My mom thinks that I'm repressing my feelings. She doubts me constantly, and I sure do understand, but...HOW COULD SHE DO SUCH A THING?!2
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I awoke bright and early that morning. Something cold touched my face.4
" Gawd! I think I had another nightmare..." I turned around and screamed the living hell out of my lungs. In front of me stood my mother, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, holding out a brand new uniform to me. I got up off the bed and rubbed my eyes. Her wrinkles were far more visible and she was aging fast. I could see the whiteness of her hair and the terrible complexion of her skin. I can't blame her though; she was nearing 40.5
" What the hell is that?" I asked in disbelief. 6
" You're new uniform."7
A smirk crossed her face.8
Something was wrong...something was terribly wrong. My hand was on my head and I shook it.9
" You've got to be kidding me."10
" Kidding? What am I kidding about?" She just looked at me.11
" Stop kidding with me, mom. Why'd you buy new clothes for me? You know I don't need them. And you're poor....We're poor."12
She threw the clothes onto my lap and stood in front of me, a frightening look of defiance on her face.13
" As of today, you will be going to Eitoku academy."14
" Eitoku? But that school's only for rich kids! How did you manage to get me in? Wait...why did you put me in that school?!"15
She laughed with hesitation and uneasiness.16
" Well, you see, umm...I kind of spent all your father's money, and I'm working 4 jobs now. I want you to go there and grab all the boys you can. You're pretty, Laila, and I want you to marry a rich guy and bring some good things to this ridiculous family."17
My mouth just dropped.18
" Excuse me?" It was too much to process at one time. 19
But my mom didn't hesitate to go on.20
" Come on. Go get dressed! School's going to start in an hour!"21
She took my arm and dragged me out of bed. I came tumbling off my hand-made quilted bed sheets and rolled off onto the floor. My mom dragged me out of the room.22
" This is no fair! How could you do such a thing! I thought I could trust you! Why did you do it? You're my mother but you have no right to do such a thing!"23
I kept complaining, trying to render the pain in my arm. My mom was strong.24
" Well, honey, mother knows best. I'm just trying to help you out."25
I mumbled to myself. 26
" My ass."27
My mom just looked forward and tossed me in the bathroom. I lied there, sprawled on the ground, looking so confused. It probably was the dumbest look I ever had on my face.28
" Well, my dear, look beautiful and gorgeous cause I need you to attract them boys. Go get'em tiger!"29
" But-"30
Just before I could speak, she shut the door on my face.31
" What a loving mother..."32
I washed my face. I guess she did want to do something good for me (for once). After all, everything bad that ever happened on this family was a burden to me.33
I washed my face and applied some lotion onto it. I brushed my teeth at the same time, which was something I normally didn't do. Brushing my teeth would go first but...oh well. 34
Afterwards, I put lotion on my face. I then walked back to my room, tired and exhausted, and put on the new uniform. 35
" Right. A white shirt and a short plaid skirt. What the hell is this?" I picked up a black jacket with the Eitoku academy label on it.36
" I have to wear this too? What in hell... whatever." I put on the jacket and then went to the mirror and applied a dab of eyeliner, eyeshadow and mascara. I put on black and silver dangling chandelier earrings and a small silver chain with a diamond heart pendant on it. 37
" Now what about my hair?"38
I looked at it and sighed. I had brown, mahogany, and my newly blonde highlights in it. I guess you could say it was multicolored. But I loved my hair. It was the easiest thing to take care of and I didn't really have to do much. It kinda curled by itself. With a smile, I decided. 39
" I'll just leave it like it is."40
I grabbed my 4" black stilettos, slammed my door shut, and ran downstairs. When I reached the bottom, I stopped.41
" CRAP! I forgot my bag."42
I ran back upstairs and kicked the door open to my room. I looked around quickly and jerked my red and black plaid school bag from the chair. Then, I turned around and screamed.43
" EEEK!"44
My mother stood in front of me.45
" MY! MY! You look sexy!"46
I gaped at her and put my hand over my heart.47
" You scared the living shit out of me! What the hell are you doing here?"48
She smiled.49
" I came to check on you. Considering that you have only 20 minutes to get to school, I was going to warn you. But, I was wrong. You're sexy and all glammed up for your first day!"50
" Sexy and glammed up?" 51
I looked into my mirror. I looked...well, I never judged myself. But I thought I looked okay.52
" I look fine. Not glamorous and sexy but enough to express myself." 53
My mom snorted.54
