Budget*
Powder tried to stay asleep. She tried to hold on and dream of waking up in the other world, as though she could tether herself to that place a while longer. Yet when she woke up the next day, she was disappointed by the sight of the cracks in her ceiling.
It was her boring, real room.
She groaned in frustration, throwing the covers over her head. But a moment later, she changed her mind as she jumped out of bed and looked to the spot she had laid the carrot.
It was gone.
With an excited heartbeat, Powder ran down the staircase in her pajamas and slid on her socks to the little door in the drawing room. She hadn't seen anyone else in the house awake yet.
Maybe she was still dreaming? Maybe she could open the door and find the tunnel?
Powder pulled on the door frame, but her fingers slipped from the wood. Perplexed, Powder pulled at it again, with both hands, but the door was stuck, tight. It was locked.
Powder frowned.
When had it been locked? Who locked it?
…
Soon enough, the rest of her family showed up, weaving around each other as they ate breakfast and got dressed and brushed their teeth. And not necessarily in that order.
It was Friday, shopping day.
Vi had planned to drive the four of them into town to get their school things. Mylo and Claggor would meet Ekko there and get picked up by Benzo.
Mylo had woken up the latest. He raced to comb his hair and finish his breakfast and hurried out the kitchen door, but to his dismay, Claggor was already standing in the driveway, leaning beside the passenger door of the truck, his arms crossed.
With a smirk, Claggor opened the door and lowered the backrest of the passenger seat for Mylo to climb into the backseat. With a huff, Mylo contorted himself to climb in, wincing only a little as his elbows and knees hit things inside the truck.
Powder thought she would also have to climb in the back, but without waiting, Claggor squeezed in after Mylo and pulled the backrest upright into place. He patted the shoulder of the passenger seat, smiling at Powder.
Powder found the courage to grin a little and climbed aboard.
…
The town looked the same as it did on their first day. A small park was in the center of town. Old, brick, antique shops lined the streets. Green streetlamps had flags with 'Shakespeare Festival' printed on them. What that meant, Powder had no clue.
Vi was very focused and careful as she made turns on the streets, further into town, trying to recall where she was going.
Bored, Powder spoke aloud about her escapades to the other world.
"There were garden squash shaped like balloon animals! And snapdragons! Oh, and upstairs, I saw a real bunny circus! Not pretend like the crazy man's in our house."
Her brothers had been good listeners up until this point, which was interesting.
In the backseat, Mylo cleared his throat and asked, "Say, Powder… these dreams you're having? Are they scary?"
Powder blinked. "No. Why?"
"Nothing, just…" Mylo seemed unnaturally hesitant, almost embarrassed. "They sound a bit scary to me. I… I didn't scare you too much, right?"
Powder had to think a bit before she remembered the incident with the gorilla mask on the day they moved in. Before she could answer him, Vi pulled the truck into a parking space along the street of the shopping strip.
"You guys go have fun," she said, ushering them out.
Mylo didn't add anything more. Powder climbed out to lower her seat. Then he climbed out with Claggor. He didn't stay to speak more.
Powder silently climbed back into the truck, closing her door.
Vi looked to Powder. "Sorry, what were you saying? Your dream?"
Powder glanced out the window at Mylo talking with Claggor on the sidewalk, but she decided to let it drop.
"I think the man upstairs is a drug dealer," Powder complained.
"Hey, not nice, Powder," Vi warned.
"I'm just saying he smells weird! And he thinks he's training animals in a circus. I didn't see anything in his flat," said Powder.
"You don't know what he's going through," Vi said, "He might be schizophrenic, but perfectly normal. You just don't know. I think you're a little young to be making judgments like that."
Powder bit her lip before she could say, "You used to say stuff like that to the bullies at school. What happened?"
She looked out the window as Ekko approached around the corner of the sidewalk. Mylo and Claggor walked up to Ekko, high-fiving him. They seemed excited, talking and joking already, despite the age difference.
