“That Barbie is mine!” Judy Florist gritted her teeth and pulled at the vivid mane of her sister, Ivy let out a yelp and let her pudgy figures release the ideal doll. Judy watched in astonishment as it sailed through the air and landed into a fresh, spring puddle.

 

 Judy was not one who enjoyed cooperation, as a child she was used to the world revolving around her and anyone who contradicted her theory got a kick in the shin or some other physical reaction.

 

 “Judy, I’m sorry.” Ivy bit her full, red bottom lip softly and let a tear slide down her porcelain face.

 

 The sturdy oak trees flustered in warning as Judy’s face began to turn a deep shade of maroon, her grey eyes narrowed and she took a threatening step towards Ivy. A fresh spring breeze whirled down the street and around the two sisters. Ivy could smell the sweet smell of honey issuing from her sisters mouth in raspy breaths.

 

 “You deserve a punishment.”

 

 “What sort of punishment?” Ivy coward and took tiny steps backwards until her form was pressed against the tree and nothing separated her sister from her.

 

 “Walk only on the black tiles of the kitchen,” Judy looked into the distance where the afternoon sun glinted in the sky and rippled across the neat lawns lovingly, a gleam of hatred speckled her eyes. Judy brushed off her jean skirt and walked off, over her shoulder, she spit out the words, “for a week.”

 

 Ivy sighed and slid down till her plaid dress was spread out around her like a picnic blanket. The game has begun again, she thought and sighed sadly. Judy’s forms of punishments were torturing games where the contestant had to do a series of things in order to survive. In the past, Ivy had gotten into much trouble for doing these things while Judy glowered in the background. It had been a while since the game had been played but it was always a threat whenever Ivy did something Judy disliked. And now, Ivy had ruined the chances of the game fading into childhood and had brought it back into reality.

 

 Somewhere amidst the solemn stone houses a clock chimed three, Ivy loved this hour because she could watch the neighbourhood kids walk home from school, it was always a pleasure to see their grimy faces lighten when they saw a small girl awaiting their return, but this time, Ivy’s face was clouded in grief and she could feel a small lump rising in her throat.

 

 “Why the long face, sunshine?” Ivy glanced up, her adorable face held a pout but as she glanced at the alien boy, a small smile peeked out from her folds of magnificent hair.

 

 Ivy got up and examined her dress for grass stains or tears, when seeing none, she approached the boy shyly, and “I’ve never seen you around here before.”

 

 The boy looked a little older than Judy, he had soft curly brown hair which wound around his head and rested at the nape of his neck, he wore scuffed jeans and a plain blue shirt with some inscriptions which Ivy couldn’t make out. His shoulder bag hung a little and he slouched from the weight of it.

 

 “Maybe you’ve never seen me before,” the boy replied teasingly but instantly sobered when saw the doubtful glance on Ivy’s face, “you’re right. I’m visiting my Dad for a month and I can’t afford to miss any more school, so you’re going to be seeing me for a month, little lady.”

 

 Ivy giggled, she had never been called a lady by anyone, her family seldom showed any affection to their youngest daughter and even a sweet nickname or light peck would have made Ivy’s day, but unlucky for her she was always the one who was blamed for Judy’s messes and tears, so nobody could even show her the slightest signs of love.

 

“I have to go, but here’s a little treat, to brighten your day.”

 

 Ivy stretched her arm for the colourful wrapped candy but the boy held it too high, Ivy began to whimper in frustration and soon some fresh tears slid down her face.

 

 “There, there,” the boy game her a tight hug. Ivy thought he smelt of some sort of tangy substance and boy sweat, she puckered her lips in disgust, “I’m sorry.”

 

 The boy handed her the sweet and smiled at her cute frown, “give me a smile.”

 

 Ivy sighed wearily but smiled nonetheless.  She unwrapped the candy under his watchful eye and smiled at its sugary taste. Her arms reached around his middle awkwardly and squeezed, the boy patted her soft head, and his expression implied amusement.

