EIGHT YEARS LATER - February 2015

I'm trapped here
A small bird in an even smaller cage
I'm suffocating
My feathers gradually disintegrate
I can't fly
I can't sing
I can't do anything
But wait
Wait until you want to set me free
As time escalates too rapidly

I set my pen down, feeling pleased with the poem I'd created. The blast of cold mid-February air blowing through a crack in the window near my bed sent a trail of goosebumps up my arms, making me eye the cup of Egyptian Chamomile tea, I'd brewed earlier. With the flick of my pointer finger, the cup slowly began floating off my nightstand, traveling towards me.

With the snap of my thumb and middle finger, a tiny white pill appeared in my hand, and I popped it into my mouth.

The pale light from the full moon illuminated my dreary, dungeon-like attic, making it feel a bit more homey.

Taking the cup in my hands, I took a sip, tasting the natural sweetness of honey and apples. A feeling of tranquility washed over me but was short-lived due to Ruby and Emily bursting into my room.

"Andi!" Ruby shouted.

"Andi Ella!" Emily yelled my first and middle name this time.

Sighing, I put the cup down on the nightstand and got off my twin bed. I stared at them, crossing my arms over my chest. "Why the sudden urge to barge into my room? Ever heard of privacy?"

Dismissing my question, Ruby started, "Mother wants you to come downstairs, and–"

"–we need you to pick up our dresses for the Spring Formal after school from Kimberly Boutique," Emily finished.

"Um . . . how about picking up the dresses yourselves?"

"We would, but both of our license got suspended for careless driving," Ruby explained.

"Thirty days without our licenses and our pink Bentleys too! What are we peasants?" Emily whined, her voice going up a notch. "That's one whole month, Andi. Can you believe it?"

Yes.

"No. Wow, what a shame," I said and fought the urge to roll my eyes.

"Don't you have your license, Andi? You could drive us around till we get ours unsuspended," Ruby spoke.

Her sister nodded in agreement. "Yes, you could drive us. Yes."

"Number one: I do have my license, but I refuse to drive because I'm scared of getting rear ended by some careless driver. Plus I ain't got car insurance. Number two: I am not driving you two around because I'm not your chauffeur."

Ruby and Emily stared at me wide-eyed, their mouths hanging open.

"How are we supposed to get to school without someone driving us!" Emily stomped her foot on the hardwood floor and crossed her arms over her chest.

I know, it's hard out here for two high-class, spoiled bitches. Oh, whatever will you do?

"Riding one of the city buses is an option or you could walk to school or even carpool with your friend, Candace," I suggested. "I'm sure she'd be eager to help out her two best friends in need."

"B-But the bus is so unsanitary and a lot of" –Ruby paused and made an unpleasant face– "homeless people ride it. I, Ruby Isabelle Powell-Wilson, cannot and will not be seen riding with those penniless lowlifes. Even the thought of it makes my skin crawl."

"I second that," Emily announced, elbowing her sister. "School is more than one mile away from our house. We'd never make it on time by foot. Plus we'll be all gross and smell of sweat."

Ruby snorted. "It's wintertime, you moron." Her almond-shaped eyes narrowed. "You don't sweat when it's cold outside."

"Yes, you do!" Emily argued. "When you wear a lot of layers you can sweat! It's scientifically proven."

"Whatever, Em," Ruby scoffed, dismissing her entirely. "Now about carpooling? No, it's cheap and downright tacky."

My head began throbbing with pain. God, I can't believe I have to deal with these two bickering clowns.

"So, Celia wants me downstairs?" I asked, wanting a change in conversation.

Nodding their heads, Ruby and Emily grabbed both of my arms. Their razor-sharp, pink fingernails dug into my skin while leading me out of my "home" upstairs, toward the grand living room.

The smell of Hawaiian-scented candles mixed with roasted coffee beans hung in the air. The diamond chandelier sparkled in the middle of the grand living room, and my aunt sat with her legs crossed on the beige-white couch, stroking Augustus, our black Persian cat. 

