Nightshade: A SimLit | Chapter 21: Playing Favorites

Alexander barely felt the exhaustion of being up into the early hours of the morning; so early that the sun hadn't even considered rising yet. He was hard at work on a science project for school, and ran on pure determination to get an A, just as he always did. "So if I mix this with..." he muttered to himself before hearing his bedroom door open behind him.

"Alexander?" Elaine called softly. "What are you doing up so early? Didn't you get any sleep?"

Focused on his project, he didn't bother to turn to look at his mother. "No, I've been up all night working on this project for school. I think I'm almost done... if my calculations are correct, this serum will be able to cure any sickness! Unfortunately, not diseases, though..." his voice trailed off. "But if you need an instant cure for a cold or the flu or something... it should work."

Elaine broke into a smile. "Have I ever told you how proud you make me, son?"

Alexander stared at the serum in his hand. 'Focus, Alexander...' he thought. "Yeah, you tell me all the time, mom."

"And I really mean it. You're going to do amazing things in this world with that big brain of yours," she said. "Keep shooting for the stars, Alexander. The sky is not the limit for you. If only your sister could be like you..."

Alexander stiffened, and didn't say a word in response.

Elaine frowned as she felt the tension begin to rise. "Well, I'll leave you to your project. I'm sure you'll get an A as always, Alexander. You're too smart to get any less..."

"Yeah," Alexander said quietly. 'And if I did get any less you'd hate me for it.'

Elaine walked out of his room, shutting the door softly behind her, and Alexander refocused on the serum in front of him. "Alright, here's the moment of truth..."

Alexander poured the last vial of chemicals that he needed to mix into the serum, subconsciously holding his breath. "Come on...!" he said to himself.

Alexander took a step back as sparks began to spew from the larger vial. "Um... is that supposed to happen?"

"Aw, man, it's exploding!" Alexander cried. "Please don't catch anything on fire! What a mess... I guess I'll have to try again..." his voice trailed off as he realized he was talking to himself. 'I only have a few more days to work on this... I can't disappoint my parents... I have to keep trying until it's perfect.'

As Elaine walked down the hallway, intending to return to her and Garrett's room, she noticed a light shining from beneath Amelia's door. 'What in the world is that girl doing up at this time of morning? It's barely 3am!'

Pushing the door open, she frowned as she saw her hard at work on a painting. "Amelia! What are you doing up!?"

Amelia nervously sat her paintbrush down and turned to face Elaine. "I couldn't sleep... so I just decided to work on my painting," she said as she glanced at it over her shoulder. "I'm sorry... was I making noise or something...?"

"Let me see that!" Elaine snapped and shoved past her, taking a good look at the painting.

Amelia watched nervously as her mother stared at the painting in silence. 

Elaine was an artist, and supplemented the family's income whenever she could sell a painting. Truthfully, her talent was mediocre, and she had a hard time selling her work. As she stared at Amelia's painting, she felt jealousy boil inside of her. 'So young... and she's already better than I have ever been.'

"What do you..." Amelia's voice trailed off as she struggled to find the bravery to speak up. "What do you think, mom?"

"What do I think?" Elaine scowled. "What a mess! This is hideous! I don't know how many times I have to tell you, Amelia, you will never make anything of yourself as an artist!"

Amelia frowned. "But you're an artist..."

"No, I am a talented artist! There is a difference!" Elaine exclaimed. "Just give up on it, Amelia! You're not an artist, plain and simple."

Amelia was deeply hurt by the criticism, but she didn't back down. "I enjoy painting. It's something I love to do, and even if I don't ever make any money from it... it's still a nice hobby. I know you're not proud of my artwork, but... what's the harm in me--"

"The harm is that keeping your hopes up is useless. The sky is the limit... but you can't even make it that far," Elaine said with a smirk. "Take a look at your brother! He's actually doing something with his life! He will amount to much more than you ever will! He gets amazing grades, and you barely make a passing grade. His intelligence is far superior to yours, his talent is far superior to yours, his determination is far superior to yours... face it, Amelia. Compared to your brother, you're nothing but a failure."

Amelia barely held herself together. "I'm not a failure..." she said, her voice quivering.

"But you are... and you always will be." Elaine replied as she walked out the door.

Amelia stared up at the half-finished painting that sat on her canvas. 'Is she right? Am I really... a failure?'

"Alexander, I need to talk to you." Amelia said as she walked into her brother's room. She was unsure of what else to do but ask his advice, considering that her mother praised him so much.

"Yeah, what is it, sis?" Alexander said, a little stressed from his failed serum attempt. 'I just don't understand what I did wrong...' he thought.

"I want you to teach me your science stuff," she replied. "You know, so I can be smart and make something out of my life... like you..."

Alexander turned to face her with confusion.

"Amelia... I'd be glad to teach you about science, but... you are smart, and you are making something out of your life already," he said with a frown. "You're a wonderful artist--"

"No I'm not!" Amelia exclaimed a little too harshly. "I'm not smart, I'm not... I'm not like you, Alexander. There's nothing you can't do! You're going to succeed while I fail..." she took a deep breath and resisted the tears that were threatening to fall. "...and I'm certainly not a wonderful artist..."

"Are you kidding!?" Alexander exclaimed. "Amelia, just because we don't have the same talents doesn't make you any less smart or successful than I am. You're not going to fail. Your art is amazing, and someday, you're going to be the famousest, richest artist in the world!"

Amelia felt a smile begin to spread across her face. "Alexander, 'famousest' isn't a word."

"See, you are smart!"

Amelia laughed softly before the frown returned to her face. "But do you really mean that...?"

"Amelia," Alexander began. "I mean that with all of my heart. I just know you're going to be something amazing someday... no, actually, you're already amazing. But someday everyone's going to see how amazing you are. You're the best little sister anyone could ask for. You're a great friend, a great person... and no matter what other people say you're a great artist. Don't stop dreaming, Amelia. Someday they'll come true if you just keep holding on to them, okay?"

"You're right," she grinned. "I shouldn't stop dreaming... thank you, Alexander."

Alexander nodded. "Speaking of dreaming, you should go get some sleep."

"Alright," Amelia replied. "Goodnight, Alexander."

"Well, more like good morning... but goodnight!" Alexander replied cheerfully. "Dream about being that famousest, richest artist I was talking about, okay?"

Amelia laughed. "I'll try."

She returned to her room with newfound confidence and a smile on her face, the encouraging words that her brother told her replaying in her head. As she looked over at her painting, she didn't feel like sleeping.

Amelia picked up her paintbrush and resumed where she left off. 'If Alexander believes in me... then I believe in me, too.'