Today, as my step mom drove me home from school, my 6 siblings and I were asked what we wanted for Christmas. Used to penniless Christmases I shrugged and answered "whatever." My step mom then turned to ask my younger step sister, Avery, who sat in the front what she wanted.
"Ugg Boots." She replied, scrunching up her nose as she pulled a strand of beautiful blonde hair behind her ear so you could see more of her perfect, angelic face.
"Well," my step mom began, "is it ok if they just LOOK like Ugg boots?"
"NO!" Avery quickly snapped, crossing her arms.
"But I'm not going to spend $150 on boots you'll grow out of in just a few months." (Note: Avery's feet haven't grown in 2 years--she's an ancient Chinese goddess.)
"Everyone will make fun of me for being cheap!"
It was all I could do to keep my mouth shut as their arguement progressed. How could my step sister have the arrogant odacity to complain because what she was getting was practically identical in every aspect to what she wanted BUT the price tag and the name brand?
I, who had lived off red beans and rice at my mother's for a year, who had paid over $90 in generic groceries BEFORE I was 13 so my mom and grandparents could continue to pay loans on their car and 2 bedroom house that provided shelter for the 5 of us (9 on holidays) after my mom's car got reposessed, was horror-struck that because my step sister was so spoiled as to complain she couldn't have what she wanted once in her life.
I've nursed my mother through every break up, screw up, and fallout she's had since I was 6. At 9, I felt like I had every responsibilty of an 18-year-old on my shoulders. At 11 I shared a room with my mother's fiance at the time's daughter. I love her like a mother and would never trade meeting her and getting to know her for my life.
Not long before I turned 12 I discovered something about myself that I still can't share with anyone. And my room mate, who had practically raised me, was left in the dark like everyone else.
My 12th birthday party was amazing. Someof my best guy friends (seeing as I didn't know many girls) came over. We played DDR for what seemed like forever until we crashed on the couch, opening presents.
Not long after my part my mom and her fiance broke up. The artist you know as Firekitten1014 and I were forbidden to talk. After 3 days of crying we reconnected and talked anyway.
My mom moved in with her parents, got a job, got a car, and it looked like things were finally turning around until the company she worked for went bankrupt and her car got reposed.
I stopped taking Japanese, started buying groceries, and in time grew accustomed to my life.
Since then i've gained weight, butched my hair, and done a lot of things I'm not proud of. I, as they say, 'let it go.'
My story isn't the worst and it's not the best. Compared to some it's fairy-tale worthy. But, all in all, it's been my life.
In a nutshell.