Archive of Our Own

Olga’s fingers bobbed up and down on the dining room table. Up and down. Up and down.

Moonlight Sonata played in her head as she focused on how the song went. She absentmindedly hummed to herself. She wasn’t really paying attention.

Olga smiled and laughed at whatever “funny” comment her father just made. She let her shoulders bob up and down as she forced the practiced motion.

Her mother was fawning predictably over yet another magazine cover she was plastered on. She smiled once more and simply thanked her mother for the high praise.

“That’s our Olga! A real chip off the old block!” Beamed Big Bob as he stared at a comically gaudy rhinestoned belt hung up on the wall.

Yep. A real eye catcher. As shiny and bright and as immobile as the very crystals on her father’s belt.

“Say, Olga, how do you feel about being in a commercial? Really beefing up the ratings of my place? Get people talking?” Asked her father as his teeth bit into his steak.

Business hadn’t been the best lately for Big Bob’s Beepers. Pagers were starting to be used less frequently and Bob’s bottom line was really feeling it lately. He had hoped that a pretty face like Olga’s could really help him out.

Olga told herself to smile as she tapped to the beat of the song that only played for her.

“Of course, Daddy. Just say the word. Anything to help the family out when it’s in need.” Olga responded sweetly. It wasn’t like she could say no anyway. So she may as well have gotten it over with.

“That’s my girl.” Chuckled Bob to himself.

“Such a sweet heart. Always lending a helping hand.”
Concurred Miriam as she took another sip of her, “smoothie.”

Olga pretended to play along if everyone else was.

She wanted to slump in her chair, but fought the urge to do it and straightened herself back up instinctively. No one fortunately seemed to notice. She saw that no one was engaging with Helga, so she tried to get the ball rolling.

“Tell me baby sister, how was your day at school?” Olga asked. Helga raised a brow. Clearly not used to actually being engaged with even somewhat positively.

“What’s there to talk about?” Responded Helga as she shrugged. “I deal with minimum wage lackeys on a regular basis, do work that no one cares about, and then go home.”

“Surely there must be some part of it you like?” Asked Olga in a concerned voice.

“Heh, I did make Harold laugh so hard that I made him choke on his own food! Freak still ate it too after it came back up.”

Olga frowned at hearing this but tried to nonetheless encourage Helga.

“That sounds like it was a real good one. You have to tell me what you said to him sometime.” Said Olga.

Helga smiled. She would have loved that. She noticed her father wasn’t paying attention. Like he ever was with her.

“Hey, Bob.” Said Helga as she tried to get her father’s attention. “Did you hear what I said?” She asked annoyed.

“Yeah, yeah. In a minute, Olga.” He said dismissively as he waved her off. Olga saw that precious smile that she had worked so hard to manifest on her baby sister’s face, instantly disappear.

“What was that, Olga?” Asked her mother. Helga opted to just shove more food in her mouth.

“Nothing, Miriam. Like I said. What’s there to talk about?”

This comment got Olga to go off beat as she tapped. How could they treat her like that? She scoffed at herself in her head. Why not?

That was how they treated her before she found a way to earn their affection. Olga should have been accustomed to this song and dance by now.

And yet. She felt herself going off script. She waved the negative thorn away from her rose garden of pretty thoughts and began to tap rhythmically on beat again.

She just had to smile placatingly like she always did. Tell them an inspiring tale about some guru or whatever and they would trip over themselves to fawn over her.

Just like always. And how it would always be. She got through yet another dinner and eventually got a chance to get away from them all. She of course still tidied up and did the dishes afterwards.

But after that, she was relieved to find solace in her old room. She saw Helga on her way inside. She wanted to say something about the way her parents mistreated her, but all she could do was just wish her a good night.

Helga nodded and did the same. Helga asked her if she was going to swing by PS 118. Olga told Helga that she understood her boundaries and wouldn’t be stopping by unless necessary.

It was in truth, also a saving grace for Olga as well as Helga. She didn’t want to hear from some past teacher how great and perfect she was. It was as much a reprieve for her as it was for her baby sister.

Helga nodded at this and then left. Olga breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, she was alone. She got a chance to look at herself in the vanity mirror. It was a funny thing to call a mirror.

Was it really vanity to want to look good? Society placed so much expectation on how one looked and talked. So why did they also say to be yourself if yourself wasn’t good enough?

She mulled the vexing thought over before pushing a stray hair back into its proper position. She laid in her bed and stared at the ceiling. She just had to finish out this week and she would be free. Olga chuckled in spite of herself. No, she would’t be.

——————————-
The next day, Helga was doing her usual school activities. Getting a run down of who was out because of a sickness and what to talk about in class. Same old same old.

“Did ‘ah hear through the grape vine that your sister is back in town?” Stinky asked in his southern drawl.

And there it was. Not even an hour in and Olga was already the topic of discussion. She may as well have let her tag along if people were going to talk about her anyway.

“Yes, Little Life On the Prairie. My sister is back for a week if you must know.” Helga said with an exaggerated eye roll.

“Olga’s just the best.” Said a lovesick Sid. Helga could have sworn the big dope was about to levitate right out of his tacky boots.

“When is Olga gonna bring something by for us to eat? I’m starving! Her sweets are the best!” Exclaimed Harold as he pat his rotund belly.

Helga sighed in frustration. “You’re not getting any, Lardo.”

“Aww, and why not?” Whined Harold back.

“Because she is staying as far away from here as possible. You’re out of luck.”

Harold groaned at hearing this. It was like his heart was being ripped out of his chest.

“But your sister is so pretty and nice.” Bemoaned Sid at being away from his beloved Olga. Helga just made some off hand comment and ignored how almost all the boys shared his sentiment.

Brainy especially seemed to agree. The way he drooled and heavy breathed over Helga’s shoulder set her off more than usual that day.

Olga wasn’t a piece of meat! She threw back her hand and felt satisfaction as she heard Brainy’s body thud to the floor. And they say she didn’t have a heart.

Phoebe, her oldest and best friend, tried to cheer her up.

“Don’t worry, Helga. Just one week, and every thing will be back to normal.” Helga didn’t even know if that was a comforting thought anymore.

She would go back to being neglected by her parental figures. And Olga was the only adult Pataki that cared enough to ask about her day and what she felt about certain matters.

It would be bitter sweet to have her leave. She realized she was not responding for too long and just agreed with Phoebe.

“Yeah, Phoebe. Just this week and Miss Goody-Two-Shoes is out of my hair.” The bell rang to start class and she got in her seat.

Her teacher was yammering on about something unimportant. She mastered the skill of being in her own little world but still looking engaged. She was thinking about how she felt about Olga when a note caught her eye.

She made sure the teacher wouldn’t notice it and then carefully opened it to read its contents.

*Hey, Helga. I want to talk to you at the playground later. I know how you feel when Olga is around. Let’s talk.*

-Arnold.

She craned her head over to look at him. They saw each other and she waved like a love struck idiot. Granted she had discarded her shrine to Arnold after they officially started dating, but there was no way Arnold was going to get this note back!

She waited eagerly for recess. Helga managed to make it through the day somehow and finally got to meet up with Arnold at the swings. They had a lot to discuss.

Now that Arnold’s parents were back, he was busier than ever. His mom and dad had nine years of catching up to do. And they didn’t waste a second of it!

Helga was so glad for Arnold to finally have a missing piece of him found. No more of him feeling left out and wondering what having a mom and dad was like.

As happy as she was for Arnold, she felt a little envious. She never had her parents physically separated from her, however, that didn’t mean they still weren’t worlds away from her.

They didn’t know her likes, dislikes, favorite color, or even her age! That’s why when she often visited the boarding house, she was always surprised by the close knit bond everyone had with one another.

Why couldn’t her own family be like that? Arnold asking her a question snapped her out her depressive train of thought.

“Helga, are you okay?” Arnold asked.

“Huh? Yeah, I’m fine. Just waiting for this week to be over.”

“You can always stay at the boarding house for the week if you want.” Offered Arnold.

Helga smiled at the thought. Arnold was always so thoughtful and sweet. Really the best kid in the whole wide world. And that was a fact.

But she didn’t want to make it a habit of escaping from her problems. She was stronger than that.

“Thanks Arnold. But I want to face this head on. Plus, I don’t want to do that to Olga. Me and her are actually getting along now.”

“Really?!” Shouted a stunned Arnold. “That’s great! I didn’t think the two of you had anything in common.”

“What can I say, we’re full of surprises.”

“But what is it that you have in common?” Asked a curious Arnold. Helga couldn’t fault Arnold for asking. All he ever heard from Helga was how much she found her older sister annoying and counted down the days the house was hers again.

Helga didn’t have the heart to tell Olga’s most treasured secret. That she felt like a wind up doll. Constantly performing for her parent’s approval and love. They were the opposites of each other in more ways than one.

One was neglected by their parents. And the other was smothered by their expectations of her. In the end, the results were the same. As much as they hated to admit they still loved their parents, they hated what they had done to them both more. Helga simply shrugged the question off.

“Sorry, Arnold. But that’s between sisters.” She said coyly.

Arnold’s face fell with disappointment. But he understood and let it go. It was Helga’s secret to keep. He wouldn’t pry farther.

As they swung, another question popped into his head.

“Hey, Helga? What’s your middle name?”

Helga laughed out loud.

“You really want to know a dumb thing like that? It’s Gertrude.” Now it was Helga’s turn to ask him something.

“What’s your last name?”

“Oh, it’s Shortman.” Helga instantly thought about her eventual last name change. Helga G. Shortman. No longer a Pataki. She welcomed the change whenever it happened.

“Helga, what are you smiling for?” Arnold asked. Helga felt slightly embarrassed and thought it was best to save her pride. She jumped off from the swing.

“None of your business, Foot Ball Head!” She shouted.

“Helga, we agreed that you would stop calling me that.”

Helga gave her best naughty smile as she stuck her nose in the air.

“In your dreams!”

—————————

The day passed by without incident and Helga went back home. How she felt about home at the moment was still up in the air. She felt that way even more so as she saw Olga in the middle of re arranging the furniture for their supervising father.

“Come on, Olga. Put your back into it!” Chided Bob.

“Yes, Daddy!” Obeyed Olga in a strained voice. When her father said that he wanted help rearranging the furniture for a more open feel, Olga had assumed that her father would actually have aided her.

Turns out, his idea of help was barking orders at her from the side lines. Olga didn’t object though as she placed the last bit of furniture in place.

After checking with her father that all was as he liked it, she slumped over on to the couch she just moved.

“Great Olga, it looks fantastic!” Complimented Bob.

“Thank you, Daddy. Anything I can do to help.” Replied a tired Olga.

Helga wouldn’t be caught dead rearranging the furniture. Especially if all Big Bob was going to do was play cheerleader while she did all of the work. How many times had Olga been taken advantage of like this?

Before Helga could make a snide comment about how he was going to have Olga paint the whole house for him too, his pager went off. Judging by his facial expressions, it wasn’t good.

“Holy smokes, I gotta get back to work. I swear these people don’t know their left foot from their right! I’ll be back in time for dinner, Olga. See you!” And with that, Big Bob was off.

“Bye, Bob.” Muttered an ignored Helga. It’s not like she wasn’t standing right there! Olga took offense to Bob ignoring her baby sister.

“It’s okay, Olga.” Said a nonchalant Helga. “He does it all the time. No point in crying over spilled milk.”

Something about the way Helga was so callously dismissed and ignored got to Olga. She should have been used to it. The thought that she had been enabling her own sister’s mistreatment for years made her stomach drop.

She resisted the urge to grab her father and make him notice Helga. While she was still fighting with herself over not doing more for her baby sister, her mother came into the room.

She wanted to reminisce over the old photo album containing some of Olga’s earliest achievements. She invited Helga to join.

Helga was about to bring up a witty remark about how she didn’t want to take away from the very air Olga breathed and was going to give it a hard pass. But her sister surprised her by turning it down for her.

“Sorry, Mommy. But Helga dearest has a lot of homework to catch up on. Don’t you, Helga?” Lead Olga with her question.

Realization dawned on Helga. She was impressed that her sister could be under handed like that. She played along. Knowing that for both their sakes, neither of them wanted to do this. But at least Helga could opt out.

“Yeah, I got a lot to do. Darn. Some other time.” Said Helga as she snapped her fingers.

“Oh well. More time for us two to spend together then.” Beamed Miriam. Olga did her best to smile with no teeth showing. She couldn’t muster up a positive response.

Miriam opened up the hefty book. She began to drone on about how proud of her daughter she was. She pointed to a picture of her riding a horse.