"You two can leave now, my lovelies." Celia gave her two daughters a Cheshire Cat grin and continued to stroke Augustus like a wicked grade-A Disney villain. Ruby and Emily finally released me and walked away, gossiping amongst each other.

I hesitantly sat down on the black velvet loveseat and propped my feet on the matching ottoman. "What's this about? Ruby said you wanted–"

"Your mother's being discharged tomorrow afternoon from one of the top Mental Health Centers in upstate New York," Celia announced and began scratching Augustus underneath his chin, which made him purr in response. "David called and told me an hour ago, so I've decided to host an elegant welcome-back-into-society party tomorrow night."

I grinned. "That's great news!" excitement bubbled up inside me. "A welcome-home celebration would be perf–"

Before I could continue, Celia stopped scratching Augustus and held up her hand to silence me. "I've made you a list of chores that need to get done before the party tomorrow."

Reaching over to the glass table next to the couch, Celia grabbed multiple papers stapled together and tossed–or more specifically flung–them at me. Sitting up straight and taking my feet off the ottoman, I examined the sheets of paper and began flipping through them.

"What's all this?" My eyes skimmed over the list of tasks; there must've been two hundred at least.

"Those are the list of chores, you're required to accomplish before tomorrow night." Her whole appearance radiated Lady Tremaine vibes. "Now don't fret, my dear," she cooed, "you only need to complete half of them, not all two hundred."

Finishing one-hundred chores in under forty-eight hours is nowhere near doable!

"But, Ruby and Emily already want me to go pick up their dresses for the Spring Formal at some boutique after school tomorrow," I protested, hoping after hearing this she'd reconsider making me her slave monkey.

"Okay, once you pick up my daughters' dresses, Andrea, you can start on your actual chores, sound fair?" My aunt said, even though it was meant more as a question, and lifted Augustus off her lap, setting him down on the carpet.

He stretched out his front and back legs then moseyed on out of the room, not even bothering to say "hello" to me.

No! I wanted to scream. Bitch, where in the hell, does any of this sound fair?

"Fine." I nodded, acknowledging I wasn't going to win this battle with Celia, and surrendered all hope. "Is there anything else you wanted?"

"No, you can leave now, dear." Her sudden smile was as cold and lovely as frost on a windowpane.

Standing up, I walked away from her and forced myself not to tear up the stapled papers. I knew she more than likely had a copy on her phone.

Look on the bright side; you'll finally be able to see your mother after eight long years. The voice inside my head reminded me. A smile tugged at my lips.

"So, are you done being impossible, or what?" Ruby appeared in front of me, Emily attached at her hip.

Both of them had their arms crossed over their chest, giving me the stank eye.

Before I could question Ruby, Emily spoke, "You have to do what we say, Andi Ella." She sneered, never leaving her sister's side.

"No!" I spat and held my head high. "My name's not CinderElla and I am not your maid. So, no, I don't have to do as you say. Your Bentleys getting impounded was your fault, not mine. Find another way to school!"

"You better listen and do what you're told or else!" Ruby threatened and gritted her teeth.

"Or what?" I challenged, standing my ground.

She grasped a white medicine bottle in her hand. "Or you won't get this returned to you, Andrea."

"Hand over the bottle!" I attempted to lunge at Ruby, but Emily restrained me. "You have no right to have that!"

"Is it drugs? Oh, is it Molly?" Emily's voice filled with curiosity.

"It's obviously medicine prescribed by a doctor, but the question remains: what kind of medicine, Andrea?" Ruby's eyes locked with mine.

"I-It's . . . I–it's . . ." I balled my hands into fists.

"I-I-It's what?" Ruby mocked. Her eyes still staring deep into mine. "Come on, spit it out!"

"It's an antidepressant, alright!"

"Why are you taking an antidepressant? What do you have to be depressed about? God, what nonsense. Come on, Emily, let's go." Ruby chucked the translucent orange plastic bottle at my feet and walked off.

"So, are you still taking us to school tomorrow?" Emily inquired, letting go of my arms.

I nodded. "I am taking you guys to school, but–"

"Hey, bitch-face, wait for me!" Emily hollered, running after Ruby.

"–by bus."