We finally bought the things needed to treat Caramia's wounds and on the way back I could see Mom and Dad's car that is parked beside Liam's Corvette, Cloud was waiting outside of the station leaning at the wall. He was scrolling through his phone and looked up, I assumed he noticed my silhouette from the corner of his eyes

His green eyes landed at the plastic bag "I see, you should've just asked me to come with you" he shoved his phone deep into his maroon coat pocket, Mason was eating the ice cream that I bought for him since he kept pestering me about it

He's a rich kid yet he asked me to pay for his ice cream

We heard the entrance doors of the police station open and Wendy came out, she was searching for something that she has to squint her eyes and even walk closer to the parking lot to find it

"Wendy?"

She stopped looking across the street then turned to face me "Mom is looking for you"

Oh no

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My parents finally talked to the police and all of us went home, well...my parents dragged me home and we had a little talk while Cloud waited by the porch

The Marshall siblings all went home when Sophia heard what happened, she even asked Caramia and me if we were okay. It was a bit awkward and weird to be alone in the same room as your Mom and Dad knowing that you did something wrong

You know you did something wrong but you hoped that they can forget it quickly

Mom was sitting beside Dad on a sofa while I sat alone on a wooden chair in front of them, we were inside my original room to have a private talk. Aunt Laborè didn't ask why she was asked to step out of my bedroom when she saw Mom's face, Dad was not pleased either

He was sitting on a stern face and Mom was just obvious that she was angry, she tapped her fingers on a side desk like I feel like it is only making my uneasiness worse than before

"Penelope, could you explain how did the situation get to the point that your sister got hurt?" Mom asked me, her eyes were serious and I feel like they were daggers. Just stab me in the face

My hand reached for the side of the chair and squeezed it "It was Danny's fault"

Dad pinched the bridge of his nose while Mom sighed as she rubbed one side of her temples, they gave me a look that every black sheep of the family gets

The disappointed look

It was not that scary but it made me feel worthless and less of a person, my parents have many daughters. So when I am one of them as a disappointment it made me feel like I am a burden

A burden on their shoulders, the entire family's burden

Because my problem sometimes became theirs, I now formed a habit of hiding everything from them in hopes that maybe I could be able to lessen their troubles. It's so hard to be noticed when all of your sisters shined brightly like a diamond when you are only a worthless pebble that can be just kicked around

My parents were thrilled when they found out that Cloud became my (fake) boyfriend, their eyes were filled with a glimmer of happiness that I could never even achieve in my entire life. They knew Cloud was a golden boy, a guy that is a good honor student, a perfect child, and everybody liked him

My parents didn't hold back when scolding me right now, Mom was furious and Dad kept quiet while agreeing to everything that Mom is saying

"Penelope, can't you keep out of trouble just for once in your life?"

The only reason why trouble kept finding me is that I am slow and stupid, kids my age when I was little are mean and would say harsh truths about you

They would bully me and talk behind my back even though I am near them, even if I wanted to defend myself it would cause trouble and you guys would be angry at me. So I accept their criticism quietly

"The least that you could do is be a good girl even when you don't do well in school!"

Why would I? Everybody other than my friends is annoying, especially Danny

It was a long time since I managed to talk back at Danny to such an extreme that it made me feel like I was finally gaining some control and then it happen, I got in trouble again

"ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING!?" My Mom yelled at me "EVEN YOUR SISTER'S HAVE BETTER COMMON SENSE THAN YOU!" She added then realized what she just said

Her hand went to cover her mouth and her eyes widened in shock, she was so angry that she was saying things that people bully and tease me for

My eyes closed on their own and I heaved out a deep sigh "I see, I apologize if I trouble you two"

Just apologize, they don't really care anyway. They only just cared that one of their precious and better daughter got hurt

It's times like these that after they scold me that I would cry alone in my room after everyone fell asleep, I did manage to try and understand their point of view

But goddamn it hurts so much when you realize you are still just a burden and nothing more

I could still remember how they treat my sisters and how they treat me

My sisters would get in trouble and my parents would understand the situation but when I get in trouble they would just assume I was doing it for fun

I DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO BE IN IT IN THE FIRST PlACE

On birthdays I would always get academic books and my sisters would get their favorite toys, Mom and Dad assured me that by reading the academic book that I can become smarter. I was a child and I probably have more academic books than anyone in this household because they always gift them to me when I was little

It was hard to watch but I swallowed my selfishness and just accept what is given to me, I don't complain about it because they would think that I am choosy and a brat

If I graduated college on my own maybe that would be a better solution, I can separate myself from them

The moment I accepted Cloud's offer I have planned everything out, I would graduate High School and apply for a college while finding a job. I don't want to be a burden anymore and maybe I can finally be able to be happy for myself

I want to be selfish but that would make me a bad person in their eyes

The room was silent and I was gripping hardly at the side of my chair trying to contain my emotions, I was not showing any reaction but just a simple poker face. It looks like they don't have anything else to say just to scold me

Dad was trying to form words but his mouth always closes before he can get them out, Mom finally spoke up "Swee-"

"I'll see myself out if you two are done" I put on a fake smile at them to the best of my abilities to make it pretend that it's natural

I didn't give them a second look once I step out of my bedroom and when I opened my door I found out that my sisters were eavesdropping, they gave me a nervous look and I said good night to them before walking away. Aunt Laborè waited for me downstairs and had a worried look on her face once she heard what happened

It could not be avoided anyway, Mom was scolding me loudly that anybody could hear it from the outside

It was embarrassing and I know that maybe that all of this could've been avoided if I didn't defend myself

I didn't even try putting on a smile anymore and just gave her a nod then walk out of my home. Cloud was rubbing his hands together to warm it outside while sitting on a porch, he heard me close the door and stand up quickly

He chuckled "So you got in trouble, you deserve it anyway" he said while not looking at my face yet

He must think that nothing much happened between me and my parents

"Yeah" my eyes watered a little and he looked at me "I kind of deserve it" I gave him a small smile

When he noticed my face his demeanor change from his joking self to a worried one, his brows furrowed and his green eyes were gazing down at me

Wow, that's a first. Never seen him change mood this easily

He was speechless and tried to reach his hand to touch me "Ange-"

"Let's go, I'm kind of sleepy" I avoided his hand and quickly jogged to his car