Four Letters in Reverse (FLIR #1) by Christina Channelle Page A

pair of glasses, it could very well ruin me for eternity.
    It was rough being a girl.
    “Why don’t you try this one, sweetie?”
    My mother walked over to me and placed another pair of glasses over my face. I immediately closed my eyes, dreading what I’d find when I looked in the mirror.
    “Come on, now. Open your eyes.”
    I exhaled then slowly opened one eye, then the other. My mouth proceeded to gape open as I stared at myself.
    Score! They were … perfect! I glanced over at my mom, amazed that she had done the impossible, then back at myself. The frames were squarish in shape and green, but so dark in color they appeared almost black unless I turned a certain angle. They even seemed to bring out my eyes, if that were possible.
    I grinned widely. “I have the whole geek chic vibe going on, don’t I?”
    “They look perfect, Annabella.”
    I nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly.
    “Thanks, Mom. But it’s AB. Call me AB.”
    Jade would be proud.
    My whole geek chic vibe instantly deflated a couple hours later when I got home to my younger sister staring over at me with big brown eyes above her cup of orange juice.
    “Hey, Four Eyes.”
    I glared at the younger version of myself, resisting the urge to toss my eyeglasses out the front door. I was glad I’d nixed the idea of bringing her any froyo home, the little snot.
    She didn’t deserve it.
    “Seriously, Marie! Why are you such a brat?”
    She grinned, setting down her OJ. “I’m no brat. I’m stating the obvious. You. Now. Have. Four. Eyes.”
    I looked to my mother who just walked in through the front door. “Do something about her,” I demanded, pointing at my current annoyance.
    Mom looked from one daughter to the next as she took off her jacket and rested it on one of the kitchen chairs. “Marie, stop annoying your sister.”
    “I’m not annoying her. I’m just stating that Annabella now has fo—”
    “Okay!” I said, raising my hands in the air. “I do not have four eyes. I have a pair of eyes that happen to be wearing glasses. You know, that thing people wear in order for them to see. Something that I’m pretty sure half of the population wears—maybe more!”
    I eyed my sister and pointed in her face. “Something that you yourself will also be wearing in the future, most likely. So knock it off with the ‘Four Eyes,’” I threatened.
    “Or what,” she said with a smirk as she crossed her arms.
    She wasn’t in the least scared.
    Why, I’ll show you.
    “Or …” I trailed off, mirroring her smirk. “Or I’ll tell Jade that you still sleep with your stuffed elephant that Dad got you when you were born.”
    Marie’s face reddened as she stood up from her chair, hands clenched at her sides.
    “You wouldn’t.”
    “Oh, I will,” I said evilly. “Maybe I’ll even mention the whole thumb sucking you still like to do. I have evidence in the form of pictures.”
    “Mom!”
    “Annabella,” Mom said sternly and I looked over at her. I could see her trying to hide a smile. “Don’t threaten your sister.”
    “But she—”
    “And Marie, stop making fun of your sister’s glasses. They’re totally in right now.”
    Marie huffed but stayed quiet. “Fine,” she mumbled.
    Mom glanced over at me and I shrugged innocently. “What? She made me do it. I had to resort to the big guns.” Mom still continued to stare at me silently.
    I sighed, turning to Marie. “Sorry, sis. Wanna hug it out?”
    She gave a nod and rushed into my arms. “Sorry, Annabella,” she whispered. I gave her a big squeeze before releasing her.
    “There. All is right with the world,” Mom stated as she slapped a hand on each of our shoulders. “But as punishment for quarreling, you have to help me make dinner since Dad’s at work.”
    Marie and I stared at each other before exclaiming together, “Mom!”
     
     
    D INNER WAS LUCKILY NOT a disaster, thanks to Mom watching us like hawks. I wasn’t the greatest at cooking but I sure liked to bake.