Chapter 4

I stood on the doorstep as I waved to Maria when she began pulling out of the driveway. Dearest Step Mother rushed out the door, stopping Maria from leaving by walking right up to her car. They began talking. I walked over

"I've always wanted to meet the other daughter. I've heard sooo much about you! Oh, come in, won't you?" Dearest Step Mother Jennifer begged.

"That's right, Maria!" I blew her a kiss, joining in. Father came out as well. I glanced into the house. Kristen and Lia had their noses up in the air, disdainfully.

"Maria! We haven't seen you in awhile. Come meet my new daughter and wife!" Father kissed Jennifer's head. Maria winced. Nobody else seemed to notice.

"Maybe some other time. I have somewhere I have to get to right now. Sorry?" Maria looked a little stressed in this position. Maria had never seen Father be so welcoming to her. A least, not super recently. While mother was supportive of Maria's job, Father was not.

"Mom! Mommy!" Maria shrieked. Her voice rang out, echoing through the metals pipes in the car. Mother got out from under the car. I followed in suit.

"What is it Maria?" Mother looked up at her, before even getting off the ground.

"I'm going to be a singer! The agency accepted me! It's going to happen!" Maria grabbed us, holding on tight. I hugged Maria and mom. Mother looked a little surprised.

"Oh, Maria! This is great!" Mom grabbed Maria tightly.

"Let's have cake tonight! And celebrate!" I giggled, as soon as I had been let go. I wasn't the touch-y feel-y type. Loud, happy and spontaneous. Those were the words to describe me.

"That sounds excellent! Do you guys want to do bike down to the store and grab some cake there while I go tell your father?" Mom suggested nervously, though it didn't show on her face. It was the dip in her voice.

At the time, I didn't quite understand, but I was happy anyways. My sister's dream was coming true. I think that my mother understood that my father wasn't going to be happy, so she made us go out while my father received the news.

"Andrea. Do you think father will be upset?" Maria asked me as we raced down the road. I peddled hard. There was going to be cake, and I was going to get it.

"Why would he? He's always asking me if I want to be an actress. Ever since the play." I wrinkled my nose in disgust. "But I don't want to do 's such a pain, plus you're just pretending to be someone you're not! No way am I acting!" I huffed.

"Well, if you phrase it that way, singing is a lot better then acting!" Maria laughed. I laughed as well.

"Please, Maria! Singing is showing your emotions, not covering them up!" I gave the same sassy remark as one of my favorite book characters, Nicole.

"You're a good singer too Andrea!" Maria began.

"NO." I said firmly. "I don't want to sing for anybody! If you want to show your emotions, that's fine! But, I! AM LIVING LIFE HOWEVER I WANT!"I whooped, standing up on my bike, lifting one hand up in the air, as we coasted down the hill. Maria lifted up both hands, giggling.

"YOU'RE CRAZY!" I shouted to Maria.

"AT LEAST I'M NOT STANDING UP ON MY BIKE!" Maria defended herself.

When we got back home there was a tense air to it.

We flung open the door, laughing and skipping around. We felt the tension though. We cautiously walked down the hall. I pried open the door just a crack. We peaked through the crack, curious, Father sat on the chair, forehead on his hand. Mother leaned against the counter.

"I refuse." Mother said flatly. "Maria will do what she wants. You will support it. You brought her into this world."

"Mom?" I called to her. They looked over suddenly.

"Sweetie." My father held out his arms for a hug. Maria and I went reluctantly. Seeing how tense it was, we just wanted to leave.

"Bye Andrea!" Maria chirped. She got out of our neighbor hood at the speed of light. I waved once, even though she was gone. I was just a tad slow, being shaken out of the memory.

"Hmm... Busy with what?" Father frowned. Guess he still disapproves of her job. I didn't get what he had against singing. Never did, never will. If he encourages acting and modeling, then why not singing? I found that acting and modeling tended to be more sketchy then singing.

"Maria's got things to do, friends to meet, and boyfriends to kiss!" I put in the last part just to annoy Father. He twitched.

"Maria's got a boyfriend?" He narrowed his eyes, looking murderous. Didn't know he could be so protective over a daughter he hasn't seen in a year or so. Especially in front of his new wife.

"Anyways! Andrea, why did you lock your room? We can't get in that way!" Jennifer changed the subject.

"That's the whole point. Why would you want to go into my room? I will clean it, and do everything there needs to be done. I made that clear. So, always expect my room to be locked. It's nothing personal." I winked and trotted back into the house. They should really kick me out soon. I already wanted to live alone, and it's barely been a day.

I walked past the two gossiping mice.

"Back in the day, little gossiping queens like you would do it in private." I told them as I walked by.

"We heard Maria is a famous singer! Is that true? And how is she your boss, your sister, AND a singer!" Lia called out.

"Maria is famous. And then she kept trying to get me to go become an actress or model. So when I agreed, it just happened. Maria is good at whatever she does. Work hard. Play hard. I'm just lucky she's my sister." I smirked at their awed faces. Maybe they'll begin to respect me.

"I can't believe she would want such an untalented person!" Kristen gasped. I didn't turn around. I just kept walking, because what could I do?

"Maybe Andrea hypnotizes people." Lia muttered darkly to Kristen. I rolled my eyes.