Amelia

Chapter 2 – Cracks in the Glass

The gala was all glitter and champagne, every chandelier reflecting Pearl’s laugh like it belonged to her. Cameras followed her every move, her flawless smile, the sway of her dress, the way men turned as if she were gravity.

Amelia trailed behind, unnoticed, holding a glass she didn’t drink. She had been here before, always the shadow to Pearl’s spotlight. Tonight was no different.

Levi’s hand brushed Pearl’s again. Just a touch. Too casual. Too practiced. Amelia’s chest tightened. She told herself she was imagining it that Levi was hers, that Pearl wouldn’t… couldn’t.

But then she saw it, The look, The one Pearl gave him when she thought no one was watching. A smile that lingered too long, a flicker of something hot and forbidden in her sister’s eyes, the touch that seems to last a lifetime.

Amelia’s stomach twisted.

Levi leaned down, whispering something into Pearl’s ear. She laughed softly, tipping her head just enough for Amelia to see the way his gaze slid down her neck, her shoulders, lower, like he’d memorized the map of her body. It’s been years since Levi did that to her, he wouldn’t look at her, talk more of touching her and now her sister gets to feel his arms around her, his touches. Her fingers tightened around the stem of her glass until it cracked, sharp against her palm. She barely noticed the sting of blood.

Ruby appeared at her side, eyes narrowing.

“Honestly, Amelia, must you sulk? You could at least smile for the cameras. Pearl carries enough weight for this family, it’s worse that you are the ugly duckling of the family, must you make it worse?.”

Amelia’s throat burned. Carries enough weight. The words dug deeper than they should have, but Ruby had a talent for that.

She excused herself, slipping into the hallway where the music dulled. She pressed her back against the wall, her chest heaving. She wanted to scream. To march back in there and demand answers. To tear Levi’s hand off her sister’s skin.

But she didn’t.

She couldn’t, she was the ugly duckling after all. Who would want her when Pearl is here. No one in their right senses, then why did Levi choose her, only to go to Pearl. Shaking her head she tries to control her thoughts, Because what if she was wrong? What if it was all in her head? If she accused them and it wasn’t true, Ruby would never let her forget it.

So Amelia stood there in the silence, her hand bleeding, her heart cracking, her mind screaming one question over and over, What if the man I love already belongs to my sister?.

Slipping into the bathroom she quickly washes her hand, it stings a little but she deserves it she thinks. Her mind can’t help but wander around what her mother said. She’s the Ugly duckling of the family, staring at the mirror, examining herself in the blue chiffon dress. “ Maybe if I was a bit thinner like my sister, I would look better.” Shaking her head she couldn’t help but wonder, “ Why can’t I be normal like everyone else”.

The gala lasted up till midnight, she lost sight of Pearl, Levi and her mother. Deciding to call it a night, she orders a ride back home. Getting to the front door she meets Levi, turns out they left without her.

“ Where were you I was looking for you”

“ Pearl had an headache so we had to take her home”. Sighing to herself she pushes pass him and goes inside. Mumbling to herself she bumps into her mother, “ not only are you ugly, your are running mad, talking to yourself. You keep on disappointing me each day”. Shaking her head and walking off, swallowing down the tears caught I’m her throat, Amelia enters her room. Sitting in a daze. Her phone pings, a notification from Levi.

“ Goodnight.”