I cradled my now bruised foot, crouching on the kitchen floor and gritting my teeth as Josefina cooed a flat apology. After a delicious American style breakfast made Papa, Josefina and I had been put on wash and dry duty. I'd hoped this would open up an opportunity to talk, but I'd been sorely disappointed. She would not break me. We were going to get past our shit and have Full House moment, I'd taken to chanting to myself as she'd splashed and flicked soggy bits of waterlogged meat at me for the past half hour, spouting 'sorry's all over. Not even seconds before, she'd gone to pass me a plate and had unceremoniously "accidentally" dropped a thick, golden china on my foot.
"Absolutely no problem," I forced out, hobbling away without looking back. Not only did I want to be the bigger person in this war, but I also didn't want her to get the satisfaction.
"I'm gonna be a pacifist. I'm gonna pacify her so hard," I growled out to myself, aggressively making my way upstairs and into the guest room. I grabbed my purse, swiping my phone from the desk before slipping into sandals and making my way back to the first floor. Rogue, my grandparents, and I were going to the town center to look at the shops and bazaars. I could scarcely believe I was here. All the shoots I'd done had never even taken me outside of America. Our last vacation wasn't even as far as this! Egypt was a beautiful place, with white-blue skies and blistering heat. Luckily Josefina had taken on a face that looked like a dog coughing up lemon juice and declined, saying she needed to brush off the jet lag. Although my spiteful inner Ari was screeching profanities about her vendetta against us and our bloodline, I had to agree.
Rogue and I piled into my dad's Hyundai Verna, only to see him, mom, and my grandparents walking away.
"Umm... Are we taking Grandma's car?" I asked in confusion, stepping out. Rogue had followed suit, leaning against the trunk of the car.
"Oh, you and Rogue can take that car, Princess," Dad called out, causing me to flush with embarassment pulling an unrecognizable set of keys from his pocket. He hits a button, and the smooth metal door of the garage slides open to reveal a sleek sports car so extravagant Kanye West would get pissed. It was an inky black, with chrome accents and a classic look to it.
"1957 BMW 507! Top of the German line!," Papa hooted, doing a little dance in place. "I got one hell of a retirement bonus from the hospital," he said with a grin.
"Top surgeon there for over 30 years and still refused to retire when you were allowed," Nana snorted, walking elegantly to the passenger side as Papa rushed to beat her there. "Are you very surprised?" she pointed out. Papa opens the door for her, and I love the little look they share, the one they've shared since I was small. Does love like that even still exist?
"Well, I'd most certainly like a ride in this beauty!" I marveled, gazing at it. Mom and Dad share a look before each hopping in as one. Rogue nodded along excitedly, eyeing the car as feverishly as I was.
"Oh, we know dear. But it's only got 4 seats! Meet you there!" Rogue and I's eyes shot to each other, then Dad's car, just in time time look up and see my family peeling away.
"Aloha, SUCKERS!"
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In the end, the bazaar was only a 5 minute drive away. We could've walked, but one look at the trembling heat waves emanating from the sand and pavement nipped that idea in the bud. Being harassed by Josefina had left me in a sour mood, but hearing the din and chatter of the lit up building we pulled up to brightened my mood slightly. The streets were of tan cobblestone, and and were the least extravagant thing around. The building looked like a castle, with tall structures popping up all over it. I was surprised; I hadn't known bazaars could take place in buildings. Towering, wide redwood doors were firmly shut, marking the entrance, but I could still hear the hustle of tourists and marketers.
A quick glance around revealed my family's vehicle, only a bit ahead of us. They pulled to the side of the bazaar to park, and I followed, not wanting to figure out parking laws in this country.
The second my family stepped out of the luxurious vehicle, my eyes narrowed; Nana stuck out her tongue playfully before strutting into the bazaar. I followed, clutching Rogue's hand and leaning from the camel stationed by the doorway. It chewed lazily, it's drooping eyes and heavy, sand-etched lashes following me with vague interest before it turned away from me and back to it's water bucket. My face scrunched up as I got a view; the last thing I needed was to see-
"Camel Balls!" Grandpa exclaimed, roaring with laughter. My mouth dropped open in horror, and I looked at Rogue, who looked near tears.
