It's always been about her.

My sister, Harlow. Everything she does is perfect. Her posture, grades, social status, even her farts smell good. And she doesn't even try to be modest about it. The pain, and jealousy I had, left a huge pit in my stomach, an undying flame that wouldn't burn out. I wanted what she had, but I knew I couldn't replace her. Even if she were to die, I would just constantly be trapped within their perfect memory of her. If I were to just run away, my parents wouldn't care, heck they wouldn't even notice. And so I decided, I would run away. I would run away to pursue a career as acting.

Acting had always been an escape for me. Portraying the pain through characters, acting out their life, and becoming one with them. Acting was a new view on life. The adrenaline coursing through your veins as the first curtain is raised, and the longing to just stand in the standing ovation, and soak in all the applause when the last curtain is lowered. My family had always been wealthy. Wealthy enough to buy some things in life that wasn't essential. So earlier today, I had gone into my mother and father's dresser, (where I knew they stashed their cards) and took their credit cards. With all of them combined, I had about three million. I know, it's a lot, but they wouldn't notice, basking in the glory of their wealth.

I raise my trembling hand and slightly brushed my fingertips against the doorknob. I retracted slightly, looking around and drinking in the sights of my childhood home. This was goodbye. I glanced at the stairs, reminiscing the found memories I had. My sister and I sledding down the stairs on a large baking pan, our laughter echoing off the walls with fresh paint on them. I looked at the stairs now, the once fresh paint, now peeling off, and the floors had small dents in them from the impact of our landing. I looked back at the thin strip of wall, with markings measuring my sister and I's height. Even then, things had always been a competition between us.

My smile faded slightly. I inhaled deeply and said my final goodbyes. With a confident adrenaline coursing through me, I opened up the door, the cold winter air hitting my face, like a glacial slap to the face. I hesitated one last time, my foot hovering over the doorstep. Do I really want to do this? I bent my foot back slightly, before the wave of jealousy, hurt, anger, and pain hit me, each one like a shard of glass, impaling the small cracks lining my heart. I needed to do this. And with that final thought said, I stepped out the door. I saw a black car pull up to the curb, the breaks screeching to a halt. Just on time. I briskly walked over to the car, tapping on the window with my knuckle. "Hello?" I questioned. After a couple of seconds, the window slowly began to move down. "I am here, no need to damage car," A middle-aged man said, with a thick Russian accent seeping through. "Oh, okay," I said hesitantly, before stepping into the car. The warm air greeted me like an old friend, as it wrapped itself around my face and chest, warming me up. "You like warm?" The Russian man questioned, adjusting the review mirror so his eyesight lined up to mine. "Um, yes," I mumbled.

"What was that? I don't understand you. You like mice, only squeak but no chitter, you know?" He said rambling on. "Yeah," I said nodding nonchalantly. "If I may ask, what is your name?" I questioned. "My name is Sergey. No more question now." I gave him a slight nod, indicating my answer. He put the car in drive, and began heading to the airport. The colors seemed to blend into one as he drove onward. Before I knew it, we were at the airport. I was about to step out, when I heard Sergey clear his throat loudly. "Were is my pay?" He asked coldly. "Oh, right," I said, shuffling through my bag for some change. I only had the cards. After a long mental debate, I sighed and handed him the card, along with a hastily written note on the financial information. "There's 10k on that card," I grumbled. His eyes immediately widened, and filled with tears. "Spasibo! Spasibo!" He cried out, kissing the card. I felt my broken, cracked heart warm up at the sight. I no longer felt regret or annoyance at the fact I gave away a generous amount of money. "Your welcome," I said with a small smile. I walked into the airport, people bustling around, and an occasional tantrum. I glanced at the time on my phone and saw I had about 45 minutes before my flight. I walked around for a while, my eyes and nose drinking in all the sights and sounds. Suddenly, I inhaled a heavenly smell. The warm and cozy scent caressing my insides, sending warm tingly feelings down my spine. I let my nose lead the way, and soon enough came to a small but classy café. I soon walked up to the cash register, and ordered a pumpkin spice latte and a warm cookie. I quickly paid, and was eager to sit down and dig in.

