Being the youngest child had plentiful perks; those including obviously being the favorite child, consistently getting what you wanted, and overall having a wonderful life, especially if you were the offspring of Sally and Paul Blofis. It was a great privilege in Estelle's eyes, the way her life had been shaped and crafted. Yet; every perk and privilege has its downside, and to Estelle Blofis, this was the absolute worst downside of them all.
Garnering all of the attention for being the youngest was something you got used to- and when it was taken away, it was as if an angry spark had been lit inside of you, slowly growing into a large, burning fire of rage. This was something Estelle certainly experienced, but only with one person; her older brother, Perseus Jackson.
It soon became clear to Estelle that most younger children were the shining, bright stars of the family, yet she was not that, for that title belonged to Percy. This piece of knowledge angered the nine-year-old to the core, and jealously consumed her body each time he would return from his prestigious school, which was when all of the looks that had been pushed her way would soon disappear and flock over to that of her brother.
However, the moment he took his leave, it was as if a sense of happiness filled Estelle's vision. The incoming thoughts of having her parents back was exciting, particularly having their full attention. But it seemed as if her happiness was short lived, for the moment she returned home from school on September 13th, an exact month since Percy had discarded from their quaint home, there he was, a sullen look etched onto his tan face as her father comforted him.
"Dad?" She questioned, eyeing her brother angrily. She couldn't understand or wrap her head around what was currently happening; once her brother left, he didn't return until months later- but only a month since his departure was absolutely wrong!
Glancing behind him, Paul gave Estelle a look as if to say, "not now". His blue eyes matched her own in their fierce stare off, before Percy suddenly stood up, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.
"Sorry, Estelle." He apologized, a toothy grin appearing onto his face. Estelle grew angrier at his lopsided smile- but the moment she glanced into his apologetic sea-green eyes, she felt herself grow guilty. To avoid anything sentimental, she stated towards the ground, furiously grinding her foot against the dark rug beneath her.
"You don't have to be sorry, Perce." Her father's voice sounded exasperated and angry all at once, and Estelle knew exactly which one was directed towards her. "She needs to get used to this. After all, you live here, too."
"Since when?" Estelle muttered, a small scoff escaping her slightly parted lips. Lifting her head, she came face-to-face enraged eyes of her father. Fear coursed through her veins as she realized the mistake in her action.
"I will not tolerate this type of attitude towards your brother, Estelle." Paul firmly stated, glancing towards her room. "Go to your bedroom."
"Paul, it's alright." Percy attempted to diffuse the situation, awkwardly shuffling his foot. "She doesn't know me very well, it's understandable she's cold."
"I know you very well!" Estelle yelled, slamming her foot against the floor in frustration. "You only come here to steal my mom and dad away from me!"
"Estelle! Cut it out!" Paul matched her tone and anger perfectly as he marched over towards her, grasping her firmly by the arm, tugging her towards her bedroom.
"You know it's true!" She cried out, tears dripping down her pale cheeks. Before she could even utter another word, Estelle had been pushed into her bedroom with the door slammed behind her. Even with her favorite color surrounding her in heaps, Estelle could not find an ounce of happiness within her small bones.
Hours upon hours passed, and Estelle still sat in the same position against her brightly colored bed, her brown hair sticking to her cheeks in strands. She could faintly hear her mother and father speaking in hushed tones, but the disgusting voice of her brother was nowhere to be heard. A small flicker of joy scurried across her features, until she heard the deep snore sound in the room next to her own, and she realized that he was not leaving.
Grumbling, Estelle stood, brushing off the lint of her white colored dress. As she exited her dark room, the hushed whispers of her parents halted. Turning, she met the stares of both her mother and father, who motioned her to take a seat in front of them. Dread rushed through her, and her heart slammed against her chest rapidly as she thought of all of the trouble she was going to experience.
"Estelle," her mother began as she took a seat on the blue couch inhabiting their living room. "How could you even utter words as such?"
"Because it's true, mom!" She exclaimed, her blue eyes widening. Estelle thought that out of all people, her mother would be the most understanding.
"Don't yell, your brother is asleep in the next room." Sally warned. "What you said was not true, Estelle. Your brother is not looking to steal any of us away from you."
"Yeah? Well, each time he comes home, you treat him like-like a god! I'm left in the dust!" A few tears gathered on her long, thick lashes before she quickly blinked them away, as if to not seem weak.
"Estelle," Sally sighed, and Estelle looked up just in time to see her mother rubbing her temples. "What you need to realize is that we treat you both equally. However, when he's home, we do spend a little bit more time with him-" before Sally could finish, Estelle had jumped up in an angry triumph, interrupting her.
"So you admit it?"
"No, that's not all what she's saying." Her father frowned. "She's saying that we only spend more time with him when you're tucked away, asleep in bed. We see you all the time, Estelle. Rarely do we see Percy."
"You aren't even his father!" Estelle threw her head in her hands, her light pink nails digging into her scalp. Honestly, the nine-year-old began to wonder if out of everyone in this household, she was the smartest.
"You're right, Estelle, he's not." Her mother shot back. "He is, however, Percy's family, his stepfather, and that's certainly enough."
At the furious tone in her mother's normally calm, sweet voice, Estelle froze. Before she could make any sort of statement, however, her father butted in.
"But if you truly feel this way, 'Stelle, we can always have dinner and watch a little movie before bed if you'd like."
The offer was exciting, and a series of apologies spilled from her mouth as she realized what a child she had been to her parents.
"Nice to see that your apologies are after the offer." Paul laughed, ruffling her hair. Kissing the top of her head lightly, he mumbled a small apology for their sudden negligence.
"Before the movie, though, do you promise to not be so rude to your brother?" The soft voice of her mother entered her ears, and Estelle whipped her head up, a large grin on her face as she nodded rapidly. Sally returned her grin, and kissed the top of her hair, all of which causing Estelle's grin to grow larger.
I never said when, Estelle thought, her eyes growing sinister. Get ready for tomorrow, big brother.