The Last Allyhairs

The weekend is meant to be when you relax, but not for me. I worked all the time when I wasn’t at school anyway. It’s not too bad, and the money is good, but I wish I had time to myself. Not that I had anything I needed to do or anyone to spend it with, but it would still be nice.

Today was no different from any other day. I got up, made my bed, and tried to escape the house before my stepmother saw me. Unfortunately, my dad is never around much anymore, always working away on one of his business deals overseas. So, I’m left here with the wicked witch of Easton Village and her stuck-up brat of a daughter—my half-sister, Penelope.

Chucking my coat over my arm, I inch the door open; I could see the raindrops running down the windowpane on the front door before I felt the harsh winds smack me in the face.

“Almost out, just a couple of inches,” I tell myself, waiting for the creak I knew was coming. Of course, there was always that annoying noise when I opened the door. But once I had gotten past it and out the door, there was no stopping me, and she couldn’t call me back. But I knew today was going to be a crap day. I could feel her behind me before I even had a bloody chance.

“Ebony, not so fast,” my stepmother’s voice sounded in my ears like a bug with way too many legs crawling all over my skin.

Turning on my heels but never removing my hand from the door handle, I plaster on the fakest smile and brace myself for whatever she had to say.

“Yes, Vanessa, do you need me,” I ask sweetly, talking through my teeth.

“You promised to do errands for me today, don’t you remember, so don’t rush off. I have a whole list for you,” she sneered at me, her perfectly painted face looking nothing but sinister to anyone with at least half a brain cell.

“I can’t; you know I can’t. I work on the weekends,” I pleaded; she tries this every few weeks or so, and it’s always exasperating.

“Yes, I know, but it’s not as if it’s a real job or anything, Ebony. Don’t be such an ungrateful leech of a child and do as I ask; you know your father wants you to help me out around here,” she pulled the daddy card on me once again. She knew I loved my dad and would do anything he wanted of me.

“Fine, give me the list; I’ll do it on my break.” I held my hand out, hoping to get the list and go. If I were lucky, that would be it; she would be satisfied with messing with my day. If not, then I was in for a whole pile of crap.

“Your attitude is disgusting; you were not taught proper manners, were you?” she tutted as she tottered toward me on her way-too-high heels. “My Penelope wouldn’t dream of being so uncouth; she was brought up right; it’s not like I can blame your father, though, can I? He had such a hard job being dumped with you on his own at such a young age; I guess we will have to re-enrol you in proper etiquette classes again.” she was taking way too much joy in pulling me down, using my lack of a mother against me. Still, the silly cow was so stuck in her head to see that that trick didn’t work on me anymore. But I’ll be damned if I let her know that any time soon.

“Sure, Vanessa, but let’s not start on my mother again, okay? I’m running late, and if you want that list done today, then you better hand it over and let me go; if not, then we can stand around and have this fun conversation; the choice is yours,” I resist the urge to roll my eyes, I knew I would pay for that one later in one way or another. Still, right now, I didn’t care; I was running late, so I had to move if I wanted to be at work on time. I really couldn’t be late again this month.

“Make sure you do everything on that list, and I mean it, girl. It all must get done properly; it’s for my angel’s birthday party next weekend.” She smiled at me, the most wicked look in her eye. She knows it’s my birthday next weekend; it’s not even Penelope’s birthday for another three weeks. She planned it this way purposefully, but I refused to acknowledge what she was trying to do. She reasoned that it was because my dad would be home, but she didn’t seem to understand that it was because that weekend was my birthday, so he was home because of that. I gave up trying to explain it to her; it was pointless, so instead, I plucked the folded bit of paper from her perfectly manicured fingers – her nails are always sharp enough to cut skin, and I was sure that was the main reason she did them like it. She had stabbed me with them more than once – tugged the door open and stepped through it in one smooth motion. I was done with Vanessa today. I refused to let her nastiness seep under my skin this morning.

I rushed down the street as the rain poured, chilling my skin till I shivered. Wishing I had grabbed the coat with the hood. My Raven black hair now clung to my face, giving me an even paler, dead-like look than the usual, fresh-out-the-morgue look I usually sported. It didn’t seem to matter what I did, be it hot new makeup or the most in-trend hair styles; I always looked like I had just seen a ghost. I was whiter than white with the straightest black hair ever. I had pretty cool, icy blue eyes, so I couldn’t complain. I certainly stood out in the eye department. But honestly, standing out was the last thing on my mind. Sure, before, I wanted to fit in and have a large group of friends, but now, not so much. Being the girl living in the creepy house was bad enough, but being the girl whose mother disappeared and everyone whispered about was no fun.