Powder slouched lower in her seat. Vi glanced at her.
"When are you going to talk to him again?" Vi asked.
Powder scowled, "He's not my friend."
"But you can be nice to him."
Vi saw the three of them waving goodbye to the truck and she waved back. Powder didn't rise from her hiding place.
After the boys walked away, Vi glanced at Powder's sullen face and tapped her shoulder.
"Hey," she said.
"What?" Powder groaned, tiredly.
Vi smirked. "Wanna go get those flowers, now?" she asked, jangling her keys.
Powder immediately brightened like a daisy catching sunlight, even though the sky still looked as gray and rainy as ever.
"I drove through here the other day. When I was at the library, I saw they had a video section," Vi chuckled.
Powder's smile got bigger. "Really?"
Vi nodded. "I thought we could maybe rent a couple movies and have a marathon this weekend, since we'll have the house to ourselves and all."
Violet suddenly blinked like she forgot something. Before the boys could walk too far away, Vi quickly rolled down her window and honked the horn. Everyone within fifty feet turned and stared at them. The boys looked flabbergasted at their big sister.
She called to them on the sidewalk, "Don't forget to buy your uniforms!"
Mylo and Claggor's ears turned red in acknowledgement before disappearing in the crowd. Ekko just grinned and gave a thumbs up before running to catch up to them.
Powder pulled on Vi's arm. "Come on! Let's go!"
"Okay! I'm coming!" Vi laughed, unbuckling. "But you and I have to get our uniforms first!"
…
They walked a short distance until they entered a store with a bell on the door called 'Linden's School Uniforms', with a logo of a boy and girl in uniforms on the window, hand drawn as though by a kindergartener. A canvas sign above a long row of clothes said, 'President's Day Blowout! All school uniforms ½ price!'
Vi was riffling through a rack, trying to find Powder's size. She already had to buy white socks, navy blue school shorts, four gray blouses, and a dark gray skirt. The longer it took, the more Powder resented the smiles on the logo's children faces.
She was starting to lose her enthusiasm when she saw a pair of dayglow green gloves that she liked a lot. The price tag was much more expensive than the other plain gloves beside it. $25.
Taking a tailor's stool, Powder tried getting Vi's attention by riding around on it, wearing the gloves and waving her hands. But without even looking up, Vi refused.
"Put them back," said Vi.
"But Violet!" Powder argued, "That whole school is gonna wear boring, gray clothes! No one will have these!"
Vi surreptitiously thumbed a few bills in her hand, counting under her breath, but she still shook her head. "Right now, it's gloves or flowers, Powder. And it's gonna take a lot to fill the whole garden."
Pouting her lip, Powder crossed her arms, muttering, "My other mother would get them."
Vi remarked casually, "Maybe she should buy all of our clothes," without looking up from their school shopping list.
With a sigh, Powder begrudgingly put the gloves back where she found them.
She followed Vi around, this way and that way, but her sister continued to ignore her. She was talking to the shop assistant. They were talking about which kind of sweater to get for Powder and were agreeing the best thing to do would be to get the one that was embarrassingly large and baggy, in the hopes that one day, she might grow into it.
But when Powder finally thought the worst was over, her day just got so much worse.
…
It started off well. They went to the public library and Powder got to choose the DVDs of 'Back To The Future' and the 'Firefly' series. Then they drove to the flower shop on the corner street.
"So what colors were you thinking?" Vi asked, pushing the flower cart in front of the tulips.
"I thought about red."
"Flowers or bulbs?"
"Hmm… both."
Vi smiled and nodded.
As the sisters were loading dozens of red tulips into the cart, a voice called out, "Vi?"
Powder and Vi turned around and saw a teenage girl waving at them. Powder immediately noticed the girl was about the same age as Vi. Her hair was long, dark blue. She wore a white, summery blouse and suspenders that held up jean shorts.
"Oh, hey!" Vi called back, enthusiastically, waving her arm.
