Chapter Two
Scarlett
Glancing at my alarm clock, I wonder how I slept in without my father storming in my room. He must be letting me have more privacy and more responsibility since in one year I will be headed off toward a college or job. I had always imagined myself becoming a doctor like my father, because I was his first-born. Rubbing my eyes, I realize that even if my father wanted to wake me up, he can’t. I’m at my mother’s house.
My mother had always been the perfect wife. The one you saw in the magazines, the ones you could find, that cooked for her family, wore the sundresses, and had the amazing life. Now she lived alone and was considered an Outsider by the community. She had gone against my father in killing my brother. My father was right though, Michael deserved to die. He went against his own people, the humans, for a pathetic angel who couldn’t even stay to save his life. Not like she could have saved his life anyways, she would have been killed with him. Another reason that love doesn’t exist; the two who were supposedly in “love” abandoned each other.
Finally getting the energy to get up, I slowly make my way against the cold wood floors. These things were creaky! I guess I would have to get used to living here because my father wasn’t going to be gracious enough to take me back anytime soon. Walking down the creaky stairs made me realize something though. I would never have to worry about being scared in this home of the dark or of people sneaking in. I always had a fear that someone would come in, kidnap me, and take me to the angels. They would laugh and tease me till I was tortured in front of them all. It would be payback for my brother’s death. “Scarlett! Oh dear, you have grown since I saw you last!” Here I go, time to meet the mother I haven’t seen since my brother was killed.
Smiling slightly, I could only look at my mother. I looked exactly like her. My father had never shown me a picture of her so all I remembered was her singing and her long, curly hair bouncing as she danced. She was magnificently beautiful. I, on the other hand, was anything but beautiful. I had inherited her long, curly brunette hair, her heart-shaped face, high cheekbones, and her figure. My height, eyes, nose, and personality were of my father’s. I was the good girl, the one who never got in trouble. My mother was the opposite of me. “Hey mom.” What was I to say to the woman who had disappointed her family, left, and had until recently wanted me back? Nodding at her, all I could do was sit on the couch and wait for her to decide what to say to me.
“Scarlett, sweetie, I swear I never wanted to leave you.” Looking at her, I wondered why she would start the conversation like that. Did she want me to fill pity or sadness for her choice? I had grown up without a mother, and I was going to be okay without one. “Scarlett, please look at me.” Looking at her, I couldn’t speak. She was in tears. I hope she knows. “I know you don’t talk to anyone anymore, but I was thinking maybe you could say hello to your mother.” Shaking my head, I thought how insane she was. I hadn’t talked in ten years to anyone. Not to my friends and certainly not my family.
“Scarlett, please.” Getting mad, I grab the paper off the coffee table in front of me. Where was the pencil? This is getting nowhere. Getting up, I quickly walk toward the kitchen and slam through doors. How can she demand me to talk? Finally opening the right cabinet, I write down my message that will quickly save her from the pain of thinking I will talk. “Leslie, please understand. I am only here because dad sent me. You aren’t my mother. Lauren is. You are merely the one who gave birth to me. A mother is someone who is there for her child, you weren’t. Therefore, stop thinking I will speak to you because I won’t. Thank you. Bye.”
Handing her the paper, I quickly run up the creaky stairs. She was never my mother. Never was and never will be. Lauren is my mother. Slamming the door, I lock it and head toward my closet. Last night when I had arrived at this house, I had walked in without a word with my clothes and headed with my mother towards the nearest room. I had gone in, closed the door, and locked it. I was only here for a few months and then I would be sent back to my father when I had gotten the Cure. The mere thought of staying here longer, made me shudder. No way was I staying here for the rest of my life.