11. The Main Obstacle

Emma Coleman

"Nana?" I called out when I recognized the figure standing at the entryway.

"Brandon brought this to my room tonight. He wants me to give it to you after he leaves, but I think you need to see it and thank him or discuss it with him before he leaves," Marbella, my grandmother, said with a teary tone as she walked slowly towards my bed. She dropped the mysterious box on my bed, wiped her tears with the back of her palm, turned, and left the room. Her reaction made me hesitate to open the box.

I had cried enough already, and I did not want anything that would make me shed more tears. As I continued staring at the box Marbella placed on my bed wondering what was inside that made Marbella shed tears, I heard a loud kick on my door, and it swung open violently, hitting the wall with a loud noise. My heart skipped a beat.

"You shameless bîtch!" a woman's voice pierced the silence.

Rachel stood in the middle of the room, her arms folded across her chest, her legs trem