Rebelling

VIOLET


I hurried up the stairs, desperate to put distance between myself and him. Every step felt heavier, weighed down by the intense look In Ryan's eyes. That look,as if he actually cared...it infuriated me.

I shut the door behind me and pressed my back against it, sliding down till I was sitting on the floor.

I could still feel the countless piercing eyes from the school,their whispers still lingered at the back of my head. The video comments still haunted me. The names they called me- "whore, persistent bitch,fool" for thinking I had a chance with Ryan.

I couldn't face anyone in school. I had skipped classes to seek solace in the school garden but it did little to ease the fact that I’d gained so many enemies now. I couldn't bear the thought that I was some lovesick fool chasing over Ryan.

The ache in my chest from shouting at Ryan intensified

Why did I even do that? It wasn't entirely his fault - I knew that deep down. He wasn’t the one who’d made the video, he wasn’t the one spreading rumors. But seeing him made everything worse. It was like he became the focal point for all my pain and frustration.

I squeezed my eyes shut, resting my forehead against my knees. I wish there was something that could ease this feeling.

My eyes fluttered open and I hurriedly stood up to my closet. A smile tugged at my lips as I caught sight of the bottle of the amber liquid

There you are.

Ashley handed it to me one time—just as a joke. “For rainy days” She had said” I had no intention of ever drinking it. But right now, it felt like exactly what I needed.

I reached for the bottle and tugged off the opener. I took a sip and I fought the urge to gag. It was so gross and so bitter.

I forced myself to take another quick gulp of the drink before setting it down again, my eyes watering as the alcohol worked its way through me. I’m not even sure why I’ve done it—to find some relief perhaps?

The bitter taste wasn’t so terrible after a few more gulps. Slowly, a gentle warmth started spreading from somewhere deep within, creeping up to settle in my chest, then my arms, even reaching my toes. I leaned back, a faint smile slipping onto my lips as the warmth curled through me.

Oh yeah.

And all of a sudden,My hair started to feel uneasy against my neck. It's long,too long. Maybe I should just trim it a bit. I found myself strolling towards my drawer. Then I found a scissors. I picked it up with a smile then headed to the bathroom.

I peeled off my clothes not wanting to get hair everywhere. Just in my underwear,I dragged the scissors through my hair in a motion.

One,two..

Laughter bubbled up from my chest as thick strands of brown hair dropped to the floor, pooling around my feet like scattered leaves. I've never felt so light. I dropped the scissors in the sink and stepped back, admiring my work in the mirror. I've secretly wanted to do this and now it feels so liberating..

My hair was nearly as short as Ryan’s now, though mine was still a little longer, and my shade was a deep brown to his blonde..

I stepped out of the bathroom and twirled around the room feeling free and light. I slumped back to the floor and gulped down the rest of my drink and I'm suddenly living in ecstasy.

And it feels like someone is knocking the door but I couldn't bring myself to care. I was enjoying this moment and I wished I could live in it forever.

The entire room felt like it was glowing, and my bookshelves seemed to spin, multiplying in a dreamy blur. Did I get a second bookshelf?

My thoughts were interrupted by the sudden flung of the door. I turned my head to the sound of the door and..
“What the actual hell, Vi!!” Ashley’s voice sliced through the room, sharp and loud. She stormed in, freezing when her eyes landed on me. The shock on her face made me blink, my brow furrowing in confusion.

She stared at me as if I’d committed some kind of crime, her gaze flicking between me and the half-empty bottle of alcohol beside me.

“What have you done?” she whispered, crouching down, her eyes scanning my face with worry.

I met her worried expression with a grin,reaching up to touch my freshly shorn hair. “Do you like it?”

“Why did you do this? I’m so sorry… this is all my fault,” Ashley’s face twisted with guilt, her words heavy. My focus was blurry and I had to blink a few times to keep her face from appearing twice

“Why did you do this to your hair? You took this much drink. Why?” Ashley and her doppelganger asked,their faces laced with concern

Honestly? No idea,” I giggled. “But you know, when did you get a twin?” I squinted, pointing vaguely at the two Ashleys swimming before me.

“You're so wasted.Come here”

And like that, Ashley's doppelganger vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving me with only one worried friend. She helped me up from the floor and guided me toward the bed.

I collapsed onto the bed with a muffled laugh

"I'm so sorry" Ashley whispered and it seemed as though she was crying. "I brought this on you. I suggested the operation and it caused this. If only I hadn't..."

A wave of sadness washed through me,a stark contrast to the euphoria I'd been feeling. I placed my hands on her cheeks wiping away her tears.

“Are you kidding?” I slurred, waving a hand. “Best thing ever! I mean, don’t you remember how everyone lost their minds when they found out Ryan and I were step-siblings? Drama just follows me, Ash. It’s like... my thing.”

She gave a shaky laugh but then shook her head. “Then why’d you do this to your hair? And this much drink?” Her fingers grazed over my shortened strands.

I shrugged, laughing at my own impulsive act. “It was getting in the way. Made me feel... trapped or something.How do I look?

She stared at me for a moment, then broke into laughter. “You look so freaking hot. Seriously, you look amazing—and you’ve got this badass edge now”

“Exactly!” I pointed triumphantly. “See, you get it!”

“Alright, well, just so you know, I'm totally copying this. It's Ashley 2.0, right here. Where is the damned scissors?”

“Oh no, what have I started?”

Ashley snickered, “It’s time for a transformation! You’ve inspired me. We need to have matching badashaircuts!”

Before I could protest, Ashley dashed toward the bathroom and returned with the scissors

“Wait! Are you sure about this?” I asked, half-serious, half-amused.

“Absolutely!” she declared, her excitement palpable. “Now sit still and let me work my magic!”

With a swift motion, she snipped off a chunk of her long hair, sending it cascading to the ground like a dark waterfall. I gasped, unable to believe she was actually going through with it.

“There! Now we’re both rebels!” she said and we both erupted into laughter, the tension of the past hours lifting. One thing was certain,with Ashley beside me, I’m ready to tackle whatever came next.