The sky darkened as I passed by rows of parked cars on my way to the coffee shop I waitressed for on the weekends. Beans and Books is its name, and I love it. It was right up my street. Books had become my one source of comfort when no one wanted to spend time with me anymore; at least I could get lost in a story whenever I had a minute to myself.

“You’re late,” my boss’s sing-song voice floated over to me as I pushed the door closed, shutting out the biting cold from the warm little haven inside.

“Sorry, Stella, I had one of those run-ins again.” I rolled my eyes and rushed back to hang my wet coat and tie on my apron.

“One day, you’ll be out of here, my dear; I know you’re meant for bigger things.” She smiled at me, her kind hazel eyes lighting up how they always do when she sees me. Today, Stella’s grey hair was in a crazy, out-of-control, messy bun, which suited her completely. I loved that kind but bonkers lady. She was the mother I needed when I needed one the most.

“Thanks, Stella. I’d be lost without you,” I grinned at her. So, what do we have today?” I questioned, tying my hair in a high ponytail and hating how the water dripped down my back. It won’t take long to dry, not in here.

“Not much yet, dear. Just a few easy breakfasts and the book club over there,” she pointed to the far corner by the front window. That’s when my stomach dropped. I could see a group of maybe six or seven through the window, all from my school. This was going to be nothing short of hell.

Time slowed as I watched the handle push downwards on the door. My heart repeatedly slammed into my chest as the door swung slowly inwards. Then, like nothing had happened, time rushed back to slap me in the face.

“Are you sure you want to eat in here, baby? Dead Ebey works here,” a snotty, nasally voice said. All eyes turned to me, and the room fell painfully silent.

“Why do you think I picked this place, Steph?” he laughed.

“Hey, come on, don’t call her that,” a third voice joined the conversation. My eyes snapped to the owner of that voice. I knew who it was before I saw him. I always did. It’s like I could feel when he was around. Weird, I know I couldn’t explain it.

“Shut up, Cole; we all know how you feel about the weirdo.” The first guy laughed, making the hairs on my neck stand up. Still, I hadn’t taken my eyes off Cole. He was the exact right amount of gorgeous and nerdy. He had dark hair that sat perfectly even though he probably got out of bed like that, an oversized gamer t-shirt, and worn jeans. He just looked perfect and totally out of my league.

“Whatever, Tyler, I just don’t see the point in ragging on someone for the sake of it; it’s not cool.” he shrugged as if what he said was nothing.

“Someone’s got the hots for the freak,” Steph taunted, causing laughter to chortle through the café. My cheeks flamed red as I felt the heat creep up my neck.

“Go out back, love; I got this order, okay?” Stella swooped in to save me right at the last minute. She Knew when to step in and when to let me stand on my own two feet. Today was one of those days when I was thrilled; she knew me so well.

Stepping into the back room, used as a store cupboard filled with every coffee bean imaginable, I let my breath stutter out, and my nerves crumbled. I hated those kids—the popular gang, if you will. They took immense pleasure in making my day hell whenever they could. I was sure they went out of their way to make it hell when they wanted to.

My hands shook as I ran them over my hair, smoothing any fly-away strands that had started to dry. Then, resting my back against a large box of extra dark roasted coffee beans, I listened to Stella expertly handle the idiots back in the café. She took no nonsense from anyone, another reason I loved her so much.

“Sorry, but we are all out of bacon and sausages today. The order isn’t due until tomorrow morning. If you want a takeaway coffee, that I can do, but breakfasts, I’m afraid, are off the menu,” she spoke pointedly; I knew she wouldn’t back down either.

“Let’s just go; she’s disappeared anyway; it won’t be any fun here now,” Steph’s voice crept through the door crack. I could practically hear her tossing her long blond hair over her shoulder. She was one of those look-at-me, perfect Barbie girls, but turned into a plain Jane when they removed all their makeup; she was a few inches taller than me, I’d say no more than five foot six, and was almost paper thin. It was not a look I had ever wanted to achieve, but it worked for her.

“No thanks, grandma. It looks like we lost our appetite. I’d seriously look at whom you hire next time. Otherwise, you will lose all your customers,” Tyler warned, then roared with laughter at his joke.