“Oh, look! This was when you won first place at that horse back competition!” Cooed her mother. Of course she won first place. Second was unacceptable. Like there was ever an event she competed in where she got anything other than first.

“And when you won at Judo! You were so proud of that one when you were thirteen!” Olga just nodded and pointed to a few other glowing accomplishments of hers.

She knew she should have been happy. A happy privileged girl that got to do more in her teen years than most adults did in their life times. Yet, it felt so fake. None of this was really her.

She knew that without this long list of successes, she would be treated like Helga. No. She corrected herself. She would be treated just like she was the first eight years of her life.

The first eight. A thought crept into her head. One she just had to confirm against her better judgement.

“Mother, what is the oldest accomplishment in this book?”

Miriam flipped through the book until she found a photo of a young Olga. She had to be no older than nine years old. She was happy to be holding a trophy for winning the national spelling bee. There were tears in her eyes.

Olga remembered that day especially well. It was the first time she got a taste of being more than just a quiet girl that could get mommy and daddy to notice her.

She had finally found her self esteem. Her parents were paying attention to her. She became addicted to that feeling and never stopped hunting it down.

That feeling of satisfaction was her white whale. Just when she thought she had conquered it, it would elude her once more. So she took to doing bigger and better. All to regain that feeling she first felt at the spelling bee all those years ago.

“Anything else?” She asked.

Miriam pointed to a baby picture of when she was first brought home. Besides that and the spelling bee, those were their oldest photos of her.

“Surely, that can’t be all?” She said incredulously. She had to let the mask slip. Just a little. “There has to be more.” She said desperately.

Miriam tried to see if she missed a page. But it was just those two. There was nothing missing or out of place. That was indeed it.

Olga knew that her mother resented her father for ruining her life. She was smart, pretty and fun. But when she married Bob and had her, she had that light die out inside her. She took to drinking as soon as she could to cope.

But when Olga started to excel, she felt like her life and sacrifices meant something. She was living vicariously through her daughter.

And when poor Helga didn’t exhibit any of that drive and Olga moved out, she went right back to drinking. So why would her mother keep track of the biggest mistake of her life for its first eight years?

“Oh, I’m sorry Olga I thought there would be more.”

Olga felt her jaw tighten. Was this all she really was to them? Just a book of accomplishments to brag about and then put back when they were done with her? She had to get out of this room and fast.

“Oh, don’t worry about it, mommy. It’s fine.” She forced herself to put on the prettiest smile she ever had done in her life. God, did it hurt.

“Would you look at the time?” Said Olga. Clearly trying to rush things along. “I should start making dinner. Why don’t you have a smoothie Mom and lay down?” Suggested Olga.

Miriam was never one to turn down a chance to drink. She made her drink with accurate precision and then left Olga to her own devices.

The moment Olga knew she was safe and alone, she wept. All the years of pain and anguish spilled out from her. It was like she was cracked. With each sob that hit her body, the cracks grew bigger.

She kept telling herself that she was being a big cry baby. There was no need to cry. Anyone would kill to have her health, her brains, her talent and her body.

But everyone wasn’t her. She knew what it costed to be at the top. And she knew that the cost was too high. It wasn’t worth it. Not a cent of it.

She cried and cried. She felt like a bottle emptying itself out. How many years of pain did she unduly put on herself? It wasn’t fair. It was never fair to her.

Why did she go along with it all? Why couldn’t she stop it? She didn’t want this. She never did. She just wanted her parents to look her way for once.

She could feel the proverbial monkey’s paw curling at her back for ever making such a wish as a child. The joke was on her.

Olga didn’t want to continue down this train of thought any longer. There was only one thing now that could calm her down. She did a quick sweep of the house. Making sure no one was nearby.

She found the radio that was stationed in the kitchen and turned to her go to channel. Rock music blared out of it. It was grungy and beautiful to her.

Pure raw emotion put into the singer’s voice as they yelled out how they felt. Olga knew this song well and soon found her voice to accompany them.

She felt the world melt away. All that mattered were the lyrics and her. She was safe to be herself and be as loud as she wanted to be. She needed this.

She swayed back and forth and touched the radio. Feeling the vibrations as it coursed through her body. She was its conduit. Its vessel to store itself and then share its sound with the world as she belted out the words.

It was just Olga now. No stressed daughter, no award winner, and no perfectionist either. She hated how she didn’t allow herself to feel like this all the time.

As the music came to an end, Olga felt all the stress disappear. She would survive. Just like she always had. If there was one thing she was, she was resilient. She wiped away any stray tears.

A black muck remained on her hand. She sighed. She was going to have to put her face back on. Figuratively and literally.

“Olga, that was beautiful.”

Olga whipped around gasping to see her sister staring at her. Awestruck at the visage before her. Here, her perfect older sister was messy, singing angry lyrics that matched her inner self, and mascara running like an Olympic sprinter.

Alarms went off in her head.

“How long have you been standing there?” Asked a guarded Olga.

“A couple minutes. Long enough to see you sing your heart out. That was amazing. I’ve never seen that side of you before.”

Olga looked like she had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. She wasn’t sure what to do. She planned on just scooting everything under the rug. But that would be what she would normally do.

Not this time. This was Helga. Her baby sister. And she was amazed with her for once. Olga saw this as a golden opportunity and gingerly let her sister in.

“I’ve always loved this genre of music. I just never said anything about it because it would ruin mommy and daddy’s perfect image of me.”

Helga wanted to tell Olga that she was over reacting for Criminy’s Sake, but then she remembered her parent’s reaction to her getting that B +. The look of shock on their faces made her laugh. But now looking back, it just made her feel sad.

She did eventually fess up to altering the grade. Olga was crushed at first, but quickly forgave her. She understood that Helga just wanted to see what would happen if someone as seemingly perfect as her was fallible.

“But I don’t care about any of that stuff! I liked what I saw! For the first time in my life, I saw the real you. It was messy and raw! It took up space and wanted all to hear it!”

“Thank you, Helga.” Said Olga blushing at being told that the real her was lovely. However, that good feeling washed away.

“You may think that way, but they won’t.”

“Hey. You may have to be the wind up doll for them, but not for me. Remember? It’s okay to be human for once Olga. And I want you to let me in. Let me see the real you again.”

Helga turned up the volume on the radio and held her hand out. She wanted Olga in her life. She was letting her cross this boundary willingly. All to see the real her.

Olga was shocked. She looked scared for a brief moment before talking Helga’s hand. Helga may not have been a good a singer as her professionally trained sister, but that didn’t matter.

To Olga, it was the most wonderful sound in the whole world. The song that played entailed dark lyrics about the singer’s head splitting open from stress and then every one in their life crushing it with steel toed boots.

The lyrics were a little morbid for Helga’s taste. If not a little down right edgy, but that didn’t bother her. Olga was laughing and twirling her around the kitchen to the lyrics.

She had never seen her look so care free in all her life. This was genuine. This was the real Olga. Loud and angry. Bitter but still beautiful as she sung the harsh lyrics with a smile on her face.

For four and a half minutes, Olga was happy. And she got to share that happiness with her sister. As the song came to an end, so did the short glimpse into Olga’s world.

For a minute, Helga didn’t know what to say. Neither did Olga. They just looked at each other and smiled. A deeper bond having been formed. Just like when Olga first confided in Helga how she felt about feeling like a doll.

“Well Olga. I should get back to all the homework I have to finish.” Olga laughed at hearing that.

“Don’t let me keep you.” Joked Olga along with her sister. Helga left and Olga looked at her mess of a face. She would reapply her make up first and then make dinner.

A few hours later and Olga was right back where she started. Fitting into a predetermined role while her parents fawned over her accomplishments again. It was a tiring routine. She decided to shake it up a little.

“So Daddy. What did they need you at work for?” Olga asked.

She saw her father’s face flash with annoyance at remembering why he was called in.

“Ugh, some of my biggest investors in my company were thinking about pulling out. They helped out with advertisements and buying new products. They say that beepers are played out. They don’t understand business. This whole cell phone thing is a fad. Trust me.” Said her confident father.

Olga wanted to argue but knew better than to try to get a father to see reason. He would have to learn the hard way. Her father continued on about how oblivious everyone he worked with was.

When he wasn’t looking, Olga playfully stuck her fork in her neck and pretended to be dead. Helga laughed so hard that she nearly choked on her water.

Her parents turned to see what the matter was. She just said that water went down the wrong hole. Olga was glad to make Helga laugh.
Soon however, the topic of the conversation changed.

“Olga, how about you come in and shoot that commercial for me the second to last day before you leave?” Asked Big Bob.

Olga was surprised. She didn’t expect to do it so soon. Plus, she would need time to prepare her lines and get fitted for an outfit if her father was going to make this a big thing. And knowing her father, he was. He did nothing small.

“Are you sure you can afford such a big commercial. And so soon?” Asked a clearly uncomfortable Olga.

“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it. Come by the job tomorrow. We can get you fitted and go over lines. Get some sleep. You’ll need it for how busy you’ll be tomorrow.” Said her father in a tone that indicated that this was final.

Olga felt like the wind had been knocked out of her. Sure. She wanted to help her family, but this was too sudden. She was put on the spot and supposed to just go along with it?

She wanted to stand up for herself. She really did. But her backbone crumbled and she just went along with it. Surely, after all that her parents had done for her, what was one silly commercial right?

“Yes, Daddy. I’ll do my best. I’ll bring in so many new customers that you won’t know what to do with them.” Olga promised. Big Bob smiled. Satisfied by her answer.

“That’s what I like to hear.” Said a happy Bob.

Helga stole a look at Olga. Olga looked upset. Helga gave a look. One that asked if she should speak up for her. Olga mouthed no and forced herself to pretend that everything was fine.

After dinner, Olga heard a knock at her door. She opened it to see Helga. She asked if she could be let in. Olga let her in and asked what she wanted. It was unusual for Helga to approach her. Was something wrong?

“Did you want to hang out the last day you have here? After the commercial I mean. If you’re not too tired.”

Olga immediately perked up.

“Of course baby sister!” Squealed Olga as she bear hugged her sister.

“Olga.” Said Helga in a warning tone. Olga minded her manners and pulled away.

“Sorry! I’m just so excited to spend time with you!”

“I know. And pinch me if i’m dreaming but I’m looking forward to it as well.”

That lovely sentiment filled Olga’s head as she slept that night. Maybe everything wouldn’t be so bad after all. How bad could rehearsing for one little commercial be?

———————————-
“Turn the light to the left! No! The other left!” Shouted a busy director. He was in a flurry. Trying to make sure that everything was prepped correctly for the commercial shoot.

“Make sure the markers are ready for when all the dancers get here! And where’s someone to get me my coffee?!” He shouted belligerently.

An over worked aide handed him his coffee. He sipped it for a brief moment before smacking his lips in satisfaction. At least there was one person here who could get something right.

Speaking of which. Where was the star of this whole thing?

“Where is Olga?! I literally can’t do this thing without her! Do you think any of these talentless dancers have the charisma to keep this production afloat?!”

A nearby dancer huffed in offense and walked away from him.

Olga burst into the room. She profusely apologized for being late. She had made breakfast for her family before arriving and it took longer than usual for her to find a healthy food option her father actually wanted to consume.

“Olga, there you are!” Said the director with a beaming smile. He went over and kissed each of Olga’s cheeks.

“The star has come to save this travesty of a production! Is your father coming?” He asked.

“Yes, he’ll be here in a minute. He was just doing some last minute phone calls.”

“Excellent! Let’s get you fitted!”

“Absolutely Mr?” Asked Olga. Wondering what to call this man.

“Mr. Bixby.” He said proudly.

“Well Mr. Bixby, let’s see what you got for me!” Shouted a cherry Olga.

“I can tell I’m going to love you already. Oh, who am I kidding?! You’re Olga. Everyone loves you!” Bixby said laughing as he escorted her to the costume.

“Right.” Said an inaudible Olga.

Olga was fitted into a bright sequined purple magician’s assistant styled outfit. Fishnet stockings with under high boots accented the rest of it.

It wasn’t the worse thing she had worn. She did wear shirts that showed her midriff often so this was fine. She wasn’t particularly fond of how flashy the outfit was but beggars couldn’t be choosers.

The back up dancers wore similar outfits, just in all black so that Olga would stand out more. She looked at herself in a nearby mirror. It would do.

“Looking great, Olga!” Complimented her father as he waltzed in. She smiled.

“Thank you, Daddy.”

“You remember the ending line to the commercial, Honey?” Tested her father. She cleared her throat and repeated the finishing lines.

“Come down to Big Bob’s Emporium! Where our beepers work like magic!”

“Excellent!” Her father said clapping. “Let’s get you out there!”

