Chapter 4

(Johnnie) I opened the front door of our house and went inside before putting down all of the bags Anna and I had accumulated throughout the day. I couldn't help but wince while lifting my arm, the throbbing from getting waxed still noticeable as I frowned to myself. I thought Anna just meant my legs. boy was I wrong. I had never felt so exposed in my life. "Hey Jojo, did you go shopping?" My brother asked before walking out of the kitchen. I hadn't even seen his car here. maybe I was too traumatized from earlier. Suddenly he stopped in his tracks, his eyes wandering up and down my body as he began to blink rapidly. "Holy shit. you look great!" He exclaimed before coming over towards me and began turning me around. He went to reach for my hair as I batted his hand away and glared at him. "Hey, don't touch it. I don't want to ruin it before mom sees." I whined, making Ben laugh as he smiled down at me excitedly. "This was Anna's doing wasn't it?" He asked me as I bent down to pick up the shopping bags I had dropped from Ben manhandling me. "Of course it was. but to be fair, I asked her to help me." I admitted before walking towards the hallway that led to my room. "Honey, do we seriously have to eat dinner here tonight. " Robin suddenly asked while appearing from around the corner. Ugh…why was she here? She rarely came to the house whenever Ben was over. Robin had black hair and caramel skin, her eyes were chocolate brown and she was always dressed immaculately. Today she wore a pink mini skirt with a cream colored top. She had on white heels and smelled like Chanel. Robin came from a family with old money and got to experience a lot of finer things in life. Let's just say her dad has a yacht named after her. "Oh. who is this?" She suddenly asked, making my jaw drop as she looked me up and down. Her resting b***h face working overtime as I laughed…thinking she had to be joking. "Johnnie. Ben's little sister? Ring a bell?" I said in disbelief. did she really not recognize me? "Oh. you look different." She stated, her eyes searching me once more as she seemed to be in some form of shock. Did I really look that bad before? Anna had me change into a pair of light-wash skinny jeans and a white T-shirt before we left the store. You would think I was wearing a ball gown by the way my brother and his Fiancee stared at me. Okay. I admit I always wore clothes three sizes too big. and mostly hoodies that went down to my thighs. but my face was still the same. well besides the light makeup Anna put on me just to highlight my natural beauty. Who knew a little eyeliner would make my grey eyes practically glow? "Why are you guys here?" I asked, changing the subject as Ben cleared his throat and walked up to Robin before putting his arm around her waist. "Mom asked us to come. something about the trip." He said before shrugging his shoulders and I just nodded my head. wondering what the hell was going on. Mom had been acting strange for the past few months. always staying late at work and going on business trips that she was never required to go on before. It almost felt like she was hiding something. what that was. I had a feeling we would find out tonight. "Ben. do you think mom has a boyfriend?" I suddenly blurted, causing his eyes to widen. "A boyfriend? No way. we would know about it." He stated firmly and I guess he was right. mom wouldn't keep something like that from us. "Well, I'm going to go put this stuff away." I sighed and watched as Robin pulled Ben into a passionate kiss, not letting him respond as I felt like barfing just from the sight of them. She always does this. I don't know why. it's almost like she sees me as some type of threat even though Ben is my damn brother. The worst is when she treats me nice in front of Ben but as soon as he leaves, she is a royal b***h. Now that I think about it. Robin and Caspian might be better suited for one another. considering they are practically the same damn person just opposite genders. Yeah. this trip to Florida was going to be great…not…it was the first year Robin would be coming with us. so my hopes weren't set too high for me to spend time with my brother. I put my stuff down on the floor before walking towards the mirror and staring at myself. Okay. I can see it now. I look completely different. My sandy blonde hair was in elegant waves around my face and my eyebrows were perfectly shaped. the white T-shirt clung to my body perfectly, showing off my big bust and tapered waist. and then these jeans. damn. it was like the sisterhood of the traveling pants I swear. These had to be some type of magic jeans. they made my ass look phenomenal. "Jojo mom's here!" My brother yelled from down the hallway, making me let out a shuddering breath as I dragged my eyes towards the bed. that's when I saw my favorite hoodie. "No. you don't need those anymore. " I reminded myself before walking over and grabbing it. Then I swiftly shoved it into the back of the closet and closed the door. "This is the new you. remember what Anna said. you are beautiful, you are kind, and you are a badass." I reminded myself and walked out of the room to go see my mom. The reason I felt nervous to see her like this was because we both lived in this misery together. I didn't want her to feel abandoned like I was moving on without her. After Dad died, she went into such a deep depression it was like she was lost for months. It was hard on all of us. but I never wanted to make things worse. So I hid my issues and kept to myself mostly. But my mom and I were close…at some point, the relationship switched from a mother-daughter one to a friendship. and I felt like she relied on me to pick up the pieces a lot of times. She would even call me at school crying, her anxiety and depression rearing its ugly head as I had to ditch and come home early to comfort her. I didn't mind. because I felt needed. I felt like someone actually wanted me and relied on me being here. I had a purpose. Unlike in school. I felt invisible and left out. I was just a ghost walking the halls until someone finally saw me and made it a point to bully me. Luckily Anna got me through those days. She even stuck up for me and had gotten in a few fights. she hates Caspian's guts more than anyone. I think that's why she is going all out on this revenge plan. She wants to make him suffer just as much as I do. My mom seemed to feel a lot of guilt after Dad died though. I'm not sure why. she wouldn't talk about it. but she said she was a bad wife and mother. I thought it was the depression talking and always brought her back from that darkness. This past year though she has been changing. Viva, her best friend, and Caspian's mom would come around a lot to help out too. but that has changed as well. I walked outside and heard my mom laughing as a deep voice soon followed. that wasn't Ben's voice. no, it sounded a lot older and almost familiar. I furrowed my brow in confusion and stepped through the hallway before ending up in the kitchen. That's when I froze in my tracks. Dave King. what the hell was he doing here?