Broken Rules

🎶 She's a beautiful princess tangled

and in her own world is a beautiful room

filled with music and lost in the rhythm

anyone wanna tell me why I feel lost?

cause this beauty and everything seems like a beautiful mystery 🎶

I sang staring at the wall behind the grand piano. A hand rested on my shoulder from behind and gently squeezed. She was here to scold me again for focusing too much on music, remind me of how I will remain safe if I only do as she says. My eyes shut close and I let out a sigh in exhaustion.

I dropped my fingers from the keys and reached for her hand. "You're home"

She held my hand and pulled me up, dragging me out the music room. I trailed behind her prepping for the the scolding and lecturing ahead.

She pulled me into my bedroom and stopped in front of the mirror. It was silent but I could hear her loudly while we both stared at our reflection in the mirror.

"You hurt my feelings with your recent disobedience" she said. I looked away from the sadness in her eyes, one that has taken over the sparkles I use to see.

"I'm sorry mum"

she let go and walked out.

I turned back to the mirror and stared more deeply at my reflection, tears gathering in my eyes like a cloudy weather threatening to pour.

I unwrapped my hair and it fell freely to my feet as I let out a sigh of relief

My manners! Little about myself, well all I know...

I'm pretty Brooks, 19 years old and graduated from high school a year ago. I live with my mum and younger sister Angelica. I wouldn't say we're rich except living in a 12 bedroom mansion and having a Mum that has her own finance company counts as being rich.

Born with a floor-length golden crystalline hair that mom is so against me cutting.

My deep sea blue eyes is a beauty I'm still yet to understand, my eyelashes are full and lengthy.

full lips and an extremely beautiful face and this is my story..

At my early age I was declared most beautiful child by some man-made record whatever

I unconsciously became a public figure without any difficulties, well only in my neighborhood.

My physical appearance doesn't excite me as much as singing does. Everyday I bless the heavens for such a gift, a melody as beautiful as my voice and the power and happiness I feel whenever I sing.

Mum is against a lot of things in my life and sadly music is one of them.

she tells me bad things about the male creatures and warns me not to talk or look at any. She sent me to a convent school, restricts my knowledge of Men and monitors my internet usage. I'm supposed to be an adult by law but that's the government's problem not mum's.

She hates me singing and going out and painfully all these rules are applicable to just me while my sister is free as a bird. I live something as close to a prisoner under my mother's overly watchful eyes. Atleast prisoners are on loop to why they're being restricted.

A knock on the door and Angelica walked in squealing with a dress held against her chest.

" Look Pretty, Mum got me this designer dress I've always wanted and it's a customized piece, isn't it gorgeous?"

she asked twirling with the denim dress.

"It's beautiful" I gave a little smile. Angelica is everything I hope to be, she's only told to act right and get good grades whereas I have a whole book of do's and don'ts. I have rules to live by, a mother to always listen to and a guide to my dressing and appearance.

I can buy as many clothes as I please but they're specifications I must follow. She loves me, she loves us just the same and I know it but sometimes I can't help feeling otherwise.

I looked away and tried walking away but tripped on my hair

"Ouch!"

Can I say I hate my life cause I really do.

It's frustrating with all the rules I have to live with and a ridiculous long hair.

"Hey, you good?"

Angelica asked helping me up. I nodded at her. She looked at me sadly and touched my cheek

"You had an argument with Mum, didn't you? What was it about this time?"

I turned my face from her and looked down

"You should go talk to her, I'm sure she's probably calm now"

I knocked on the door twice but she didn't respond. I went in, she sat on the bed with her back facing me.

"Go back to your room, we'll talk tomorrow" she said

I closed my eyes for a second and turned to leave, I stopped and walked a little more into the room.

"I said go back to your room Pretty"

"I'm mad at you too Mum, I'm mad at my life, I'm mad and sick of all the rules I have to live by. I'm tired of living for you rather than myself Mum"

I said with a shaky voice, I could feel all my nerves cracking

The door opened and closed behind Angelica

"I love singing..." I stopped and took a breathe

".. music! Is my life and it's the only thing I truly know. I want to go out Mum, I want to explore the world and meet new people. Please Mum let me go to the musical college I'm tired of living like this. it sucks! "

I hollowed with gush of my emotions. I could hear her sniff and I know she was crying. Why is she so adamant? What is so difficult about letting a child live her dreams, isn't that every parent's wish?.