Powder looked up at Vi and saw her sister smiling. Vi never smiled for strangers.
"Fancy seeing you here," Vi said as the girl approached.
"Just picking up my uniform. My dad would've killed me if I forgot," she said.
Vi laughed, "Us too."
Powder was also surprised to hear the girl's British accent.
The girl eyed the cart in front of them, "What? No violets?" she teased, turquoise eyes flashing.
Vi laughed, rubbing a hand behind her head.
Powder stared at her big sister incredulously.
First name basis already? Was Vi blushing? Seriously? Over this girl?
Powder coughed pointedly.
Vi blinked. "Oh, right. Caitlyn, this is Powder, my little sister."
Caitlyn smiled and waved. "Hi! It's nice to meet you. I heard so much about you."
Powder eyed the hand Caitlyn held out for a handshake, but Powder didn't take it. Vi laughed a little more forcefully and squeezed her hands on Powder's shoulders.
"Did, uh, did the notes help?" Caitlyn asked, looking to Vi again.
Vi looked relieved to have something to talk about. "Oh, yes! They helped a lot!"
Caitlyn blushed a bit. "I'm glad. Mr. Heimerdinger tends to grade harsher on essay questions. Just try to be thorough."
"I will, thanks," Vi nodded.
"Well… see you later?" Caitlyn asked, timidly.
"Right! See you soon," Vi replied, biting her lip nervously.
Powder rolled her eyes as Vi continued to watch her leave. By the time Caitlyn was gone, only then did Vi see that Powder was glaring at her.
"What was that?" she asked.
Vi couldn't quite look her sister in the eye. "I, uh… I meant to tell you sooner about Caitlyn. I just didn't want Mylo and Claggor badgering me with questions yet," Vi said gently, waiting for a response.
When Powder gave her the silent treatment, Vi took a breath and sighed. They didn't talk as they went to exit the store.
Even at the checkout counter, Powder coldly stared at the flowers in the cart. The pit in her stomach didn't go away, even as they loaded the flowers in the truck and drove away toward home.
…
Powder rested her chin in her hand, looking outside the window. After a while, Vi's smile from encountering Caitlyn faded. The rain started to pour down, so Vi turned on the windshield wipers. The swishing accompanied the drizzling rainfall.
"So, what do you think is in the other apartment?" Powder asked after a long pause.
"I don't know." Vi shrugged with a deep sigh. "Not Mom and Dad imposters."
"Then why did you lock the door?" Powder snipped.
There was a slight pause as Vi pulled up to a stop sign and watched for oncoming cars. Then Vi replied, "I found some animal crap and… I thought you'd feel safer."
So, it had been Vi after all!
"They're circus bunnies, Vi! And the dreams aren't dangerous. They're the most fun I've had since we've moved here!" Powder huffed, still looking outside the window.
Vi waited a beat before trying to suggest, "Your school might be fun."
"With those stupid uniforms?!" Powder scoffed, rolling her eyes, and scowling bitterly out the window. "Right."
Powder could almost hear the sigh in Vi's voice without having to look at her. "Had to give it a try."
Vi's smile faded as she glanced at her sister.
"Speaking of…"
Powder had a sinking feeling in her gut, even before Vi continued.
"I'm sorry, Powder, but I totally forgot until I saw Caitlyn… I… won't be able to watch the marathon with you, tonight…" Vi said, slowly.
Powder's heart dropped.
"What?!" she exclaimed, "But… it's our favorite! You said –!"
"I know what I said," Vi cut across her, trying to explain, "but some things have come up and I… I thought we could have the marathon tomorrow instead."
Powder had a feeling her sister wasn't talking about schoolwork.
"Is this about that girl, Caitlyn?" she asked, crossing her arms.
There was a telling pause as Vi took an inhale.
"Well, Caitlyn has been helping me study at the library. When we met, we realized we were both in Mr. Heimerdinger's class. She invited me to watch a soccer game and… I want to be there for her," Vi admitted with a shrug.
