Character themes *based off of flowers <3 (swc daily) Valerie: Dahlia - yours til the end Asphodel - my regrets will follow you to the grave Geranium - envy *didn't completely finish this daily, but it's enough words, so I'll count it <3 Oh, how my sister shines in the spotlight. Aurelia is breathtaking as she strolls into the living room to greet our family members. Her smile is like warmth on a cold winter day, her laughter invites others to join her in her happiness, and oh, she is just so, so, beautiful. I don’t dare go beside her as our family sits for dinner. Because next to her, I look like a little girl who does not know how to wash her face, comb her hair, or care for her skin. The features that I used to value so greatly are nothing compared to hers. She is so much better than me without trying, and it angers me. My hair glimmers, while hers shines. My smile is shy, hers is filled with kindness. My laughter sounds like a horse, and hers sounds like a sweet little girl. I hate her. My family asks about her. Not about me. Never about me. “Aurelia, how are your grades?” “Do you have a boyfriend yet?” “Which colleges are you planning on applying to?” They barely recognize my existence. Why should they, when they have someone to talk to who’s so much better than me? Aurelia answers the questions politely, a smile always present on her face. “My grades are good. I’m studying hard, don’t worry about that, Grandpa,” she says, casting a gentle grin to Grandfather, making him laugh. “Oh, I wouldn’t worry even a bit, Aurelia. You are such a smart, fine girl.” “I do have a boyfriend. Maybe he will meet you soon,” my sister continues. “And I haven’t quite thought about which colleges I’ve wanted to go to yet. But I know for sure I will be applying to the ones closest to home. So that I can be with you guys, of course.” She smiles brightly at us, making everyone else laugh and go “Awww!”. Everyone else but me. I only scowl, because I know she is only saying this to please them. I leave the table, excusing myself to the bathroom. I don’t think anyone noticed because they are too focused on my sister. Our report cards came yesterday. I am a straight B student, while Aurelia always gets top marks — usually scraping by with some extra credit too. So when my parents open her report card, they smile and cheer. When they open mine, they frown. “Why can’t you just be like your sister, Valerie?” Because I am not my sister. Because I am never going to be her! I want to scream at them, I want to make them understand. But they will never listen.