She wiped her face, stood up and walked to us, I glanced at Angelica.

She took my hand caressing them, she brought my hands to her lips and kissed. I felt wetness

She looked up at me and smiled

"I love you so much. I love you both so much and I live for that reason" she placed her right hand on my left cheek

"All I do is for your protection Pretty, I'm scared of losing you, I'll be devastated if anything happens to you try understand me. You're a unique being"

she said calmly but sadly, her eyes read it all with those tears but I still couldn't lay my head on it. One minute it's starting to make sense but it really doesn't.

"I will do just fine. what are you so scared of all the time?"

I asked.

She looked sideways and took few steps backwards. She turned and walked away slowly

"Men! Those dangerous creatures and the omen within them"

her mood had changed suddenly and it was something I wasn't new to. She always talked about them with so much disdain. I once thought it was because of her hatred for my Father but as I grew older I realized it was more than that especially in regards to me because she isn't as displeased with the thought of Angelica associating with them

Those creatures,

Men are of evil and full of disastrous omen as Mum always told me.

I grew up with her reminding me every ticking second.

"What is it about this set of 'creatures?' beside they've done nothing bad to us, we can't cancel them because of our father. A man we didn't even grow up to know"

Mum said he walked out of our lives while she was still pregnant with Angelica. I don't remember anything about him and no pictures to look at. Whenever I asked Mum for pictures or details about him she shoves it. Growing up I would lots of letters waiting and praying for them to come back home but I guess I grew pass that.

"Don't ever say that, Don't you dare try defend them. Pretty, they're your end stay away from them"

she yelled

My end?

"Mum, what do you mean?" Angelica asked walking to her

"Okay you'll go to the Musical College but only on one condition"

she said and I jumped up in excitement.

Mum has always been against me going to my college choice and that's why I took a gap year cause I didn't want to go to medical school like she wanted.

It's a medical school that trains just female aspirants to support women. Not that it was any of my concern what gender they trained.

"Really Mum?!" I squealed and jumped on her happily. The last time I was this happy was when mum allowed me go on a road trip with some of my friends from high school. It was the last because we ended up getting into an accident. Katherine lost control of the brakes and drove into a shady looking flower store. We sustained minor injuries but Mum didn't take it so lightly.

"You'll promise to stay away from boys and keep to yourself, is that clear?"

I couldn't care less about them at this point, going to college to study music is more exciting.

Staying away has been a part of my life, I don't know anything of What they're like except their physical appearance and maybe from the internet and friends at school and to be honest, there are no lyrics to them.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!. I promise mum"

I replied and hugged Angelica too.

This wouldn't be hard right? I'm use to it after all.

The car stopped right in front of the hostel block as I stared in awe. Students moved around clinging to their bags, books and guitars. Some moved in pairs and some alone in and out of the huge entrance door.

Some laid on the field chatting, reading, doing one activity or the other but no one seemed to be idle. I've never seen anything like it, not even in highschool. In highschool we moved around like we were parading for the mayor, we had time for everything but not enough time to galavant around for personal business.

Angelica was beside me and our mum next to her and they were staring at me including the chauffeur, waiting for me to step out.

I sent a little smile and stepped out of the car.

I assisted in taking out my bags

I turned to Mum, she placed her hand on my face, tears rolled down her cheeks

"Please dear don't fail me, please don't break your promise to Mummy"

she cried.

I raised my hand and wiped it with my thumb

"I promise Mum, I'll stay away from them at all cost" I replied and she nodded in a smile.

I hugged her tightly. It wasn't the first time I was going away to live in an hostel but this time it felt different. Just like Mum I was scared too, new people, new environment miles away from home

I was dressed in carton brown cargo pants, a white turtleneck sweater and a pair of air force sneakers.

