Ding-Dongggg, dingg-donggg!

        The unexpected shrill of the doorbell rang through the thin walls of the house, followed by a projected grunt from Aunt Morrison. I got up, giving up trying to focus on my homework and predicting Aunt Morrison's response before she called me downstairs. 

        As I was descending the steep, oak stairs, the familiar voice reached my ears, cold as steel, "April! Are you deaf? Open the door, quick."

        I passed the sofas strewn with filthy clothes - no doubt waiting to become my next chore - all the while, trying to ignore Aunt Morrison's revolted gaze. Sometimes I found my mind trying to figure out why Aunt Morrison loathed me so much. What have I ever done to her? In fact, even in my sleep, she is ever present. The thought urged a sudden ashamed laugh out of my throat. As I dared a glance towards Aunt Morrison, her face was twisted in a scowl.

        Quickening my steps and lowering my head, I reached the door in a few short strides. Wrapping my hand around the door handle, I pulled the door open. As I raised my gaze, my breath hitched in my throat. The face staring back at me was the last set of features I expected to see. 

        "Mason?" I choked. 

        "Hey, April. I had no idea you lived here. You don't seem very glad to see me, eh?" he joked, grinning. 

        "No, no, it's not that at all," I replied, almost whispering, for the fear of Aunt Morrison's keen hearing sense. 

        "April, who is it?" Aunt Morrison called.

        When I hesitated, she strode to the door herself, positioning herself to look over my shoulder. 

        "Hello, ma'am," Mason greeted. 

        "Hello," Aunt Morrison replied, faking a warm smile. 

        An awkward silence followed, in which Courtney decided to trudge down the stairs from her own room. Realizing where we were, she joined us. As her eyes settled onto Mason, she barely stifled a gasp, and pushing me out of the way, took my former place instead. She beamed up at him, and smiled the far too stretched out signature grin of hers. 

        "Mason! Hello! Mom, this is my friend, Mason," said Courtney, her voice all sugar and sweet.

        I mentally cringed at the word 'friend'. Mason and Courtney were anything but friends. Mason on the other hand, remained expressionless. 

        I glanced at Aunt Morrison, whose face had lightened up at the notion 'friend'. She was set on finding a boy for Courtney, and when she finds out that Mason is not any boy, but a wealthy one, too, Aunt Morrison will practically squeal. The thought disgusted me. It seemed too lowly of intentions. Targeting boys only for their wealth. Well, who was I to judge?

        "Uh, hey. Well, I just came here to give you an invitation to a party at my house. My family and I just moved to the recently sold house, and thought that this would be a great way to get to know our neighbors," Mason said, handing Courtney the invitation, who grabbed it instantly. "I hope all of you join us". He glanced at me, my face most likely barely visible from behind Courtney. 

        "We will definitely be there," replied Courtney and launched herself towards Mason, wrapping her arms around him. Mason staggered backwards from the sudden impact, and hesitantly hugged her back, all the while looking at me with a confused expression. I just shrugged. Poor Mason. He would have to go through with these sudden actions from Courtney. I felt a new emotion rise in my gut... jealousy? No, that's not possible. I mean, what is there to be jealous about? It's just Courtney... right?

        I shook the thought away, trying to ignore it for some unknown reason that only my heart seems to know. Courtney finally pulled back, and fortunately, Mason wasn't strangled. Thank goodness, because you never know with Courtney. Precautions are always wise. 

        "Thank you for the invitation," Aunt Morrison chirped. 

        "No problem, ma'am. I'll see you then. Have a good evening," Mason replied, and descended the stairs. By then, Courtney and Aunt Morrison had both left the door and were already creating a complicated list about what they would wear. Before entering the polished car waiting for him on the curb, Mason turned back and waved at me, which I returned with a smile.  

        My eyes followed the car as it drove farther and farther. When it had driven out of sight a long time ago, I was still staring at the horizon, lost in my thoughts. Fantasizing, perhaps, about the miracles the shooting star might have brought along. 

ooooo

"Courtney, hurry up. The mall will be closing in a few hours, and we have a lot to shop for," Aunt Morrison said, impatiently tapping her foot. 

