Lion

The beginning

​I bolted awake as I heard my parents shout my name.
​"Ari get down here" they shouted in urgency. Jumping up I quickly ran to the lavatory to brush my hair and teeth. I looked at the mirror which was covered in photos because I always felt like I could see someone behind me. People found it odd when I used to say that so now I just say it's because I don't like to see myself
​"Why would you do that" they always ask. I hate it when they ask me. I suddenly become infuriated and begin pulling my hair to which they freak out and make me stop. They don't understand it calms me.
​"Ari hurry up, we don't want to leave without saying goodbye" my mum shouted even more upset. I quickly brushed my long bright copper hair seventy-six times as always. I love my hair and the way it looks like it catches aflame in the sun. My family always tells me how beautiful I am with my hair, pale complexion, and most of all my eyes. Everyone tells me how enchanting my eyes are, they say they're like a sea green when the light hits the ocean. I have to take their word for it because I can't remember ever seeing my own eyes. Everyone thinks that because I never look at their eyes that I'm shy or there's something wrong with me. They don't realize if I do that I suddenly feel like I'm drowning surrounded by water as it fills my lungs
​"Get down here now" my dad shouted annoyed. I raced down the stairs avoiding the photos on the walls. Stopping before the last step I thought of the number two and began to trace it on my leg before jumping over it.
​"There you are" my dad said in relief. I ran over and gave him and my mum a hug barely reaching their shoulders as I was so small.
​"We made pancakes in case you want any" my mum said. I politely declined and instead grabbed an apple from the basket on the counter. After sitting down my mum handed me a glass of milk and chocolate syrup. I quickly drew a design in my milk and began to stir. My sister then walked in already wearing her race car uniform.  She had her chestnut coloured hair pulled back in a tight ponytail and as I slowly looked down at her face I was shocked to see her eyes outlined in a bright blue which struck out against her hazel eyes.
​"There's my favourite girl," my dad said to which I rolled my eyes.  I hate my sister Keres, and she hates me.  She hates me because of my looks, and I because she is a jerk. She once even tried to cut off all my hair in an attempt to make me uglier. Everyone always tells her how gorgeous she is but she just simply tells them how there's nothing special about her looks. She hates how she looks like everyone else in my family and I only look like my great-great-grandmother. Keres even dresses like everyone else in an attempt to impress them but it only backfires as it makes her even plainer.
​"Ari are you listening" my mum said snapping me out of my trance.