Pest

11/16/2016

Dear Diary,

Today will be the day I finally address the family problem, and finally confront that sorry excuse for what that "life" is. I have to be the one who takes control since my parents are clearly nothing but doormats. I have to stand up for them because they can't stand up for themselves toward anyone. Especially if it's someone in the family. I don't know where things went wrong, but I have no problem with a subtle confrontation. Today's the day.

As soon as I finished writing, the smell of chicken and rice had entered my bedroom and into my nostrils. A soft knock was at my door, notifying me that dinner was ready. My father had sat at the head of the table and had my mother sitting in the chair to his right. I sat across from my mother, but we were only missing one person; my younger sister.

My mother turns her head over her left shoulder and suddenly gets up from the table. She starts to knock on the door five feet behind her. "Destiny?" she called out. The door swung open and a loud voice shouted, "What?! Quit knocking on my door! I'm trying to eat!" My face turned to expression of disgust seeing Destiny in nothing but a bra-less, blue shirt that was exposing her nipples and her bare legs with nothing but her thin black underwear. Destiny looks at our mother with anger while our mother looks at her with fear and hesitation. She asks Destiny, "I was just wondering if you would like to bring your food out to the table and dine with the rest of your family?"

I looked down at my plate and say under my breath, "Why bother? She's not going to join us." My dad looks over at me and whispers, "Even if she's not, we still need to offer an invitation because she's family." I scoff and begin to chuckle while cutting my chicken. Destiny looks at me, "What's so funny, Cassandra?" I set my cutlery down and fold my arms across the table. "I just think it's funny how you're so-called 'family,'" I say trying to contain my smile.

"Cassandra Avery!" My mother shouts, trying to stop me. Destiny looks at me with her wide, green eyes with rage. She responds, "Well at least I'm not a slob and actually clean up after myself." I tell her the only reason she cleans up after herself is because she's unemployed and expects everything to be handed to her on a silver platter. After I called her out on her attitude and what an ungrateful brat she is, she approaches my seat and the table. I look up at her and she slaps right my cheek, causing one of her pink, acrylic nails to crack. I grabbed my cheek and smiled, "You're going to regret that." Our father looks at both of us and exclaims, "Enough!"

Destiny blames me for initiating the argument, but I told my parents that I had a good reason. My parents look at each other, sharing a worried expression, but keeping quiet. Destiny rolls her eyes with her arms crossed and says, "Oh, I've got to hear this." Everyone's eyes are on me and I start to speak, focusing on Destiny.

"You want to know why you're family," I began. "The only reason you're family is because of paperwork. Adoption papers, specifically. Your birth certificate doesn't mean anything. It should've been an apology letter from the condom manufacturers, because your biological mother had you when she was fifteen!!!" Destiny grinds her teeth, "You were adopted too!" she shouts at me. I stared at her with an evil smirk, "But guess what, Destiny. I was adopted first. 'Our' parents actually wanted me. The only reason they adopted you is so I could have a sibling and a playmate. They clearly made the wrong choice. A mistake."

My parents are speechless and on the verge of tears, because they know there's some hidden truth behind it. I look at my parents and question, "Why would you want someone who is so disrespectful toward you? You actually want a child that curses at you when things don't go her way? You want a child that doesn't appreciate anything like the food you make and the shelter you provide her?" Always demanding money for stupid things instead of earning her own income? You want a child that creates a hostile environment and raises everyone's blood pressure?! I don't think so. Destiny is just a sorry excuse for a human being and should apologize to the trees for wasting their oxygen!"

Destiny's wide, angry eyes begin to water. She runs back to her room and slams the door. I sit back in my chair at the table, where my parents were just staring at their untouched food. I sigh deeply and try to finish eating with the awkward silence. My father looks at my mother, then back at me with sadness. He lets out a breath and says, "Cassandra, pack your bags." I look up with shock and surprise. Was he really kicking me out over what needed to be said? The one time and the only person to finally speak the truth about Destiny, and I'm the one punished.

"Fine," I said in a monotone voice. I get up from my seat and throw my plate in the sink, nearly breaking it. I start walking back to my bedroom, "I'll be gone tomorrow. Maybe even tonight if it means I don't have to live with that 'thing' you call my sister." I closed my door and started putting my clothes into my dark duffel bag. Once I finished packing, I opened the door only to hear the only music that made my ears bleed; rap music. It came from Destiny's room which meant she was getting ready to go somewhere tonight. When I heard that music, I knew she was about to do her hair and makeup.

Her lights were off, but I could see she was using her television for a nightlight. I set my bag outside of her room and cracked her door open. I crawled on the floor, over to the outlet where her straightener was plugged in. The straightener became unplugged, and I waited for her to notice. When Destiny slightly put her hand over her straightener to check the temperature, I grabbed the cord and wrapped it around her neck.

As she was struggling, I whispered to her, "Fix your attitude or I'm going to fix your lifespan." She passed out from the lack of oxygen and fell back on her bed. I stood up and looked at her overweight and repulsive body one last time before making my exit. Quietly, I walked out the front door with lingering frustration and rage. That straightener was only a warning. The next time, it would be permanent.