Chapter 2-1

“Happy Birthday!” I cheered along with everybody else as my big brother began to celebrate. I think Mom and Dad were a little hysterical, because all of us were getting older. Draggy sauntered up to the cake trying to look cool in front of Mel, but I just thought he looked like a big goof.

Eh, I thought he looked the same, but Mom started crying and screaming things like “Oh, my baby boy is so handsome!” So maybe not?

Of course, Mel got to go next, and she looked as graceful as ever, handling the transition with ease.

I always thought she was a different kind of pretty. Not like a Princess or Model, more like a girl who was humble, and didn’t really accept the fact that she could ever be beautiful.

Of course, Passion was the opposite. She wasn’t just pretty, she was flawless. I’d always been jealous of her, even now at the end of my childhood. And from all of the stories I’d read about teenagers and their emotions, it was probably going to get worse.

See? Case in point. Passion would probably be able to survive on her looks for the rest of her life.

As the sun started to go down, Mom and Dad brought out the party torches, and Rosie got to go next.

By now I’m sure you realize I have a tendency to be a little jealous. I don’t know why, but I’ve never had very good self-esteem. I guess it started when me and Rosie started to argue as babies. But I don’t blame her for it.

I always thought Rosie was unique. Most girls in our school with glasses were embarrassed, but not her. She would flaunt them. I was downright envious of the self-confidence she had. It just wasn’t fair! I guess the only things I’m proud of about myself are my vocabulary, (I was the top student in my class for Language Arts,) and my singing voice. Although I was way too nervous to preform. The only time Dad ever got a song out of me was when I sang in front of a video camera.

I pushed all of my negative thoughts to the back of my head and focused on being happy for my sister.

When I saw how amazing she looked, my first reaction was anger. How could it be fair?!? She has incredible confidence, a great personality and, now, good looks.

“Rosie, you look so pretty!” I said, maybe being positive would make me feel better. Of course, it didn’t.

“Well duh!” She giggled and made a face to match,

I knew she was kidding, but it still didn’t exactly make me feel better.

Finally it was my turn. I closed my eyes, crossed my fingers, and hoped for the best.

I wasn’t satisfied, and I actually just wanted to run up to my room and cry, but I tried to smile.

The weird thing was I thought I heard Rosie gasp. But why? It’s not like she could have been jealous of me.

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After dinner and cake, I excused myself quietly from the living room, where everybody was watching an old horror movie about sharks called “Jaw Breakers” I was feeling pretty down, and I really wasn’t looking forward to school tomorrow.

After a night of terrible sleep, I got up super early. The house was empty and I wasn’t hungry, so I went around to the back. Within a matter of minutes I’d become lost in my thoughts.

The moon was so beautiful, I wished I could paint as well as Rosie just to capture it.

Soon enough my hiatus was interrupted by the sounds of breakfast being cooked inside. I slipped In and almost made it back to my room before Mom approached me from behind.

“Snowie, honey, are you feeling alright?” She looked anxiously at my face for any signs of angst.

“Yeah, Mom I’m fine.” I plastered on an incredibly fake smile I’m sure she didn’t beleive.

“… If you say so. Well, do you remember when your Father recorded that video of you singing?”

“Yeah, why?”

“We… Erm, sent it in to the admissions office at a very prestigious boarding school, and they agreed to admit you with a singing scholarship!” She looked uncomfortable, as if embarrassed she’d shown the video against my wishes.

“MOM! How could y- Wait, they liked it that much?”

I heard Mom say more, but the words didn’t make sense. I was busy imagining life away from here. Singing for a living, making new friends, even re-inventing myself.

Yeah, that’s what I needed…

A fresh start.