"But why?" Powder asked, her voice cutting rather rudely.
Vi held back a surprised wince, her grip tightening self-consciously on the steering wheel for a moment.
She replied calmly, turning the truck down a fork in the road, but her voice sounded… hurt, almost; "Because…" she sighed, heavily, "Powder, I know I didn't say it before, but the truth is… it's always been really hard for me to make friends. And with the whole move and all… I just… For once, I want this time to work out. I want us to have a better life, here. Leave my bad reputation behind, you know? A fresh start. School, friends, maybe even college someday…"
Powder was quiet. Vi was being serious. There was a glimmer in her eye as she mentioned college. Powder hadn't seen it shine so bright before.
It hurt.
"Besides, I technically promised Caitlyn first, so…" Vi added, side glancing at her. When Powder didn't answer, Vi tried to brighten the mood. "I promise you and I can watch the marathon tomorrow or another time anyway."
Powder's expression only soured. She glowered at the dash. That black pit in her stomach seemed to grow.
"You get a new car; you're making new friends, … it's not like you. You don't want to hang out with me anymore!" she spat.
Vi shook her head in confusion, glancing between her sister and the road ahead. "I never said that."
"But you did," Powder shot back, "I heard you talking with Vander."
"When?"
"At breakfast! I saw you on the lawn!"
Vi's eyes widened for a second, then her face fell. "That's… That's different, Powder."
But Powder wasn't listening. She took her response as guilt and bulldozed over her, "Ever since we moved it's like you forget about everything else!"
"Excuse me?" Vi blinked and looked at her in shock.
Powder rolled her eyes. "You're the favorite and everyone knows it."
"Wait – what 'favorite'?!" Violet blanched, pulling the truck to a rather abrupt stop in the driveway.
"Vander's favorite!" Powder snapped, jumping out the of truck as soon as it stopped. "All you do is hang out with him! Or with Mylo! Or with Claggor! Or with stupid Caitlyn!" she shouted before slamming her door shut and stomping off toward the house.
Mouth agape, Vi put the truck in park and stepped out.
"Maybe because I'm pulling my own weight around here!" Vi called bitterly as she too threw her door shut with a slam.
Powder ignored her, stomping across the lawn.
Vi circled around the hood of the car, following her sister across the lawn. "We can't afford to be kids like you forever, Powder. Some of us are trying to put food on the table!"
"Yet you can make time for a stranger and not your own sister? No, wait. That does sounds like you. The new you I don't know anymore!" Powder spat over her shoulder as she stomped up the porch steps, into the house, leaving the front door thrown open.
Trying to catch up to her, Vi climbed up the porch steps, taking a deep breath, calling into the house after her, "I didn't change, Powder! I just didn't think I was obligated to spend the rest of my life at home!"
Before the door could slam closed into her face, Vi forced it open. By the time she entered the house, she found Powder climbing halfway up the staircase, glaring down at Vi in the foyer.
"Well, if you cared about us, then you would! When it's our family, yes, you do!" she shouted.
Vi clawed at her head. Something burst in her chest that exploded before Powder was done talking.
"GOD! Not everything has to be about you!" Vi suddenly snapped, her fist hitting a wall, "I want to have my own life! Is that such a crime?!"
Powder made a small sound, stepping back from the railing. Her face was blank. Vi's eyes went wide, her face pale.
"Powder… I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it like that –"
Without a word, Powder turned and ran up the rest of the stairs, her face red.
"Wait! Powder!" Vi called after her.
On the second floor, she heard a door slam shut, leaving the house silent.
Vi closed her eyes and sighed heavily, putting a hand to her head. She turned her back to the stairs and dropped down to sit on the bottom step. She didn't move for a long time, hanging her head in her hands, leaning beside the banister.
She felt her face flush and her eyes burn. And her shoulders heavy. Heavier than ever.
Mom… what would you do?