As I was walking towards my table, I collided with a young woman who was wearing all white, and her outfit looked very expensive. My latte and whatever was in her cup was now on her white coat, the fibers quickly absorbing the liquid and locking it in. "Watch where your going!" She cried out, desperately trying to wipe off the spilt drinks. "This was a designer outfit. That cost me 2 millions USD." she said, a low, threatening growl escaping from the back of her throat. I quickly retrieved a handkerchief and rubbing it on her white outfit. Soon black smudges began to appear on her soiled clothes. I immediately stopped, and looked at the handkerchief, noticing the black splotches stained onto it. Then the memories of this morning came back.

Hours Earlier

______________________________________

"Polishing! Get your shoes polished!" A less privileged old man yelled out. I had been walking through the market that day, and felt a pang of pity hit me hard. I glanced at him kindly and walked over to him. "I'd like to get my shoes polished," I said softly, lifting up my dress to reveal a pair of white shoes. "I'm sorry miss, but I'm afraid I only have black polish," he said disappointed.

"Nonsense," I said, sitting myself down on the bench in front of him. "Now I'll have shoes that are one of a kind." I declared, giving him a positive smile. He returned the smile and agreed. He was shuffling through his small box, and a flicker of sadness flashed across his face, which was soon followed with a sorrowful frown.

"I'm sorry, but I don't have anymore clothes," He said, gesturing to a small pile of disposable clothes. "Oh do not fret, I have this," I said pulling out a handkerchief. "Bless you angel," He said, his eyes threatening to release small tears. "Oh stop, all I am doing is paying for a good shoe polish." I said, smiling. He nodded and began to polish my shoes. Once he was done, I paid him, and he handed me the handkerchief back. I stuffed it in my purse, not wanting to throw it away.

_________________________________________

Pure hatred was glowing inside her eyes. "I have to stay like this for 18 hours now. 18. HOURS." She yelled out. I jumped at her sudden outburst. "I'll just go," I said hastily. "You. Will. Pay" she seethed.

"Flight 216 Gate F is now boarding," the loud PA announcement making its presence known. I chuckled softly, and backed away slowly, like a training a wild animal. I made my way to the flight attendant as she surveyed my ticket and let me board. I glanced up at my seat number 'C53' It wasn't first class, but it was good enough. I put the very little luggage I had in the storage bin above, and took my seat. I popped my earbuds in and began to listen to some music. Just as I felt my eyelids grow heavy, the loud sound of baby cries startled me. A distressed man with heavy bags under his eyes began to push his way through the crowd.

Please don't be next to me

Please don't be next to me

Please don't be next to me

The man and his infant stopped at my row. Almost everyone in the cabin sighed in relief, prepared to put their excuses to work if he had stopped at them. I got sympathetic looks from everyone in the plane. The man sat next to me and began talking with a thick Spanish accent. He was talking so fast that his Spanish and English merged into one. "

"Lo siento por el bebé, sé que puede ser un escándalo, pero lo vale. ¿Para qué estás aquí? Estoy aquí por una carrera que siempre he querido seguir." He said, tenderly looking at his child.

I nodded slowly, not quite sure what to make out of this. I popped one earbud in, and jerked my elbow onto the seat. Suddenly, I felt my elbow hit something soft. And soon baby cries were heard all throughout the plane.

I slowly turned my head to face the baby and noticed a small bruise already forming.

Shoot

"Fool! ¡Mi bebé! Nadie toca a mi bebé. Pobre bebé, papá hará las cosas mejor. Tu vas a pagar," he said angrily, as you could hear the annoyed groans coming from the entire plane.

Well this is just great.