Chapter Six: Betrayal

Saturday morning came slow. The night was a hard one. I was tossing and turning and worrying was plaguing my mind. Today is Brandon’s and I’s fifth anniversary. But he still hasn’t talked to me. To make matters worse today I have to go to dinner with my family to meet Miracles’ boyfriend and his family. So I have to sit there and smile, acting happy for Miracle while my relationship falls apart.

My mother let me off the hook for chores today because of dinner tonight. However, Cassandra has been glowering at me each time I leave my room. I pretend not to notice. But sometimes it still gets to me. I don’t know why she hates me so much. Somedays I wonder if I truly am the problem, why else does everyone in my life hate me? I know that she’s probably just miserable in her station in life and making me feel small is her pathetic way of taking control back.

Evening comes too fast. I get ready for dinner. The dress I wear is a short navy blue with a poofy skirt. Its heart line shows off the necklace Brandon gave me for our third anniversary. A beautiful sterling silver chain and oval base with a red gem. The navy blue causes the gems deep red to pop. I look at it with mixed emotions. It brings back all the memories that led to today. And worry settles inside me at the prospect of never making more memories with him.

I brush my hair. The black waves fall into place. My brown eyes stand out with the navy blue of my dress. I would put make-up on but since I’m not supposed to have my own money I can’t buy it. If I did then my parents would get suspicious. I tried to ask once. When I got to middle school all the girls wore make-up and wanting to fit in I made the mistake of asking my mother.

She scoffed at me and told me no. Said a pig in make-up was still a pig. My father had been sitting right there and didn’t correct her. He only spoke up to double down on her answer. He said that I was too young to look like a whore. I went to my room and cried. When my father came to get me for dinner, he didn’t ask if I was okay. He didn’t apologize for hurting my feelings. He told me to ‘toughen up’ and that I couldn’t get everything I wanted all the time.

“Ruby, hurry up. Or I’ll come up there and drag you down!” my fathers loud voice reaches down the hall to my room. I go down the small steps towards the foyer. Everyone is there. “Took you long enough” my brother says as he rolls his eyes and goes out the front door. My mother scoffs in agreement before following him. Miracle offers a smirk before going as well. My father grunts before following her. I follow after them not wanting to make them lose their patience.

The restaurant is fancy. The type of fancy that requires a dress code. We are seated at a long table. I see a man and woman about my parents' age sitting there. Along with a girl that looked to be in her early twenties or younger. But no young boy in sight. Where's her boyfriend? Miracle takes a seat by an empty chair. My father shook hands with the other man. The conversation at the table is a bunch of small talk. How are yous, names being exchanged, talk of work or school.

I feel awkward sitting at the table. Miracle keeps looking at me and smirking her eyes saying ‘ I know something you don’t ’. It gives me an uneasy feeling. Like a prisoner walking towards her execution. We are all waiting for her boyfriend to get out of the bathroom. His parents tell my family that he plays pickle ball,gets good grades, and is planning on being an engineer. Which only makes my anxiety worsen. As I find myself thinking Brandon wants to be an engineer, and before my parents found out we were dating I would watch him play pickle ball.

I try to be calm. Only a coincidence I tell myself. Until I see him. Miracles boyfriend. My world spins,my heart shatters. Because despite my wanting this to be a nightmare, I know it's not. Brandon sits besides Miracle. Across from me. My boyfriend of five years has been with my sister. I feel the tears pool. I excuse myself to the bathroom unsure how to process this deep betrayal.

I go to the bathroom but I don’t cry and I don’t scream. I simply pick up my phone and call a number I wasn’t sure I’d ever call. “Hey, grandfather, is it possible for you to send someone to pick me up?” I ask in a shaky voice. “Of course, send me your location,” he says. I send it and now all I have to do is wait. But as I wait sinister thoughts come to my head. They should all pay! It's not fair that they’ll get away with how they’ve treated me. I’ll make sure they won’t get away with it. I promise them this, I will get my revenge.