lowercase intended.

STORMI ESTES

⋆⭒˚.⋆☆⋆｡𖦹°✮⋆˙,

I can take it.

I can't do this! I hate everything! I hate my life! I hate this stupid thing. Why is everything so complicated! I'm gonna cry. Or sob. I don't know the difference but if it has tears, i'm fine with that. I'm gonna rip my hair out of my scalp.

"Then you want to bring the other piec-"

I slam my laptop shut and groan out loud.

Why are braids so hard to do?! I just want simple braids. French braids for crying out loud! Stupid tutorials don't make sense. Youtube sucks. My arms are sore.

All i wanted was two nice braids for the day. I wanted to go out and look nice, so why is it so hard.

Im starting to tear up.

₊ ⊹ ⟡

I smile happily in my happy place. The pottery palace. I love pottery so much. The best thing to be invented on this Earth. My love for it grew ever since my mom and the other thing started having many problems. I'm getting sick of it. My mother doesn't deserve that toe rag. Whenever they were near each other there was no doubt that another argument would happen. But whatever. As long as I have myself and acting, who needs love? Love is temporary and for the silly.

I AM THE SILLY.

i took a seat at my usual spot. There was a girl sitting next to the spot.

"Hi! My name's stormi," i smile at her. She looks at me with a bright smile. Oh man, she is real pretty. I'm so jealous.

"Hi, Stormi! I'm Elizabeth! You can call me lizzie though," she greets herself.

"And you can call me whatever! I love nicknames," I smile as i started cutting the clay for my mug.

"Hey, Miss Estes! You back again for more," the lady came by. She knows me. I'm pretty well-known around here.

Oh yeah and the fact i am an actress. That too i guess.

"Yep! Couldn't be separated from my favorite thing in the world," i laugh.

"Can't wait to see what you have in stored," she smiles and walk away.

"Wait, your last name is estes? As in you're stormi estes," she gawks.

"correct! I am her! Not her but stormi her," i smile. Did that make sense?

"I adore your acting in movies! You really are natural at it! What are you doing here in... Vancouver," she asks me.

"I live here," i laugh.

"Really? I thought big actors would live in the US like california or something," she says while shaping her vase.

"Well considering i'm sitting right here i'd say yeah really. Also, i'm here filming," i blurt out.

"wait new series?" she asks me.

"oops. please don't spread that. I did not mean to say that out loud," i chuckle nervously.

"of course. I wouldn't do that," she says in a way i can trust her.

"I mean, I didn't actually say what I was working on, so I'm off the hook," I laugh.

₊ ⊹ ⟡

"And I am... finished," Lizzie eagerly walked her coffee mug to the painting area. Huh, that was quick. Time goes by fast when you're lost in thought. "This, my friend, will be a masterpiece by the time I'm done with it," she said showing me her wavy vase.

I'm not sure if it was meant to be wavy but... anything can be beautiful. No matter the flaws. "Wow Picasso, I'd pay top-tier money to see the results," I commented.

"I know," she smiled giving me a toothy grin.

We were almost done with our creations. I think we got along super well during our time here. I love making new friends.

Take that momona. Talking does get you places.

We were just waiting for the pottery to be glazed and we would be on our separate way. Mine was a night sky-themed mug. Cliché I know. But i love stars.

Lizzie, on the other hand, was a pretty sunset. Sunsets compliment her features. Her skin glowed each time the sun shined on her from the glass windows. Her curly hair matched her so well. It was darker on the top and turns lighter halfway. She's the epitome of sunset on a beach.

I get up from my stool, "I'm gonna be right back!"

She nods and continues playing games on her phone.

"Hey Mrs. Jae, I'm gonna pick up my stuff tomorrow! I have to get ready for filming tomorrow," i smile at her.

"Did you get another role," she enthusiastically asks.

I nod, "I sure did! I can't wait till you see what show!"

"I'll be waiting," she smiles. She sets down herself on a stool.

"Don't wait too long," i exclaimed and went back to my table.

"Hey, Lizzie! Wanna exchange numbers," i ask her.

"Sure! I would love that," she giggles.

We swap numbers and i made my way out of the place.

₊ ⊹ ⟡

"This is a life or death situation. Please help me," i beg my brother.

"I'm literally helping you," he exclaims.

"not good enough," i retort.

He groans and flips the pages.

"From the top," i exclaim.

"what?!" he sounded so dreadfully dreadful.

"if you were auditioning for a dying character, you'd get in," i flip my page.

I take a deep breath and get into character again.

"Percy, you forgot to... uh," i cough, "never mind!"

"no, tell me," brandt monotonously answers.

"...your shoes," i whisper in character.

He gasps, "why didn't you say something!"

He starts talking in a funny voice.

I sigh and get out of character.

"I'm trying to do my best right now and you're not helping," i cross my arms.

"You're a great actress. You'll be fine," he reassures me.

"Thanks lil bro," i smile.

My phone buzzes in my pocket and i check what it was. It was an email from the director. I didn't open it all the way up but i can make out from the first few words.

"Reminder that tomorrow everybody is needed..."

... and yadadadadad blah

I squeal.

"I can't wait for tomorrow," i tell my brother.

"can you leave my room now," he asks.

"mom needs to force you out of this house," i roll my eyes and walk out of his room.

What to do.. what to do... there's nothing to do. Maybe, i can go for a walk. Nah. I'm not that athletic. Maybe that's a sign.

"Stormi, would you mind moving out the way so i can pass with the laundry," someone says behind me.

"my bad, mom," i laugh and move out the way.

"what's on your mind? You were standing in the middle of the stairs with no intention of moving" she asks me.

I follow her to the laundry room.

"Everything. I'm so nervous about filming. The new cast. How it would be like. This is like gigantic stuff that i'm doing now," i sigh.

"honey, don't overthink it. I know you'll do perfect. You were meant for this. And it's my money you're using so don't waste it," she says sweetly but not so sweetly. I can hear it.

"hey! I paid for a bunch of things from previous stuff," i defend myself.

She finishes up the laundry and as she walks out she kisses the side of my head.

"I'm heading over to your aunt's tonight. Your uncle is in the hospital," she says.

"oh? what happened," i follow her to the kitchen.

"something with his heart. I'll update you later. I won't be back till tomorrow," she says grabbing her keys.

"alright, i hope he feels better. goodnight," i smile.

She waves and shuts the door. I stand there until i heard the garage close.

"You look like an idiot standing there."

I know that voice anywhere.

"what do you want," i scoff.

"Your mom is just feeding you lies. I'm surprised you got this far but it won't last. When you fail, you'll become an embarrassment. I can't believe you'd be the reason for our poverty," my step-dad groans.

"i admire your confidence in that. Your perspective is certainly.. unique. Im not getting paid to care about your opinions. But whatever it's not like you know anything about being paid." Every time im near him i just have an energy to say things.

I do care, but i won't show him that. Can't give in to that.

"Whatever, don't come crying when you do. Your mom won't help you forever. She's just pitying you. I just have to do everything in this house to keep it stable, don't i," he complains.

What's that supposed to mean? I can do way more than him. I mean... i did the first step which is stepping out the house.

"You don't know anything about her," i exclaim before storming up to my room.

I strongly dislike him. Someone needs to invent a step-parent-trade market or something.