"Meg, crawl out of your dark hole and come see your brother and his girlfriend!" My sister Luna shouted for the second time. "I'd rather be shot with a rifle than see her again!" I screamed back, turning up my stereo full blast, drowning out anything else she had to say to me. God, I hated this whole family. Well, except my oldest brother Daniel, he was actually kinda cool, if you could call anyone related to you "cool".
Suddenly the door to my room opened, reveling Daniel, standing tall and handsome in the bright light of my burning candles. He walked over and turned my stereo off, making my ears ring in the sudden silence. I looked up at him, thinking of what to say. He sat down on my bed, making it bounce a little, scattering the papers I was working on all over the floor.
"Hi sis." He smiled, laying back and folding his hands behind his head, looking around my room with interest. "Hi." I muttered, getting down on my hands and knees to pick up my papers. I stacked them in a pile and stuffed them in a shoe box, taking one last glance at them before I put the lid on. "Still working on your chemistry equations?" I nodded and pushed the box under my bed making sure it was hidden from my mother's sight. She didn't like the fact that I cooped myself up in my room and worked on things that only geniuses should know about.
"You know, sometimes I mistake my own sister for Albert Einstein." "Oh come on Dan...my hair's not that bad!" I smiled and he laughed. "Aw Megarooney you should do stand up comedy when you get older. In the meantime, come out and entertain everyone. I have something to tell you." "So tell me now, I'm definitely not going out there." No way in hell! He looked hurt. "Please Meggy? I really want you to be there when I tell everyone." He stuck out his bottom lip and gave me his best puppy eyed look. It never failed. "Oh all right just for one minute okay? And then I get to leave." "Good!" He shot up off the bed and grabbed my hand, dragging me behind him, down the hallway and into our high ceiling living room that had enough space to fit our entire family in.
Everyone stared as I made my way to the couch that was in the far corner, away from all the lively chatter from the close relatives who loved to gawk at the pale faced, Goth make up and clothing wearing kid. The outcast of the family, the loner, the screwed up gene. Most of these people were just strangers to me, always coming and going, always gossiping, always obsessing over Luna, my bitchy sister who was 17. She loved to torment me, loved to poke fun at my black clothing and make up, my dark room that always had candles burning in it, my IQ. She told everyone at school that I worshipped the devil and that I had made him appear on her birthday to take her back to hell with him. Of course that wasn't true, I could never do that, only dream about it. And the sad thing is, all those numb nutted jocks and ditzy advance-to-no-wheres in life people believed her. They stalked me for weeks on end, throwing rocks and calling me horrible things. Thankfully Daniel had me transferred to a private school where I've been doing better than before.
He and I are really close, he was the one who always watched out for me. Wherever you found Daniel, you found me, and vise versa. Nothing would ever tear us apart. Nothing!
Daniel and his girlfriend, a tall blonde woman with dark blue eyes and perfect milky skin and curvy figure, stood up in the front of the room, making all conversation draw to a close. Daniel smiled and held his girlfriend's hand, her smiling with perfect white teeth that were probably and hopefully fake. "Everyone, Ingrid and I have an announcement to make. We're going to be married!" Daniel beamed as everyone oohed and aahed and applauded for him. I, on the other hand, fell off the couch in shock, banging my head against the floor and then began to hyperventilate.
No, no that slut was not going to be part of our family! No! She was not going to be my sister-in-law! She would not steel my only close friend away from me! Boy she was going to be sorry. I had to stop this, I had to talk to Daniel somehow. He must be smoking something, he must be out of his fucking mind! What is he thinking? He doesn't really love her, they just met six months ago!
No one noticed me lying on the floor, a pesky black dot on the gigantic white carpet of life. No one even cared. They were to busy gathering around Dan, the women hugging him and the men slapping him cheerily on the back. And Ingrid...ohhh Ingrid, stood there, the center of attention, putting on that my-shit-doesn't-stink smile, hugging all of these people that she barely knew. My dad always said it takes a lot of energy to hate someone. And boy I must be an energy producing plant because damn, I hated that stupid bitch.