Olga got into position and began to start performing with the back up dancers. She moved like water with how fluid her movements were. She didn’t mess a single step up.

Then, when it was her cue, she said the line. Right into the camera with her best welcoming smile. Once finished, she shifted her eyes to her father. What did he think of it?

He looked puzzled. What, why? She did everything right! Just like she always did! What could possibly have been wrong?

She walked over to ask her father why he had that look on his face.

“The outfit looks a little tight on you. Have you gained some weight, Olga? You must really have been pigging out lately.” Bob commented without a hint of irony.

Olga was gobsmacked. Her father was the last person to be talking about her weight! He wasn’t exactly fit enough to win any competitions where a flat stomach was involved. She couldn’t believe he said that to her.

Pushing her hurt feelings deep down, Olga tried to just go along with it.

“Perhaps I may have gained a few extra pounds. I have been snacking more recently.”

That wasn’t a lie. She had been. But not enough to have a whole costume altered. She was just always so hungry constantly having to maintain her perfect body type. Maybe she *did* overdo it?

“We can easily alter it, Mr. Pataki.” Assuaged Mr. Bixby.

“You had better with how much this whole thing is costing.” Complained Bob.

“We’ll just have to get accurate measurements is all. Then we’ll quickly alter it. Should take no time at all.” Said Bixby.

Olga couldn’t help but feel dejected. She knew it was a simple costume alteration, but she had never needed one before. It also didn’t help any that her father made unwelcome comments about her body.

She put on a brave face. “Let’s just do what we can so Daddy can get his commercial done.” Her father seemed pleased with this response so he let her go. A pit in her stomach grew.

As she made her way along, the back up dancer that was slighted earlier said loudly enough for Olga to hear to another dancer, “Guess she isn’t so Little Miss Perfect after all.” She laughed with the other dancer.

Olga felt her face fall and her eyes want to water. She swallowed and told herself to not make a scene. This was her fault anyway. Wasn’t it? All she did know was that she wanted the day to be over with already.

The costume was altered and Olga went through the motions. In the back of her mind, she kept replaying what the dancer said. She stole glances at her when she could.

A pretty brunette sporting a pixie cut with green eyes that popped. Olga always admired other pretty people and wondered how they dealt with the stress. Maybe this poor girl was just having a bad day.

After a few rounds of rehearsing, Olga went up to the woman. She thought maybe if she was nice to her, she could break down a barrier. Flash a pretty smile and melt that cold exterior.

She went up to the brunette to introduce herself.

“Hi, I’m Olga, she said energetically. “I saw your dance moves earlier and was really impressed.”

“Yeah, I know who you are.” Responded the brunette curtly. “We all do.”

“Oh, right. Well I really liked what I saw. You must have practiced really hard getting those moves down.”

“Yeah, because I needed it compared to the great Olga, right?” Said the brunette spitefully.

“What?! No! I just thought that you danced well. You must have worked hard. Right?”

“Of course I did! Because we all have to work hard to get where we are. We all can’t be perfect.” She gave Olga a snide look. Olga felt herself shrink. She began to stutter.

“M-maybe we got off on the wrong foot. I apologize. What’s your name?”

“Deborah. But my friends call me Deb.”

“Nice to meet you Deb! I hope-“

“Call me Deborah.” Said the icy woman quickly.

“Oh. Of course. Umm. Have I done something to offend you?” Asked a curious Olga.

The woman, Deborah, got a funny look on her face. Like she half expected Olga to remember her, or that she wasn’t surprised that she didn’t. Right before Olga could get her answer her father started to call her name.

Unexpectedly, Deborah became all chummy and started to embrace Olga in a hug. Olga’s body stiffened. Her body freezing due to how sudden the contact was.

Deborah leaned into her ear and darkly whispered, “Stay out of my way.”

Deborah was more than pleased to see how shaken up Olga looked. Her pupils were dilated. Her vision must have been trembling. Olga kept her head down, refusing to make eye contact with her.

Deborah pulled away and ever so sweetly told Olga what a great job she was doing before she walked off.

“Seems you’ve made a new friend.” Commented Bob. Olga didn’t answer. He repeated himself. Still no response. Bob was starting to get worried.

“You alright, Olga?”

Olga could only hear ringing in her ears. She was far from okay. She just wanted to cry. What had she done to Deborah? She had never met her before. She was sure of it.

Big Bob reached out his hand to touch Olga. She instinctively gripped his wrist hard at being touched.

“Ow, Olga! What’s the matter with you?!” Bob shouted at the sudden death grip deployed by his daughter.

Olga’s vision focused, and she saw that she was hurting her father. She gasped as she swiftly released her grip.

Olga was aware that will all her knowledge of Judo and fighting, she probably could have hurt her dad. Maybe even have flipped him over and have broken the very wrist she had been holding mere moments ago.

“I’m so sorry, Daddy!” Shouted an apologetic Olga.

“What’s gotten into you?” Asked Bob as he rubbed his sore wrist.

I was just out of it. I was so focused on not fitting in the suit and-“

Big Bob held Olga by the shoulders and told her to calm down. She slowly breathed in and out.

“I’m not mad about that. They fixed it and you danced just fine out there. What’s up with you?”

Fine. Just fine?! She danced just fine?! Not perfectly?! Olga felt a headache coming on.

“Nothing. Are we done for the day?” She asked.

“Yes, Olga. We’re done for the day. Let’s go home.”

Olga was glad to hear that. Once home, she let the stress of the day wash off of her. Maybe she was just being too sensitive. Perhaps the following day would be better.

At the dinner table, Olga recounted her day. Choosing not to mention the costume alteration or Deborah.

“That must have been nice. My baby in a big time commercial!” Gushed Miriam. At least she was excited about it.

Olga looked at her father. He remained tight lipped about what happened that day. She was glad for once that he wasn’t all that interactive during dinners. She only allowed herself to confide Helga later that night.

“She did what?!” Spat out a furious Helga. “Do I need her to be acquainted with Mr. Lefty and Mrs. Righty?” Helga asked as she lifted up her balled fists.

“No! I just wanted to talk about it with someone I trust.”

That hit Helga. Olga trusted her. Even after outright despising her for years, stealing her lesson plan, and messing with her grades, she still trusted her.

It was so sad to her that Olga only had her to lean on. Especially since they had a twelve year age gap. Did she really have no good friends she could talk to or crash with?

It occurred to Helga that her sister never actually had any friends. She was too busy fitting in one grandiose thing for another. She must not have had the time for it or maybe no one thought they were on her level.

Either way, Olga was alone. All she *did* have was her. And after she told her about how her ex fiancé tried to cheat her, she must not have had a lot of trust in anyone else but her.

“Okay, Olga,” said Helga as she put her fists down. “Tell me all about it.”

“I just don’t know what I did wrong! I’ve never met her before in my life! All I want to do is shoot the commercial and call it a day!”

“Why don’t you tell Bob about it?”

“I can’t do that! You know how Daddy gets when he gets mad. I don’t want to cause a scene. Besides, I’m sure I can win her over.”

“Olga-“

“Maybe I can bake something for her? For the whole cast even!”

“Olga-“

“Should I make gluten free options? What if she’s allergic to something? Should I make multiple batches of cookies then just in case? What if she doesn’t like sweets?!”

“Olga!” Shouted Helga as she snapped Olga out of her rambling.

She gently held Olga’s hands like they were made of glass.

“Olga. You don’t have to please people like her.”

“But I do-“

“Let me finish. No you don’t. I can’t stop you if you want to bake something for her or try to be nice to keep the peace. But promise me this one thing. You won’t bend over backwards for someone who has already decided that they don’t like you. It won’t get you far. And you will only get hurt. Promise me that you will stand up for yourself. Don’t do it for me. Do it for you.”

Olga could see the clear care her baby sister was exhibiting towards her. She meant every word. Comparing all the times Helga faked being pleasant to now, she just knew it was genuine.

“Okay, Helga. I promise you. I won’t let her walk all over me. If she doesn’t improve after this, I’ll stand up for myself.”

“Okay. I trust you, Olga. I know you’ll do the right thing when the time is right.” Olga wished she felt the same confidence in herself that Helga did.
——————————

The next day, Helga brought some extra cookies Olga didn’t need to school. Harold had to be scolded to not eat the entire plate by himself.
As they were distributed, each kid thanked her for the cookies.

She saw tucked away into a corner Curly eating his cookies like an animal. Yammering on about how no one was going to steal his, “Sweet gift from the Gods.”

She chose to ignore him and kept handing out cookies.

“Olga, you’re so lovely. I knew you wouldn’t let us down!” Cried Sid as he bit into his cookie.

Helga was oddly glad that they liked her sister’s baking. It was always top notch. And Olga had stashed away a whole batch just for Helga at home.

Big Bob wasn’t the baking type. Not masculine enough for him. And since Miriam was well, Miriam, she never got a chance to really enjoy nice baked goods unless she went to the boarding house, or it was a special school event.

Maybe she could even learn from Olga how to be good at it. Especially if Olga’s sweets got Arnold to smile like that. She would definitely have to learn soon. Maybe she could show her on her last day if they had time. Maybe having Olga around wasn’t so bad after all.

Funnily enough, Olga was wondering if her existing in the same room as Deborah was manageable at all. She wasn’t sure what cookies Deborah or anyone would have liked. So she just stuck to sugar cookies.

One batch was regular and the other was gluten free. She had found this recipe that made practically anything gluten free taste good. She was hoping that Deborah accepted her peace offering.

Before the director could even get a chance to scream at the beginning of the day, she offered him his choice of cookie. He took a gluten free one and bit into it. It tasted so good that all he could do was moan in pleasure.

He beckoned all to try Olga’s cookies. Everyone had the same reaction. It was just that good! Olga had taste tested a couple before leaving. She knew these would be perfect for Deborah!

She found her hung back away from everyone. Like she was scared to be infected by the madness that was sugar cookie mania. Olga took a deep breath, straightened her back, and walked towards Deborah.

“Hello Deborah! I made cookies. I saw you standing off by yourself. Are crowds not your thing? Here, you can take your pick of which batch you want to eat from.”

She saw Deborah eye her suspiciously. Like Olga had poisoned the cookies. She debated with herself for a minute before she took from the regular batch.

She nibbled away at it and even with just a small bite, Olga could see Deborah’s eyes flutter. She liked it! That was an understatement. She absolutely loved it!

That seemed to scare Deborah. Like she knew she had been caught. Swallowing her moment of weakness with the rest of her cookie, she chucked it into a nearby trash can.

Olga looked mortified. Now it fully clicked for her that this woman could not be reasoned with. She completely had it out for her. But what could Olga have done to Deborah to warrant such a reaction?

“Why?” Was all a broken and demoralized Olga could ask.

“I’m watching my figure.” Answered Deborah before she left Olga alone. The plate of cookies suddenly felt so heavy to Olga. Like they were made of lead.

Fearing she would drop her hard work, she barely managed to set it on a table before she rushed to the bathroom. Olga felt tears threatening to breach.

She could just barely contain them as she clutched her chest. She couldn’t breathe. It felt like she was in the process of undergoing a heart attack. All she could hear was her own heart beat pounding in her ears.

It felt like someone had wrapped a plastic bag over her head. She looked at the door. It was locked. She was safe in here.

She let her body fall to the floor and just laid there. She wanted the ground to swallow her whole. What did that song say? Have someone crush her skull will steel toed boots in this exact moment.

She would be at peace then. No more dancing, no more performing and no more lying. She held her body and just squeezed tight. She didn’t want to let go. If she did, the wolves outside would seize her.

She didn’t want to say, “woe is me” right now, but being on an unsanitary bathroom floor wasn’t helping her self image here. She laughed out loud. Who cared about her self image?

She was having an emotional breakdown on a bathroom floor over cookies! She just kept laughing. Like she finally realized that she was the punchline to a joke 21 years in the making.

God, why did she think that trying to talk to Deborah was gonna work? Just bat her eye lashes and say pretty please with sugar on top and they would be the best of friends.

Would they talk about boys next as they stayed up late until the night? Would they do each other’s nails and watch dumb movies together? Her naivety made her laugh harder.

She felt a single tear slip through. She wiped it away. This was decidedly pathetic. Why did she care so much about Deborah’s approval?

She thought for a moment before she answered herself. Because I’m a doll. And dolls perform. As if on cue, her owner was knocking on the door. Olga could hear her father on the other end.

To say he sounded upset was an understatement. “Olga!! Get out here! We’ve been looking all over for you! We have to rehearse!” By pure instinct alone, she responded.

