Glitter in the air

“Olive! I told you I’d help you find one. I’m just busy right now.” Lena said and opened the folders laying on the small table. She was a real estate agent. She always got the best deals, at the best prices. She was the gem of the company that hired her.

Olive was just a normal girl. She had never had a proper job. She’d have to get one if she wanted to survive.

“I’m moving out tomorrow. I packed most of my stuff.” Olive said in a shy voice.

“I’ll give you a lift.” Bill proposed, still in awe. That meant he could finally get some private time with his wife. No more lurking in hotels and restaurants late at night. He liked Olive. But she started to be a small pain in the ass. However, he knew his wife felt the same too.

“Thanks, Bill.” Olive said and went into the living room, where the two year old kids watched Johnny Bravo in ecstasy. Olive smiled and picked them up and rocked them on her knees.

“Bye bye Penn and Leo.” Olive said singing a lullaby. The kids sat there motionless and watched the cartoon further. Olive smiled at their carelessness. She knew the kids didn’t like her. She was only their slave. She thought anxiously about her new apartment.

And that’s how her adventure began.



I woke up with only one thought in mind: This was the day I’d finally move on. Finally break free from the weight family proved itself to be. Lena and I used to watch Seventh Heaven and Gilmore Girls on TV and always wonder why we don’t have a special bond like the characters had. I mean, sure, they were actors, but the characters had to be real. They just had to.

“How did you buy your apartment anyway?” Lena asked, breaking my thoughts. I jumped up and felt my heart ready to escape my chest.

“Sheesh, Lena. You scared the crap out of me.”

“Language!” Lena warned me, putting her pointer on her lips. She sat there in a silk nightgown that showed off her gorgeous legs. One more trait that I didn’t have. I had short, chubby legs and Lena had long, skinny legs, that stayed like that no matter how much weight she gained.

I frowned and jumped down from the bed. My baggy shirt and shorts were in desperate need of ironing but I didn’t care. No matter what I did, people always liked Lena better. She was the one that went to college, graduated magna cum laudae and got the job people thought impossible for her. She married the perfect guy, had the perfect house and family. Everything was just perfect. People used to be shocked when they heard I was Lena’s sister. Average Olive.

Whoo-freaking-hoo.

“I used my college fund.” I stated blankly and scratched my back. I yawned and I rubbed my eyes tiredly. Lena got up and sat in front of me.

“You did what?! Olive, you can’t not go to college. You’ll end up a maid or a cashier.” Lena shrieked, shaking me. I pushed her off me and entered the bathroom and started the shower.

Lena just stood in the middle of the room, arms crossed and glared at me. I waited patiently for her to restart her speech.

“Olive, be rational! If you don’t go, you’ll live a miserable life, always wanting more and more and realizing it’s out of your reach.” She said and put her arms behind her head. “Olive, I expected much more of you! What will people say?!”

I sighed and left the room and stepped in the shower. I threw my clothes on the ground and let the water soak my body and hair. I pushed it on cold, torturing myself, hoping it would help me wake up and move faster.

"Come on, Olive. Don’t you want more from life?” My sister said, coming into the bathroom. I sighed again and continued washing myself. A few minutes later, I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around myself.

“Lena, I’m happy, alright? And by the way, did you expect more of me? Or is that your colleagues talking?” I questioned and watched her be at a loss of words. I shook my head and packed the rest of my bags. I washed my face and teeth, and then I packed the toothbrush and soap also.

“Olive, you could be so much more! Just don’t give up.” I heard her say and I rolled my eyes.

“Lena, a big house and check isn’t going to make me happy. Sure, it’s a bonus. But money doesn’t buy happiness. Mom and dad were happy.” I stated and she threw her hands in the air exasperated. She didn’t care how things used to be. She matured and got over it much more rapidly than I did.

“Olive! Mom and dad barely had anything. How could you be happy with nothing? Money doesn’t buy happiness but it supports it!” She shouted, this time waking up her kids. They started crying and with a stomp of her foot, she exited the room, giving up. I scratched my calf with my opposite foot and then put on a green shirt, blue faded skinny jeans and sandals.