few days.
I sat down on my dad's lap, my head drooping to the side. "Is my little bunny tired?" "Just one more ride", I whined and then yawned. "Just one more", mom said and she stood. Dad carried me off to the next ride.
I barely got off the ride and I fell asleep. I heard dad whisper something to mom and she laughed. In a few minutes, I felt the soft cushion of the car seat.
"Thanks momma. Thanks daddy". "What for sweetie?", mom asked and turned around to stare at me. I could barely make out her face in the darkness. "For today. Thank you for my birthday".
Dad started the car and drove off. The streetlights we drove past illuminated mom's face and I could make dad's outline too. "You're welcome sweetie. Now you go to sleep, alright?" I nodded and drifted off to sleep.
****
Monday
Okay so today went off without any problems. Ms. Suave gave me a gift for my birthday and then I read a short story in front of the class. Lunch was also sumptuous, courtesy of mom.
I let out a deep breath as soon the bell rang. I smiled to myself and packed up my books and walked out of the class.
"Hey!" Crap. "What'd you want Leila?", I said and turned around. I wasn't surprised to see Gregor with her. Birds of a feather.
Leila had a sweet sickly smile on her face. It made me shudder. "You won't believe what I found out". "I don't give two shits about what you found out Leila. I just wanna go home". Leila spun around like a princess. I cocked my head, noting that there was no one in the hallway. Why does she come after me when no one's around?
"Really? Doesn't it hurt you to know that you're not really part of a family?", Leila said, her eyes glinting maliciously. "You're just a charity case, an orphan nobody wanted". Gregor nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you're not related to the Ledgers. But the question is, who then are you related to?"
I felt my face burn with anger and humiliation. My fists clenched, and for a moment, I felt my restraint snap. I punched Leila in the face with a fierce cry, sending her stumbling back. Gregor lunged at me, but I caught his arm and twisted it, causing him to yelp in pain.
Leila's eyes blazed with anger, but I stood tall, my chest heaving. "You don't know anything about me or my family. And if you ever talk about them like that again, I'll make sure you regret it", I spat, my voice dripping with venom.
My eyes widened as I stared at Leila's bloodied face and Gregor's cradled arm. I felt a jolt of shock, as if I was observing the scene from outside my body.
My gaze dropped down to my trembling hands. I couldn't believe they belonged to me. They looked foreign, capable of inflicting harm I never thought possible. A wave of horror washed over me.
What have I done? How did I do it? I've never lost control like this before.
Lucius.
Without thinking, I turned and ran, bursting through the school doors into the bright sunlight. I sprinted across the parking lot, reaching dad's car, just as he was getting out. "Is everything okay? Bunny, you alright?", dad asked,alarm etched on his face.
I nodded vigorously, unable to speak. I opened the back door and collapsed into the seat. My hands still trembled and my heart raced with the aftershocks of my own strength.
Dad exhaled and got into the car, starting the engine. "You know you can tell me anything right?" I nodded. He sighed and drove out of the school.
****
"Kyra?", mom said and opened my bedroom door. I stared up from my homework. "Yes mom?" "Someone wants to see you".
Someone? Who on earth could that be?
I stared at mom's face hoping to get an answer, but her face was hard. I put my homework away and made my way downstairs.
"Yes daddy", Leila cried as I came into the living room, " That's the girl that punched me in the face". " And she twisted my arm".
So that's the someone looking for me. Well, that's pretty convenient.
How'd you know where I live?. " That's not the point missy. You were bullying our kids", Gregor's mom said. I smiled, so I said that out loud. "Little girl, what's so funny?!", Leila's dad barked. "Please Nick, don't use that tone on my daughter", dad said.
I smirked and paced the room. "Is that what they told you both? That I bully them? Wow, Leila from day one, I knew you were a lying actress but Gregor? Now that puts you high on…" " Shut up! What is the meaning of this? Answer the goddamned question". "I'm sorry,but I didn't get the question. What was it again?"
Gregor's mom made to hit me. I cocked my brow and tilted my head a bit, defiant. "Debra, don't", mom warned. "On the contrary, Mrs. Livingston, I didn't bully your son or your daughter. They bullied me". "Liar", Leila shrieked. I scoffed. "Leila, you know you're a spoiled brat right? You say one thing to your father and do the opposite. Why don't we call Ms. Suave? Huh? Then we'll know if I'm a 'liar'", I said making air quotes with my fingers.
Leila hesitated. I lowered my head a bit, edging her on for a response. " You only wanna call Ms. Suave because you're her favorite. You both like the same book". I laughed and clicked my tongue repeatedly. " Actually, I wanna call Ms. Suave so she can tell both your parents how she put you both on detention when you said bad things about my family". I relished the looks of shock on their parents' faces. " Oh. I'm also guessing you didn't tell your mom that you slammed me against the lockers. On Leila's command of course".
Gregor's mom gasped and Nick's face went red in anger and embarrassment. "Mr. Skai your facial expression right now depicts mine when Leila called me a charity case, mocked my family and me for being an orphan and getting adopted. Oh, and Mrs. Livingston, your son was there, nodding in agreement like a mindless puppy". They were speechless. "So does that answer your question Debra?" , I said spitefully.
"Don't you dare call my mom by her first name!" I cocked my brow at him. "Would you shut up?!" Mrs. Livingston squeezed his cheek a bit. I chuckled with a smirk. "I…I…I'm really sorry for everything. Our kids' misdemeanor". Dad nodded, not sure of what to make of everything. " But daddy…" "Shut up! Bullying? Leila? Your mom and I raised you better than that. You're in so much trouble, missy",Nick said and yanked Leila by the arm and dragged her outta the house. Gregor and his mother followed suit. "Tata!", I said and finger-waved at them.
" Why didn't you tell us you were being bullied?", dad's voice was stern. " I could handle it myself". " We saw exactly how you did, we're proud of you, but you tell us next time". I stared at the cars driving past the house. "I don't think there'll be next time".