“Give me a moment, Daddy! I’m having women issues. That time of the moment. Please give me one moment. I have to change my-“

“Alright,” said a disgusted sounding Bob. “I get it. Just hurry it up in there.”

Olga waited for her father’s footsteps to fade away before she attempted to get up. The world wasn’t spinning anymore but she still felt awful. She didn’t want to dance. She didn’t want to do this anymore. Any of it!

But she had do. She promised she would and she would see it through. She propped her body up against the toilet and strained as she lugged her body up.

She quickly washed her hands and gave herself a look in the mirror. Her makeup was spared. As she looked longer at the mirror, the less she recognized herself.

Who was this stranger with her eyes? Her hair? Her voice? Her body? Her mind was stuck inside an imposter. And the imposter had to force themselves to smile.

She looked sadly back at the bathroom before she exited. Her audience awaited. She straightened her back, told herself it was okay, and then stepped out. They had a commercial to shoot.

For the few days, Olga tried to keep it together. Sneaking back into her mask. Laughing at jokes that weren’t particularly funny. Smiling to make a heart skip a beat when the guy wasn’t her type. And pretending to care when she was told how oh so perfect she was.

Everything giving was going according to plan. She was making small talk with some of the back up dancers when she heard her father and the director fussing over getting doves to fly over Olga for the final shot. Something about pigeons being sent instead?

She wasn’t really sure but she decided to stay out of it. Just like how she decided to stay out of Deborah’s way. She didn’t have to go near her to know that her hatred for her was palpable.

She tried to just ignore her, but unfortunately, when Deborah “accidentally” stepped on Olga’s foot during a dance move, she realized that strategy wasn’t going to work anymore.Every nerve in her foot was on fire.

She slowly made her gaze towards Deborah’s face. Still afraid of her but still demanding an apology. An explanation at the bare minimum of why she was doing this.

All she got was a, “Watch we’re you’re going, Olga!” Spat back at her in response. She could feel all eyes on her. The hair on the back of her neck raised. A tingling sensation that erupted from her bothered her.

Olga knew not to make a scene. She meekly lowered her eyes and apologized to Deborah. She promised to not get in her way.

She boldly looked up to see the smuggest look of superiority she had ever seen in her life. It made Olga feel sick. Her skin crawled. Like she was staring directly at the face of a monster. Maybe she was.

“Olga sweetie, are you okay? Do you need a minute?” Asked the worried director. He couldn’t continue to shoot if his star was injured.

“Oh, yes, I’m fine.” Quickly responded Olga with yet another fake smile.

“Are you positive?” Mr. Bixby asked.

Olga hesitated to answer. Her voice was caught in her throat. She wanted to say no. She wanted to be honest. But she felt all the eyes on her again. So many eyes. All the hushed voices thinking they were inaudible that she could hear.

Every glance that they thought was intercept-able she saw. Every friendly touch and conversation had in her life before they all asked her if she could put in a good word for them or their talented child.

The sham of it all hiding behind even faker smiles, expensive perfumes, and fancy degrees as they all rubbed elbows. As they all lied together and expected her to play along.

She almost blurted out her true feelings. How she hated all of this. How she hated them all. She knew hate was a strong and bad word. No. How she hated herself the most. And how Deborah was the greatest thorn in her rose garden right now!

But the show had to go on. Her family needed this. Needed the money. Needed *her.* She felt like breaking down again. Her family needed the doll once more.

So Olga put on a pretty smile that nearly faltered as she untruthfully said, “Yes.”

It didn’t matter if Deborah stabbed and choked out all the flowers in Olga’s garden anymore.
They were artificial and had the texture of plastic.

Olga decided to conform long enough to finish the commercial and then let her hair down with Helga. Today was her last day. She would never have to see these people again.

Her family wished her well that day. Helga gave her a look. She knew what it meant. It was a look that said to not let anyone walk all over her. Being nice had its limits.

Olga nodded before she left the house. She wouldn’t let her baby sister down. As soon as she stepped inside the building, she was caught up in how much noise there was.

Everyone bustling to finish last minute changes. A bird handler making sure the doves were ready and stress free. The director massaging his head as her father was laying into him about something.

All the pretty dancers making sure they got their moves on point as they made small talk. Lighting being fiddled with. Interns hoping they didn’t mess up as they were being ordered around.

And of course, Deborah off obsessively making sure her moves were perfect. It was a shame she didn’t like Olga. She really had a talent that Olga had to admire.

She just had to find out why Deborah hated her so. After the final take, she would bury the hatchet once and for all. If not for Deborah’s sake then for her own.

The air felt different today. Everyone was expecting her to pull this off. And she didn’t plan on disappointing them.

“You ready to do this thing for real?” Asked Mr. Bixby.

“Yes, of course, Mr. Bixby.

“Then let’s shoot a commercial to remember and that looks good on my track record.” He said with a grin.

The dancers got into position. Olga could feel her heart beating in her chest. She refused to look at Deborah. She wouldn’t dare try anything on the last day of shooting.

The lights were too bright. The voices too loud. Her anxiety too high. She focused her stare at the director and then her father. Would this really fix everything?

“Quiet on set!” Shouted Mr. Bixby. Olga looked at the camera. She didn’t want to do this.

“Seven.” Counted down Mr. Bixby.

Why am I doing this?

“Six.”

Am I their daughter or just a status booster?

“Five.”

Will I ever be satisfied with that?

“Four.”

It’s my life. Not theirs.

“Three.”

I don’t want to play along anymore.

“Two.”

It’s lonely at the top.

Mr. Bixby mouthed the word one as Olga transfixed her gaze towards the camera. Just one last dance. Just one more. Then she could stop.

When Mr. Bixby pointed in her direction, she smiled and did her job. Her body felt weightless as she moved. Fluid like water upon the floor. Boots stomping in unison as she twirled and made sure to keep her smile on her face.

She was picked up and carried around the dance floor. She was minding her foot work as she said her little spiel about how great the beepers were. How easy and portable they were.

She saw at the corner of her eye the doves being readied. She got into position as she prepared to say her final lines. She saw her father stare her down like a hawk. Olga had to get this right.

She took a breath and said her line.

“Come down to Big Bob’s Emporium! Where our beepers work like magic!”

She heard the sound of wings flapping as the doves flew from above her. She maintained her smile and perfect pose for a few seconds before she was told all was well. It was a wrap.

Olga had done it. She really did it! She survived the ordeal. Her father looked happy and she could throw this costume away as soon as she could.

Some dancers in the back asked if they needed more takes. Bixby shook his head after reviewing the recording.

“That implies that the first time wasn’t perfect. And Olga only does perfection,” he laughed. “Alright! Food and drinks are in the back! Let’s celebrate!”

Olga felt herself frown. She wasn’t perfect. But if to err was to be human, then what was she? She looked at the woman who hated her most admiring herself in a nearby mirror. It was time to find out.

She took a deep breath and willed herself over to her. Deborah saw Olga’s figure walking towards her in the reflection. She rolled her eyes and scoffed. What did she want now? Wasn’t she clear to stay away from her?

“Olga. I made it perfectly clear I wanted nothing to do with you. What do you want?!” She snapped.

Olga looked around. Making sure they had enough privacy to bury the hatchet. Most people were in the crew room eating by now or were far off talking amongst themselves. This was her golden opportunity.

“Deborah, please. Tell me *why* you hate me ever so much? What did I do to you? Olga begged to know.

Deborah looked like Olga had grown two heads. Did this blonde really not know? God, talk about the stereotype of them being dumb being real.

“You really don’t remember me. We’ve met before. Or did I make such a little impression on The Great Olga?”

“What? When?” Olga tried to rack her brain. She was normally so good with faces and names. Why couldn’t she remember this one woman?

“Swan Lake.” Said Deborah.

“What?” Asked Olga.

“Swan Lake. Two years ago. New York. We both were vying for the role of Odette. You told me I could make my dreams come true. And like a fool I believed you. No one has their dreams come true when you’re around.” She said scornfully.

Recognition hit Olga she covered her mouth with her hands. Disbelief flooding through her.

“Deborah?” She whispered. Olga finally remembered her.

“Took you long enough. And all it took was you remembering stomping on my dreams to make it happen.”

“I don’t understand. Are you mad at me because I got the role and you didn’t?” Deborah stared at Olga like she was stupid.

“It’s not that you got the role. It’s WHY I didn’t get the role that keeps me up at night! I asked them straight to their faces why I didn’t get the role and do you know what they told me? Better luck next time! You’re no Olga! You can’t compete with perfection!”

Olga looked like she had been slapped. She knew that it was inevitable that there were going to be winners and losers when it came to show business. But to know that the game was always rigged in her favor hurt. She tried to apologize.

“Deborah, I am so-“

“Do not apologize! I don’t want your pity. You know how many people you stepped over to be where you are now? Why would you apologize to me? I’m a droplet in an ocean of people you have hurt. Do you know how many girls out there are told because they’re not you that they shouldn’t even bother?”

“I didn’t know. I never knew.”

“Of course you didn’t! How could you when your basket of gifts blocked your view of us! You don’t what hard ship is like. To never not have that attention on you.”

That was a lie. Yes, she did.

“To be adored by everyone who sees you. To be loved by them.”

They didn’t love her.

“You have the game rigged in your favor. How is that fair to us girls? Do you know how many girls here aren’t even naturally blonde? They dye their hair just to look like you.”

“I’m sorry.” Said Olga in a pathetic voice.

“Don’t make me laugh. You being sorry won’t fix anything. They’ll ask for you no matter what. You’ve always been the center of attention, haven’t you?”

No. She hadn’t been.

“What’s it feel like to be born with a silver spoon in your mouth? You have butlers give you midnight snacks too with how privileged your life must be.”

She had to learn how to cook and bake or else she’d starve to death as a child.

“Do you love anyone? I bet you don’t.”

Shut up.

“I’m right aren’t I?”

Shut up. No, you’re not.

“Tell me I’m right.”

The anger inside Olga grew. Why was she still talking?

“You’re silent because you know I’m right.”

Now was the time to say something. No more being a doormat.

“Tell me that this good girl act isn’t real. Tell me that you are just a selfish, loveless, manipulative and cold hearted monster that only cares about herself.”

Olga remained silent.

“I’m talking to you, Olga! What are you? Too good to even look down at the ant from your tower?!”

No more being a doll!

“Shut up! I liked you better when you weren’t talking to me!” Blurted out Olga.

Olga wasn’t sure who must have looked more shocked in that moment. Her or Deborah. Deborah stood back. Where was this coming from? She tried to recover.

“Ha! So the real Olga finally shows her true colors!”

“Take back what you said about me not loving anyone! I don’t care if you feel that I’m selfish, fake or whatever, but don’t you dare say that I don’t love anyone! I love my family so much! Especially my baby sister!”

“Oh, so you got a little sister? Ha, I honestly feel bad for her if you’re her older sister!” Deborah expected the perfect Olga to start crying or maybe even hit her. Make a scene.

But she was startled to see Olga clutch her stomach and just start laughing. It was a deep laugh that had been held back for so long. One that shook her body as she heaved. She was perturbed by this sight and took a step back to gain distance.

Olga looked at her dead in the eyes. A smile was on her face. But it wasn’t her usual warm smile that made everyone feel fuzzy. It was like that of a maniac and she had a wild look in her eyes. Deborah had let something out.

“You’re right! My baby sister does deserve better! I was so horrible to her. I was so caught up in my own little world that I never noticed hers imploding. But not anymore. But not anymore!”

Olga backed Deborah into the mirror. Pinning her against it. She felt shallow breaths leave her body as she warily kept her eyes on Olga. Olga kept the same smile stuck to her face.

“I don’t hate you, Deborah. I truthfully don’t. The only person here I hate is me. I actually find your blunt honesty about me refreshing. You don’t see me as a perfect wind up doll. I appreciate that. So because you’ve been so brutally honest with me, I’m going to be brutally honest with you. I hope you make it big.”

Deborah was caught off guard by this. What this woman insane?! And why wish her well when all she had done was harass and bully her?

“You’re thinking why, aren’t you? I am too to be honest. I think I want someone to understand what I feel. That being at the top is ever so lonely. To be told who you are when they’re all wrong. So I hope you get all the roles you want. All the plays and commercials you covet. And then when they call you The Dream Killer, when you’re their Boogeyman, I want you to keep this same mentality. And to never stop dancing.”

“You-you’re insane! I’m gonna let everyone know about this. You’ll never work again! Do you know who I am?!”

“No, I don’t!” Said Olga with a gasp. She sounded genuinely embarrassed. “That was my fault for forgetting. But the world? Do they know who *you* are? They should. And I hope you never leave the limelight. Oh, and one more thing.”

