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~Edited~

I sat on my bed struggling to paint my toes pink. My room was nearly pitch black with nothing but beams of the sunset to provide light, music played lightly in the background. I never seemed to mind the dark, after a while I got used to it. As I hummed along to the music as I painted my toes a soft knock came from my door.

"Kinny, it's me." The sound of my older cousin Hazel's voice came out dull due to the music. "Go away." I called. Instead, she did the exact opposite. My door was swung open and just as her fingers reached to touched the light switched I called out to her, "Don't cut on the ligh-" and she did. I clenched my eyes shut wanting to go back in the stage of darkness. The smell of nail polished seemed vial to my nose, the strong scent annoying me.

"Goodness Kinny your room's a mess, and who paints their nails in the dark?"

" I do." I stated while opening my eyes. I looked down at my toes. They were a mess along with my room. My eyes adjusted to the light. Luckily I had removed a few of my light bulbs since they were too bright. I found it weird how when all I could see was darkness all I ever wanted to see was light. Now I miss it, I miss seeing nothing.

Is this how my mother saw the world for so long? Was it just a pit of darkness?

I fell back in my bed not caring if my toes were dry. My back hit the soft bed and I covered my face with a pillow and let out a groan.

" Kinny, your dad's on the phone."

Just great.

I extended my hand with my face still in the pillow. She placed it in my hand, the cold touch of the house phone touched my palm. I moved my fingers around in search for the hang up button and as soon as I found it I pressed it. I raised from the bed and removed the pillow of my face.

"And now he's not." I stated handing it back to her. She rolled her eyes and just as she did that the phone rang. She signaled me to answer it.

"You've reached the Pines residence. Sorry we couldn't answer your call but we will get right back to you. Please leave a messa-"

"KINNY!" Hazel said in frustration. 

"Fine." I huffed bringing the phone to my ear. "Kinsley speaking." I lazily greeted.

If you haven't yet noticed my father and I don't have the best relationship. I don't see him often. He's always traveling for work leaving Hazel to play Nanny and she's doing a sucky job might I add. Hazel's 22 and a college drop out. Instead of getting a job and her own house she stays here and watches Netflix where she isn't even needed. Hazel just likes the idea of staying here rent free all thanks to her "Uncle John".

"This isn't the time for the attitude Kinsley. Your school called, again. Do you not realize how that makes me look as a parent.It messing up my image Kinsley. You go to school for one reason and one reason only and that's to learn. "As he ranted I put him on mute and moved the phone away from my ear earning a scowl from Hazel.  "Are you listening young lady?" I heard him say. I unmuted the phone.

"Of course, Father."

"It's time to get serious Kinesly. You're about to graduate next year. Now isn't the time to start slacking. When you mess up it not only affects your future, but it affects mine as well. My  colleague's daughters are winning awards, graduating, attending college a year early, and creating a name for themselves and their families." I gasp at his rant. How dare he compare me to those stuck up overachievers who buy their way to the top.

"I am creating a name for myself! I've won plenty awards you just haven't been around to see it. Dad, just last week I got the lead and solo for next week's recital and let's not forget that I've won over 22 national awards and only lost 5 competitions in my entire lifetime with zero this season."

"I think dancing might be a distraction." He paused with a sigh. "I know you love it honey, but you can't make a future out of that. So until your grades start coming together along with your behavior, you will not be allowed to compete in any of this season's dance competitions or recitals." And just like that my heart broke in a second. No, no, no he can't do this. I mean he can he's my dad but if he does that will ruin everything. I need to perform at this season's nationals! It might be my only chance of getting a spot in Julliard.

"Daddy no!" I cried. "Please! I-I I'll be better I promise just don't take away dance, please." 

"Kinny, I'm sorry but it's for the be-"

"NO IT'S NOT! YOU JUST WANT TO TAKE EVERYTHING AWAY FROM ME! I'M HAPPY DAD! DANCE MAKES ME HAPPY AND YOU ARE TRYING TO TAKE IT FROM ME! YOU'RE NEVER HERE SO YOU CAN'T SAY THIS IS THE BEST FOR ME BECAUSE IT ISN'T! DAMN IT, I WISH I HAD MOM INSTEAD YOU!"

Damn Kinnny. That was cold.

I knew just then that every chance of him changing his mind is now through the window. I crossed a line that I didn't even know existed. My words probably stung him harder then he wants to admit. My father had replaced the emotion of calmness with anger so I knew that his reply would be a hell to reckon with.

"Kinsley, you have until the end of next semester to get your grades right. If it is not achieved by then you will not be able to take part in nationals nor will you able to take part in ballet. If your grades continue to fall even after that then I will do whatever is necessary to make sure your learning excels even if that means sending you to a private school in London. I want you to understand that I care about you Kinsley. I will do whatever I have to just to secure your future." He calmly said.

I didn't speak. I didn't say anything. My body fully shut down. It always happened when I got upset. I felt as thought my world has ended. I held my tears back and pretended I was fine. 

"Kinsley, you know I love you." Even after that we were left in silence as he waited on my response.

Hazel looked curious as to what my dad was saying. I lowered the phone from my ear and without saying anything I hung up.

"What did he say?" Hazel asked. I didn't want to repeat a word my father said, it hurt too much. It wasn't one of those half ass threats, he was dead serious. My Dad is always a man of his word so there's no way of sliding out of this one.

"What did he say?" Hazel eagerly asked.

When I'm upset I don't feel like hearing people ask me 10 thousand questions.

"Get out." I softly said.

"What why?"

"JUST GET THE FUCK OUT!" I hollered. She scrammed out the room mumbling some things under her breath before closing the door. 

Alone.

It's the perfect time to cry.

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