Quickly I made my way past all the cooing relatives and back to my own domain. I slammed the door and threw myself on the bed, grabbing the remote and switching my stereo back up, turning it up as loud as possible and then putting my ear protectors, that you were when you're practicing with guns, on so I wouldn't lose my hearing. It wasn't long before people were pounding on the walls and knocking on the door, screaming for me to turn the damn music down. Haha they'd just have to walk in here and make me.
Once again Daniel entered my room and switched the music off, and then pulled a chair up beside my bed so he was face to face with me. I removed my ear protectors and stared at him. He looked both angry and hurt at the same time, yet he managed to keep his temper down. Through the crack in the door I could see his soon to be wife, staring at me with a frightened look in her eyes. Yeah you'd better be scared, my mind hissed. Daniel turned around and motioned for her to go away. She did as she was told and shut the door quietly, but she was probably listening outside anyway so why did that matter.
Daniel turned back to me and frowned. "What's gotten into you huh? I thought you would be happy! You always said you wanted another sister besides Luna!" I sneered. "Not a girl like that, sorry, she doesn't fit in my category. She's right up there next to Cindy Crawford and Baby Spice." "Well, then who is in your category?" He didn't find my little joke funny. "Someone who you really love." He looked surprised. "Meg, I do love her! What are you talking about?" "Go away I don't want to talk to anyone." Boy I hated fighting with him but it was best I be left alone before he pushed me over the line. Yet he didn't take the warning.
"Are you jealous that Ingrid's going to take me away from you?" "Gee how'd you guess? Now please back the fuck out of my perimeter." I buried my head in the pillow so that I didn't have to see his hurt face. Damn my sarcastic manner! Without another word he got up and left, quietly closing the door behind him. I felt like I could cry, but I didn't. I never cry, only sulk. Outside I could hear my mother announcing lunch on the back patio. Looks like I wouldn't be joining them once again.
Another two hours and all those awful people were gone. Nothing but silence in the house. Mom and Luna had went shopping with my aunt as usual and I was left in this silent prison. Carefully I opened the door, and, double checking to see if the coast was clear, made my way to the kitchen for some left over turkey. Turning on the TV I sat down on the large white couch, balancing my plate with my turkey and Mayo sandwich on my lap. I began flipping channels.
It wasn't long before the phone interrupted my VH1 show. Lowering the volume I picked up the phone and sat silent for a moment as I listened to the person on the other end breath. I always did this, sometimes the other person just hung up and it saved me the breath of talking. "Hi Meg." Oh no, it was Dan. He knew my little tricks, hell, he was the one who taught them to me. "Hi." I mumbled, cramming another bite of my sandwich into my mouth. "Are you still mad?" I can't believe he got so upset over the little fights he and I had. "I'll be pissed about something until the day I die, Daniel. Might as well get used to it." He laughed slightly. "Meg, you're my little sister..." "So is Luna." I cut him off. "Yes, but you're my favorite little sister. We share something special and nobody, not even Ingrid, is going to come between us." "Yeah right, that's what they always say." Problem child is my name, irritating is my game. "Meg you are so difficult!" He was getting frustrated now, I could hear it. "Yeah." I couldn't help but smile. Man I was wicked! "Listen, I called because Ingrid wanted to know if you would be the maid of honor in our wedding with Luna." Oh, so he didn't call to apologize, it was all Ingrid's idea! "So you didn't call to apologize?" "Well, yeah that too but..." I hung up on him. I know, it was a dreadful thing to do but if he mentioned Ingrid again I was sure to go on a killing spree. Luna could be the maid of honor. I didn't want any part of this.
Exactly 8 months have passed since that day when Daniel first declared his "love" for Ingrid. Eight dreadful months. Eight months in which I had seen more of Ingrid at my house than I have of my own brother. He has been running constant errands for her, planning to build their dream home, paying for the wedding, the dresses, everything she asked him to do. He was a strangled dog on a very short leash with a devil on the other end.
