I woke up, gasping for breath. I'd had another nightmare. They'd become more frequent, and it was getting worrying. Hopefully, they will cease in some time.

Sighing, I checked the clock and saw it was 2:00am. Suddenly, I felt incredibly thirsty. I pulled off my warm covers and hauled myself out of bed, my feet hitting the cool ground. I saw no need to put on my makeup, I never did at night, but I always locked the door in case my family decided to come in.

Softly, I made my way down to the kitchen, the pain in my feet growing with every second. I winced, but carried on. Finally, I reached my destination and poured myself a glass of water.

"Who are you?" I heard a gun cock and I slowly turned around. There was a man in his late thirties with dirty yellow teeth holding the gun.

This man must be new if he didn't recognise me. I mean, I've been here for a little more than a month.

"I'm Iris," I replied.

The man rolled his eyes, "I don't care. I caught you stealing," he proclaimed triumphant, "I deduce that you must be a thief."

"And what was I trying to steal?" I raised an eyebrow.

"That glass and some other valuables- like the silver." Wow, he's stupider than he looks.

"Well, I'm their sister, so I doubt I'd be stealing the crockery."

"I don't care and you're not their sister," the man growled, "get out of the house."

When I said no, he roughly grabbed my arm and dragged me towards the door. I protested loudly and scratched him, and then kicking him as best as I could.

He roared in anger and threw me against the wall and raised his hand, "you little-!"

"Is something the matter?" Never in my life have I been so glad to hear Daimen's voice.

"Nothing much sir," the guard said gruffly, "just throwing this thief," he shook me roughly and I grimaced and my teeth chattered, "out of the house."

"Oh for Heaven's sake," I snapped, "I'm not stealing!"

The man sneered and raised his hand, "yeah right, and this piece of trash scratched me."

Daimen's jaw set and his eyes darkened, "that 'piece of trash' is my sister."

The man paled and stumbled away from me, "S-sis-sister?"

"Yep," Daimen replied, "and I really don't like you threatening or manhandling her. Get out of my sight and I'll deal with you later," he barked and the man scurried away fearfully.

"You okay?" I was taken aback by Daimen's sudden caring nature. I nodded mutely and he continued, "don't worry, he will be taken care of."

I nodded again, "why are you downstairs?"

"Heard someone shouting and I'm a light sleeper. You?"

"Water," I shrugged- deciding not to mention my nightmares. No need to burden my brothers.

"Okay. Well, try to get some sleep and I'll see you in a few hours," Daimen smiled- smiled- at me.

I walked away, trying to keep my limping to a minimum.

"Iris," I turned and Daimen was frowning slightly, "what are those white scars on your arm?"

I inhaled sharply and automatically fingered the scars, "a memory," I murmured, and left.

X

I got little sleep after that. I prayed that Daimen didn't tell anyone about the scars- that was a part of my past best left undiscovered.

I checked the clock which read 6am and decided it was no use lazing around in bed. I quickly got ready and headed downstairs.

I made myself and my family breakfast consisting of eggs, bacon, milk and a sandwich for me. I covered it with plates to keep them warm and waited patiently.

First came David and Lisa, followed by Elijah and Julian, then Brandon, after came Oscar, Will and Daimen.

I gulped. I really hope that Daimen doesn't mention about my scars. Self-consciously, I tugged at the ends of my long sleeved shirt.

"You're up early," Daimen frowned, "did you get a good sleep after last night?"

"Yeah," I lied.

"What happened last night?" David asked.

Daimen recounted last night's events and I mentally prepared some flimsy excused for my scars. My family's face slowly contorted in anger. To my surprise, Daimen didn't mention the scars.

"Anything else?" Julian gritted.

Daimen locked eyes with me and I subtly shook my head and pleaded with my eyes, "no," he finally said, "nothing else."

I internally breathed a sigh of relief and began eating my sandwich. However, I was dreading an impeding conversation with Daimen.

X

After breakfast, Lisa cleared her throat. I looked up expectantly; I'd grown fond of Lisa- she didn't try to replace my mother and be overbearing, nor was she like a Cinderella stepmother. In all honesty, she was pretty cool.

"Aunt Elizabeth wants to meet Iris today for Lunch."

Instantly, everyone groaned and made loud protests- even David.

"Who's Aunt Elizabeth?" I asked.

"She's a pompous, malicious little bi-" Julian started angrily. David gave him a warning look and he quickly said, "bisector."

