The Stepsisters - English [Completed]

Six

"ARE YOU ready, guys? We are going to be the next performer," our cheer captain said.

"Yes, captain!" we answered.

It's the cheering competition day. I haven't got the chance to talk to Lily again because I was really busy these past few days.

But even if I was so busy, she took care of me when our parents were not around. She cooks for breakfast and does all the house chores. And I will just help her little by little if I have a bit of time. 

Lily never complains. She will just smile and encourage her to get more rest instead of helping her in the house. She's the sweetest, right? Sadly, Sharpay and the girls don't see the Lily I know. Anyway, it's their loss. But somehow my loss as well. Because I am a coward living a double life.

If Sharpay and the girls are cruel, I think I am the monster. But what can I do? I love the fame and the good treatment of my fellow students that are showing me. Unlike before, here in my high school days, they are seen as a beautiful, successful young girl. I always hear wonderful words about me. No condemning and negative comments. So, even though I am sorry for denying Lily's existence in my life, I couldn't stop myself but to keep up with this life.

Back to the competition, the Marion High cheering squad gathered in a circle and Lara led a quick prayer. Then we went to our positions as our performances are going to start.

I smiled looking at my mom on the bleachers. I automatically saw her as she was wearing my Jersey shirt from the cheering team. Aside from that, I recognized Lily beside her with her favorite yellow shirt. The only bad sight was Jesu who's beside Lily.

I tried to keep calm for now. I needed to focus on the competition. I will talk to Lily about Jesu later. Not now. I need to concentrate.

I haven't seen Uncle Primo but I guess he is still busy at work. I am just glad my mom was here. She said that she really took the day off to see me dance. My mom, even with her busy schedule, really is awesome. She really made sure to come to the important events of my life. And if sometimes she failed, I still understand because I know she has a good justification on why she did not come.

Anyway, Uncle Primo attends sometimes too if he's not busy and Mom can't go. Then there's Lily, who's always present. I am pretty much content with that.

Ten seconds and our performance is starting. I smiled widely as I saw how Mom and Lily cheer for me, along with the Marion High students and parents who attended.

Here we go.

+++

"Congratulations, champ!" Mom said and gave me a tight hug. "You are amazing, baby! Wow! Don't grow up so fast, please. I am so proud of you," she added with tears in her eyes.

Other parents and students went to their friends and family to congratulate them. Yeah! We won! We are the champion of this year's national competition.

"Aww, mom. Don't cry. Thank you for coming by the way, despite your busy schedule." Mom was really an emotional type of a person. But I love her so much.

"How can I miss this? This is a national competition! And just like your mother, you are one of the amazing dancers of the squad," I can hear in her voice that she was really proud to say those words.

I beamed widely.

"Thank you, mom. Thank you for the good genes," I joked.

"No problem, kiddo. I am glad you got your features from me." She winked at me.

We laughed. Yeah, I was glad I almost got all moms’ features. At least she won't see my biological Dad's face on me.

I was about to discreetly ask where Lily is but Sharpay and the girls appeared in front of us.

"Hi, Jen. Is she your sister?" Sharpay asked, looking at my mother. Then the other two girls are looking at my mom as well.

My mom just smiled and blushed. I am sure she's really happy that they called her my sister. Come to think of it, this is actually the first time they will meet my mom.

"Such a nice lady you are." My mom is absolutely smiling from ear to ear now. Well, she's really young though and she really looks like my sister rather than being my mom. "But no, I am her mother."

"Oh, really? You're kidding? You look so young, ma'am!" Sharpay dramatically said.

I restrained myself to roll my eyes.

"Oh, thank you. Just call me Elvira." Well, my mom was really buying it but it doesn't matter, Sharpay was just telling the truth. I just don't like the way she said it. It's cringy in some sort.

"My name is Sharpay, Aunt Elvira. Nice to meet you. We are Jenny's best friends."

"Oh really?" Mom was looking at me like validating it if Sharpay was telling the truth. Because the fact is, I have never mentioned them when I talk to mom. It was always me and Lily's whereabouts and updates on my grades and activities in school. I don't know how to react but gladly, mom was so quick to say what you will need to say in this kind of situation. "I have heard so much about you, uh, you three. Thank you for taking care of my Jenny here."

Awesome, mom. Keep up the good work! I mentally wipe my sweat in my forehead.

"This is Ginger and Sally, mom. Uh, you know, the girls I always talk about. My best friends," I said before Mom will be puzzled again by the girls’ name.

"Nice to meet you, Aunt Elvira," Ginger and Sally said together, smiling. Seems genuine though.

"Nice meeting you, girls, too. They are really pretty as what you have described, dear," Mom rode on. Oh, God. She's overdoing it.

"Thank you, Aunt Elvira. You are stunning and beautiful despite being a mother. It's a shame we just met now. We want to know more about our dear Jenny's mother and family," Ginger said, who's I am not sure but I am hearing some sort of negative vibes on what she just said.

"Well, yeah. Let Jenny know if you wanted to visit but I am not really here all the time because of work. As a flight attendant, I have not really much time these days." Damn. Mother, stop it. What do I do? That is definitely a bad idea.

"Wow! You are a flight attendant? Domestic or International?" Sally asked.

"Mostly for international flights," Mom answered.

"That explains why you are not always around," It was still Sally.

"But yeah, we will visit sometime at your place, Aunt Elvira. Is that okay?" Sharpay butted in.

Oh, s**t. This is not good.