I tried staying out of the picture as much as possible. I never wanted to go shopping, never came out for family gatherings, and I refused to try on that tight bridesmaid dress on that was utterly humiliating to wear when my figure was so bleak. I had tried reasoning with Daniel, even suggested maybe adopting Ingrid instead of marrying her. Yet the more I tried to talk some sense into him, the less Ingrid let me see him. She seemed absolutely obsessed with Luna. She showered her in gifts and compliments, spoiling Luna even more than she was now.
Every weekend Luna's friends were over here, cooing at the dresses and how beautiful my brother's wife was. When they saw me, one girl screamed, another grabbed a knife and tried to fend me off. Luna thought it was hilarious, that is, until that girl woke up with a few strands of her hair missing. Yes, I am a bad child, and proud to be it. But that was all gone now, something much much worse was about to take place. The wedding was only a day away.
"Mom can we go yet?" "Meg shut up! I'm trying to talk!" She hissed back. I turned around and stormed off. We'd just got done with wedding rehearsal and I was so sick of all these people already. Daniel was his usual cheery self, Ingrid putting on that little act of hers that so pissed me off. Luna showing off her great figure, my mom bragging to all her friends, my dad sitting back and agreeing with my mom. If I had a magic lamp and three wishes they would be: Daniel marry someone better than Ingrid, Luna turn into an ugly monster, and me fall off the face of the earth. But then again I was only dreaming.
Outside, the air was bright and cheerful, just what you'd expect before a wedding. Pausing to make sure no one was coming, I turned the corner of the old brick church and headed out back, wanting so badly to get away from all civilization and stepping into a world where only God's wonderful creations and me existed. Of course there was no such place here, you'd have to travel quite far for that. The back churchyard was simple yet peaceful, with a few apple trees, fragrant with beautiful white blossoms, and an old white bench that stood out against the green grass. Sitting on the bench, I laid my head back and shaded my eyes from the sun, sighing with the satisfaction of being alone.
But it wasn't that way for long. Soon Daniel and Ingrid came around the corner, holding hands and giggling to each other, not taking any notice in me, for they were on the opposite side of the yard. I didn't try to move, I was frozen to the bench for some strange reason. Together they situated themselves under a large apple tree, holding hands and kissing, all the time Ingrid's teeth acting like bike reflectors in bright headlights at night. I wished they'd be quiet, I could hear every word that was spoken.
"That sister of yours Daniel, I don't want her in the wedding." "Who Luna? I thought you loved Luna!" "Not that sister. Your other creepy, outcast of a sister." My eyes narrowed behind my sunglasses. That bitch! "Ingrid she's not that bad! Just give her a chance, please!" "I have Daniel, she won't participate in anything we do, she won't try on her dress, she's ever so rude to me, I don't want her to embarrass everyone at the wedding!" "Oh, okay...I'll tell her." "Thanks babe." She kissed him again as he slid his long slender arms around her hips. My heart pounded dreadfully in my ears. How could he do this to me?
I got up and darted towards the church. No more, my head was going to explode, I was so pissed off. Out of the corner of my eye I could see they had finally spotted me, Daniel was getting up and coming for me, Ingrid tagging along behind him, grinning devilishly. "Meg wait..." I turned around and glared at him. "Meg come here..." Naturally I gave him the finger and took of running as fast as I could, through the parking lot, down the street, and slid into the front seat of my mom's unlocked car. He followed me and began knocking on the window, trying to talk to me. I pretended I couldn't hear. I slid the keys out of the glove compartment and turned the car on, turning up the radio as loud as it would go. What was it with me and loud music?
