Chapter Text
You can’t quit now, think of your sisters!
This is what you paid for for not keeping your mouth shut about Olivia’s bracelet
Think of your career! You don’t want Alvin to upstage you do you?
The various thoughts from over the years ran through Brittany’s head as she groggily got up despite her aching body.
Through her clogged ears, she could hear Miss Miller call for them to get ready for school.
Miss Miller’s always saying that education is of importance to a young lady’s growth. You don’t want to disappoint her do you?
Brittany shook her head at the negativity her mind was giving her, slowly putting on her favorite silk blouse.
Eleanor and Jeanette gazed at her in concern but didn’t say anything.
They’d known their sister long enough not to argue with her no matter how she was feeling.
You shouldn’t be surprised by Eleanor ignoring you. You berated. her about her weight since you were babies. You’re lucky Jeanette forgave you for a number of things you’ve done over the years. They should’ve went in Olivia’s suitcase while you got forced to be with Miss Grudge all those years ago you egotistical big mouth!
Brittany wiped away her tears. Whether it was from the negative thoughts or the struggle of putting on her shoe without doing a Jeanette was anyone’s guess.
Oatmeal. Oatmeal and toast.
It was what she made every morning for school.
Brittany missed Eleanor’s scrambled eggs and bacon for the oatmeal almost made her want to puke.
“Brittany, you alright sweetie?” Miss Miller asked, glancing at her direction. “You barely touched your breakfast.”
“Huh? Oh I’m not all this hungry,” Brittany lied, pushing the bowl away.
“Well then at least eat your toast. You’re skin and bones as is.”
”Skin and bones” You’re the one who decides to sacrifice meals for your sisters instead of having a healthy weight.
Sweet Miss Miller probably wishes she could throw you out into the street during her nightly prayers to the man upstairs. Sure she blesses you but you give her the most fuss, stress, and anxiety like Alvin does with Dave only she barely knows how to be a mother to a brat like you
Brittany sighed, nibbling on the toast as Dave’s car horn blasted.
Right. He was carpooling them like he did every other day.
But does he have to? The poor man has enough to deal with already.
Brittany sighed, her legs feeling like jello as she grabbed her lunch and joined the boys in the backseat.
They don’t say it as Dave forbids cursing but Alvin would be the first to say you Brittany Janice Miller look like shit.
Brittany silently whimpered at the pain of her throbbing head as the car bumped some potholes while the radio plays Madonna on a low volume.
Nobody said anything about the noise, assuming Brittany was whiny because it was the middle of the school week.
Ignore the pain. Like you ignited Jeanette and Albert for hours shipping for clothes you had no business spending hard earned money on. Jeanette was right you do spend money like a drunken sailor.
Alvin singing along to Micheal Jackson made Brittany want to punch him.
Not because it was causing the ringing in her ears. She didn’t need him showing off first thing in the morning.
“Brittany? Brittany, come on now get up. Everyone else is already inside.”
Brittany felt Dave gently shaking her awake, his concerned eyes staring into her hazy blues.
Damn it! You dozed off! Dave’s gonna have to drive you back home! It’s bad enough he used to let you crash his place just to get away from life’s stresses.
Maybe you’re still the baby that cried over Olivia after all!
“Do you need me to walk you inside?” Dave offered, gently lifting her to her feet.
What a nice man. He took you to doctor appointments before Miss Miller adopted you, paid for your summer camp, and invited you to tours when he could’ve left you and your sisters at home. Why does he still care about you when you and his eldest fight constantly? You’re eight for crying out loud!
Brittany shook her head. If she could just get through the day without making an embarrassment of herself in front of the entire third grade, she’d be happy.
..
Her head was spinning as she walks intoy the classroom.
Was it just her or was the room as cold as the winters in New York?
What are you doing?! This is third grade! The bog leagues! You got a reputation to uphold!
Brittany sighed, gripping her desk with her hands to keep herself steady as Miss Mooney welcomed the rest of her classmates.
It’s a ravenous world and the calling is very tall. It’s like that one lyric you wrote “A girl hits her mark when she don’t go ahead to fat” You want to be that girl don’t you?
As the pledge of allegiance began as it did every morning, Brittany struggled to stand.
Her knees buckled, her body was fighting with itself until gravity took over, causing her to collapse and knock over her chair in the middle of with liberty and justice.
Coward.
“OMG is she okay?”
“Oh that’s a nasty fall! Oh not rad! She’s sweating!”
“Eleanor, Jeanette, can one of you take Brittany to the nurse please? She looks feverish.”
Voices echoed throughout the classroom as Brittany’s cheeks burned in humiliation.
At least you didn’t do a Ramona Quimby and puke in front of everyone. Now THAT would’ve made you kiss your reputation goodbye.
“Come on Britt let’s get you to the nurse and don’t argue with us about it!” Eleanor beckoned as she and Jeanette helped the sister to her feet.
No! Don’t touch me! Especially you Jeanie! You’ve always gotten sick easily.
Silent tears burned at the touch of her cheeks as Brittany concealed a choked sob.
Third grade’s gonna eat you alive for this. You’ve always been the weak little girl small enough to fit Olivia’s hand and you damn well known it Brittany!