3

 

SIERRA

 

It was an hour to the bus’s arrival when all hell broke loose.

 

I'd been scrolling on my phone in my room, enjoying social media for the final time when a series of fierce knocks landed on my door.

 

At first, I ignored them. I'd barely eaten, moving my food around on the plate as conversation of Amy's resumption and celebration dinner flew over my head. When I excused myself, no one even batted an eye.

 

I thought Taylor was knocking because he wanted to scold me for wasting food. Until he kicked the door open.

 

Splinters flew in the air from the busted door. I shielded my face with my arm.

 

"What's going on?” I shouted, rising to my feet in confusion, “What are you doing?"

 

Taylor ignored me, already dressed for the dinner party. Behind him stood Amy and the moment she saw my eyes drop to her dress, she smirked victoriously.

 

Rich burgundy silk hugged her petite frame, complementing her pale skin. The dress had been altered to fit her slender body because it was originally mine. I was supposed to wear it for the SilverCrest welcome banquet.

 

I bit my inner cheek hard enough to draw blood.

 

"Tell Sierra what you told us,” Taylor ordered. My eyes narrowed into slits. What lie had she concocted now?

 

Twisting her ringed fingers, her voice was barely above a whisper, "I met my jewelry box open this morning and I noticed the sapphire necklace mum gave me was missing. I tried searching for it discreetly and found one of the diamonds on the floor outside your door."

 

When she put it like that, there was no need to directly accuse me.

 

“It's not here," I gritted, glancing at Taylor to see he'd started searching through my drawers.

 

“What do you think you're doing?" I snapped, moving forward to stop him, “ Taylor, stop this nonsense!"

 

He ignored me.

 

I turned to our parents who'd silently appeared in the hallway, "Are you going to let them do this?"

 

They stayed silent.

 

I turned to Amy, my lip curling in disgust. My hand trembled with the urge to slap her silly.

 

“Did you tell them the necklace was missing or you told them I stole it?" I hissed venomously.

 

Amy's face flushed red as she glanced at our parents.

 

“I saw one of the diamonds outside your room! What else could I think?” She cried.

 

"You've been angry since yesterday and even refused helping her pack or pick a dress,” my mother hissed, "Jealousy could've made you steal it."

 

“The same way it could make her lie against me!" I hotly retorted, "I am leaving today, why on earth would I steal a stupid necklace?”

 

My father's icy glare didn't waver.

 

"If you have nothing to hide, then there's nothing to be afraid of," he turned to Taylor, “Search her bags."

 

A broken laugh escaped my lips. Hadn't I been humiliated enough?

 

“Please don't do this,” I softly pleaded, "Why can't you just believe me?”

 

"Because Amy would never lie to us. Hand over the necklace and this will all be over,” my mother reasoned.

 

How could I hand over what I didn't steal?

 

I helplessly watched Taylor turn my bag upside down. My healing tonics slipped from the bag, smashing open. I gasped, stumbling backwards as they soaked the floorboads.

 

Nobody apologized for it.

 

They were so bent on proving I was a thief that nobody saw Amy move towards my open wardrobe. I silently watched her fish out something from her palm. It sparkled when it caught the light as it slipped soundlessly into my coat pocket.

 

It was the necklace.

 

My legs moved instinctively, crossing the room before Amy could move away. I gripped her wrist tightly. Her eyes widened in surprise as a shocked gasp slipped from her lips.

 

She tried to pry off my hands.

 

"Take it out," I steely ordered

 

Amy shrieked as if I struck her. Goddess knew I wanted to. I was trembling with pure rage.

 

"Sierra, let me go! You’re hurting me!"

 

"I saw her!" I roughly turned her around to face our parents, "I told you she was lying," I spat, “She slipped it into my coat’s left pocket. Taylor, check it and see."

 

Taylor frowned then reached into the coat and drew out the sapphire necklace .

 

"See?” I breathed in relief.

 

"Why would I falsely accuse you?” she sobbed pitifully, "I was feeling faint that's why I came to rest against the wardrobe and you suddenly started manhandling me!"

 

"You knew it was in your coat pocket so you pointed it out before I could find it there," Taylor accused, crossing his arms.

 

My relieved smile faded.

 

"It wasn't there until she slipped it in just now," I stated.

 

He wasn't listening.

 

"Let your sister go this instant!" Father thundered. My grip loosened and Amy tumbled into my mother's waiting arms.

 

"So that was why you quickly packed your bags," Taylor sneered, kicking aside the enlistment document by his feet, "To make us think you were leaving so we'd never suspect you.”

 

"I am leaving! If you'd check the documents—”

 

“Apologize to your sister, Sierra. This disgraceful behavior of yours has gone on for too long!” my father sharply ordered, cutting me off.

 

"You are not listening to me," I pressed my shaking hands against my chest, "I saw her do it. Why should I apologize for a crime I didn't commit?”

 

“Stop shifting the blame and just apologize!” Taylor snarled.

 

I clenched my teeth and stood my ground, "I'm not shifting the blame and I won't apologize.”

 

A muscle ticked in his jaw. As he snatched up my healing notes, my eyes widened in panic.

 

"Put those down," I nearly shouted.

 

"If you will not apologize with words you'll apologize with actions," He pressed the notebooks into Amy's hands.

 

"Give them back!" I gritted, lunging for the books. He pushed me aside like an inconvenience.

 

"They're hers now. A gift from you to us for wasting our time and stealing from her."

 

Amy's hands closed over the books, drying her tears with a silk handkerchief. Her eyes were curved into a satisfied smile.

 

"Thank you, Sierra." She cooed, “I accept your apology."

 

Something within me broke into pieces.

 

My phone buzzed against my hip and I drew it out with numb fingers to read the brief message.

 

Your scheduled transport arrives in twenty minutes. Be at the gate. The bus will NOT wait.

 

The ball of pain in my chest fizzled into calm acceptance.

 

There was no place for me in this house.

 

As calmly as possible, I rearranged my bag then zipped it, hauling it over my shoulder.

 

Without the books, it was pitifully light.

 

I looked each of them in the eye, enunciating my words slowly, “You’re done right? Now, please move out of my way.”