Zayla

I awoke to a pounding on my door. “ZAYLA, Mom wants you downstairs, “ my sisters shouted through the door. They continued to pound on my door. “ UGH okay, I sighed with frustration, I am up, STOP pounding on the door. “

“Geez, someone is pissy, “ one of my sisters said, laughing as they headed downstairs. Rolling my eyes, I pulled the covers off me and sat up on the edge of the bed, Taking a deep breath I got up went to the closet pulled out some leggings and my old but comfortable ACDC shirt, and went into the bathroom to put on mascara and brush my teeth, and my brush my hair, I then pulled my hair up in a ponytail, as I went to go change my bandage, I started to try to figure out how I was going to explain it, as I removed the bandage it was completely healed up, WTF there is no way something so big could have healed that fast it should have taken a couple of weeks to heal.

As I started at my complexion, I noticed a difference in the color of my hair; it started to look almost dark purple instead of all black. How is this happening? Also, I noticed a change in my facial features. My eyes seemed almost purplish, and my lips seemed pouter. “What am I going to say to my parents? I could have made something up if I still had the wound, but since that was gone, I instantly had an idea. I quickly took my phone and sent a group text to Jenifer and Amanda

Hey, if my parents ask, I was with both of you yesterday after school, okay?!?! I will explain later. I hit send and let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. I hope Jenifer and Amanda would vouch for me because if they didn’t, I would have no idea how I would explain yesterday without my parents thinking I was crazy and sending me away. As I finished up in the bathroom, I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs. The feeling of dread washed over me as I inched closer to the dining room, and whatever appetite vanished as I entered the dining room and sat at the table, just as they noticed I was there, the conversation stopped, and all eyes were on me.

Great, Mom immediately started off firing questions at me. “Care to explain where you were yesterday after school? And why do you go straight upstairs, saying nothing? My mom was a firecracker waiting to go. She was a force to be reckoned with. She was about 5’6 "and athletic, very toned. She had curly red hair to the middle of her back. I mean, women paid good money for curls, but for her, it was natural. She had amazing emerald eyes that made her angelic more noticeable. She was stunning; my twin sisters looked like her little mini-me.

Of course, they were identical twins, but they were very different, like oil and water.

Jessica liked to wear her hair short. She always dressed like she was going to a game or something. She was into sports and fights movies, oh, and loved horror. Jamie, on the other hand, was completely the opposite of her. She would wear her hair like our mom's, long and always done up to perfection. She would expect no less.

She was your typical girly girl, wearing dresses, skirts, makeup—you name it; she had it. She hated movies but loved shopping.

My dad had brown hair, was always clean cut, had a stocky build, was a lawyer type, wore a suit even at home, and was always serious.

I stayed silent, racking my brain for what to say. “Are you ignoring me? “My mother asked, seething with anger. “No, “I whispered nervously. “Mom, there is just a lot going on,” I answered, looking down.

“Okay, well, answer my questions then,” she said forcefully. “Just went over to Jen’s house with Amanda so we could work on a group project. We lost track of time, and when I returned, I was exhausted from all our work, which wasn’t a total lie, I thought.

I heard a big sigh from my mom as she seemed to calm down. “Zayla, you know our rules. I told you to come home because we need to tell you something.” If you, so we accept a text or call my dad," Dad interjects.

“Okay, I'm sorry. This won’t happen again, “I said sharply.

“Make sure it doesn’t, “Mom added, upset but sad.

My mother motioned for me to sit and served me breakfast. She then sat down and cleared her throat.

“We wanted to talk to you about that. My Aunt Laveen is very sick, and my dad and I will be flying to Alaska to care for her.” I looked at them, surprised.

“What? “Is she okay? “What is going to happen to us?" “It's my senior year. “I questioned one after the other.

“Slow down, “My dad said with a chuckle. “We will leave first thing tomorrow morning, and you and your sisters will stay here. “What!!!!, really, thank you, “I said, jumping up and hugging them both.

“Hold up, “Dad said as I went to sit back down. You need to be responsible and come home after school so you can take care of your sister. “

“You can’t be serious,” both the girls shouted in unison.

“We are not babies. We can take care of ourselves,” Jessica said, snapping at my mom.

“Jamie Ann Preston, watch your Tone, “Dad warned.

“Sorry, Mom,” she said, sulking and rolling her eyes as she slid further down in her chair.

“You all will help cook, clean, and, most of all, get along. No friends and no parties. We will know if you do anything, “Mom continues. “Laura, the next-door neighbor, will check in. “She looked at us seriously. “Okay, head to school, and we will talk more tonight.” “Oh, and Zayla, we will talk about you dyeing your hair, “she finished, adding, "My eyes go hug, huh?" “Okay, bye everyone, “I ran to the door, grabbing it before anyone could ask more questions.