"Papa!" I shrieked, disgusted. He chuckled before straightening up, adopting an innocent face.
"What? It's a very popular candy," he said with a shrug. I scrunched my brow, just to finally notice the stand next to the camel had a friendly man sat there. He had pale grey brows, and his tiny form and serene expression dimly made me think of Gandhi. Surely enough, he had a large array of wrapped candies, displaying a camel turned with it's ass in the air.
"That..." I trailed off, not wanting to be rude.
"That is vulgar," Mom finished, not sugarcoating as she sneered at the candies. The old man shrugged, not looking offended in the least.
"Nothing but two close brothers hanging together," he said wisely. At this point Rogue, Dad, Papa, and Nana were roaring with laughter, while Mom and I merely shook our heads.
"I'm sold; how much are they?" Rogue asked through tearful chuckles. I couldn't help but laugh at how amused he was, but nonetheless, had no interest in camel balls.
"If you children don't mind, Ari and I are going to look at the jewelry," Mom said, turning her nose up and walking away. I followed quickly, ignoring the calls of "killjoy!" and "fun-sucker!".
"You take after me, my dear," Mom continued airily, stopping at a booth. She held up a long, beaded teal necklace, painted with gold lines. Each wooden bead was engraved a different pattern. "Our sense of humor doesn't take the form of the genitals of animals," she sniffed. She suddenly squealed, running for a different booth altogether. I rolled my eyes once I realized it was an array of instruments, from bongos to things I couldn't hope to identify.
"Calm down, Rafiki," I grumbled, turning back to the necklaces. A woman and man were going on and on about them, but unfortunately I didn't understand a word. I was lost in thought, wondering just what point my life had gotten to. While I was enjoying visiting my family, I knew the underlying reason was to escape. Not only to escape the fear and danger, but the guilt and sadness that came with it. The love of my life had been shot for me, not to mention people I didn't even know; my best friend had abandoned me, and it felt like every day at home I was reminding myself to not pick up the phone and call her. I pull out my phone and scroll to her name, sighing.
More like ex-bestfriend, I thought with a sigh. I was tempted to go back to the middle school days and put her contact name as such, but restrained.
My thoughts screech to a halt when my phone starts ringing in my hand, the sound barely cutting through the chatter in the bazaar. It's Netis.
I pick up, shoving a finger into my other ear. "Hey, what's up?" I asked, slightly yelling above the noise. I listen closely as I start walking back towards the entrance, unable to hear shit but brief burst of voices. "I can't hear you, one sec, I'm headed outside!" I yell, growing irritated as she continues to screech into the speaker.
By now I have them on speaker so I can somewhat hear them. "Dammit, this bitch is deaf!" I hear Netis curse. I frown, listening more as a low voice comes on.
"ARI!! THAT FUCKER IS PROBABLY HEADED THAT WAY, YOU'RE ALL OVER THE NEWS HERE!" Blake bellows in a way that's instantly identifiable.
"What..?" I feel as though the air has pushed from my chest, and stumble against the doorway. 'm finally outside, and instead of enjoying the fresh air it's suddenly too much, suffocating.
"You fucking idiot!! Is that your idea of not freaking someone out??" Netis growls. I hear a smack, followed by a string of curses that would make God put a hand to his chest. Suddenly her light voice is filling my ears again, and I feel my heartbeat kick down a couple notches.
"Ari, sweetie, I'm sorry. You need to leave, or find somewhere safe, or warn your family. Something." She sighs. "Jack knows where you are, the paparazzi has pictures of you and Rogue walking around with your family all over the media," she said slowly.
My mom. My dad. My grandparents.
My vision rapidly shrinks to a pinpoint, before vanishing.