I chuckled. Who knew Geometry would be the first replacement for a swear word?

"And this bisector wants to meet me?" I raised an eyebrow.

"More like assess you," Oscar rolled his eyes, "she's done it to all of us. It's like a little test: who can go the longest without bashing that old crow's face in?"

I laughed, "now I want to meet her."

Everyone's head snapped towards me, "are you crazy?!" Will said in disbelief.

"I've had my fair share of pompous bisectors," I said, grinning wickedly, "the real test is to see how long before this crow snaps."

X

At Lunch, I was told to go to some fancy schmancy restaurant. I decided to walk there, to clear my head and plan how I'm going to react.

"Hello," I said confidently to the waiter at the restaurant, "I'm looking for Mrs. Elizabeth May?"

The waiter smiled and pointed to a table where a woman sat. She had black hair piled onto her head in a fancy bun and wore a turquoise blouse with a cream coat and skirt to match. Her beady brown eyes assessed what I was wearing, but I didn't care. I already felt out of place- wearing ripped black jeans, long sleeved shirt and a leather jacket, amongst all the fancy dresses. But, hey, 'you can't blend in when you were born to stand out' ().

I sat in the chair and extended my hand, "Hello, my name is Iris West-Brown and I assume you're Elizabeth May?"

"Yes," Elizabeth didn't accept my outstretched hand, "let's talk, dear," she called for a waiter and ordered some meals that I've never heard of.

"So, Iris," Elizabeth sat up perfectly straight and delicately sipped her tea, "how old are you?"

"15 nearly 16," I answered.

"Mmh," Elizabeth looked me up and down, "you're a bit too skinny, dear and your attire... well, they look like they've come from the dumpster! Your manners are atrocious, you're eating like a hooligan. Honestly, I will have to suggest to Lisa and David to send you to a proper finishing school so that you can learn the etiquette of how to be a lady."

I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing. I was 'a bit too skinny' because I'd been starved sometimes when I lived with Elise and John. My clothes 'look like they've come from the dumpster' because I used to not have enough money to buy clothes. Now, I have the money but I'm wary of spending it- old habits die hard. As for my manners? Well, I'm using a knife and fork correctly. Is there really anything else?

"And finally, darling," Elizabeth dropped the fake honeyed tone, "don't think for a minute that your father will change his will. When he dies, everything will go to my sister and nephews and maybe step nephews. You're nothing but trash and it's a shame you've come here! You do realise that your father took you in out of pity? He's too soft and idiotic for his own good.

Your brothers are too weak to really do much and Lisa and David simply won't take my advice to send them to a boarding school to toughen them up!

As for Lisa... well, that girl is too naive for the real world. She remarried after her husband left her, to a man who's stature is lower than hers for love. When my Arthur died, I wouldn't have dreamed of remarrying!" No one would have you, I thought. I was beyond angry. I don't care if someone says something bad about me, but talk like that about my family? Uh, no.

Elizabeth leaned back, seemingly satisfied with herself.

I clenched my jaw and looked Elizabeth dead in the eye, "Miss. May, there are things in this world that you don't and, probably will never, understand. I don't care if my father changes his will or not. I don't care about the money. You have no idea what my life has been like. You don't have a scrap of empathy for anyone else but yourself because you can't see further than the end of your nose! You sit there, trash talking others, thinking that you're perfect. News flash: you're not! Nobody is! We all have our flaws and it's more better that we recognise and try to better ourselves rather than criticise others. In life, there are more important things than money and being 'a proper lady'," I stood up and made to leave, "I'm not going to stay here and hear my family being talked about like this."

Mrs. May's expression was priceless.

I turned and paused, "Oh and if you dare talk about my family like that again, I don't care who you are, but I will hurt you and your 'perfect' little life will come crashing down around you," my voice was filled with black ice and I glared at Elizabeth. She shrank slightly in her seat, her face purple with rage and a hint of fear.

I left the restaurant and walked home.

X

When I entered, I found my entire family gathered around the screen, laughing and looking proud.

"Hey Iris!" Oscar exclaimed, "that was epic! We were watching the entire thing on the security camera!"

I laughed and thanked him.

David grinned, "as your father, I'm supposed to reprimand you for your utter disrespect towards an elder member. However, as a person who hates that cow, I say well done."

I laughed again, "I didn't like the way she was talking about you guys, so I told her as much."

For the rest of the day, we all played some games and talked about life. I felt like I'd gotten much closer to my family.