Olga leaned in closer. Boxing off Deborah even more. Olga didn’t weigh much, but the power behind her body was felt as it pressed against Deborah’s frame.

“I hope to see you on tv one day soon. Break a leg. Deb.” Said Olga in a tone that was pleasant to listen to. That’s what scared her the most. It wasn’t threatening, ironic or even malicious in any way. Olga meant every word.

Deborah felt tears prick at her eyes and begin to trickle down her face. There was something wrong with Olga. She had to get away from her.

She saw Olga had a cherry disposition still as she bolted in tears away from the blonde. Deborah was so distraught that she hardly noticed Big Bob walking past her.

“What’s her problem?” Grumbled Bob.

“Oh, she just got emotional talking to me about her dream to make it big and how I wished her the best.”

“That was nice of you. Well anyway, come over. We can’t cut the cake without the star of this whole thing.”

“Of course! Coming!”

As Olga walked with her father, she couldn’t help but stare at her hands. The very hands that pinned her bully down and made her squirm. She couldn’t comprehend if she enjoyed the feeling of being in control, or if she went too far. At least Helga would enjoy her recounting of events.

Olga got home and showered thoroughly. As she scrubbed and scrubbed, she wondered if the new her would wash off completely. She started to second guess herself. She needed a second opinion.

After being on auto pilot all day, dealing with her parents, she had her chance. She crept to Helga’s room, hoping to not get caught. She was glad luck was on her side as she knocked.

Helga took no time in opening up the door and letting Olga in. Becoming accustomed to their late night chats. Immediately, Helga could tell something was wrong. Olga didn’t look like her usual self. It almost looked like she was disassociating.

“Olga, are you okay?”

Olga thought for a moment. Was she?

“Yes. No? I’m not entirely sure. I stood up for myself like you said, but I don’t know if I feel good about doing it.”

“Holy Smokes you did?! Tell me all about it!”

Olga hummed to herself. She wasn’t sure it was a good idea. But the bright expectant look on Helga’s face could not be denied. Anything for her baby sister.

Sighing, she sat down on Helga’s bed and told her tale of triumph and woe. She could see Helga’s eyes get wide at a few points in her story. In some others she seemed angry for her. When she was done, Helga stood there with her mouth fully agape.

“Are you really Olga Pataki?” Helga inquired like it was a doppelgänger in front of her.

“I don’t know anymore. I think I just want to be Olga from now on. But is that the right thing to do?” She held her knees up to her chin and wrapped her arms around herself. “I just don’t know.”

“Olga,” said a soft Helga as she held Olga’s hands. “You have nothing to be sorry for. You are your own person. It sounded like you were finally happy.”

“But I wasn’t myself!”

“Isn’t that a good thing? Would the old Olga have stood up for herself?”

“No.. she.. I wouldn’t have.”

“And it gave you the strength to stand up for me. Is that a bad thing?”

Olga’s eyelashes fluttered when she realized what Helga had said. No. Defending her sister was never a bad thing. She understood now that she had the power to do the same for herself.

“No, it’s not.” Said Olga in a tone to indicate that she was finally putting two and two together.

“Olga, would you like to sleep over tonight? We’ve never done that before.”

Olga squealed in delight. How could she say no?! She got excited as she moved over in Helga’s bed to give her room.

“So what do we do now, Olga?”

Olga blinked. What did they do now? She’s never done this before with Helga. What did they talk about? She racked her brain.

“Now, you tell me what you told Harold that made him laugh so hard.” Helga got the biggest grin on her face.

“Okay, so, it went down like this!”

As Helga told her story, Olga could see how much joy she had. It was rare for her to see her sister smile like that.

If she had been a better sister, such a sight would have been commonplace for her. Olga laughed hardily at Helga’s story.

“I can see why he started choking! That was a good one.”

Helga beamed at the compliment. Honestly, if this was how Olga felt all the time, she couldn’t blame her for wanting that praise and attention all the time. It was only natural, right?

“And me and Arnold are doing pretty good.” Said Helga as she changed topics.

“That’s good! He’s a sweet boy. I can tell. He’s genuine. Hmmph! Unlike-“

Olga grew quiet. Clearly hurt after Helga had told her about the true reason behind why her beloved called the wedding off.

“Doug?” Helga dared to say.

The gears in Olga’s mind turned before a thought came to her. She smacked her hand onto her forehead and loudly groaned.

“What?!” Asked a startled Helga.

“LeSham! His last name was LeSham! The Shame! I should have known he was up to no good! I feel so stupid! Plus, his name was Doug! Who wants to marry a Doug?!” Shouted Olga in pure disgust.

“Hey, go easy on yourself, Olga! You didn’t know. How could you?” Consolingly said Helga.

“Because I’m supposed to be the perfect one! The one that can do no wrong! How could I not have known the obvious con-man when I deal with people daily! I should have known his true intentions!”

Helga carefully placed her hands on Olga’s back. She wasn’t used to doing this, so she hoped that she was doing the right thing.

“Olga, you just wanted love. Who can blame you? Call it sappy but, if what you felt with Doug is what I feel when I’m with Arnold, then I can’t blame you at all.”

“I should have been more like you. Guarded and careful. Of course he would want to use me for my status and money. I’m just an object. Not an actual person. If you noticed it, then why couldn’t I?”

“Because we all see what we want to see. I tend to look for the bad and I just so happened to see it. Truth be told, it gets tiring being right sometimes. I want to see the good in people like you do. I admire you!”

Olga looked up at Helga. “You do?” She said in a puzzled tone. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“I do! I’m not lying either. You know I’m telling the truth. Maybe if I saw the world as glass half full, I’d be better off. I didn’t exactly have the best childhood.”

“You’re still a child, Helga.” Pointed out Olga.

“You’re the only one here who seems to remember that.” Said a sad Helga before she shook the thought away.

“Besides, all’s well that ends well.”

“Had you not have said something, it would have been a tragedy.” Olga smirked to herself after remembering something.

“Mommy told me to not marry him. To not ruin her life like she did. Do you think she regrets us?”

The question hung in the air. Helga didn’t know what to say. She never knew the same question she had on her mind, was also on Olga’s.

“No. At least not fully? She sobered up once and had a heart to heart with me. So I think she cares. I just think that her drinking makes her forget that.”

“A good mother doesn’t need a reminder to care! She hates our father and we got caught in the middle of it all. Now we either move mountains to have her notice us or-“

“Stumble underneath it to be ignored.” Finished Helga with a sad smile.

Olga retuned the smile back. At least they now had a better understanding of each other. They weren’t so alone anymore.

“I hate that I’ll end up looking like her when I grow up. At least I think I will.” Said Helga.

“Already there baby sister. At least you won’t look like Daddy.” Joked Olga.

“Ha! Kill me if I do!”

“I’ll bury you under a mountain of beepers!”

The two laughed. Helga was really liking the new Olga. She had a nice wit about her that was easy to match. They really did have a lot in common that she was blind to.

“I can’t believe we both like rock music! I never would have guessed! How did you even discover you liked it?”

“Well,” said a flushed Olga. “I was around your age when our parents were typically ignoring me.”

“Wait. Typically?”

“Mhmm. Mommy and Daddy often ignored me just like they do you now. Why do you think I’m the way that I am?” Helga had her mind blown.

“So you weren’t always the Golden Child?!”

“Nope. I was overlooked and under loved. Not that it excuses how I mistreated you growing up. So caught up in my own hunt for approval that I ended up doing the same to you.”

“So you do all this not just because of expectations but because you’re afraid you’ll go back to being ignored again.”

“Yeah.”

“You ever try therapy? Not all of them are quacks. I know a pretty good one.”

“Thanks Helga. But can you imagine if people saw me there? They would talk. And people would take pictures. And pictures would lead right back to Daddy! And then Daddy would get so mad at me!”

“Hey, Olga. It’s okay. I’m here. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. Okay?”

Olga nodded. “Okay.”

“Finish your story.”

“Right. Umm. Well Mommy and Daddy were ignoring me like always and I decided to fiddle with the radio. Listen to some music to pass the time. I accidentally found the station. Something about it spoke to me. It made me feel heard to hear all the things locked up inside me were just being belted out into the open. I must have listened for hours. I loved it so much that I never stopped.”

“That’s incredible, Olga! Had I have known earlier, we could have done more together.”

“We still have time left. Maybe we can sneak some in before I leave.”

“I’d like that.”

“Tell me more about you. I know your favorite color is pink right?” Olga asked.

“Yeah. And I know yours is green.”

“Okay, I’m good at sewing.”

“Helga, I think you might be girlier than me.”

“Don’t remind me.” Said Helga with a shudder.

They talked and talked for hours until Helga started to yawn. Her eyes became heavy.

“Time for bed, Helga.”

“Fine.” Just don’t try cuddling up to me or anything.”

Olga said she would respect her boundaries. Olga took the left side and Helga took the other.

“Good night, Olga.”

“Good night, Helga.”

Olga’s mind raced as her sister’s shut down for the night. She was proud to be Helga’s big sister. And as she felt Helga’s little body cling to hers while she rested, she was even more sure of it.

She had to protect her at all costs. But she couldn’t stay here. It would smother her to death if she did. Gone were the days of Olga the Doll. Tomorrow would be her declaration of war.

She just hoped that Helga made it out okay. Unscathed was impossible at this point. She prayed for forgiveness rather than permission. It was time for Olga to live as her true authentic self.

And she had a way of making that message clear to her parents tomorrow. She would no longer be denied. She dreamed that night of big scissors cutting away her last name. No longer a Pataki, but simply just an Olga. She was fine with that.

————————-

The next day, she set her plan into motion. She wanted to completely shock them. Really pull the rug from under their feet. She stayed her hand. She couldn’t ruin the surprise just yet.

Olga made breakfast for her family like she normally did. Talked and listened to them blab on like always. She could barely stand it but kept up the act of an attentive daughter.

She watched as her father held all his hopes and dreams on that one shoddily done commercial. He could keep dreaming. Olga was to be his greatest nightmare.

She reminisced with her mother one last time. Watched tv with her and gossiped about the characters on the show. As if her mother’s life was any better in reality.

It did sadden her that mother was still clearly fighting a hangover. She wanted her to be sober for tonight. She giggled at the thought of replacing all of her alcohol with water.

It didn’t matter in the end she supposed. Drunk or not, Miriam was going to have her heart broken. Maybe it would be a blessing to be drunk. Just this once.

“I love you.” Spoke Olga randomly.

“Aww, I love you too, Hun.” Lovingly responded her mother as she embraced her.

Olga hugged her back. She did love her mother. She really did. However, her pain lingered more than that sacred bond between mother and daughter. Why didn’t her mother do more?

It especially upset her because Helga told her of the time she was sober and happy. A functional relationship was possible. She just chose to let her addiction win. And she bowed down to her mister’s beckoning call every time.

Olga knew she was simplifying it. Addiction was a hard thing to fight. It wasn’t her mother’s fault. Not entirely. There was another to blame. The one who was the root of all their problems.

Why didn’t her father stop her mother from drinking? Surely he wasn’t stupid enough to not know what she was putting in her smoothies?

Plus, he had to go out of his way to pick up Helga from soccer when his wife was passed out and dead to the world. And on top of that, lost her license!

Once Helga was involved, he should have put his foot down! But no. That was asking too much from the big man himself. From the king who ruled with an iron fist.

Well his kingdom was to be torn asunder by his very heir. Then they would all see him as he truly was. A fool. And the recompense would be wholly sweet.

With the saccharine taste of victory almost near, she decided to spend time with the only member of her family she actually liked. She hoped her baby sister wanted to still spend time with her.

She found her in her room sewing something. Helga told her to give her one moment and to close her eyes. Olga promptly obeyed. After what must have been at least a good minute, she was permitted to open her eyes.

Helga’s eyes were greeted by the sight of a miniature her. A perfect mimic of her in doll form. Her blonde soft hair poking out and her eyes staring back at her.

“I don’t know if it’s appropriate to give the person who feels like a doll a doll version of themselves. Maybe you could burn it as a symbolism or something?” Suggested Helga.

Olga immediately snatched the doll and protectively held it to her chest.

“Absolutely not! It’s darling! Thank you, Helga. This is the most thoughtful gift anyone has ever gotten me. Thank you so much!”

“Oh. Well you’re welcome, Olga.”

Helga watched her sister hug the doll. She seemed at peace. Like holding this tiny version of her really gave her some sense of…control? Catharsis maybe?

“Helga?”

“Yes,Olga?”

“I want our last day together to be extra special. So I planned something special for us.”