"That's alright. I am sure you'll have a good time with Jenny and Li---"

"Ah yes, mom," I cut her off. She's actually going to say the name of Lily! "Soon, guys. If we have enough time but since sophomore years are over, let's do that after the opening of junior year. We might be busy during the summer you know. Right, mom?" Please, mom. Save me.

"Uhm, y-yeah," Mom said. Glad to know she read what I am trying to convey to her.

"Oh that's sad that we won't be able to see you in summer, Jen. But yeah, let's catch up after that." I was mentally relieved.

Shit is really starting to happen. Glad I was able to do something about it.

"But hey, are you ready for the party tonight? You are coming, right?" Ginger asked.

I look at Mom who is now smiling at me. I was praying that she would not let me come. Mom, please. Just these once, hear my thoughts.

But she must have read the wrong signals on my stare.

"You can go, sweetie. Just don't drink alcohol and be back by 11 pm." My mom is really sweet but I kind of not appreciating what she did right now. I am really tired and the last thing I want to do is to party.

But then again, I have chosen this path. Enable for me to maintain my status at school, I have to do this socialization thingy.

"Thanks, Aunt Elvira. You are so cool! I will take care of Jenny. You don't have to worry!" Sharpay excitedly said and literally dragged me outside.

I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye to my mom. I just waved at her goodbye instead and she did the same. This is going to be a long night.

+++

The party happened to the house of Sharpay. I thought it was only for the cheering squad team but it was actually for the whole Marion High students. Mostly that was there were popular students at school. The sports team, members of the student body organization and I am not sure if I am seeing it right but I saw some alumni as well.

Wow, this party is really something. It was actually a pool party. There were drinks everywhere and music was blasting all over the place. Sharpay's house was not the typical one. It was a mansion. When I say that Sharpay's family is rich, they are really not just “the rich" but they are "the rich-rich" if you know what I mean.

Boys and girls were in their swimsuits and trunks. It was a nice view. I just wore a one piece swimsuit that I borrowed from Sharpay and shorts. I don't have plans to go into the water. I was just observing everyone.

Ginger and Sally were talking and flirting to the basketball players on the other side of the pool. Sharpay is nowhere to be found.

I didn't drink alcohol. I am just following mom's order and I am not really going to drink because I don't like the taste of alcohol. So I am content at drinking my pineapple juice.

"Hey," Someone approached me.

It was Key. Team captain of the basketball men even if he is just a junior. He's tall, handsome, and well built. Girls are absolutely drooling over him and he's really popular. He's an ideal guy but I am not interested.

"Hey. Can't get someone to flirt with you?" I said straightforwardly.

He chuckled.

"I don't need that. They just naturally swamp over me."

That's one thing about men who think they are really popular and desirable to everyone, they thought of themselves so highly. Like Key.

"Okay," I replied. I am not interested.

I saw Lara arrived and Jesu was with her. Perhaps Lily was here too? Let me find her instead. If Sharpay will see her, she'll be her laughing stock again. God, why did she even come here?

I was about to stand up when I felt strong hands holding me at my arms.

"You're not going anywhere, Jen." It was Key.

"Let go of me, Key. You don't owe me and I am not interested in you, so don't bother me."

"You are so arrogant, Jen. No one can resist me. Not even you. I will make sure I will get everything that I want from you tonight." I felt that he tightened his grip to my arms. It's hurting me but I won't give him the satisfaction to see me in pain and fear.

"Did you just threaten me? Do you hear yourself how desperate you are? Such a pity." I looked at him straight in the eyes with my cold stare.

He was intensely looking at me as well. More like scaring me and by his looks, he is saying that I will regret what I am doing to him.

But I am more than what he thinks I am. I am maybe smaller than him, but I won't let him do this to me.

"Are you going to let go of me or I will shout here that you are hurting me? You don't want to stain your pure reputation, right?" I said, still giving him a cold look.

When he noticed I was not budging and what he's doing was not working on me, he released my arm and smirked. Then he left.

I released a deep breath then drank my juice. I mentally congratulate myself on a job well down.

"Damn girl. That was incredible. Did you see his face? Poor, Key. He can't unlock Jenny because he's lame." It was Ginger.

"Did you see everything? That guy tried to threaten me. The nerve of that guy. He is so conceited!" I was really furious. I just hid it earlier but I am really angry.

"But he's cute," Ginger said but I did not hear it. I was still calming my nerves from the encounter.

"What?"

"Nothing. Come on, the night is still young. Let's have some fun!" Ginger said and danced in front of me.

Now that I see her face closely, she looks so drunk.

"You are drunk, Ginge. You reek in alcohol, too," I snorted.

"Oh come on. Don't be a buzz kill. Let's party!" she shouted and she dragged me near the DJ.

At first, I was dancing slowly but as time went by, I was not aware that I was dancing aggressively. The pineapple juice I was drinking had a weird taste as well but Ginger keeps asking me to drink it. It still tastes like pineapple juice but it has given me more energy. Then I was feeling dizzy but I was still drinking the juice and dancing like there's no tomorrow.

Then I felt that someone took me from the crowd and it looks like we are going upstairs in Sharpay's mansion. My vision was blurry and I felt numb. Am I drunk?

That someone was holding me in my waist and my other hand seemed to be holding on their neck. We stopped when we saw someone on the alley. I heard voices of Sharpay and Lily and they seemed to be fighting. But they stopped when they saw us.

I was really getting dizzy and I felt my world was shaking. I think I am going to pass out. But before I totally succumb to darkness, someone snatches me from the other person and I heard Sharpay arguing with the person who took me earlier.