It wasn't long before Ingrid had persuaded Daniel to come back inside the church. "Bitch bitch bitch." I sang, playing with the lighter in the car. Accidentally I burnt my finger, imagining it was her head. As I was putting the lighter back in it's place, something bumped against my hand. I picked up the object, examined it, and grinned evilly. Daniel's car keys. He must have left them in here by mistake. And you know what? They had the little remote on them, the one that makes the car trunk go up and down, up and down, and turns on the car alarm. This should be fun...
People were now filing quickly out of the church and jumping in their cars. It must be time to go. Pointing the remote at Daniel's car I pushed the trunk-pop-up button. The trunk rose and Ingrid, who was standing beside the car, pushed it down with a free hand. I pushed the button again and this time when the trunk rose Ingrid slammed it down, making a scene as she became more and more upset as the trunk kept popping up. Laughing evilly I turned on the car alarm. Within seconds there were loud sirens and beeping noises as people brushed against her car. This was great!
Daniel got the idea and sent a glare in my direction. He ran to mom's car, threw open the door, and snatched the keys away from me. Without a word he jogged back to Ingrid, handed her the keys and began walking as if nothing had happened. My fun was over, for now...
The next morning I woke up in quite a bad mood. My muscles ached, my head pounded, my eyes dilated. Through my black blinds little rays of sunlight escaped, casting shadows on the floor of my room. God what was the point of even going to the wedding? Daniel had called last night to tell my mom that he didn't want me in the wedding anymore. Why shouldn't I skip it, why shouldn't I just stay home and sleep? But that was impossible, I was already awake now. Wearily I got up and staggered across my room, yanking my door open and stumbling out into the hall, slamming into the opposite wall as I did. The house was silent.
No sound of the coffee maker, no TV, no loud music coming from Luna's room as she got ready. Only ringing silence. Good, maybe they had left for the wedding and completely forgotten about me. Now I could stay home and forget about this whole thing! Or...my mind raced, my heart beat as I rubbed my hands together wickedly. I could crash the wedding. I could make up some wild story about Ingrid, shout it to all, get them back for doing this to me, for leaving me like I was.
"No, no I'm not like that." Yes, yes you are Meg, you can be whatever you want dearest. Quickly I dashed to the shower and washed myself up. Then it was back to my room for my black outfit and many necklaces and chokers. Out from under my bed came my caboodle of dark red lipstick, black eye and lip liner, mascara, and white facial powder. The blood red eye shadow covered up the dark circles under my eyes perfectly. Finishing with my make up I put on my enormous black boots that clanked heavily whenever I walked. Finally, I put on my black cape that had a silver buckle instead of a drawstring on it. Taking a step back I looked myself over in the floor mirror. Ah, Louis and Lestat would be proud, Meg.
Before running out the door I grabbed my sunglasses which I needed in this bright and sunny day. As I rode my bike to the church I began to have second thoughts. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea...this day was important to Daniel too. But I just couldn't let this happen to him, he was going to be so miserable! Stop worrying so much Meg, my evil side tried convincing the only good in me. You're doing this for Dan. You're doing this for him because you love him. Worry about what you're excuse will be when you crash this wonderful gathering later.
And then another thought occurred in my mind. I was about to enter a church, holy ground. Could I really do this in the eye of the Lord? He was watching, I knew he was. I couldn't do this, no I can't, I just...A loud honking brought me back to reality. A green Ford was speeding right at me, I was in the middle of the road. Abruptly I swerved my bike to the right, hitting the drainage gutter and flying off onto the sidewalk. I landed with a thud and skidded over onto the side of the sidewalk and landed on my stomach in the bushes. Pain shot through every part of my body, I tasted blood in my mouth, my head throbbed fiercely.
Lifting my head somewhat I looked for the green truck. It was a few meters down the road, the driver stopped and looking at me in the side mirror. I thought I caught a glimpse of that familiar blonde hair, those white teeth which were now gritted in frustration. But it couldn't be, could it? Could the unthinkable just have happened? A line of pain shot through my head again and I laid back down on the prickly bushes, and blacked out before I could think of what to do next.
What happens next?
Not interested.