Helga raised her eye brows. What did her sister have planned? Judging by the look in her eyes, it must have been something Miriam and Bob would hate. Naturally Helga was all for it.

“All I have to do is quickly start this crock pot dinner for tonight and then we can go.”

“You’re still gonna cook for them?”

Olga smiled. “Trust me baby sister, it will all be worth it.”

Olga quickly put the ingredients together and double checked to make sure all was well. Once she confirmed it was all fine, she let her parents know that her and Helga would be out for a while. They would be back by dinner.

Her parents wished her well and they were off. After they made it a couple blocks, Olga told her to open the glove compartment and put in the cassette.

Within a few seconds, she heard rock music crawl out from it. Her eyes widened. She wasn’t expecting this. She took another look inside the glove compartment.

There were tons of these cassettes carefully labeled. Olga had her own stash! Helga threw back her head and laughed.

“I should have known!” Helga said as she laughed.

“Sometimes I just have to think and get all my energy out. Going for a drive and blaring my music helps.”

“Well,” said Helga as she turned the dial to the right. “Let it blare then!”

The music heard its orders and obeyed as it screamed out the lyrics of the song. Helga knew this one so singing along with Olga was a breeze.

With the windows down, the music was able to bleed out into the physical world. It was a car ride that for once, Helga wasn’t bored by.

She stuck her hand out the window and felt the wind flop her hand around with its power. She wiggled her fingers and sighed in peace. It was a simple motion but she never felt comfortable enough around her parents to let her hair down.

She sang and just enjoyed the passing serene view of whatever she saw as they drove on. About half an hour passed before Helga began to wonder where they were headed.

Now that she thought about it, Olga never shared their destination with her. She asked Olga where they were going. Olga just smiled at her and told her to wait and see.

Another thirty minutes passed before Olga stopped. It was an ordinary ice cream parlor. Helga couldn’t hide her confusion. She wore it openly on her face.

“You brought us an hour out just for ice cream?”
Asked a very confused Helga.

“Nope. It’s merely a pit stop. You’ll want to eat.”

She didn’t understand fully what was going on, but Helga decided to trust her big sister. Whatever or whoever she was leading them towards must have been worth it.

They got their respective favorite flavors. Neapolitan for Helga and Cookie Dough for Olga. They made small talk.

“And you aren’t going to tell me where you’re taking me?” Once again asked Helga.

“Nope!” Said Olga as she ate her ice cream. “The surprise is worth it. Where’s your sense of adventure? Plus, I thought you would like eating desert before dinner.”

“Is this some weird way to rebel against Bob and Miriam? Eating sweets before dinner?”

Olga laughed at Helga’s question. “Something like that. You’ll see soon enough.”

Helga didn’t know how to feel about that. She trusted Olga, but she couldn’t lie that she felt a little nervous. Where were they going?

After a while, they got back on the road. Another hour passed before Olga pulled into the parking lot of a building.

Olga looked at the writing at the front of the building.

*Craig’s Tattoos and Piercings.*

“Olga, what are we doing here?”

“Showing Mommy and Daddy that they can’t ignore you or use me any longer. Helga, my dearest baby sister.” Olga leaned down to be at eye level with Helga. She took a deep breath and sighed.

“Do you want to do this? To finally show them what they’ve created? What they’ve done to us? So that they can no longer ignore it? I’m not their doll. And you are their daughter too. My mind is already made up about what I’m about to do. But you don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.”

Helga saw a fire in her sister’s eyes. Like there was real life in them. For once, Olga was being selfish. And she was inviting her to rebel against them. To get the justice they both deserved.

“Olga. When we go inside, switch our names around.”

“Why?”

“You’ll see. Trust me. As I trust you.”

“Okay, I will.”

They went inside and Olga said she made an appointment to be here. She had a design for a tattoo she wanted. And her baby sister wanted a small nose stud.

The man at work, Helga assumed Craig, stepped forward. He was an unassuming man with chestnut hair and a long face with a pronounced nose stuck to him.

“Name?” Asked the presumed Craig.

“Oh my name is-“

“Not you. The small one. I have to always make sure the parents are on board with this.”

“They gave us permission to be here.” Said Helga.

“I still want to check. They got a phone?”

Helga gave him the home phone number. After beeping for a couple tones, it was picked up.

“Hello? What do you want?” Asked Bob’s gruff voice over the phone.

Helga knew from this tone alone that she was about to get away with what she wanted.

“Uh, I have your daughter her with me. She’s in a tattoo and piecing business. Does she have consent to be here?”

There was a long pause over the phone. Craig almost thought that they were disconnected or that Bob had left the room. Perhaps racing his way down to his shop as he waited with the phone dumbly in his hands.

“Sir, are you still there?”

“Huh, oh yeah. Sorry I got distracted by something. What did you say?”

Helga rolled her eyes and grabbed the phone.

“Do I have permission to be here, Dad?” Helga with an exasperated tone.

“Olga, that you?”

“Yes, who else? Can I be here or not?”

“Yeah yeah,” he said in a dismissive tone. “Whatever you want, Olga.” The dial tone on their end told them that the phone was promptly hung up.

“That enough proof for you?” Asked the newly dubbed “Olga.”

“Yes, kid. Thanks. So who wants to go first?”

“Helga does.” Spoke “Olga.”

The real Olga turned in surprise.

“Are you sure?!” She asked.

“Yes. You always put others first. It’s time for you to put yourself first for once.”

“Helga” smiled.

Craig looked over her tattoo design. It wasn’t intricate really. Simple enough to do. It was a small mock up of Earth with a singular star falling towards it.

“Where do you want this on you, Miss?”

“On my right shoulder, please.”

“Very well.”

He made a quick mock up of her design and was given express approval of it. He looked at her unsteadily for a moment. This girl didn’t have the look of the regular people who would come here.
He wasn’t judging her.

But it was still odd. A pretty blonde like her that looked like she could be on some soda commercial or an advertisement for toothpaste with her pearly white teeth.

He shrugged it off. It wasn’t his job to know. He just inked and pierced. He asked the woman if she was ready and if she ever needed to stop, to let him know.

She gave her consent and he started. Olga felt the needle bite into her skin. Marking her perfect unblemished skin with dark and marring ink.

She grit her teeth. It felt like getting a shot. Olga never cried getting one, but this might have changed things. It wanted to dig into her skin and leave its mark on her.

She was being penetrated and warped. Her skin was being scraped away. Second after second. Nerves on fire from the constant pressure.

She saw her baby sister looking at her. Helga looked scared. Olga couldn’t afford to scare her own sister. She needed to do this. For them both.

“Are you okay, ma’am?” Craig asked.

“Yes, I’m fine. Keep going.”

After getting her verbal consent, Craig put the needle back to her skin and kept going. Olga looked over to her baby sister and gave her a reassuring look.

Helga asked if she could hold her hand. Her big sister nodded. Helga felt how strong Olga was. Her grip hardening around her hand.

Despite that, Olga looked so vulnerable. Helga held back just as hard. Olga wasn’t alone and neither was she.

Olga breathed through the pain, wiling herself to finish this. Through all the emotional pain she had been through, an hour of physical pain was nothing. This was her moment of liberation.

After what felt like an eternity, it was finally over. The pain was still there, but it was lessened. Her shoulder would be sore for a while. She admired her new ink.

It was worth it. It was just what she wanted. She would never have thought of doing this even a week ago. But now, it felt right. So normal.

“What do you think?” Asked Olga as she turned towards her sister.

“I think it fits you. The real you.”

Olga smiled. She thought so too.

“Alright, little lady. Your turn. A stud, right? One which side?” Craig asked.

“The left.” Stated “Olga.”

“Alright. I’ll disinfect it and pierce you. It’ll sting for a second. Then you’ll have it in.”

He got huge chosen piercing and set it up. He asked if she was ready. He saw her nod. The quicker he did it, the better she would feel.

With one swift motion, it was over. Helga flinched for a brief moment before she was told it was over. That was it?

She looked at herself in the mirror while Olga got her new tattoo wrapped. It was really nice. It gave her spunk. An extra punch to her.

Olga paid Craig the $120 she owed him and after getting a run down on proper care and cleaning, the girls were off.

“So this was what you meant by me seeing what you had planned.”

Olga showed off a prideful smile. She was glad she could keep her mouth shut long enough to surprise her.

“I knew it would be worth it.”

“Now Mom and Dad are gonna flip when they see us.”

“No, Helga. Just me. But I’m fine with that. They’ll get what’s coming to them. Now let’s go home.”

The two hours went by like nothing. They were roughly six minutes away from home before Olga stopped by a park.

“Want a moment to play before we go inside?”

“Yeah.” Answered Helga.

They enjoyed the slide and monkey bars. They ran and tagged each other until their lungs felt like bursting. They hopped on the swings and went back and forth.

“Olga.”

“Hmm?”

“What will happen once they see the tattoo and my nose?”

“I don’t know. But I do know that I’m getting free from them. One way or another. And know that whatever happens, I will always love you, baby sister.”

Helga couldn’t respond. Saying she loved Olga was still a hurdle for her. She wanted to so badly. But emotionally she wasn’t quite there yet. Almost though.

“I know, Olga. And you will never stop.”

“You bet I won’t.”

“Do you think that commercial will help Bob’s business?” Helga asked.

“Who knows? If you ask me, it’s a dead duck in the water. He should invest in phones. But maybe I’m wrong.”

“Are you ever though?”

Olga chuckled. She wished her father did lose everything if she was being honest. But then what would happen to Helga? She couldn’t just get up and leave like she could.

As if reading her mind, Helga responded.

“I sometimes think of Bob going bankrupt. More like dream I guess. Maybe then he’d pay more attention to me. Or maybe he’d be so stressed out he’s forget me entirely. I wish he did. That way maybe I could live with you or the boarding house.”

“I was your first pick?”

“Olga, if it wasn’t for Arnold and Phoebe, I would have nothing holding me back from leaving.”

Olga hummed at this. That made sense. She had connections here. True and valid ones. Unlike herself that had no friends to speak of.

She may have been able to run away, but what really could the kid who barely hit double digits do? She was sadly trapped here. But once she became of age, she had this feeling she would hightail it out of here.

“Well I’m glad that you think of me so highly.”

“Olga. Speaking of highly, can you do that thing with the swing. The one where you go all the way around it while standing up? I heard only you could do it.”

Olga was more than happy to try! A nostalgic expression swept her face. She hadn’t done that stunt in years!

She set herself up and soon rose higher and higher. A determined Olga kept going. More and more until she rose higher and soon fast enough to go over the swing set and swing over it multiple times.

She couldn’t help but laugh. She still got it! From below, Helga watched her sister fly like an angel from above. It looked like if she let go at any moment, she would defy gravity and fly to the sky. Where she belonged.

Olga was the sight of pure wonder. The way she effortlessly just did the most magnificent things. She admired her and wished she could have been more like her. Minus the whole perfectionism.

Olga eventually slowed down and she came to a halt. She huffed before hopping off and taking a bow.

She heard Helga vigorously clap for her. She couldn’t hide her big cheesy grin. This was better than any Broadway standing ovation.

After she caught her breath, she advised Helga it was time to go home. No more putting it off. Helga sighed and agreed.

They got back inside and drove the rest of the way home in silence. Both were thinking about what was to happen next. And both knew that it wouldn’t be pretty.

————————

Back inside, Olga and Helga wondered how long it would take them to notice. If Miriam was still drinking, then she was negligible. Their father might notice. It was time to test it out.

She found him messing with some paper work.

“Daddy. Have you heard back about the shooting of the commercial?” Olga dared to pressingly ask.

“Those knuckle heads told me to wait until later tonight to see it! I thought it would be up and running as soon as we finished it with how much money we put into it!”

*YOU put into it.* Thought Olga.

“Better late than never, right?” Said Olga.

“Yeah, I guess.” Bob grumbled. He paused as he stared hard at Olga.

“Say, Olga. Something’s different about you.” He stared longer.

Olga didn’t move. Was he really more observant than she gave him credit for? Was it over before it already started?

“Your hair. Did you style it differently today?”

Olga blinked. She took a moment to stop herself from laughing. It took more restraint honestly for her than getting the tattoo.

“Yes, Daddy. Thank you for noticing.”

“And your mother says I don’t pay attention.” He said.

“Right.” Said Olga as she left her father.

They were in the clear. Dinner was about ready so Helga helped Olga set the table up. Helga saw a little extra pep in her sister’s step.

Something about her attitude was contagious and she found herself a little more energetic too. She wished they always had this relationship. Had their upbringing been better, she really could have had a sister. That irked her.

