I went to the breakfast table it was 9 am in the morning, Taylor and aunt sara were having breakfast with butter and bread, I have to go to my friend's birthday in a few hours, but I really need this ripped dress fixed before I go to my friend's birthday, and I don't know how to sew.

'Aunt Sara? ...Can you sew this for me?'

From her face expression she looked irritated 'what is this?' she asked gesturing to the piece of cloth in my hand.

''it's a dress''

''do you see someone free here with a sewing machine, huh?'' aunt sara said in a scolding tone. '' guests are coming and mike has everybody on our toes' she said as she pours a cup of tea. She looked at me forgetting I was even standing here ''go away''

I went right when she told me to. Guess I have to try sewing it myself. It can't be that hard. I started taking the thread and a needle and started sewing in the living room, while Taylor was studying in the other room. Kylie came in the room, having a face mask on her face. Kylie. Austin's younger sister

''so, you'll were this'' she actually smelled the dress ''ugh this stink like phenyl''

''ally?'' I look up to see Taylor

''I have a dress that you can wear''

''no, no its fine'' continuing to sew the dress

''it's better than this if you don't like it, you can return it to me'' Taylor said glaring at kylie. kylie rolled her eyes and left. ''in fact, you will like it, the one I wore at the dinner party last week?''

''that one is so beautiful''

''so, you wanted a dirty one?'' she said sarcastically

''but...aunt sara?''

Her phone suddenly rang

''don't worry I'll handle it'' she said as she answered the call.

Few hours later I was in my grandma's room, I was all ready. I looked at the mirror to see my reflection, this dress is so beautiful. It was dark forest velvet green color with pink flowers decorated at the bottom of the dress, I never had a dress like this before, I smiled brightly. Grandma came out of the bathroom.

''why are you all decked up as a bride? Help me get to the bed''

''what's wrong grandma?'' I said helping her get to the bed

''my leg hurts, isn't mike back yet?''

''he is with the guests. There is a proposal for kylie''

''so will he feed his guests the same things on his mother's funeral and daughter's wedding?'' (Note the sarcasm)

''no, no grandma why don't you lay down''

''oh god, why don't you call him fast or I might not live'' I think she must've forgotten to take her vitamin-d

''no, no I'll call him. I'll call him''

I quickly went downstairs and rushed to the dining room to call uncle mike but as I reached the room, I saw all the guests staring at me. They must be here for kylie's proposal.

''wow. Is this kylie?' one of the guests asked

Oh no,

''no, kylie is coming with her mom. What are you doing here?' uncle mike said

''grandma is feeling very sick''

''we'll be back in a moment''

How can I just forget the guests were supposed to be sitting here

I quickly went out of the room, as uncle mike came behind me. Aunt Mimi yanked me by my arm. ''come here. Why did you go in? What was she doing inside?' aunt Mimi asked uncle mike.

''you take kylie inside. I'm coming' Aunt Mimi was glaring at me and I can tell I'm going to be in a big trouble later. She and kylie went to the guests.

'''why did you come inside? You could've sent Liam. Why did you have to create a drama by coming there yourself?'

''h-he's not here. He went outside''

He sighs. He took his wallet out of his pocket and started taking some money out

''here takes this money. Bring mom's medicine from the shop at the corner, she'll be fine, it's mom's habit. She makes a mountain out of nothing'' he muttered handing me his money

''go and don't go from here. Take the other door''

Later I went outside finding the closest pharmacy to the house. Apparently, they don't have the medicine I was looking for. The shopkeeper said I can find it from the main market, I don't even know where that place so I went outside the pharmacy and called for the taxi; I asked the driver if he knows a place main market, luckily, he knew. I hope I can also get the medicine there. while I was taking the money out to give some to the driver. The wind blew and all the money I had fell from the window. Why does this have to happen to me, I should've been more careful. Now I'm empty handed. I had to go straight home.

When I came home everyone except for grandma was there. And I guess the guests left.

''where were you?'' uncle mike asked ''I sent you to the corner shop''

''I couldn't find the medicine there so I went to the main market''

''give me the medicine'' uncle mike said impatiently

''I-I don't have it''

''what do you mean?''

