Thanks for the review! I don't know if it was obvious but this is my first fanfic and i'm just trying to make it the best that i can! Hopefully i can get a bit more reviews than the last time! I would really appreciate any, including constructive criticism.

Chapter Two

A couple hours later, Mom and I arrived home, accompanied by my brand new wardrobe. It took three trips to the car (each) for us to lug everything into the house, and let me tell you this: I was not in the best of moods.

As soon as the front door closed, I made like mad for the stairs, but just as I neared the first step my mother's voice floated to me from the living room.

"Ezmerelda? Dear, aren't you going to show your father what we got?"

I grimaced. Every time we went shopping this happened. Every time! I could never escape to my room and my long for solitude after a long afternoon with my mother. Afterwards she would always insist that I put on every piece of clothing that was bought and parade around the living room to show it off. Images of America's Next Top Model raced through my mind and I fought off a shiver.

I dragged my feet into the family room and observed the scene before me. My dad was sitting in his usual leather chair in the corner. The television was on, and he looked engrossed, his eyes never straying from some sports talk show. I knew that he could care less if I showed him what I bought today. Each time that I did what mom asked me to, I would stand in front of him looking slightly uncomfortable…okay more than slightly uncomfortable, and he would say, " That's nice, sweetheart."

I knew it was all show for my mother, so she could "ohhh" and "ahhhh" at the fabulous fashion choices that she had made that afternoon. But why did her excitement always have to come at my expense?

"Mom, I really don't think that Dad cares what we got." I snuck a glance over at him, and sure enough, he didn't even glance in our direction.

"Nonsense, he cares very much. Don't you, David?" My mother looked expectantly over at him and waited a few seconds. With no sign of movement, she started to get impatient. "David!"

My dad looked innocently at her, as if he was just aware of her being in the room with him. "What was that, Laura?"

She looked a bit irksome as she repeated, "Don't you want to see what we got Ezzie today at the mall?"

Dad looked at me and took in my expression. Making my eyes wide, I silently pleaded with him to say no, to save me from any more torture. I shifted my weight from one leg to the other, trying to look impatient to leave. As luck would have it, it didn't work.

"Yea, sure. Why don't you go show me what you got?" He stared at me for a second, then looked guiltily back at my mother. I turned and angrily exited from the room. What a traitor. He's just doing this to get on Mom's good side.

As I reached the top of the stairs, again, I heard my mom calling me, "And don't forget to put on the shoes!"

I quickly entered my room and shut the door behind me, eager to get this through as soon as possible. As always, the room was as neat as ever. One thing about me, I can't stand a mess, no matter how small it is. The room was painted modestly, with ivory walls and a light blue trim. My desk took up one corner of the room, and my bed the other. I had shelves lining the wall documenting my childhood up until now: Me on the beach with Anna and Brian, family vacations at the Grand Canyon, and lots of pictures of me and Emily.

I can't even remember a time when Emily and I weren't best friends. Her mother was pregnant at the same time as mine, and they only lived a neighborhood over, so naturally they were invited to the same parties. Emily and I had been in the same class since pre-school, and had been inseparable ever since. Until now, that is. Emily and her family moved a month ago, leaving me to attend Richardson by myself. I felt bad for being so selfish. But I wanted my best friend with me, especially at this crucial point in my life. But I didn't want to think about that right now.

Reluctantly, I opened the bag full of clothes, and put on the first outfit I found. It was a red and white polka dot top with a flowing black skirt, the kind that little girls like to spin with just so they can see it twirl around them. By the way, I was never one of those little girls.

I put on the outfit and decided right away (for the second time that day) that I could never wear this to school. The resemblance to Minnie Mouse was just too powerful. But for now, I would humor my mother and show her the outfit.

When I walked into the living room I found my mom waiting expectantly on the couch, sitting on the edge of her seat in anticipation. My dad hadn't even noticed that I was back.

From there, I went through the normal routine: walking around in a circle, standing where directed, and letting my mom inspect me entirely. I let my father make his usual comment and went back upstairs to go through the process again. I kept going until I got to the last outfit, but when I went downstairs, Anna was sitting next to Mom.

When she saw me coming, she stood up and spun me around. "Oh, Ezzie, you just look gorgeous! Did you pick this out by yourself?" She looked exited, as if realizing that she finally had a sister to shop with.

"Sorry to disappoint you ,sis, but this was chosen by our dear mother." I felt a little guilty being so sarcastic, because I knew that all mom wanted was for me to look good and to have fun. But I couldn't resist the occasional poke in her direction.

Anna looked slightly crestfallen, but regained her composure quickly. " Okay, Ezzie, why don't you go get changed and come back downstairs? I have some big news to share with you guys."

I nervously glanced at my mom, trying to decipher if she knew anything. From the expression on her face, she didn't. My dad was still sitting in his chair, unmoving. I looked at my sister, who had sat back down again. "Alright, I'll be right back."

Quickly, I ran upstairs and changed into a pair of sweatpants and a baggy T-shirt. I ran my fingers through my hair but they quickly got tangled. There was no use doing anything there. I jogged back down the steps and plopped myself down on a chair facing the couch. But sitting there for just a second, I realized someone was missing.

"Wait, where's Brian?"

As if someone had suddenly pulled him into the conversation, my dad looked over at me and answered. "He's spending the night at Mike's. They had a game earlier and wanted to keep on celebrating, I guess." He looked proud, as he always did when Brian entered a conversation. It got quite annoying after a while.

Turning away from my father, I looked at Anna, ready for her news. "Okay, hit me with your best shot."

She suddenly stood up and started walking around the room. I knew this behavior, as I had witnessed it quite frequently. She was nervous, and she was trying to convince herself to spit out whatever it is she needed to say. "Okay, well what you need to understand is that I am an adult. I'm 19 years old and I have my own apartment. It's not much but it'll be okay for the time being. As for everything else I will handle it when it comes."

She had all of our full attention now. My dad turned off the television, and my mother started tapping her foot, something she always does when she is anxious. I went over and stood next to Anna. "Hey, just say it. We won't think any less of you, I promise."

She looked gratefully at me, took a deep breath, and blurted it out, " I'm getting married."