In the Shadows

Chapter 1: Once Upon A Time

I don't know about you but a Monday morning to me is very tiresome. I have to get out of bed, brush my teeth, have a shower, have breakfast etc.

I am very lazy. I don't know if this normal or if I am the only one that seems all of these things are 'unimportant' in life.

Life.

What is the point of it? Is there really a point? To be honest, I really don't know. I mean, yeah sure, you have to get good grades, get a job, and then what? I am clueless.

You know what, I have heard that these kind of thoughts can lead to suicidal. I think it's time for me to think positive. Yes, I will keep my mind off things. I will go read a book or play the piano or go play board games. Anything but negative thoughts....

"Emma!" My stepmom yelled. "Come down here this instant. You have to go to school. You are already late!"

I went downstairs and came face to face with my so called 'stepmom'. She was glaring at me with her dark eyes. Bethany is so skinny that I think she is anorexic. Her dyed black hair suits here pale skin. But she has a reputation for being the best lawyer in the city. She has many clients and is widely known for her good nature.

If only they knew her like I did. They would be running for their life!

"Mommy, my phone isn't working!"

That's my 'stepsister' Angelina Graham. She is small and skinny just like her mother. Her blue eyes and blonde hair misinterprets her actual violent behaviour. She mostly always has her hair in a pigtail plait or a ponytail. She has ego the size of Asia and that's a lot. She believes she is the definition of perfect but she doesn't know the truth. The truth is she is America's best little whiner. She is only 9 years old but really has a big mouth that sprays insults at someone non stop. I used to look down upon her because she is growing without her father by her side. Bethany and Nicholas got divorced when Angelina was only 3. Ever since then, she had come to live with my parents and I.

But now that I think about it, I feel sorry for myself.

She even has the latest Samsung mobile phone! And what do I have? The cheapest hand-down phone which doesn't even properly work!

I am not complaining. I am just stating the facts. Whenever I say to Bethany that I need a new phone, she simply says that I am careless and I will misplace it. I want to say that it was Angelina who has misplaced like 2 phones this month but I know better, so I keep my mouth shut.

"Whatever are you talking about sweetheart? I just bought that phone yesterday," Bethany said. She took the phone from her 'sweet little' Angel's hands and tried to figure out what was wrong. I sighed.

She doesn't even know how to work a phone and she calls herself a lawyer??

"You know what, we can ask for a refund on the way to school and I will buy you a new one tomorrow since we don't have time today," Bethany said although it was more like a request.

"No! I want one today. You can't possibly expect me walk into the school grounds with nothing in my perfectly manicured hands. I want a phone now. All my friends will be texting non stop and I don't want to be left out. You know how I feel if I don't keep up with the latest trends mummy!" Angelina was practically screaming now and it won't be long until Bethany.....

"Oh, alright. We will buy one today." Bethany took her car keys and glared at me. I must have looked like a real nutter with my mouth hanging open at the pathetic scene before me.

"What are you gawking at Emma?" I quickly shut my mouth and took a muesli bar to eat on the way to school. Bethany looked me up and down.

"Now now Emma, we all know that you need to control your weight. I don't want people to think of my 'favourite' daughter as a greedy, fat girl now would we?"

I shook my head.

"That's my girl," Bethany said pinching my cheeks extra hard. "I thought I was your girl mother," Angelina cried. "You are my princess, Angel darling. Now come quickly. I need to drop you at your school and then go to work." She then looked at me.

"Is it alright if you walked to school Emma. You really need that exercise." Angelina sneered.

She is talking as if she drops me in her red Nissan car every school day....

Without waiting for my reply, she left with her little 'princess' following closely behind.

Great! I really do love my 'once upon a time' life..

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Hey...

Hope you enjoyed chapter one. I will be introducing more characters along the way. I just focused on the relationship between Emma and her stepmom and stepsister. Emma's life is just about to get interesting..so keep on reading.

Yours sincerely,

Author