        "Coming, mom!," replied Courtney. 

        They were going to the mall to shop for outfits to wear at the party. Aunt Morrison hadn't invited me to come along, which didn't deem as surprising. Although, now, I felt like I had enough. It just wasn't fair to be dragged down like this, having no choice whatsoever. I felt like a corpse, with no purpose, nothing to look forward to. But, then there was Mason. This was my chance to burst out of this bubble I have been hiding in for so long. I thought of the day at the park with Mason and his sister, Ivana. The thought brought a smile to my lips, and somehow, motivated me to pose a simple question towards Aunt Morrison. 

        "Aunt Morrison, can I come, too?"

        "No," she replied. That's it. Just a no. Why? Why the empty 'no'? Everything I deserved, getting rejected by a simple 'no'.

        My hands began to clench into tight fists, and before I knew it, I was already yelling, "Why?! Why can I not come? Has there ever been a day when you said 'yes' to me? Any moment when you accepted me as a human being, no different from yourself? Why do you treat me as if I have no value? What did I ever do to you?"

        I could see Aunt Morrison's glare harden as she clenched her teeth. "You really want to know? Well, I will tell you. I will let you know what you have done to me and Courtney," she said, with an edge to her voice. 

        My heart started hammering in my chest, drowning out my own thoughts. It was really happening. The truth was about to be uncovered. The truth I had been awaiting for years, now churned my stomach in an uncomfortable manner. What was so dire, that Aunt Morrison looks at me with such abhorrence? Fear and curiosity clawed at my throat, threatening to raise nausea. 

        "You know what? You're useless. You don't deserve my time. Go clean these clothes and make yourself helpful instead of just standing there," Aunt Morrison snapped. 

        "But, I need to know what happened! I can't keep on living a clueless life!," I exclaimed. 

        Before I knew what was happening, something came in contact with my cheek, and sent me scrambling backwards against the wall. Aunt Morrison had just slapped me. I cowered backwards, trying to hide into the wall. My cheek burned from the impact, my clenched jaw adding to the pain. My fingers traveled to my cheek, searching for evidence that this had really happened.  

        "Mind your own business you sneaky... rat," she growled. 

        She took a step forwards, and kicked me in my shin. I bit my lip, trying to hold back the tears, the waterfall that was about to cascade down my cheeks, again.  

        "Come on, Courtney. We have some shopping to do."

        Just like that, scowling, they both left me to my miserable, lonely life. As soon as I heard the click of the lock on the door, I sank to the ground, the tears pouring yet again. I buried my head in my knees, and just cried, as if I could wash away all the despair buried deep in my heart. This was becoming all too familiar. I am useless. Unwanted. Hated. What did I ever do to anyone? God, why do I have to face such cruelty? Sobs racked my body, my lip trembling.

        Why am I so vulnerable? No. I will not let myself become affected by this. Pitying myself and feeling helpless is going to accomplish nothing. I need to be strong, I need to hold on. But, even as I urged my limbs to strengthen, they would not cooperate. Letting out an exasperated sigh, I gave up. I braced myself against the wall, and let myself let go for these few moments. A few thoughts were muddled in my brain, before I dozed off. 

        It's okay to give yourself a break once in a while. You deserve some rest. You can't just expect yourself to carry on with life, trudging through obstacles when the rest of the world clashes against you. You can't continuously put up with the taunting and hatred. There is a time when even the strongest of people need to repose. That's just how we all are made. If you take some time off, it doesn't mean you are weak; it just means that you are bracing yourself for what will come next. 

        That's exactly what I need. I need time to get lost in my secure and carefree dreams instead of the horrific nightmare my life has become. Just a few moments. Surely, these few minutes won't hurt.  

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Author's Note: 

Chapter 5! I hope you enjoyed! As always, if you have anything you would like to tell me, then let me know in the comments! Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day! :)

- Anika