In that moment, Helga understood her sister more than ever. How could Olga not want to live for herself and get back at their mom and dad after what they did to them both? She knew in that precise moment, that whatever happened next, was their fault. It was on them.

The table was done being set and everyone came to the dining room. Everyone sat down just like they always did. Her parents started coddling her again.

She barely had the strength to play along anymore. But she put on her fake smile one last time. Holding it in place and fastening it tight.

She played her role as the dutiful daughter. All while bobbing her fingers up and down to the metal song that was playing in her head.

She heard her parents compliment her cooking. Even though it was a simple crockpot meal. She took the praise nevertheless. Thanking them for their appreciation of her cooking.

She looked over to once again see Helga being ignored. She attempted to engage with her. Tried to see how she liked spending time with her. Anything to get her parents involved. Even if she had to be a core part of said topic.

“You know Helga and I have really been enjoying ourselves lately. I feel like we’re two peas in a pod.” Olga started.

“Yeah, it’s been..fun.” Said Helga as it sounded more as a realization to her than anything. “It was fun.” Helga repeated confidently.

“I’m so glad you girls are getting along. Aww. Maybe that will be a nice new picture for the scrapbook! You two together!” Said a happy Miriam.

The girls didn’t know how to feel about that. It was nice that Helga was going to be included. But why couldn’t Helga have her own book? Why did it *have* to include Olga for it to be good enough to be included?

“Maybe later after we’ve eaten.” Lied Olga. She knew there would be no next time. Not after this. And she couldn’t feel bad at it.

Dinner droned on and on until it was finally time to get to dessert. And oh, were they going to get their just desserts. Olga brought out a beautifully made red velvet cake.

Her parents of course praised her. Right on cue. She nodded seamlessly along with their words. It was background noise to her at this point.

She took a moment to look at Helga. Now was the time. Helga stared back for a moment. She expressed a look of sadness and trepidation before she regained her resoluteness and nodded firmly at Olga. Do it.

Olga nodded back and slowly raised her shirt sleeves up. Enough to ensure they didn’t make contact with the cake. She steeled herself as she doled out individual slices.

She carefully got back in her seat. No reactions yet. She looked at her cake. It wasn’t as appealing as it should have been to her.
Her family was eating happily.

Well, her parents were. Helga couldn’t take her eyes off her. Like she too was waiting for the boot to drop.

Her dad made room for the cake by adjusting his belt buckle. Despite having a fork next to him, he chose to use his hands like a barbarian.

Conquering the food and taking its sweet flavor as his war prize. Their mother was a lot more refined in her eating style. She took small bites and savored every bite.

She wanted to tell Olga how well of a job she had done. Her eyes filled with adoration and pride as she looked at her eldest and most accomplished daughter.

As she looked at her daughter, she say something unusual. At first she thought it was a trick of the light. But as she looked closer, she saw that it was no illusion.

Her eyes widened in shock as she quickly alerted Bob to look at their daughter. He wondered what the big deal was until he looked over and saw it.

On her right shoulder was the wrapping that failed to hide what was transparent. The gift being a dark tattoo that had been freshly done.
Time briefly stopped.

Her parents had their mouths so wide open that she wondered if a fly would really enter inside. Moments stretched out for what felt like hours.
Her mother dared to speak first.

Her mother raised her lips in a discontented smile.

“That’s fake, right?”

Olga took her time to answer her mother. She finally decided to take a bite of her cake. She took a sliver of it and savored the rich flavor.

Her eyes lit up in satisfaction. She happily hummed to herself. Olga had to hand it to herself. She really was a good baker.

She met her mother’s agonized gaze. In any normal scenario, that simple look would have killed Olga. But the more she analyzed it, the more exhausted Olga felt.

“No.” She simply said.

She heard her father groan. “For Pete’s Sake, Olga! You could have at least have made it my job’s name and location!”

“Bob! Be serious right now!” Shouted Miriam.

“What, I am! It would have been good advertising!”

Bob sighed and touched the bridge of his nose. Inhaling and exhaling. Of all the rotten luck. But it could be fixed. He was still in control.

“Here’s what we’ll do, Olga. We’ll have you wear makeup to cover it up. Or fix it in post. That way when you do future commercials and performances, no one can see it.”

“I’m not hiding it, Daddy. And I will no longer be performing for you.”

Bob blinked. He thought he heard misheard her. What was up with Olga?!

“Is this some form of rebellion at us? Like how I did with my parents when I married your father?”

Bob quickly grew a confused look on his face. What did his wife mean by that?! They had a great life! What could she possibly have to complain about?

“Because if it is, I get it. At least you’re not knocked up with a baby you-“ Miriam stopped herself.

She covered her mouth. She didn’t mean it. She really didn’t. She loved her daughters! She swore that she did! She did! But…how much better would her life had been without Bob?

She slowly cast her gaze towards Olga after she looked away in shock. Her eyes were locked onto her daughter’s. She let out a heavy sigh that morphed into a laugh.

It escaped her mouth before she could subdue it. It started off shaky and eventually evolved into this bitter sound. No one took their eyes off her. Too stunned to move.

“I was a bad mom. Wasn’t I?” She asked in a barely audible whisper.

She turned her attention to Bob as she suddenly stared him down. Everyone flinched at the sudden movement. Bob lowered himself even more as he felt smoldering away beneath her gaze.

“You.” She said with venom. “You ruined me. You promised me the world. Now all I can do is dream at the end of a bottle.” Miriam cried.

Bob got up to defend himself. Incensed at his wife’s claim.

“What are you talking about?! I never forced you to drink any of that stuff! You could have stopped anytime you wanted! Don’t blame me because you decided to give up!”

Miriam looked like she had been slapped.

“You think I wanted to give it all up?! How could I go back after you used up all my hard earned money to build up your business?! You took everything from me and thought that a baby would solve everything!” Miriam shouted.

“You didn’t certainly object to making one, now did you? Why are you acting like you aren’t responsible for your own actions, Miriam?”

Miriam’s fingers twitched as she went to grab her nearby glass. She stopped herself as she gripped it. That’s what he would want her to do. Be a drunk again so she had to solely rely on him.

Miriam swirled her drink around in her cup before jumping her eyes upward to her husband’s.

“You know what, Bob? You look tired. This drink is on you.” She proceeded to spill the contents of her cup into his face. The smoothie alcohol mix splashing into his face.

Bob sputtered and coughed. Gasping for air against the coldness of it.

“What’s your problem?!” Bob barked. “Have you lost your mind, woman?!”

“I have,” admitted a resentful Miriam. “And you took it from me over twenty years ago.”

Olga couldn’t help but laugh at the image over her dripping wet father standing before her. Bob snapped at her.

“You think this is funny?!” He shouted as he slammed his hand down on the table in anger.

Olga jolted slightly at the loud noise, but then quickly regained her composure. She looked rather bored at his display of anger.

“Yes, I really do.” She calmly confessed.

“Look at what you did to your mother! You have her acting out! And now you don’t want to help the family out?! What about me?! What have I done to you?”

Olga in the blink of an eye jumped up on the table and began walking on it to tower over her father. Bob wasn’t expecting this and once again, cowered under a Pataki woman’s ire filled gaze.

“What haven’t you done to me? I was put on a pedestal that I never asked to be put on. I was made to be your doll. To say and do what you wanted me to. Then, when you were done with me, you put me back in my box. Do you have any idea how stressful that is? To never make friends? To never know who is using you because they want something from you? The dieting that leaves me starving to the point of passing out? Being told you’re the dream crusher! Do you even care? You did that to me. You both did!” Declared Olga loudly.

Miriam looked down in shame. Bob tried to defend himself.

“We can still fix this, honey. So people are a little intimidated by you. We can try a rebranding of you. You can keep the tattoo if you want. We can maybe do a commercial about that. Show how Bob’s Beepers are for everyone. Doesn’t that sound nice?”

Olga closed her eyes. She felt her world spinning. Of course he wouldn’t get it. And she was a fool for thinking that he would.

“Is that all you have to say?” Olga asked.

“I mean..it’s a nice tattoo? What’s it mean?”

Olga lifted herself up high.

“It means that I am a falling star. Wishing upon itself to be like everyone else. To be more grounded. But I know that I am still a star.”

“You are honey. You are a star! You’re dazzling.” Said Bob as he tried to placate his daughter. “Let’s get you down from here. We can calm down. Say you’re sorry and forget this whole thing ever happened.”

Olga’s eyes shot wide open in shock.

“You still don’t get it. The most important person here who deserves an apology is the one you haven’t even looked at all night.”

Bob looked around confused. His eyes landed on his youngest. She looked back at him with an equally confused look.

“I don’t understand.” Said Bob.

“Clearly.” Remarked a dry Olga. “Apologize for neglecting her.”

“Huh? I haven’t neglected her! She eats and goes to school. What could I have missed?” He asked perplexingly.

“Yeah, right. Why don’t you tell me how I got to my first day of preschool, Bob?” Asked a snarky Helga.

“I..” Bob couldn’t remember.

“Or what my favorite color is?” Helga asked.

“That’s an easy one! It’s green!”

Helga shook her head.

“That’s *my* favorite color.” Corrected Olga.

“My favorite color is pink.” Said Helga.

“Well how was I supposed to know?!”

“It’s what I always wear. I’m wearing it right now.” Stated a tired Helga.

“Oh, right.” Said an embarrassed Bob.

He tried to save face.

“Give me another one.” He demanded.

“Fine.” Said Helga with arms crossed. “How old am I?”

“Um..aren’t you like six?”

“No, Dad. I’m nearly ten. Me and Olga are twelve years apart. Remember?”

“Oh, yeah.” He said sheepishly.

“Last one.” Announced Olga. “What’s her name?”

Bob blinked for a moment. His mind suddenly drew a blank.

“It’s.. uh..” He looked over to his wife. She simply shook her head in disgust at him. He was on his own.

“Tell me you know my name.”

“It’s…”

“Please. Tell me you know!”

“What do you want from me, Olga?!” Snapped Bob.

Almost immediately, he regretted it.

“HELGA!” Screamed Olga as she stomped her foot on the table. “Her name is Helga! Why is that so hard for you to remember?!”

Helga looked disappointed. Not in her father. But in herself for believing that he would suddenly remember it and call her the correct name.

“So I missed a few details.”

“Don’t start.” Ordered Olga through gritted teeth. “Forget all of that. Did you even look at her at all today? What do you see?”

Bob looked at her face. He looked intensely at it. Examining it closely. The light hit her face just right and he saw something on her nose. It took a second for him to realize what was on her face.

“You have her a nose piercing?”

“And if I had never had said anything, would you have ever noticed it?” Asked Olga.

Bob lowered his head down in shame.

“It looks nice on you.” Complimented Miriam softly.

“Thanks, Mom.” Said Helga. Happy to at least have her mother say something positive about it.

Bob held his head in his hands. There was so much going on. He couldn’t grasp it all. Too much happening at once.

“So. What do we do now?” He asked.

“Now. Said Olga with a heavy sigh. “Now I leave.”

“Right. Today was your last day. Maybe we spend some time apart and we come back to this.” Suggested Bob.

“No, I mean, as in for good.”

Silence filled the room. A chill went down everyone’s spines. What?

“Olga, you don’t mean that. Do you?” Asked her father.

“But I do. You’ve shown me you aren’t ready to change. And until then, I need to heal. So, when I
am ready and I feel like you have made an effort to change, I am going no contact as of today.”

“Olga, please! Reconsider!” Pleaded a desperate Bob.

“It’s too late.” Said a pained Olga. She got off the table and moved to collect things.

Her mother, trying her best to not sob, asked Olga if this is what she wanted. Olga nodded.

“Yes, Mother.”

Miriam sighed sadly.

“Then you run.”

Olga blinked in surprise. So did everyone else in the room.

“Don’t let him ruin your life like he did mine.”

Bob attempted to defend himself.

His wife’s quick fist slamming on the table cut him off.

“No, Bob! No more! Olga, you run! Do you hear me?! Run as far away as you can!”

Olga, invigorated by her mother’s words, swiftly gathered her items by the door and ran outside to chuck them into her car.

Bob, in a stupor, snapped out of it and ran after Olga. His loud voice booming.

“OLGA! COME BACK!” He bellowed.

His wife held him back as Olga packed up the last of her items into the car. The noise gathered a small crowd. Some began to whisper and snap pictures.

Bob grew fearful and tried to usher them all away. Now was not the time for bad press. Olga however decided to twist the knife.

She loudly proclaimed that she was no longer going to be in contact with her parents due to them treating her like a doll and most importantly, neglecting her sister!

She was done and would never play along again. Gasps were heard and Bob was losing control of the situation. He tried to coax his daughter inside to no avail.