I tied up my hair and slightly covered my face with a scarf yet people still starred as I walked by.

We finally located my room.....163

I could hear musical instruments playing. I inserted the key into the keyhole and the door opened.

walked in and two young girls about my age sat on their beds humming and playing the violin respectively.

They turned to look at us

"Welcome"

the girl in a red wavy hair said smiling. She was beautiful with very fair skin and round eyes, dressed in a set of lounge wear. The one playing the violin had dark curly hair, brown skin and almond eyes. Her lips were very plump with high cheekbones that complicated her jawlines perfectly.

"Thank you" I replied. They waved at Mum and Angelica. Mum gave them a warm smile while Angelica waved back.

It was time for them to leave now after properly examining the room and making sure I didn't need anything.

"Always remember Pretty, you're not allowed to...."

mum was saying but I cut her off

"..talk to boys, go close to them or even look at them"

I completed and she smiled.

I kissed them goodbye

"Angelica take care of Mum okay?"

"You take care of yourself, I love you!" she said,

I kissed her and waved them as the car drove off.

I went back inside and met with the girls still singing, I sat on my bed to rest for a while before I start unpacking.

The room was big with three not so well sized beds and a wardrobe for each person. There was a huge painting of Aretha Franklin and some musical aesthetic decors.

I looked at the other end and saw different instruments, I smiled.

"Sweetheart,what's your name?" the girl with dark hair asked dropping the violin at the corner.

"Pretty" I replied and she smiled

"Thanks, you're stunning yourself"

she said. I smiled

"Pretty, my name is Pretty Brooks"

I answered and they both looked at each other and back at me weirdly,

I took off the scarf and put it aside

"Oh my goodness!"

"Pretty indeed, girl you're gorg-ous"

"I'm Ehi nd she's Patty"

the dark haired said and I smiled and shook hands with them. They gave me a fill in on school and a little about themselves. They already seemed like so much fun and sweetness

I unpacked with the help of Ehi and Patty and in a few hours I was settled in.

There was a kitchen and also a nice bathroom.

I was really hungry, Mum suggested we stopped by to have lunch on our way but I was too excited to get here

Patty was in the kitchen so I waited for her to be done so I prepare myself something to eat. I packed some snacks from home, I would eat that instead and go to bed.

"Food's served!" She yelled walking out the kitchen with a tray containing three plates of food.

" Here's yours pretty" she handed me a plate too and I nodded a

"Thank you,thought we prepare our own meals "

I asked to clear my curiosity

"I suppose but here in room 163 we cook for each other, good?"

Ehi smiled.

"I totally do" I replied

we exchanged chuckles and started eating. The meal was good, pasta is not my favorite but it was really good. Back home, the chef hardly prepared it.

We finished eating and I offered to do the dishes

Afterwards we talked about different things. I've been only in the company of Angelica, Mum and the house staff for over a year so talking to new people felt good.

"I miss Jason already" Patty said dreamily with a grinning smile

"Who's Jason?" I asked

"my boyfriend!" she responded. A boyfriend? She has a boyfriend? Mum would readily behead me if I even as much go close let alone form relations.

"I'm here for two things, music and Of course Zayn Huston, my dream man"

Ehi added closing her eyes and wrapping her arms around her body. She fell on the floor dramatically describing his features. Patty rolled her eyes and I laughed quietly.

"What about you Pretty?" patty questioned

"I don't go near them, Mum is against it"

I replied

"I couldn't blame her, you're so pretty and boys are silly. Except my Zayn of course"

"and my Jason and my brother, actually my brother is silly too" Patty added and we laughed

I expected the room to be quiet after a while but Patty is very chatty and Ehi knows how to keep up.

"I can't wait for classes to resume fully" Ehi said.

"You mean you can't wait to see Zayn Houston" Patty teased

She shrugged her shoulders and smiled.

"Do you have a car?"

I raised my head and they were staring at me

"I do but I'm not allowed to drive, Mum thinks it's dangerous" I told them

They nodded. I smiled meekly

They don't seem bad at all and I can't wait to start afresh tomorrow.