 

 “Ivy!” Judy’s malicious face appeared from behind the door, she peered at the boy but decided he wasn’t worth the attention, “Come, now.”

 

 Ivy turned to dismiss herself apologetically but the boy wasn’t looming kindly over her, he was already halfway down the street. Ivy stared after him, blinking in confusion, at the fork in the road he looked back, smiled at Ivy’s still form and disappeared from view. Ivy wouldn’t see him again for five long years, which would be full of hardship and grief.

 

 The sun was beginning to lower, the spring breeze tousled her hair lightly as she walked back to her home, nature was begging her to stay a moment longer, but Ivy sighed and closed the door to the welcoming hands of her only comfort.

 

***

 Ivy was seven, her hair had been cropped short into a parody of Judy’s, she got a flap of bangs which was too long and got into her eyes. Her hair was nearly always smoothed into curls which bounced onto her shoulders; she looked like a sweeter remake of Shirley Temple.

 

 On her birthday, she was opening the many boxes sprawled around her room like Easter eggs. This box had been the largest of the few she had received; it was a pink box with silver gem’s assorted to form the name: Lorell.

 When Ivy pried the lid open her breath congealed in her lungs, in the folds of the box, amidst light paper wrappings and tags lay the most beautiful doll Ivy had ever laid her eyes on. The doll had a pale face with rosy cheeks; her eyes were a deep sea of blue and twinkled in the dim shine of the lamp. A dainty smile amongst the soft red curls adorned by miniscule gems, the light puff of hair lay on the dolls shoulders which were covered by a lengthy pink dress with tiny roses sewn onto the cuffs.

 

 Ivy felt her eyes brim with tears of joy as she looked at the precious beauty, “Lorell.” Her tongue testified the name which sounded strange and unfit for such a magical doll. Ivy could have stayed for ages, staring at the splendour entity, but she heard a loud tapping against the hardwood floor and was greeted with the tip of Judy’s furry purple slippers.

 

 “That measly thing is your present? A doll?” Judy scoffed but the glance of jealousy was unavoidable, even in Ivy’s adoring eyes. “No wonder you look so unhappy, give it here.”

 

 Because Judy had the chickenpox, Ivy felt increasingly sorry that her sister was unable to enjoy such fun and she gladly passed the tiny parcel to her sister. “Isn’t she beautiful?”

 

 Judy gave a malicious smile and grasped the doll, Ivy watched in horror as her sister began to twist the dolls hands cruelly, breaking each of the smooth little fingers which joined into her elbow, the dolls tiny joints began to rub against each other till an ear-splitting crack resulted in a bundle of body parts, a frayed face and a crumpled dress.

 

 Ivy cried and wailed, she bit her sister and scratched her arms, but July warded her off like a giant shooing a fly, when her work was fully complete she rushed out of the room. Ivy sat on the cold floor and wailed, her eyes soon became dry from shortage of tears and her hiccups softened to a quiet belt.

 

 As if something had possessed her, she whispered, “Not all black deeds are avenged, but I will not fail to bring out the bright side of Judy Florist.”

 

 

***

 “Move,” the sharp voice of Judy Florist pierced Ivy’s bubble of temporary happiness; she shaded her eyes and looked towards her sister. “I said move!”

 

 Ivy failed to complete her sister’s orders and continued dreaming lazily in the summer sun. A cool breeze picked up and a shadow crossed the sun, Judy glowed in the darkness while Ivy’s light flickered in the dying rays of the golden spark

 

 Judy shuffled to her sister’s side and effortlessly grasped her arm, Ivy’s skin cinched and gathered from her sister’s firm hold. Judy let her strength sail into her arms and lifted up her sister from the plastic lawn chair with ease. Ivy whimpered in pain.

 

 “This isn’t over yet, Ivy. This isn’t over.”