Helga rushed out behind him to confront Olga.

“Olga!” She shouted.

Olga turned around and her facial expressions immediately softened.

“I get why you’re leaving. And I support it. I do. But.. but I’m scared that I’ll be all alone again.” Helga couldn’t hold back the tears any longer.

Olga immediately hugged her sister.

“I promise you,” said Olga in a shaky voice. “I will find a way to stay in touch with you. Even if it takes some time. But I will *never* abandon you. I promise baby sister. I promise.”

“Okay, Olga. I believe you. Just take care of yourself.”

“I will. For once in my life, I will.”

“I love you, Olga.” Whispered a gentle Helga.

Olga held her sister at arm’s length. Unaccustomed to such a verbal declaration of love on her sister’s behalf.

She looked at her with such love and pride. If only she could just snatch her up here and now. Put her in the car and never look back. Protect her from everything.

But she couldn’t. She had to leave her sister behind. Just when things were finally going good between them. But she couldn’t help her sister if she couldn’t help herself.

“I love you too, baby sister.” Olga sadly whimpered as she placed a delicate forehead kiss on her sister and then hugged her tightly one last time.

She held her there until she forced herself to pull away. Inch by inch. Fighting herself to do so. Finally, she fully let go.

She held Helga’s face in her hands lovingly one last time before she broke the physical contact. She heard and saw cameras flashing, but by this point, didn’t care.

She got in her car, and after looking out the rear view mirror, waved goodbye and drove off. Helga felt something possess her as she felt her legs move on their own and force her to chase after Olga.

She didn’t get very far but she still tried. She heard Olga honk her horn for her, and she was gone with a turn around the corner.

Helga still tried to feebly chase after Olga until she couldn’t anymore. She felt faint and would have collapsed had her father not have scooped her up in his arms.

“She’s gone.” Bob said solemnly. “Let’s go home. Helga.”

That was the last thing Helga remembered as she fully passed out. Wherever Olga went now or what happened to her next, she hoped that she would be okay.

Olga on her end could barely drive away with the tears streaming down her face. She got a few blocks away before she had to pull over and just let herself sob.

She didn’t know how she managed the confrontation or saying goodbye to Helga. She felt like she was dying. She felt her rapid pulse. Maybe she was.

She looked at her surroundings. She saw the black sky devoid of stars. Helga would say that meant that she was the sole star shining the brightest because of it.

She chuckled in spite of herself. She listened to crickets sing their songs. Cars passing by her. Kids being told to get inside as the street lights came on. She heard and saw it all.

So when she had her window rolled down and heard a familiar jingle, she had to get out her car. There, in a display window, played her father’s commercial.

There she was. Singing and dancing along. She almost didn’t recognize herself. That wasn’t her. Not anymore. She saw the fool with her face prance around like a prized pony.

The smile stretched on to their face wasn’t hers. The way the body moved wasn’t familiar to her. Try as hard as she could, Olga could no longer recognize the woman in front of her as herself.

She placed her hand to her chest as the commercial ended. She saw a flash of her face in the television and felt dissonance. Olga wasn’t sure who or what she was anymore.

She didn’t feel like a Pataki. Nor did she want to sever her tie completely though if she ripped her connection to Helga away. But she wasn’t really her last name. Her first name should have held precedence.

Olga saw near her a group of homeless people trying to stay warm with a fire going in a can. Olga suddenly thought about that costume she wore and fished around in her car for it.

After retrieving it she offered it to them as extra kindling. They gratefully accepted more fuel to their fire.

“Bless you, Miss.” One of the men said.

Olga nodded respectfully before turning away and heading back to her car. It felt nice. A simple good gesture being done with no over exaggerated fanfare.

As she got in the car and re checked her mirrors, she saw the same wild strand escape from her again. She was going to fix it but stopped herself. Why did she need to fix it?

Olga thought about it and smiled. She looked good this way. Maybe a different hair style was in order. One that wasn’t so symmetrical. Olga drove off.

Not sure where she was really going, but knew she would find her place. Her spot among the sky devoid of light and be its sole shining star.

——————-

Helga woke up. Her stomach gave off a twinge of pain so she took her medication. Her stomach had been killing her ever since Olga left. The thought made her smile a bit before she frowned.

All she could constantly do was think about her big sister. Funny, because she would have thought that would have been her worst nightmare not that long ago. Now either Arnold or Olga were on her mind.

Two wonderful beautiful blondes. She found the thought funny and forced herself out of bed. She thought that late night could do her some good. Help her see Olga again or let her escape her current circumstances.

She sighed. No point in it anymore. She got up and decided to see how the rest of the household was faring. Ever since her sister left, things had changed.

For the better or for the worse was yet to be determined. Her mother drank less. Was sober enough to get her license back and start driving her around more. Actually tried to be invested.

Even on the days where Miriam did relapse, she did her best to still engage with her daughter. Ask about her day or even have her nap with her. Using her as a grounding force.

It wasn’t all bad. Her mom was doing better. Her father? Well, Bob was finally getting her name right. He would occasionally say the wrong name and get the most downcast look on his face before apologizing.

He had a lot going on. The Emporium wasn’t doing so hot. Even after that commercial. Bills were piling up and on the days where Miriam didn’t drink, she would turn on him.

Berating him for their financial situation. Never stopping her from drinking in the first place so she couldn’t hold down a stable enough job to help. There was fire in her eyes again.

But all they did was just burn him. It didn’t help either of them that the media was in their faces after Olga left. Word spread faster than fire about what Olga said. The fight. It all got out.

People took pictures and even managed to record the whole affair. Their house was swarming with reporters to get the latest scoop on why the darling Olga would want to suddenly split.

He thought that if something was going to be on the news, it should have been news worthy. But then he remembered that poor kid from Helga’s class that got humiliated with practically the whole town watching him in that ridiculous bunny costume.

Actually. He could believe that vultures like those reporters would hound them for an exclusive interview. They tried to get to Olga but thank God she dropped off the face of the Earth when she did.

Helga’s school suggested counseling for her. There was a good therapist she knew too that she felt comfortable with seeing. Bob wasn’t sure how he felt on his daughter blabbing about her problems to a stranger, but he trusted her.

Maybe when their money problems settled down, he and Miriam could get some counseling themselves. But that was for later. Now he had to try to figure out if he could still afford his residence, or if he might add three extra to that kooky boarding house.

He sighed as he decided to look away from all the bills and find his remaining family members. He found Miriam in her usual spot. Sitting on the couch watching Olga liberate herself from them.

She either watched the real footage of the divorce, or flashy re enactments. She couldn’t help herself. Her addictive personality clung to it.

Bob came into the room to see the light dancing on her face. She was so entranced that she probably didn’t even notice him enter the room.

“Miriam.” Called out Bob.

His wife simply nodded at him calling her name. She didn’t deviate her attention from the television. Bob went up and turned it off.

Not like it helped. Her eyes remained fixated to the now black screen. Bob stood in front of it. Demanding his wife’s attention.

“Miriam, you know you can’t keep doing this to yourself.”

Miriam remained unmoved.

“Honey. Please, talk to me.”

Miriam slowly trailed her eyes upwards. She met Bob’s eyes. He looked haggard. Yet, he still showed a genuine look of concern for her.

It was such a shame that it came too late. It took Olga leaving and then being openly humiliated for him to finally care. She was self aware plenty to know that a hefty amount of blame was on her shoulders.

But she felt that if it had just have been her, then maybe their relationship could have been salvaged. Yes, she knew that she drank of her own accord. But not once did Bob try to stop it.

He let her be a neglectful mess and became surprised when her resentment grew for him. And now? They both lost it all.

“What is there to talk about, Bob? This whole relationship was doomed from the start. And I’m so tired of pretending that it’s not.”

“You don’t mean that.” Bob countered.

“You’re doing it again! Right there! Always invalidating how we feel because you refuse to open up your eyes.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry, Miriam. I’m trying here, I am! But you don’t give me anything to work with!”

“Because I have nothing left! You took it all from me over twenty years ago!” Miriam barged out of the room with Bob following closely behind.

“I can’t do this on my own!” Shouted Bob.

“So now we’re a team? Equals? Don’t make me laugh, Bob!”

As they argued, they made their way to the kitchen where Helga was sorting through mail that had yet to be read.

Her father had assumed it was more bills and just left it to the side. One less headache to have to worry about.

They noticed her and felt flush with embarrassment. Helga had gotten used to their spats but it didn’t make the situation any better.

“Helga, Sweetie.” Cooed her mother. “Why don’t you give us some time to talk, alone?”

Helga looked back from her mom and dad. It was best if she left them to their own devices. She didn’t need to be around them.

“Sure, Mom. I’ll uh, just be in my room.”

She left after that. Hearing their heated discussion through the walls. She shrugged it off as she made it to her room and shut the door. Peace and quiet at last!

She sprawled herself over the bed. Helga felt the mail in her hands. She was in such a rush to leave that she forgot it in her hands. She picked herself up lazily looked through it.

Random bills and junk mail passed her line of sight before she saw a pink envelope addressed to her. The hand writing on it was Olga’s.

Helga couldn’t believe it. Her hands shook as she carefully opened it. Not wanting to decimate the pretty envelope.

Her eyes scanned the paper. It read as follows.

*Dear Helga,

*My dearest baby sister. I’ve been staring at this piece of paper for hours now. Trying to find the words to communicate with you. I don’t know if you will still want to hear from me after a year. But I promised you I wouldn’t abandon you. I’ve been through a lot. But you must have been through so much more. I can’t imagine being left with.. Bob and Miriam. You are so strong. I hope you’re okay. I know it’s hard. And you inspire me everyday.*

Helga momentarily became choked up. She couldn’t believe that her sister, who was far braver and stronger than her, looked up to her. That she was her strength. After a moment, she read on.

*After I left, I stayed in hotels/motels for a little while before I found a nice apartment. I’ve been working part time as a teacher and using my residuals to survive. I liked being in control of my own life finally, but felt alone. So I decided to branch out. Find people like me. And I did. Girls who were casted out by their families either because of their life styles or they weren’t “good enough.” We also all liked music. So we decided to form a band! We call ourselves The Bad Daughters. We’ve had a few gigs. I think we’re going to get a big break soon. If you want to, and only if you want to, I can record some songs for you. Have you listen to them. I really hope to hear from you soon. I wish I could just have you hop on a bus here. But me going back is not an option. Not now. But I promise, when the time is right, I’ll come back to give you the biggest hug possible! Oh! And you might want to make me a new doll. I look a little different.

Your big sister who will always have your back and will never abandon you.

*Love forever always, Olga.*

P.S.

*Yes, I did get to see all the interviews and re enactments they had about that night. Our actresses couldn’t act their way out of a paper bag. But it was nice getting real footage of our hug. We’ll get to do the real thing. Promise.*

After it was done, Helga couldn’t help but read it again. Trying her hardest to process it all. New look? She found a photo in the envelope. Olga had under sold her transformation!

In chunky platform boots, Olga stood high on a stage. Her body leaned into a standing microphone. Back arching fully into it. Black pants draped over the shoes as a simple black cami top covered her upper half. Fingerless sleeves adorned her arms.

Her tattoo was ever present and proud. Olga wore her hair fully down. That was new. But not as new as its color! It was pitch black! It was as if she was blotting out their mother’s natural sunny hair. She always did hate resembling her.

As a way to show all her hated and pain leaking out of her, she wore her mascara in a running fashion. It streamed down her face. And yet, she still looked so beautiful. It was down right ethereal to behold.

A single stray strand of hair was placed at her side as to the left of her, her ear was gilded with beautiful golden safety pin earrings bedazzling it. It fit her. Olga looked genuinely happy.

Olga was right. She was going to have to get her a new doll. She had to write back to her! She didn’t know what to say, but it would come to her.

She hugged the photo close to her as she decided to put it in the scrap book. Right after Olga left, her mother just cried and hugged the book. Mumbling, “My baby,” over and over again.

It was too much. So they, they being her father, decided to give it to Helga to hide. He dare not look at it himself. It was too painful for them both.

So, Helga decided to hide it in her closet. The same place she hid her shrine previously. Something about the closet and blondes. It couldn’t get away from them it seems.

She took it out and found a good spot. She loved how genuinely happy Olga looked comparing the latest photo to the older ones. A fake smile was always on her face. Except for the spelling bee and this one.

Those showed the real Olga. And she was glad she found herself. Helga could hear her parents continue to argue. She rolled her eyes.

Not even their arguing could ruin this moment. She felt herself smile looking at the new Olga. She was truly beautiful. Happy and free. And funnily enough, really truly in *this* moment, perfect.