''I dropped the money''

''oh, come on'' uncle mike frustrated because of me

''you dropped the money? Or did you steal them?' aunt Mimi scoffed 'Now I get it. You needed money to give a birthday present to your friend''

All eyes were on me

''no, aunt. Grandma gave me a present for it already, why would I do that?'

''if the money fell down, how did you come back?''

''I-I came back from a taxi''

''taxi? Are you listening mike? And that driver dropped you without any... payment?'

''I didn't '' tear were forming from my eyes

''so, you didn't pay the driver, why did he drop you then?'' uncle mike asked in a scolding tone

''he didn't take me anywhere else... he's waiting outside. I didn't pay him''

''great'' uncle mike said

''why didn't you tell me earlier, dear? I'll just go pay him'' uncle Liam said. Uncle Liam got up and went outside to pay the driver.

''let the poor girl be, you didn't go yourself when she did, you've started investigating her'' grandma said from the other room

''go, go to your grandma''

I was quickly went upstairs to grandma's room to see grandma on her bed

''are you okay grandma?'' I asked worriedly

''I had this medicine in the cupboard.'' she sighs 'I'm getting old I forget things. Liam gave me the medicine and I'm fine now''

I relaxed until my phone rang... and it's from Kira. I can't. I already ruined everything and I already ruined the dress and it was Taylor's. Besides after what happened they won't allow me to go and I'm already late for the party.

I sigh

''grandma, this is Kira. Please tell her I'm not coming''

''why can't you go, you have to, and now why are you crying?'' she said in a very soft tone 'You have never been invited to go anywhere before. Come on now, I'll give you my jewels and I'll tell Liam to drop you off, now wash up and get ready.'

I slowly nodded

I washed up, and got ready. This time. Again. I got another dress, one of grandma's. It was a simple summer yellow dress with blouses. It wasn't really that fancy and I'm not looking forward for it much and this dress is perfect.

I came out of the bathroom. ''it looks great. If you put a common pin, then it will fit you well' I did what grandma told. I put a small pin behind my back to make it a little less loose. I looked myself in a mirror and put on grandma's earrings, after I was done with the jewels I reached out for my purse and I was ready.

''now go ask Liam, he'll drop you off''

''alright, I'm going. Bye grandma''

''bye''

I went downstairs to go to uncle Liam. ''Taylor where is uncle Liam?''

''dad's in uncle mike's room''

''oh okay''

I went back upstairs to uncle mike's room. I knocked on his door lightly and took a few steps back. I don't want them to think I'm eavesdropping. I waited for a few seconds and went back to knock but right when I was going to, uncle mike opened the door.

''what are you doing here?'' uncle mike asked

Uncle Liam and aunt sara were also in the room

''the same habit that she has since childhood, she must be eavesdropping'' aunt Mimi said

''no, it's just that uncle Liam has to drop me to my friend's house''

''you're not going anywhere.'' I got startled by the tone of his voice' When I said no why are you repeating it again. Now go to your room and don't let me see you again. Go!'

I quickly went back to my room. I knew this was a bad idea. It was already a bad idea in the first place. Why did I even think I could go to my friend's birthday party. The idea of me going to a party was impossible to even happen. How can I forget this. I should've thought about it clearly earlier.

The next day

Elliot was dropping off to my house. I went to Kira's house earlier and told her everything. Anyways. Elliot was driving the car was in complete silence. I don't like silence, I mean I do but not this type of silence where it feels awkward or something is wrong, maybe there is something wrong. Maybe I did something wrong. Did I say something to him? He's not usually this silent. And I can tell by his face that something is definitely wrong.

''what is it?'' he asked

I didn't say anything

''weren't you going to say something?''

''you weren't saying anything either''

''I'm upset'' I can tell

''why?''

''you shouldn't have gone in front of those guests'' does he really think that

''you also think I went deliberately''

''ally I didn't like it''

''...sorry''

''ally I really didn't like it because they thought of you that way''

I didn't say anything again

''now what's wrong?'' he asked

''I cannot understand you Elliot...sometimes you're so gracious and so loving and then in front of them in front of everyone in the house, you ignore me...You become a stranger. As if you don't even know me. My heart breaks. Why do you do this? Why can't you be like this all the time?'

