Chapter 3

*** 

The weekend finally came. My first week of high school was behind me. I was at my desk, trying to finish off some homework. The sun was so bright that it caught my attention. I looked out the window in a daze.  Suddenly the door of my room opens wide. I got a bit of a jump scare. Why do people in this house love bursting into my room???

Ah. It was Josh. He came running at me with his pudgy little legs. My mouth curled into a smile before I could think.

“Hey, Josh! What’s up buddy?”

Josh held his arms wide open. A giant smile on his face.

“Pick up! Huggy!”

I grabbed him and sat him in my lap.

“Come here little tiger. Are you hungry?”

Josh points at his mouth and nods.

“Yah. Nam nam. Candy!”

“You can’t have candy, but we can go look for something else. Okay?”

I lifted Josh in my arms and started on our way to the kitchen. Barely making two steps next to the dining table, the stepmom appears. She gave me a nasty look and headed towards dad in the living room.

“-Can you say something to your daughter? She keeps taking my things!-”

Dad sighs. He turns his head to look at me and then to stepmom. She continued barking loudly.

“-She takes my sanitary pads and uses make-up! Look at her eyes! She’s gonna turn into a prostitute!-” 

Dad’s lack of response made her more infuriated. “-Say something!-”

I could feel the anger getting the best of me. I let Josh down and exploded. 

“-What are you talking about?! How else am I supposed to get those things?! How else am I supposed to get those things? It’s not like anyone takes me to the store! And what make-up?! UGHHH!!-”

I was heaving. How could she always find some way to make me look bad and call me out in front of everyone? Why?!

Dad held his head and finally spoke. “-I’ll deal with it. Just calm down. Sigh.-”

He turned to me looking noticeably annoyed. 

“Don’t steal anymore. If you need something, go to the supermarket with ba noi next time. Helena, stay in your room for two days. Now leave.”

“-What…? That’s it?” Stepmom was obviously not happy about the results.

I couldn’t believe dad. Even though his voice was calm, it was as if he was still taking her side. How is that fair?! You know what? Fine with me. It’s not like I wanted to see her face anyways.

I ran straight to my room. Adrian’s head was in my peripheral vision in his doorway as I ran by. Averting my eyes, I went straight inside my room and threw a headset on. I let myself fall onto my bedsheets and closed my tearing eyes.

This is the story of my life.

He always takes her side. Never listens to what I say.

With tears falling slowly and the sounds in my ears, I slowly entered slumberland.

***

Here I was, ten years old and my dad was getting remarried to that woman. 

She’s such a gold digger. We aren’t even rich.

How did she act so well to make us all like her and think she would be a nice new mom?

She called out to me, as if she really loved me. “-Helena, let’s go out to eat! It’ll be fun.-”

I fell into that trap.

“Okay!”

She was smiling so brightly.

She brought us to the toy store and happily declared, “Pick one thing you want.”

That smile. I should have known it was fake. It was broken. It was robotic.

Adrian and I were so happy. Like fools.

***

Two weeks later. The girl’s changing room for gym class was bustling with chatter. Teenager girl’s hormones running rampage. Of course, I just listen to it all.

“Are you really going out with him?!”

“Yup! Look, he gave me this bracelet.” She arrogantly flashed her wrist.

“Omg. So pretty. I’m jealous.”

“I know. He’s great.” She smirked with her ego showing all over her face. 

Our P.E. teacher shouted at us from the partly opened door to the gym hall. 

“Let’s go ladies! This isn’t a dance party!” 

She blew her whistle and clapped her hands - signaling us to get out there already.

We all gathered in the gym and waited for her instructions. She stood there , extremely confident.

“Alright! Today is basketball. 3 vs 3.”

“If you’re done stretching, choose your teammates and line up at one of the hoops.”

The girls all made their teams slowly. It seemed like most of them knew each other well already. I looked to see if there was anyone left who I could join.

I don’t think I’ll find a team. I’ll probably be alone or with a fellow outcast.

Enter Ae-ra. “Helena!”

“Oh? Ae-ra, I didn’t know you were in the same P.E. class.”

“I had a last minute transfer. Isn’t it great?!” 

She smiled. Her bubbliness was too bright. I might have needed sunglasses.

“Do you have a team yet?”

“Oh no, I don’t. Do you…” she interrupts me before I can continue.

“Want to team up?!” Ae-ra’s eyes seemed to sparkle.

“Heh..okay. We need one more person though.” 

I tried surveying the girls that were left. Ae-ra suddenly points ahead. 

“How about her? She’s standing alone.”

There was a very tall girl standing on the sideline. I thought I was tall, but she was an easy few inches taller. She wore a scarf on her head and had a super intimidating look on her face. Maybe we shouldn’t approach her…

Of course Ae-ra ran up to her. She’s so outgoing.

“Hi! Do you have a team yet? We need a third member.”

She stared for a moment. “No. I don’t have a team.”

She sounded cold and it felt like she was pressuring me with her aura alone.

“I’m Ae-ra and this is Helena! Let’s go!”

I just nodded a hello and followed them to our assigned basket.

“I’m Aaliyah. I only want to win.”

That surprised me. I wasn’t sure what to think of her anymore.