Ella's Shoes

Chapter Three

Images Are Back

The ride home was very quiet. Everyone had someone they were mad at. Lizzy,my stepmom was mad at my dad,my two stepsisters Michelle and Audrey were mad at me and I was mad at everyone of them.

"Drey,I still can't believe you left when your kids were having their national performance. They needed you to be there to watch and cheer them up!" Lizzy screamed at my dad immediately we got down from the car.

I made my way to my room to get away from the thunder rumblings that was about to begin. I heard my dad reply her before locking my room door."Well,I watched most of the show and it was perfect". He retorted.

In stood in front of my medium sized mirror as I admired myself some how I managed to look more beautiful with the aura that was being emitted from me. Who was I kidding? I'm still a looser anyway. I moved away from the mirror and sunk into my bath tub.

Everybody was going to know I lied and I'll go back to being the most ridiculed, hated and bullied student in that school. I've tried to convince my dad that I'm better off in a public school but he wouldn't have any of it. Even when I throw my most annoying tantrums. He enjoys seeing me and my sisters in fancy little clothings dancing like fairies. Honestly,I enjoyed it too.

I turned on the tap and rewarded myself with a much needed shower. I watched as the water cascaded about my body . Images from the past filed my head but I pushed them deep down never to be remembered again. This time it was stronger as my gaze locked my teeny little scar. Over the years it has slowly cleared off,almost disappearing but the memory hunts me everyday.

I could have saved her. I could have saved Elen. I screamed. Images of the huge storm spiralling towards my mother and capturing her into that fiery storm centre. She had pushed me away from her so hard that I hit my chest on the floor and fell unconscious. But her endless scream still echoed in my ears till I woke up.

My dad had travelled out of the country for what he called an important meeting. The news of an incoming hurricane made him to transfer some money to us for immediate travel but all the airlines had closed down for fear of flying when a storm is close by. How he completely got over her death after two years still remains a mystery to me.

"Honey!" My dad shouted as he climbed up the stairs and broke down the doors to my room. "Honey, what going on?" He wrapped me up with my towel and laid me on my bed. I was unable to say a word as sobs keep escaping my throat and tears running down my tightly closed eyes.

"Obviously trying to get your attention again" I heard Audrey say. On a normal day I would have responded by landing a heavy slap on her cheek but I wasn't going to my useful time to observe a punishment. My dad completely ignored her and focused on me.

"Sweetheart, do you need to see Madame Macbeth again?" He asked. I nodded. It was high time I saw her again. Madame Macbeth was my therapist for a while and the few years I spent with her was worthwhile because with her help I was able to suppress this maddening feeling. I only stopped visiting after she told me I'd have to start having a father daughter relationship with my dad.

He could make all the clothes he liked for me but to stop being mad at him was something I am not ready to do. "I'll set an appointment for you sweetheart, now our need to rest." My dad replied. "Does that mean you will no longer be the team leader?" Audrey asked.

My series of appointments with my therapist in the past had greatly affected my dancing training and performance in general. I had just started to pick up and Audrey was smart enough to know that I was terrible at balancing therapy with dance.

I'm sure it came off as a good news to her but "You shouldn't be asking that at this time, Audrey" my dad cautioned her cutting me off my thoughts. It was the first time he was rebuking her openly. She stormed out of my room angrily. Good riddance to bad rubbish!

The next day came in a flash. I woke up with rumblings from my stomach reminding me that I didn't take lunch and dinner yesterday. My mum would have made sure I ate to my satisfaction before sleeping off but my dad on the other hand has zero knowledge about parenting and my stepmum was just an excuse.

I made my way to the kitchen to fix myself a quick breakfast before every other person wakes up. I poured cereal into a bowl and milk while humming my favorite song. To the wind. I took my food back to room but stopped halfway into the hallway when I hear little sobs. It was coming from Michelle's room. I pressed my right ear against her door to be certain it was her.

Michelle unlike her sister was very quiet, calm and collected. She had little empathy but rarely showed it. She was very secretive and it annoyed me but compared to Audrey,she was an angel. I contemplated going into the room to ask what was wrong with her but later decided to enjoy my meal in peace. After all she had a mum,I didn't.

I rounded off my breakfast and went to the bathroom to get cleaned up for school. I always make sure to clean up early before my chores to avoid being left behind by the school bus. After bathing,I put back my pyjamas on and laid my uniform on my bed. I got working. Starting from my room,I cleaned to the living room,the porch and finally the kitchen.

Happy I finished quite early, I danced my way to my room but was stopped again by muffled cries coming from Michelle's room still. I tried unlocking the door but it was locked. Using my dad Superman skills,I kicked the door hard and it opened up. The pain from the kick was something else but the sight before me looked quite interesting so I decided to ignore the pain for a while.

"Geez! Ella have you gone crazy?" She screamed at me. "I'm not sure screaming is a good idea now sis". I replied her. Finding a comfortable chair to sit on. " What's Max doing here?" I asked confidently. Maxwell,her alleged best friend was kneeling before her as if begging her. He completely ignored me and settled his pleading gase on her. He was a senior in his sophomore year.

We had enquired about her suspicious relationship with him but she convinced us that they were just bestfriends and nothing more. "Nothing that concerns you". She responded. "Okay, I guess it'll concern mum and dad then". I stood up to announce the good news to the whole house but she caught me by my dress.