 

 “That Barbie is mine!” Judy Florist gritted her teeth and pulled at the vivid mane of her sister, Ivy let out a yelp and let her pudgy figures release the ideal doll. Judy watched in astonishment as it sailed through the air and landed into a fresh, spring puddle.

 

 Judy was not one who enjoyed cooperation, as a child she was used to the world revolving around her and anyone who contradicted her theory got a kick in the shin or some other physical reaction.

 

 “Judy, I’m sorry.” Ivy bit her full, red bottom lip softly and let a tear slide down her porcelain face.

 

 The sturdy oak trees flustered in warning as Judy’s face began to turn a deep shade of maroon, her grey eyes narrowed and she took a threatening step towards Ivy. A fresh spring breeze whirled down the street and around the two sisters. Ivy could smell the sweet smell of honey issuing from her sisters mouth in raspy breaths.

 

 “You deserve a punishment.”

 

 “What sort of punishment?” Ivy coward and took tiny steps backwards until her form was pressed against the tree and nothing separated her sister from her.

 

 “Walk only on the black tiles of the kitchen,” Judy looked into the distance where the afternoon sun glinted in the sky and rippled across the neat lawns lovingly, a gleam of hatred speckled her eyes. Judy brushed off her jean skirt and walked off, over her shoulder, she spit out the words, “for a week.”

 

 Ivy sighed and slid down till her plaid dress was spread out around her like a picnic blanket. The game has begun again, she thought and sighed sadly. Judy’s forms of punishments were torturing games where the contestant had to do a series of things in order to survive. In the past, Ivy had gotten into much trouble for doing these things while Judy glowered in the background. It had been a while since the game had been played but it was always a threat whenever Ivy did something Judy disliked. And now, Ivy had ruined the chances of the game fading into childhood and had brought it back into reality.

 

 Somewhere amidst the solemn stone houses a clock chimed three, Ivy loved this hour because she could watch the neighbourhood kids walk home from school, it was always a pleasure to see their grimy faces lighten when they saw a small girl awaiting their return, but this time, Ivy’s face was clouded in grief and she could feel a small lump rising in her throat.

 

 “Why the long face, sunshine?” Ivy glanced up, her adorable face held a pout but as she glanced at the alien boy, a small smile peeked out from her folds of magnificent hair.

 

 Ivy got up and examined her dress for grass stains or tears, when seeing none, she approached the boy shyly, and “I’ve never seen you around here before.”

 

 The boy looked a little older than Judy, he had soft curly brown hair which wound around his head and rested at the nape of his neck, he wore scuffed jeans and a plain blue shirt with some inscriptions which Ivy couldn’t make out. His shoulder bag hung a little and he slouched from the weight of it.

 

 “Maybe you’ve never seen me before,” the boy replied teasingly but instantly sobered when saw the doubtful glance on Ivy’s face, “you’re right. I’m visiting my Dad for a month and I can’t afford to miss any more school, so you’re going to be seeing me for a month, little lady.”

 

 Ivy giggled, she had never been called a lady by anyone, her family seldom showed any affection to their youngest daughter and even a sweet nickname or light peck would have made Ivy’s day, but unlucky for her she was always the one who was blamed for Judy’s messes and tears, so nobody could even show her the slightest signs of love.

 

“I have to go, but here’s a little treat, to brighten your day.”

 

 Ivy stretched her arm for the colourful wrapped candy but the boy held it too high, Ivy began to whimper in frustration and soon some fresh tears slid down her face.

 

 “There, there,” the boy game her a tight hug. Ivy thought he smelt of some sort of tangy substance and boy sweat, she puckered her lips in disgust, “I’m sorry.”

 

 The boy handed her the sweet and smiled at her cute frown, “give me a smile.”

 

 Ivy sighed wearily but smiled nonetheless.  She unwrapped the candy under his watchful eye and smiled at its sugary taste. Her arms reached around his middle awkwardly and squeezed, the boy patted her soft head, and his expression implied amusement.

