My name is Ambrosia Lillis. I’ve been living my life for a while now. Sixteen years to be exact, but my life has changed over the past few years; it’s different. I have a secret nobody knows, not even my mom. I’m all alone. If I tell someone, they’ll think I’m crazy. I don’t know if it’s a good idea, but I have no other choice except to keep it a secret unless I want to be shipped off to a mental hospital like a loon.
~
The night before, Ambrosia nervously asked her mom if Josephine could spend the night. Every year, she never got the chance to see her best friend during school. Ambrosia swore this year would be different. She hardly heard her mother agree over the usual parent’s reply screaming in the back of her mind: no.
The sudden, loud chirping of Ambrosia’s phone woke her out of her comforting sleep. An audible groan left her lips before she turned over to see Josephine asleep beside her.
Checking the time, Ambrosia glanced at her phone and let another groan escape her lips. If they didn’t leave her cozy bed now, they’d be scrambling out the door to make it on time. Trying not to let sleep overtake her, she shook Josephine’s unconscious body, already knowing the outcome of this useless tactic. Ambrosia gave up after only a few shakes and decided to try another approach.
With a long, deep breath in, she screamed loud enough to wake only Josephine.
“Josephine! Wake up!”
“What?!” Josephine shrieked, startling awake. Amused, Ambrosia chuckled.
Josephine hated mornings as much as she did. Mornings were made to ruin lives. While Ambrosia had always found solace in the moon, Josephine enjoyed anything but the first rays of the new sun.
“It’s time to get ready for school. It’s the first day, remember?”
“Of course, I remember!”
“Then, get up!” Ambrosia exclaimed, shaking her.
Rolling over, Josephine whined, “I don’t want to.”
Ambrosia smirked, “Whatever. More boys for me.”
“I’m up,” Josephine cried, jumping out of bed. Ambrosia began to laugh.
Once both girls were dressed and ready, they walked downstairs to grab breakfast. Ambrosia wore a plaid shirt with some black leggings and a pair of black sneakers to match. Her dark brown hair fell in natural spirals, touching her lower back. Chocolate eyes shone in the light but were midnight in the shadows. An almost flawless skin was soft to the touch, but Ambrosia still was not impressed.
~
Ambrosia watched through the clear, rearview window as her three-story, brick house vanished. The lively, little neighborhood she had grown accustomed to lied on the edge of their average town where nothing exciting ever happened.
In the driver seat sat Callum. Next to him was her best friend, Josephine.
With everything a person could hope for, Ambrosia was proud to be Callum’s sister. He had good looks, intelligence, and a great personality.
As Ambrosia hopped out of her brother’s car, Callum’s many friends came rushing over.
“Hey!”
“What’s up?”
“There’s our great leader!” some of his teammates yelled.
In his sophomore year of high school, Callum was nominated captain of the football team, making him the youngest captain to ever lead the school’s varsity team; the decision was unanimous. Callum was shocked as he hadn’t applied for the position. Ambrosia, however, wasn’t fazed.
Watching her brother in his element, Ambrosia suddenly flew to the side. She looked to see a couple of girls had pushed her away from her charming brother.
I should’ve known… Every day this happens.
“Hi, Callum! Wow, you’re looking great as usual. Keeping up with your workout, I see,” one said. Callum smiled, glad his efforts were recognized.
“What do you do?” another giggled, “It must be a lot!”
“Oh, it’s nothing, just what any normal person does,” Callum told her.
Stop being so modest. You work out five times a week to stay in athletic shape, and that’s not including football practice! A distinct six-pack and rippling muscles like yours aren’t easy to obtain. Just look at me…
“Dude, did you get taller? Geez! Share your secret with the rest of us!” a guy, almost the same height as Ambrosia, shouted. Ambrosia glanced between the boy and her brother, who stood nearly a foot taller.
My brother’s godlike. A person like me doesn’t deserve to be called his sister.
Callum looked happily over to Ambrosia. She cast her eyes down, and her body slumped. Callum frowned.
Bouncing over, Callum said, “What do you think, pipsqueak? Am I tall? A giant, maybe?” Ambrosia looked up to see his teasing smile. “Well, I guess anyone would look tall compared to you.”
“Yeah, hopefully you’ll grow into your nose soon,” Ambrosia taunted. For a split second, Callum’s eyes widened before he happily stuck out his tongue.
“At least, I can grow into mine. Who’s going to help you with yours?”
“Come on, you two. Stop giving them a show. You can tease each other later,” Josephine spoke up. Ambrosia looked at her, happy someone stepped in. She loved making fun of her brother, but at the moment, she couldn’t feel any smaller.
Holding her tongue, Ambrosia glanced at the crowd surrounding them. There must have been twenty people. A few girls glared at her, but Ambrosia didn’t care. This always happened. Every day she had to deal with them.
As her eyes surveyed the many faces, Ambrosia noticed a few appeared to be ogling Josephine, who she found was smirking triumphantly.
Why can’t I be that beautiful, Ambrosia thought to herself as she gazed at her best friend’s beauty like a fan does a celebrity, with admiration and jealousy.
Ambrosia watched as Josephine’s white, summer dress hugged her curves, something she would never be comfortable in. Unlike Ambrosia, Josephine took pride in her curvaceous body with good cause. Meanwhile, Ambrosia found several faults to her hourglass body. Josephine, standing a few inches shorter than Ambrosia, sported some tan wedges to add height. They now stood on the same level. To draw everything together, a jean jacket popped off the white fabric.
I wish I could wear something girly like that. Maybe then, people would take interest in me, Ambrosia mumbled.
Her eyes turned to the obsidian hair that always pooled along Josephine’s shoulders. Its luscious waves matched that of the ocean. The darkness fared surprisingly well with Josephine’s skin, which mirrored that of a latte. It helped her emerald eyes draw people in. Not to mention her flawless skin where no acne or scars dared pierce. Ambrosia only ever stared in awe at her best friend. An ugly duckling like her didn’t deserve such beauty.
Every time Ambrosia laid eyes on her gorgeous best friend, the haunting memories from her childhood came crawling back. The mockery and humiliation she endured shattered her self-esteem. To this very day, Ambrosia still felt like the broken child the other kids made her, and her personality reflected that.
Beside her, Ambrosia noted Callum glaring at his friends in frustration.
Why? Rose wondered. They’re just saying hello, or is he mad that they’re checking her out? She didn’t know. Callum didn’t like Josephine, so why did it matter?
Ambrosia observed how each boy would notice Callum and look away, fearful. When there were no more, Callum looked at the two girls.
“I’ll see you guys later,” he whispered.
“Bye,” Josephine smiled, cheerful.
“Bye, Callum,” Ambrosia replied, hoping to alleviate some uneasiness through her awkwardness.
“Bye, Rose,” Callum stated, stroking her hair. Sensing how relaxed Callum had become, relief flooded Ambrosia.
Ever since Ambrosia could remember, Callum has called her Rose. Their mom claims he’s called her that ever since he first held her as a baby. Callum couldn’t say her name properly, so he began calling her Rose instead.
Before Rose knew it, Callum was gone. Rose walked with Josephine over to their usual group of friends.
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