" Laila...whatever. You think that about yourself. Anywho, it's time for you to get your butt to school! Start walking missy!"55
My jaw dropped.56
" But, I haven't even eaten-"57
" -And so hasn't you're father or your brother in two days! Now get out there and find a rich husband!"58
At that time, my older brother and my dad rushed into the room. 59
My brother was 19. It was important for him to get nourishment. He looked like he needed it badly. I could see the gaunt lines in his body and his pale skin showed through like a ghost. My dad was just as bad. He was white...white as a ghost, and on top of that, he had white hair. His eyes didn't even shimmer beneath his spectacles. He needed nourishment as well.60
" Laila, how about it! You're going to Eitoku!" screamed my brother.61
He seemed to be excited about it too.62
" Well how about that? My daughter's going to be a wife soon."63
Now this was something totally unexpected. I gaped at my father.64
" Excuse me? Did I hear you correctly? Wife?"65
" That's right, Laila. You're going to Eitoku to find a rich husband."said my my mom.66
" And you're going to save us from our bad reputation." said my dad.67
" And you're going to be rich and feed us!" exclaimed my brother.68
I was speechless. This was the heaviest burden ever to fall on my shoulders. But I stood up. I had to do it for my family. They depended on me.69
" Alright. I'll go to Eitoku and I'll try to find myself a husband."70
The last word hummed in my mind. Husband...just wonderful.71
" That a girl. Now get off to school. You're going to be late."72
" Good luck, sis."73
My dad and brother waved as I was escorted downstairs by my mother. As soon as I reached the door, she looked into my amethyst eyes.74
" Go get'em tiger."75
I smiled.76
" Yea..."77
I walked outside and onto the street. Plenty of other kids were walking.78
" Guess I might not be late after all." 79
I didn't look back; didn't want to look back.80
Why am I cursed? What am I doing? I should just run away...all those thoughts just ran into my head. I was tired of being the only person to do things. I was tired of being leaned on for support. Sure they were my family, but...well, this was just too much for me.81
" I'm only 16..." 82
A sigh escaped my lips.83
" But I guess I just have to live with it."84
I walked further down the street and crossed the busy intersection of the Ginza center. I then took a subway ride to Shibuya, got off the subway and walked up the stairs. I turned left onto a street and finally reached the gates of Eitoku academy.85
It was absolutely gorgeous! I had never seen anything so exquisite in my life.86
" Wow."87
The building was gi-normous! It was in the form of the old gothic buildings in Europe, had clear, silver-rimmed windows, and a huge waterfall in the front. Students were walking in and out of the place. I guess I was too caught up being mesmerized by such a thing that something just happened to breeze by me. I turned around to see what it was.88
" Oh great. Just what I needed."89
I sighed.90
" Skaters..."91
Then I turned around again. The school was filled with jocks, preps, and the occassional japanese students, but they seemed nothing like those of the regular public schools. The girls carried expensive Gucci, Lui Vatton (sp?), Prada bags. They had expensive jewelry and nice clothes too. The guys, well, they had everything that the other public school boys didn't. They were advanced with their technology, had the in-styles going. It was just a sight to see, and then I looked at myself. I stood out like a sore thumb.92
" Great. Oddball again."93
" Oddball? You sure don't look like one to me."94
I whirled around.95
" The hell?"96
Standing next to me was a tall man with dirty blonde hair. He had light blue-green eyes. I was shocked. Had any other man been so gorgeous? I blushed.97
" Umm...do I know you?"98
Nice job, Laila-I thought.99
The boy laughed.100
" No, we haven't. I'm Ryou, Ryou Takame. And you are?"101
I looked at him.102
" Laila, Laila Yamazaki. Pleasure to meet you."103
" Same. I've never seen you around here, though. Are you new?"104
I had to laugh.105
" I guess you could say that." 106
He smiled.107
" That's good. It's nice to see a few new faces around here, sometimes. Here, classes are going to start soon. Do you want me to show you around?"108
" Actually, I was wondering where the principal's office is. I need to know my schedule."109
" Ah! That's right. Then I'll show you to where the principal's office is."110
I smiled and bowed.111
" Thanks."112
" You don't have to be so polite. After all, this is only Eitoku academy, a school filled with snobs."113
" Heh. And I take it you aren't one?" I asked.114
" Me? Of course not! Why, do I look like one?"115
I smirked.116
" Maybe."117
He laughed.118
" Well that's wonderful," he said sarcastically. " Anyways, we should get going before the bell rings."119
" Right." I smiled and together we walked into the building.120
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