 

 “Ivy!” Judy’s malicious face appeared from behind the door, she peered at the boy but decided he wasn’t worth the attention, “Come, now.”

 

 Ivy turned to dismiss herself apologetically but the boy wasn’t looming kindly over her, he was already halfway down the street. Ivy stared after him, blinking in confusion, at the fork in the road he looked back, smiled at Ivy’s still form and disappeared from view. Ivy wouldn’t see him again for five long years, which would be full of hardship and grief.

 

 The sun was beginning to lower, the spring breeze tousled her hair lightly as she walked back to her home, nature was begging her to stay a moment longer, but Ivy sighed and closed the door to the welcoming hands of her only comfort.

 

***

 Ivy was seven, her hair had been cropped short into a parody of Judy’s, she got a flap of bangs which was too long and got into her eyes. Her hair was nearly always smoothed into curls which bounced onto her shoulders; she looked like a sweeter remake of Shirley Temple.

 

 On her birthday, she was opening the many boxes sprawled around her room like Easter eggs. This box had been the largest of the few she had received; it was a pink box with silver gem’s assorted to form the name: Lorell.

 When Ivy pried the lid open her breath congealed in her lungs, in the folds of the box, amidst light paper wrappings and tags lay the most beautiful doll Ivy had ever laid her eyes on. The doll had a pale face with rosy cheeks; her eyes were a deep sea of blue and twinkled in the dim shine of the lamp. A dainty smile amongst the soft red curls adorned by miniscule gems, the light puff of hair lay on the dolls shoulders which were covered by a lengthy pink dress with tiny roses sewn onto the cuffs.

 

 Ivy felt her eyes brim with tears of joy as she looked at the precious beauty, “Lorell.” Her tongue testified the name which sounded strange and unfit for such a magical doll. Ivy could have stayed for ages, staring at the splendour entity, but she heard a loud tapping against the hardwood floor and was greeted with the tip of Judy’s furry purple slippers.

 

 “That measly thing is your present? A doll?” Judy scoffed but the glance of jealousy was unavoidable, even in Ivy’s adoring eyes. “No wonder you look so unhappy, give it here.”

 

 Because Judy had the chickenpox, Ivy felt increasingly sorry that her sister was unable to enjoy such fun and she gladly passed the tiny parcel to her sister. “Isn’t she beautiful?”

 

 Judy gave a malicious smile and grasped the doll, Ivy watched in horror as her sister began to twist the dolls hands cruelly, breaking each of the smooth little fingers which joined into her elbow, the dolls tiny joints began to rub against each other till an ear-splitting crack resulted in a bundle of body parts, a frayed face and a crumpled dress.

 

 Ivy cried and wailed, she bit her sister and scratched her arms, but July warded her off like a giant shooing a fly, when her work was fully complete she rushed out of the room. Ivy sat on the cold floor and wailed, her eyes soon became dry from shortage of tears and her hiccups softened to a quiet belt.

 

 As if something had possessed her, she whispered, “Not all black deeds are avenged, but I will not fail to bring out the bright side of Judy Florist.”

 

 

***

 “Move,” the sharp voice of Judy Florist pierced Ivy’s bubble of temporary happiness; she shaded her eyes and looked towards her sister. “I said move!”

 

 Ivy failed to complete her sister’s orders and continued dreaming lazily in the summer sun. A cool breeze picked up and a shadow crossed the sun, Judy glowed in the darkness while Ivy’s light flickered in the dying rays of the golden spark

 

 Judy shuffled to her sister’s side and effortlessly grasped her arm, Ivy’s skin cinched and gathered from her sister’s firm hold. Judy let her strength sail into her arms and lifted up her sister from the plastic lawn chair with ease. Ivy whimpered in pain.

 

 “This isn’t over yet, Ivy. This isn’t over.”

 

 Ivy shuddered at the horrors she knew would come and all she would have to face in the future, it loomed like a big grey cloud and for now she had nothing. Nothing at all.