Sins Of Her Sister

Chapter 1

Layla

Eyes coming back into focus, I realize I’m on the edge of the woods by the playground me and my best friend, Julie, used to play at daily.

I check my phone and I realize it's eleven at night.

I don't know what’s been happening to me lately.

I keep blacking out and forgetting everything that happens.

Last thing I remember was tonight, me and my mom got into it.

She called me a worthless piece of shit and said I was the reason my father was dead.

I don't understand why she would say that.

Mom never talked about his death.

I just remember bits and pieces of attending his funeral.

After our argument and crying for a good thirty minutes, I went and laid down around nine and dozed off to sleep.

Looking down at my clothes, I notice my jeans are covered in mud and there are scratches running down my arms.

These episodes are becoming more and more frequent.

I don't know how to control them.

The one thing I know for certain is that no one can ever find out.

I learned a long time ago that showing any type of vulnerability is showing weakness.

I know one person who would take every advantage to destroy my life–my step-sister, Ryan.

My mom married her dad when we were eight years old and she has hated me ever since, doing everything she could to make sure I am miserable .

Sneaking back into the house so my mom and step-dad don’t hear, I tiptoe up the stairs to my room.

As I round the corner, I’m suddenly slammed into a wall.

I timidly look up to find my stepsister glaring at me with her icy blue eyes and a sinister smirk on her pretty face.

“Layla, Layla…sweet little Layla.

What could you possibly be doing, sneaking in the house so late at night?”

she asks, slightly tilting her head.

I freeze on the spot, trying to come up with a believable answer.

“Julie needed my help with a project due tomorrow,”

I stutter.

My stuttering would normally be a dead giveaway, but Ryan has always made me stutter with nervousness.

Her long, blonde hair is as white as snow.

She really is beautiful–she’s just a bitch.

Too bad I’d never have the balls to tell her that.

Ryan pushes her body further into me, making me take a step back.

“What would dear old Mommy say if she knew her sweet little angel was breaking curfew?”

Ryan drawls.

It’s no secret that my mom has high expectations, and anything less is unforgivable in her eyes.

Ryan is trying to get under my skin and I’m allowing her.

Growing tired of her taunting and the way this night has unfolded, I shove past her and go to my room.

As I close my door, I can hear Ryan silently cackling at her relentless taunting.

After showering and crawling into bed, my heart has calmed down and I am able to relax.

It’s going to be fine, I try to convince myself.

I turned eighteen in July and it’s my last year in high school.

Our first day of school is tomorrow.

All I have to do is get through this year; then I can leave this shithole of a town and my nightmare of a step-sister behind.

I just have to survive the year, I tell myself.

One damn year, Layla.

You can do it.