Chapter One

Hey guys! Down below is chapter one of my latest story :) Enjoy!

                                                                                            - TheGalacticCat

                                                          * * *

I woke up to the sounds of my adoptive parents, Margaret and Daniel Houston, shouting. They weren’t shouting at each other. In fact, they almost NEVER even argue! It was me they were shouting at. Now, I’m ALWAYS being shouted at, for one thing or another.

I know I should be grateful since they adopted me and all, but sometimes I think I would probably be better off without them.

You see, Mr. and Mrs. Houston are really rich. Like CRAZY rich. If any kid were to live in our mansion, it would be like a dream come true to them.

I however, greatly, erm, DISLIKE my current lifestyle. 

Here’s the lifestyle I would prefer:    

• Everything laid back, with no parties
• No fancy clothes I have to wear all the time
• No mansion, just a cozy home                                                                        

Here’s what my CURRENT lifestyle is:

• Everything is very chaotic, parties are ALWAYS being thrown
• I always have to wear fancy clothes
• I live in a HUGE mansion that takes up 10 WHOLE ACRES,  with the whole plot being 20 acres

So yeah. My current lifestyle, as you can see, is the complete opposite of what I would prefer.

I hear the shouts again. I can make out the words now.

“Nancy Houston! Get down here THIS INSTANT!” my adoptive parents yelled.

“I’m COMING!” I shouted back.

I sighed. Mr. and Mrs. Houston always meant business when they said “Nancy Houston”. I didn’t like it when they used that name, because sometimes I wish I wasn’t actually part of their family.

I muttered crossly while trudging down the multitude of stairs. I can’t believe they woke me up at 5 am just so I could go downstairs! I was still in my dragon pajamas, with morning breath AND messy hair!

When I finally reached downstairs, I was tired, AND irritated.

“What do you want NOW?” I asked in annoyance.

There was nobody in sight!

“Nancy, there is a guest here! Use your manners!” came Mrs. Houston’s voice. 

Suddenly, I heard footsteps come into the main hall.

I immediately felt hot as my face turned red. A girl my age, dressed in really fancy clothes, was with Mr. and Mrs. Houston.

An awkward silence filled the air as everyone took in my disgusting, messy, glory. I knew my face was getting redder and I looked down so nobody could see it, but that was no help: they could now see the knotted mop on my head.

The girl finally broke the silence by snapping, “Why on earth do you look like THAT?!”

I wanted to die right then and there.

Just as I was trying to make up a feeble excuse, Mrs. Houston piped up, saying, “Natalia, dear, Nancy just finished hosting a pajama party for the little ones. They did all kinds of things with her hair, so that is why it is so messy. I also apologize for her rude behavior. The little ones took a lot of energy out of her.”

Relief washed over me as the girl, Natalia, seemed to believe the lie. I gave Natalia a sweet smile and said, “I’m very sorry for looking like this right now. I can go upstairs and fix myself up if you want. It will only take five minutes.”

Natalia completely disregarded what I just said, however, and instead expressed her excitement in finding someone who also had “pajama parties” with smaller kids.

I didn’t correct her, though. Mrs. Houston hadn’t completely lied. I DID have a pajama party with toddlers, but it was yesterday.

“I’m going to go change into my pajamas, and we can have our own little pajama party!” she gushed.

She then excused herself and sped toward the guest room.

Huh. I guess she’s not so sophisticated after all.

Maybe we could be friends.

                                                                       

* * *

It was nearing the end of the day, and let me tell you this: I could NEVER be friends with Natalia. I thought she would be okay, but she was the BIGGEST spoiled brat ever.

First, she told me that my hair was too pretty, so I had to mess it up. Then, she told me that my eyes looked weird (Well DUH, I’m wearing contacts). Finally, she told me that since she was older than me (by a DAY) I had to give her gifts.

UGH. And get this: She wanted MONEY and JEWELRY. I had half a mind to tell her no, because I didn’t have an allowance NOR any jewelry!

I irritably walked towards Mr. and Mrs. Houston’s room and asked them for money and jewelry. As expected, they said no, because WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD GIVE AWAY EXPENSIVE ITEMS CARELESSLY TO 10 YEAR OLD CHILDREN?!

Not them, that’s for sure!

I had to convince them somehow, though.

“But Natalia wants it,” I whined.

“Why on earth would Natalia want such an absurd gift?” Mrs. Houston snapped. “You probably just want it for yourself!”

I wanted to say, “Well guess what, woman! Every time Mr. Houston wanted to give me money or jewelry, I declined! Heck, I don’t even LIKE jewelry! So please tell me WHY I would want it for myself!”

Instead, I just sighed and went back to my room, taking little steps to delay my “punishment”.

Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you. If I didn’t give her the gifts, she would punish me.

Punish, punish me.