“Go on, get out of here,” Stella finally had enough as she shooed them out the door. I slid onto my bottom in the storeroom while listening to them leave. Hearing the door click shut was when all the air rushed back into my lungs. Then, finally, I felt like I could breathe again. “Coast is clear, Ebony; you can come out now,” Stella called behind the counter.

Getting up off the floor, I jam my hands in my back pocket and find the list there from my stepmother.

“Will today get any better?” I moan and push on the door leading back into the café.

“Wanna tell me who they were first? Or whatever that is in your hand?” Stella asked, hands on her hips and waiting; I knew I was going to have to spill all if I wanted her off my back.

“They are idiots from school. Nothing to tell there, and this is a list of errands my stepmother demands I do today.” I handed the note over. I hadn’t even bothered to read it yet. But, no doubt, it was a list of impossible things she expected me to get done, knowing all too well it wasn’t doable.

“Order the fifteen-tier, pink, and teal birthday cake made from only organic grain-fed free-range hen eggs! Is she for real?” Stella started listing off the demands. “Pick up Penelope’s ballgown from Bagtons and Bills exclusive dry cleaners, place an order with caterers on Hamilton Road, and collect four-ply pink and teal napkins from Stanley and co; also, don’t forget the personalised invitations need to be signed and posted by four pm today.” Watching Stella’s face made hearing the list of crazy demands worth it. She was shocked by the amount that woman expected me to do, especially as my shift here didn’t finish until three pm this afternoon. She had me running all over town.

“She’s crazy, I tell you.” I shook my head as I folded the paper and popped it into my pocket. “I’ll have to find a way. Otherwise, she will ensure I know about it; my dad is back next weekend, and I don’t want to miss out on time with him. I know she will use him as a punishment for me,” I admitted sadly.

“Isn’t it your birthday next weekend, Ebony?” Stella asked me with a knowing smile.

“Yeah, I’m turning Eighteen,” I mindlessly reply, cleaning the coffee machine. I hate it when it gets all smeary and mucky-looking.

“I thought as much. Well, my niece is coming down, and she suggested a day in the city together, so I have booked you off for your birthday,” she grinned at me.

“I can’t, Stella. I would love to, but I can’t. I generally need the money if I ever want to escape this place. I need every shift I can get over the weekends,” I sighed, loving that she cared so much.

“Oh, be quiet, girl; you will still be getting paid; think of it as my gift to you.” Stella tutted me as she continued. “Plus, Nancy insisted, and you know how stubborn that girl can be.”

“Thank you” was all I could manage before the door opened again, and the ice-cold wind bit at my overly warm cheeks.

“Ah, I was wondering when you would arrive.” Stella’s voice was so full of joy as she greeted the newcomer.

“Mother, it’s been too long,” the new man greeted her. I had no idea Stella had a son; you learn something new daily.

“Then maybe that tells you that you should visit your old mother more often, Owen,” she said in a hug. “This is Ebony, my best employee.” For the second time that day, my cheeks flamed. I didn’t do well with insults or compliments; both turned my pale skin red.

“Ah, yes, I have heard so much about you,” Owen replied as he walked toward me. Dragging my eyes from my feet, I inch my gaze higher, past floorless brown leather shoes, onto new black tailored trousers, followed by a crisp white shirt unbuttoned at the top. I have no idea why I was so nervous about meeting this guy’s eyes. Something deep down told me he demanded my respect. Finally, I lifted my chin, and my eyes locked onto his. His striking, deep green eyes shone from behind neat, black-rimmed glasses, and just the right amount of reddish stubble covered his chin and dimples when he smiled. His reddish-brown hair was slicked back out of his eyes, and his smile was kind, just like his mother’s.

“Hi” was all that left my lips, and apparently, it was all I would say. He chuckled, which only intensified the dreaded redness.

“Nice to meet you, Ebony; my mother is very fond of you and said you are a brilliant girl,” Owen reached out his hand to shake mine.

“Oh, I wouldn’t go that far,” I managed.

“Owen, dear, shall we leave poor Ebony to her work, and we can chat out the back? I know how busy you are,” Stella winked at me as she led her son away.

“Nice to meet you, Ebony; I’m sure we will meet again very soon,” he said with a little wave as he rounded the corner. I was stunned in my still-wet black jeans and damp hair, wondering if this day could get any stranger if it tried.