He's silent and looks irritated, I think maybe frustrated too.'...did I say something wrong?' He parked at the corner of the road. He looked at the window for a few seconds then looked at me

''ally that isn't my house, it's someone else's. Do you have any idea, any idea how difficult my life is? What do you think? I should keep stealing glances at you? Should I keep holding your hand?'

''I didn't say this''

''but isn't that what you meant; this is what you want. your heart breaks on very small things and then you have questions, I have more problems in my life man. You won't cry, if you wanna cry then you can get out of the car''

''n-no. I'm not crying. I'm not crying' trying to hold back my tears.

We didn't say anything for the rest of the ride but we stopped at a café. I wasn't supposed to be here. We already went inside and ordered

''why did you bring me here?''

''you were upset with me, so in order to appease you I brought you here.

''I'm not happy with this betrayal''

''what betrayal?''

''you, if it's not betrayal then what is it? The matter which we can't tell anyone, that we have to hide it, it can't be good, right?'

''there is a time for everything,' he said putting a hand on mine but I slowly removed my hand.

''don't ever talk to me by touching me''

''ally, what's with you? ''

''what if somebody saw us?''

''ally look around, who will see?''

''bad luck is always hovering around...what if it came between us, then?''

''are we here to talk about these things?''

''so, for what talks are we here for?''

''good things, for the times we don't get any chance'' romance, flirty talks

''I don't know how to talk such things''

''but you can. I was thinking how can there be a girl who looks so beautiful while crying but just once if she laughs freely, then what would happen''

''do you like me when I'm crying?''

''I want you to keep crying, so that I shall keep on looking at you'' what is he saying

''we can't see our loved ones crying''

''alright then. Let me close my eyes. You can cry''

What he said was so ridiculous that I suddenly chuckled. But then I also remember that we're here. In public. My smile dropped

''Elliot, I'm not easy here, I want to leave from here''

''why aren't you easy I'm here with you I-...'' he looked behind me, what's behind me. He started covering his face from his hands

''what?'' I looked back. Where was he looking at? I didn't see anyone I knew of. I looked back at him.

''what happened?'' I asked concerned

''uh actually they are my friends my neighbors''

I looked back again to see

''don't look behind, look forward''

I looked at him concerned. He started taking money out of his wallet and gave one to me

''keep this'' he started getting up from his chair ''sit here''

''how will I-

''sit here, don't be a fool ally, they are sitting beside the door, I cannot take you with me in front of them. Pay the bill, I'm leaving. You also leave in a while, okay?'

''how will-

He already left. What was all that? Why did he leave me, alone? How am I going to get home? I'll just walk home. No big deal.

Later

I did reach home and it was a long walk. It feels like I did hours of exercise but I just walk. It's not like I was doing barbell. I was putting clothes to grandma's wardrobe, trying to get my mind off of what happened at the café. I was feeling uneasy there but suddenly it felt more like Elliot was feeling uneasy.

''where's your new clothes that I bought you, have you lost it?''

''no grandma, actually its in aunt Mimi's room''

''alright then go and bring it''

''I'll bring it'' I said putting the folded clothes to the wardrobe

''no, go and bring it now''

''no grandma not right now''

''why not?''

''...actually, aunt told me not to come to her room. She is having an important discussion with aunt sara''

''yes, now the matter got exposed, what important discussion she needs to do? For sure she is provoking someone against me, come on quickly go''

''grandma I'm not a child anymore'' I whined

''please leave it''

''oh dear they must be making a plan against me in order to sell''

''no grandma that's not the matter and then who will buy you'' I giggled

''see I know. You know something, quickly tell me''

''no, no its nothing''

''swear upon my life''

I sigh

''they're talking something about kylie's proposal''

''yes, now I got to know, they are doing everything secretly. Do they think that I will not get to know anything? Will the groom's family come secretly from the back door? What do they think of themselves''

''this is what I'm saying, why are you getting so angry? There is no need to dig in the matter, we will get to know once the matter comes in front us''

''we will get to know to once the matter comes in front of us, after all I'm the eldest member of this family. They didn't ask for my suggestion or took my permission. Alright then let mike come today. I will talk to him. yes''

''no grandma, don't tell him anything otherwise I will get scolded''

Grandma looked at me seriously

''please?''

