The Caged Bird

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The smell of acetone was all around me in my bedroom, filling my nose. The smell made me dizzy but there was something calming about painting my nails. Incredibly careful I held my brush, making sure the paint was brushed in the right places. Sticking my tongue out to help me concentrate. I watched how slowly my vision came to life on my nails. It was a complex design I had picked out, but not impossible. I started painting my nails when I was twelve. I remember how skeptical my father was, but my etiquette teacher said it would help with my education on how to represent myself. Therefore, my father obliged.

I picked up my brush one last time and... finished. My ten nails had a beautiful pastel pink and stark white gradient with a silver French tip. The silver was too much, fortunately for me I didn't have my etiquette lessons anymore and my father was busy as always so there was no one there to berate me.

I was proud of my accomplishment. My nails came out perfectly. I wanted to share this accomplishment. A normal teenager would either snap a picture of the nails and share it on social media or wait until the next day and show them off at school to her friends. But I wasn't a normal teenager.

I made my way down to the kitchen. Maybe Mary was on her brake. I entered the spacious room in the hope of seeing the woman who always kept me company when I felt lonely. "Mary?" I heard a thud and then the old lady made her appearance from behind the kitchen island.

"Yes, dear?" Mary grunted.

"Did you hurt yourself right now, I heard a thud. I'm sorry I did not mean to scare you." An apologetic expression settled on my face.

"It's alright dear. What is it you wanted to tell me?" She asked with the infamous friendly smile she had always shown me, no matter what.

"Look," I held my fingers up, "I painted my nails." I showed her my hands.

"That looks lovely dear," She said tiredly. "But if you don't mind me, Ava, I have to finish this within the next hour. I have to go home early tonight."

I was disappointed, but I understood. Mary was here to do her job, which was cleaning, not keeping me company. That was one of the many extras she offered whenever she had the time. "I'm sorry I did not mean to disturb you," I said with hunched shoulders. I had a hard time concealing my disheartened feelings. Being alone all your childhood made you crave any small amount of interaction.

"Ava, I did not mean to-"

"It's alright Mary, maybe father has some time for me." With a small pout on my face, I made my way out of the kitchen and headed to my father's office. I had to climb multiple stairs until I stood in front of the big wooden doors of my father's workplace.

I knocked three times and waited until I got permission to enter the room. "Come in" I heard a low voice saying.

The room was quite spacious. It faced the back garden, giving you a lovely view from up here. On the left and right walls were two big bookcases, holding over a dozen books. From time to time, father would give me permission to lend some of the books. It felt like a reward every single time I could read one because these books were either first, second, or special editions.

"Father?" I said while stepping into his office.

"Ava? What are you doing here?" He asked with a confused face. My father was sitting behind his huge desk. It was well over three meters long. On his desk was a handful of photos displaying. Most of my mother, who I never met. Next to the photos, there were a couple of books and lastly his computer.

"I wanted to see how you were doing," I said hesitantly.

"How I am doing?" He looked back at his screen, not focusing on me any longer.

"Yes, you know, to talk," I said with a smile.

My father no longer looked at his computer and shifted his eyes from the screen to me. A frown settled on his forehead, making deep creases. I know what this meant, nothing good. "Ava, you know I have no time for such nonsense and how about your school work shouldn't you worry about that? Or your piano lessons, shouldn't you practice?"

"I have finished my work and I'm already done with practicing the piano," I said in a low voice. "But I see you are busy; I will leave you to it." My father only nodded at that and went back to work as I exited the room.

I sighed. I wanted to talk to somebody, but who? Then an idea popped up in my head. My brother Xavier. I quickly made my way to the living room where the house phone was. I sat down on the couch and dialed his number. "Hello, father?" I heard from the other side of the line.

"No, it's me, your younger sister," I said excitedly. I took a strand of hair in my hand and started twirling it.

I heard him sighing. "Hello Ava, is there something urgent you have to talk about?"

"No, not really, I just wanted to talk to you. How are you doing? When will you come to visit us again? It has been ages since you have been here."

"Look Ava, I really want to talk, but I'm busy. We will talk later, I promise." And with that, he hung up before I could say goodbye. 'We will talk later', yeah right. He always said that, but never lived up to that stupid promise.

I pouted. I craved some social contact, but I had no family or friends to talk to. It was just me, my father, and the helpers, including Mary. We also did not have any pets. My father wasn't a fan of animals and he thought I shouldn't have one as it would be a bad influence on me. That didn't discourage me to ask for a cat or dog multiple times, but my father always disagreed. He said it was not ladylike, to own a pet. Whatever that meant.

I looked through the window, the garden was inviting. The problem was I had to ask my father for permission to go outside and he was already in a sour mood. So maybe it was better to not disturb him again.

But if I am quick, he won't even notice as he is still in his office. A dilemma formed in my mind. Go or not go. I didn't want to get into trouble but I needed something, anything. So I choose to take the risk. A smile crept on my face, it had been a while since I have been outside. Swiftly, I got my shoes and coat from the foyer.

As I stepped outside, I took a deep breath of the clean air. It was nice outside. The sun was shining high in the sky and there was no trace of any clouds hovering in the blue sea of air. It was the end of spring and the temperature rose and the flowers were fully bloomed.

I made my way to the rose garden and smelled the beautiful flowers. This was my favorite place on our land. It was peaceful here, which always made me happy, no matter how sour my mood was.

The calming sounds of the love songs whistled by the birds and the buzzing of the bees made me relax and made me forget my troubles.

I walked through the garden until I was stopped by someone grabbing my arm. I looked up to see to whom the arm belonged, it was my father. He looked angry. He was fuming. "What are you doing here?" He hissed.

Before I could answer he was already dragging me inside. My feet had a hard time catching up with his long strides. I tried to save myself with meaningless words. Trying to find any excuse for my actions. Once inside he asked me again. "What were you doing in the garden without my permission?" His hand was still tightly around my arm.

I gulped. "I-I just wanted to get some fresh air, f-father" I finally answered honestly. His face still did not look pleased. His grip on my arm tightened. "You know better than that. As a punishment, you can't go outside for two weeks, that better teach you to go behind my back. Now go to your room!" He roared.

Upon entering my room, I let myself fall on the bed. I cried. Living here could be so tiresome, so lonely, so infuriating. But there was never room for me to express my feelings, my emotions. Going outside was always my last resort to make myself happy. With no friends nor family to spend my time with, I considered nature my friend as it never let me down. But even now that could not cheer me up anymore, at least for the next two weeks. 

Thanks for reading and stay safe!

*Edited