Chapter 6

My hand drops to my side and I stride sadly to my room. I close the door behind me and throw my bag on the floor near my bed.

I take off my shirt to reveal my black bra and toned abdomen. I roughen my hair, grab a towel and head for the shower.

After fifteen minutes I emerge with a white towel around my body, my hair dripping wet and my orbs coloured with fatigue.

I change into a pair of blue shorts and a white crop top and head downstairs for dinner. Mom is already plating and I see Cody come downstairs with droopy eyes, he helps mom set the table while I go get some water from the kitchen faucet to drink.

He comes into the kitchen to get the cutlery obviously avoiding my gaze, I feel sad for the kid. He doesn't understand why no one approves of me.

My mom is blonde with sapphire crystal eyes and straight feminine features and my dad a brunette with fuzzy brown eyes and quite a height. So I guess it's only fair to wonder where I came from.

I have no striking resemblance with my family whatsoever but I was given birth to by mom. Whenever mom and dad are arguing, dad accuses mom of cheating and mom accuses dad of baby swapping.

Whatever the reason for the quarrel may be I am always the weapon used to fight the battle.

Dinner is rather silent with dad working overtime. I chew my food slowly and try to process the nightmare I had in school. And it still made no sense.

I gaze over to Cody who still has his head hung, it tears me apart to see him wounded. I wish I could sit next to him and hug him but I sit at the far end of the table while everyone else sits closely. It stabs my heart that this is what my family is.

"What's that on your arm?" Mother asks noticing the new plaster I put on my arm after the shower.

"Plaster. I wasn't so well at school so I got a shot" I explain to her looking at my arm. I notice Cody's stare at it and I decide to throw my hair over it.

"Okay"

The conversation ends there. She is unbothered about the cause and it stings my chest a little. It could be worse.

"Flush it"

"Excuse me?" My attention shifts to Tiffany,

"You heard me, flush it" she chews on a piece of meat and sips out of her juice, "we don't want another catastrophe in the family, you're bad enough"

"There's no need for your gibberish. I'm not pregnant. Besides I wouldn't do anything without weighing the consequences." I drink some water, "I'm not you"

"Eris you brat!" Tiffany slams her fist on the table,

"If you live in a glass house it's advisable you don't throw stones. It just might shatter your world" a smug grin is plastered on my lips. I notice Cody trying to put his trembling lips back to a frown but it was really hard for him. He was about to crack. He bites his lips trying not to smile, I knew I'd gotten him there.

I finish my dinner quickly and head to my room after doing the necessary. I close the door gently behind me and flop on my bed. I lay there on my bed motionless for a while before deciding to read the literature Mrs Brown got me.

I grab the book from my bag and fluff some pillows together to give my back support. I inspect the cover of the book and take in that new book smell with a small smile plastered on my face.

"Annabelle moundelle" I read loud the name of the author, "sounds like a dessert" I giggle to myself but I then remember something, "I haven't called Debbie yet" I pick up my phone and place it on my left ear using my shoulder as support as I flip open the book.

The call goes to voice mail and I put down the phone, "she must be busy with homework" I say to myself. I reach for my bedside table and pull out one of the drawers, my hand searches for something but does not find it. My lips turn to a pout as I peered into the drawer.

I get up and head to my reading table, grabbing my purse and pulling out a few notes. I slip some shoes on and just as I was about to head out I remember something. I go back to my purse and bring out a few more notes and put the cash in my back pocket. I glance at my phone and I decide not to take it and I lock the door.

Then jump out the window.

Surprised?

The cool breeze hits my face as I walk to a nearby store to restock on my favourite reading snack. Mars. I almost drool at the thought of it.

I gather an armful of it and some other sweets and I dump them in front of the cashier,

"Eris this is quite much" he chuckles as he scans each chocolate bar,

"What can I say Terry, I have lots of literature this term" he laughs at my comment,

"And will this be enough?" His amber eyes flash curiosity,

"At least for now" we both laugh and I pay him. I exit the store and head for one more store.

I come out rather quickly with a white plastic bag and head back to my window. The moon was out and people were still seen about. It was a beautiful night.

I hum a song to myself as I walk back with chocolates and a surprise for someone. It costs a pretty dollar but I'm sure it'll be worth the smile on his face.

I throw the luggage through the window and climb back up like a squirrel. I take off my shoes and put the change back in my purse. I grab a few chocolates and the gift, I unlock the door and peep to make sure everyone was busy.

Tiffany, mom and Tyler were in the living room watching TV and that meant Cody was in his room. I tip toe over and give a gentle knock,

"Come in" his voice still a little dull. I twist the handle of the door and let myself in closing it behind me. Cody is wrapped up completely in his sheets and curled up like a ball.

"Cody" I whisper his name with so much affection and he immediately removes the covers to see me. I can still see the sadness in his eyes and how badly he wished they would treat me like a normal human being.

I sit on his bed and run my fingers through his hair, he hugs me and begins to sob,

"Cody come on! You're stronger than this! Don't let it get to you" I pull him back and wipe his tears, "I know and understand how you feel, it'll be okay soon. Don't cry anymore"

He hugs me tighter and the thing in my chest flutters. All he wanted was a happy family with me in it but I'm not so sure if that is possible.

"It's okay. I got something for you" I wave the bag in front of him as he wipes his tears,

"What is it?" He asks the most innocent question on earth and I hand him the bag to find out.

As he peers into the bag his eyes sparkle with excitement,

"No way! It's the limited edition ultra green lantern!!!" He rips the action figure out of its box and presses a button behind it and it recites the green lantern motto;

In brightest day and in darkest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Behold my power, green lantern's light!!

"I knew you would like it" I simply adore the smile on his face until it slowly fades away, "what's wrong?"