At night

Grandma was ready and sitting on the couch. The guests already came and were sitting downstairs, I'm not allowed to got to the guests this time since what happened last time. Aunt Mimi came to the room

''um you're still sitting like this''

Grandma put one leg on the couch 'now I'm sitting like this, happy now?' I tried not to laugh at grandma's comment

''the guest are here and they're waiting for you''

''guest? Which guests? The guests had to come? But nobody told me''

Aunt Mimi looked straight at me and I got scared

''grandma I told you they came for kylie''

''oh ok, okay those guests, yes you go, meet them, what's my work there? You and your daughter should take care of it''

''um you are my mother-in-law and her grandma; I mean you're the eldest of this family''

''really so I'm the mother-in-law, grandma and the eldest of this family the why am informed at the last moment? There is something called suggestion, or permission, right? I won't go''

''they're asking about you''

''tell them I'm not home''

''um I've told them your upstairs''

''tell them I'm busy''

''please this is not the right time to fight. please''

''wow, now I'm the one who is fighting, I'm fighting, right?''

''ally help me up, let me see, what sort of VIP guests they are''

''but um ally won't go''

''hmm...ally won't go, how come ally go, right? ...Stay here my child. Let me go and see''

Grandma left and aunt Mimi once again told me to stay inside

I sigh, feeling exhausted. I really need to lay down in peace until

...Elliot called, I sigh once again and answered

''ally, why weren't you picking up the phone? I've been calling you for so long, do you have any idea how much I was worried''

''why?''

''what do you mean why? Had you reached safely home?'

''this question doesn't suits on people who leave in between the way''

''I see your taunts have started? Don't you ever understand anyone's compulsion?'

''my dad also left me the same way in between strangers, he left'' I started crying ''I haven't recovered from that moment till date, I can still hear his stories till date and today you did even worse than he did, do you even know how I reached home?''

'' I made a mistake by calling you to inquire about you, your past never ends ''

''then drop the call, disconnect it, why do you put yourself into trouble?''

I quickly hung up, not wanting to talk to him anymore. I need to get my mind off, I need to get some sleep.

Few hours later

I heard that kylie got rejected again instead they guests asked for Taylor. Taylor was not the type of person who would just leave her studies and get married but kylie would do anything to get rid of studying. No wonder the proposals were coming only for kylie but kylie is too young to get married, she's a year younger than me and I'm seventeen.

I suddenly heard loud noises from kylie's room. I ran to her room to see Taylor standing at her door frame, the must've had another fight but kylie's palm been cut. A deep cut, I quickly ran back to get the medical kit and then came back to her room. Why would kylie do this to herself? I was putting the medicine and the bandage. Right when I was done, aunt Mimi pulled me by my hair and started hitting me.

''aunt I haven't done anything'' Taylor pulled me away from aunt ''she hasn't done anything''

''she did everything even unintentionally she does everything!''

''this is not the matter aunt she didn't do anything'' Taylor said. Uncle mike came into the room.

''what's happening? What is happening here?'

''uncle I don't know why aunt is beating me I haven't done anything''

''okay move aside''

''I will kill her, I will'' aunt Mimi started yanking me by my arm, started chocking me, uncle mike and Taylor put a distance between us. ''have you gone mad!?''

''yes. I've gone mad, I've gone crazy! I won't let her stay alive; I will kill her!''

''aunt why don't you come with me, to my room, we'll talk'' Taylor managed to take aunt Mimi to her room to cool down. Why does this always have to happen, I should've stayed in my room. Everything was coming back to me. The times when I was a kid and the punishments I used to get. I haven't done anything.

I don't know what she sees in me that makes her blood boil. I always used to wonder that what did I ever do.