- 2.
I leaned against the door, sliding down to the
floor.
I couldn’t hold it in anymore.
I covered my face and sobbed.
On the other side of the door, Dad and my
brother were losing it, banging on the door.
“Sarah, you get out here right now! What’s
wrong with you? I said two words to you, and
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you start acting like you’re special or
something!” Dad said.
My brother kicked the door, yelling, “Sarah,
stay in there forever, for all I care!”
Ashley started crying louder.
“I’m sorry, Sarah. I shouldn’t have mentioned
that Dad and Dad were taking me to the store
to buy a new phone today.”
“I know you’re jealous. You think I’m wasting
your family’s money. Don’t worry, I don’t
need a new phone. I’ll get a part–time job
after school.”
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Hearing her fake apologies made my stomach
twist.
I’d heard this show before.
I knew what would happen next.
Dad and my brother instantly started
comforting her.
“It’s okay for Ashley to want a new phone!
She is not wasting our money.” Dad said.
“Your sister’s just being a brat. She doesn’t
deserve our money. Everything we have will
go to you, Ashley.” My brother said.
“Don’t cry, Ashley. We’ll get you a new phone
right now, and we’ll get you your favorite
food. And, Sarah can starve in her room since
she won’t apologize.” Dad said.
Their voices faded as they walked away,
doting on Ashley.
I stared at my burned hand, tears running
down my face.
They weren’t always like this.
Before Ashley came, they weren’t perfect, but
they were okay.
At least I had food, and I didn’t have to worry
Join the bookshelf
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about getting yelled at for no reason.
My mom died when I was born. When I was
five, Dad and my brother took me back to our
old town. We met Ashley, who was getting
kicked out of her uncle’s house.
Maybe because she looked a little like my
mom, they couldn’t take their eyes off her.
After talking it over, they decided to adopt
her.
At first, I liked having a sister, someone
around my age. I thought I wouldn’t be alone
anymore.
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I shared my toys with her. She’d take them
when Dad and my brother were watching, but
then she’d throw them on the floor. She’d
step on them, glaring at me.
“I don’t want your junk. They’re going to buy
me better stuff.”
I was speechless.
Then she’d run off to Dad and tell him, “Sarah
said I can’t play with her toys! She told me to
get out of her house!”
At first, they’d listen to me, trying to explain
that Ashley had a hard life. They told me to
be nice to her.
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But after a while, they got tired of it. Plus,
she was a better cryer than me. I didn’t even
get a chance to explain.
I resented it, but I told myself that as long as I
didn’t bother Ashley, they wouldn’t get mad
at me.
But giving in only made them ignore me more.
They gave Ashley everything.
Crying, my phone started ringing.
It was Dad, calling me for once.
We never really talked.
<
His voice was softer than usual.
“How’s your hand? Ashley said she wanted
you to come with us to get dinner. Come on,
get ready.”
“I’m tired. I don’t feel like going.”
I was exhausted from crying. I just wanted to
sleep.
He thought I was still mad.
“Sarah, when are you going to grow up? I
give you everything and you act like this. You
are a spoiled little brat.”
<
Ashley started sobbing in the background.
“Is Sarah not eating to punish me?”
“Sarah, I won’t take your dad’s money, I
promise. Don’t do this to hurt yourself!”
Dad snorted.
“Don’t eat, then. See if I care. You’re just
trying to get attention. I’m cutting off your
allowance tomorrow. See how tough you are
then.”
I hung up, calm as anything. I crawled into
bed, pulled up the covers, and hugged myself.
<
Like a baby in its mother’s womb.
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