"Hi, Dad. Hi, Daddy," I called walking into my house after school on a Friday.
There was a strange girl on my couch, across from my parents. I don't mean she was strange because she was there - even though it was - or because I didn't know her -which I didn't. I mean strange because she was STRANGE. Her relaxed hair was brown with streaks of purple blue and red threaded through it. She had on dark-washed tight skinny jeans and over-sized black t-shirt on with a scary, bleeding person on it that said "Avenged Sevenfold" and her shoes looked to big for her. I got to her face and it looked familiar. Full lips that were slightly pink with big grey-green eyes a square face. Near her feet she had a big backpack that was checkered black and white.
"Hello, Rachel," Daddy answered while I was appraising the girl's looks with my eyes. "This is Lyla," he said, following my eyes and gesturing to the girl across from them.
The girl who's name was apparently Lyla reached toward me and shook my hand, "Nice to meet you, Rachel."
"Rachel. Lyla is in a…situation and we need to talk to you about it-"
"Look, really, Mr. and Mr. Berry; its been really nice of you to talk to me, but I don't want to bother you guys. I can just stay in a motel until I can find someone else to stay with."
"Lyla! You will do no such thing," Dad said, "If nothing else, you will at least stay the night with us." He got up and grabbed the checkered bag. "Follow me, I'll show you to the guest room."
When they left the room I sat down, "Daddy, what's going on? Who is that girl."
"Well, in short matters she is your sister."
"WHAT?!"
"Shhh!"
"I'm sorry, but…How is that possible?"
"She's your half sister," He answered, "Your mother is her mother."
"But she looks like she's the same age as me!"
" She is 9 months younger than you."
"Eight but…that…that's not-"
"Dianna got pregnant with her one month after you were born, and she was born 2 months premature." He told me patiently.
"Okay, fine. I believe you, but why is she here?"
"That's the other thing we have to tell you. Your mother…died." He whispered the last part and I closed my eyes.
I was sad that she died, but she wasn't really a part of my life.
"What about her father?"
"He is gone. Hasn't been in her life since she was 4. We want her to stay here for a little while. If its too horrible for either of you then we'll find her another place to stay."
* * * * *
Now it's Monday morning and I'm stuck in the car with Lyla.
"Sooo…Are you usually this quiet or am I just special?" She broke the uncomfortable silence.
"I'm not quite sure what to say to you. I don't really know you and I don't think we have much in common, however that is based purely on your choice of apparel."
"Well Damn. When you do talk you talk a lot. And hey! What exactly is wrong with my choice of apparel?"
"Nothing is particularly wrong with your appearance, its just all so dark. Its your first day at a new school and I'm sure you want to make a good impression on your peers. Also, if you could please refrain from using curse words in my car it would be greatly appreciated."
"Right. Why do I give a flying fu-sorry, I'm still working on that, but anyways- why do I give a crap what they think? I don't know them, they don't know me…and based on our relationship so far, I don't think I'll be here very long. I mean, why would your dads keep me here when you hate me." She looked down in her lap where her hands were folded.
"I don't hate you, per say, its just that I don't know you very well and you just seem very different from me and I-"
"So basically your saying you think I'm weird 'cuz I like black? And that because of that opinion you're not trying to get to know me?" She interrupted.
"W-uhh- Of course not, I just," I stopped my car in the parking lot of the school and tried to sort out my thoughts.
"Look, Rachel, I'm really sorry. I never ment to pop into your life unannounced and ruin everything you've got going for you. Trust me, I would give anything to have my mom back, or even to have a dad who wasn't so drugged out all the time that half the time he didn't even know who the hell I was. But I'm stuck here for now, I'll try to stay out of your way and not ruin anything for you," She said, starting to get out of the car.
"Lyla! Wait," She closed the door and looked at me, "I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean to come off so rude its just…I'm used to being my parents only worry and having to share attention is not something I've ever learned to do. I'm very sorry and would like to get to know you better. Perhaps we could start tonight? My dad's will be gone by the time we get home- I've got Glee after school - and will be gone for about a week."
"Okay," She smiled, "Sounds like a plan. Will you take me to he office to get my schedule?"
"Yeah, no problem," I smiled back as we got out of the car.
