Project R.S.E.

Chapter 3: Part 2

What does this woman want?

I let out a silent groan, dropping my bag near the door of my room. I turn around and jog down the stairs, letting my hand grip the railing so I don't face plant. I swiftly walk through the threshold across from the stairs, the one I'd been so careful to avoid on my way up. The minute I cross through the large entry way, I am met with Ollie and Benny smashing buttons on the game console and practically screaming at the TV.

Rolling my eyes at the angered boys, I glance over to see Allie and Denise playing with their new stuffed animals and a mound of beads. My eyes dart to the kitchen and my gaze settles on John and Susan. She's leaning over, her elbows resting on the island, and eyeing me. Just looking at her makes me want to punch babies.

"What?" I ask, my voice sharp and cold, just as I intended it to be.

"Don't talk to your mother like that," John says angrily, glaring at me.

My anger builds up, and I want to scream and punch him in his ugly face but he's gone before I can even respond.

I've been home for less than fifteen minutes and I'm already so angry I could ki-

My thoughts are cut short by Susan rounding the island and waddling over to me.

"How was your stay at your friends' house?" She asks, opening her arms for a hug.

I quickly dodge it by backing up, which she ignores and hugs me anyways. After three seconds of having my face shoved in her straggly dirty blonde hair, I backup and wipe the disgusted look off my face before she can see it.

"It was fine, and they aren't friends, they're family,"

"What'd you guys do?" She ignores me, heading back around the island.

"Went to the park and played Smash,"

She hums and turns her back to me, doing something with the stove. I take this as my que to leave, only for Susan to start talking again.

"Don't forget to do your laundry,"

"Ok," I say swiftly, before practically flying out of the kitchen before she can say anything else.

Climbing the stairs a third time, I realize I've gotten all the exercise I need for the day. My bag still sits at the door of my room, waiting to be unpacked. I kneel down next to it and stuff my finger under the door. It takes a few seconds, but I finally get a grip on the thin metal rod on the other side of the plain white door. I yank it out, and carefully unhook the key attached to it.

I stand up, bringing my bag with me, and insert the key into the doorknob. The door opens silently, just like I like it, and reveals the small room that is my own. Closing the door behind me, I plop the bag down on my bed, making a mental note to do empty it later, and head to the window.

There's only one window in my room, and it often stays covered by the black curtains I love so much, but it's my favorite part. It allows me to do as I please whenever I need to. I yank open the curtains and plop down on the little seat I made for the sole purpose of me being able to watch my neighborhood like an actual creep. Or like a princess locked in a tower. Same thing, right?

There are a few kids across the street, none from my family, that are playing with a little sandy brown dog. I smile when the littlest gets knocked over by the excited dog, but it fades when I see a middle aged woman rush over to help him up.

Remembering that I have laundry to do, I sigh and stand up from my comfortable seat and walk over to my bag. I dump the contents into my broken laundry basket, being careful to remove non-clothing items, before tossing the bag to the side and lifting the basket onto my hip.

No one tells me it's dinner time, they never do, but rather I find out from the rushed steps down the stairs and the squeaky voices of my siblings passing by my door. I heave myself off of my bed and saunter towards the door, noticing a white spot on the dark purple walls.

Mental note: touch up wall paint.

I unlock the door, and slowly make my way downstairs where the smell of soy sauce and salt assaults my face. I cringe, already knowing what the meal is just from the smell alone.

There is  no way I'm eating with everyone else tonight.

Silently praying they haven't started eating yet, I turn the corner, ready to see anything. I exhale a large breath when I see that Susan has made them wait for everyone to get to the table. I get in the line that has been formed around the kitchen island and wait patiently for my turn.

Just as I am about to escape with my food, Susan asks me to get Denise some juice.

"She's eight, why can't she get her own juice?"

"Because I said so,"

Somebody's getting defensive.

"But why?"

"Jacklyn! Just get your sister some damn juice!"

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Although no one missed me, I was gone for awhile. Just a lot of stuff has been going on and I have plenty of time to write, I just... find better things to do(?). I'm kind of in a slump so by next update time, I probably won't have another chapter so don't expect one. It would be nice to hear from you guys where you think is going to happen or why Jackie acts the way she does, so feel free to leave a comment telling me what you think! I read every comment and reply to almost all of them! Thank you for reading! Your guy's votes and comments really brighten my day. 

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Or you'll be knocked over by a dog.