Not What I Expected

"It's not what I expected." That's a phrase I have been using a lot lately. I though I had a set grasp on the world and how people were in it but I guess fate had plans for me. Plans to pull back the curtain and show me that the people I see and know are much different than what I believed to be true. And in ll honesty I am thankful for it.

My name is Alex and until that day I figured I was just your average geeky high school senior. I played a lot of video games, watched more anime then I probably should, and frankly was seemingly only visible to my few friends. That didn't bother me though because I had confidence that I knew who I was and who the people who actually 'saw' me were. I didn't need to know about anyone else, not yet at least.

The day started like any other Saturday. I was woken by the sun coming into my window and shining right into my closed eyes. I had been up late the night before playing an online game with a few of my friends so I wasn't happy about my wake up call but it was time to get up. After all I was going to be hanging out with my best friend and neighbor since childhood Liz and we were heading out to this cool little market of oddities that she had found. Normally when she found these places it was more for her to shop and add things to her collection but I always found something interesting for myself too. I rolled out of bed and began my day which would have been better if it wasn't for my pain in the ass sister I had.

My sister Sara was always the popular one growing up and she made sure everyone knew it. She was a few years older than me so when I started going to high school she was there in all her glory. I think that the reason I am so invisible in school is because she was so visible. It's the age old story of the popular girl and the geek but it didn't stop at school. She would do whatever she wanted and never cared what I thought or wanted. That included today where she was taking too long in the shower and was going to make me late.

"Come on Sara I need to get ready for today." I yelled pounding at the door.

Not too long after that the shower stopped and Sara came out barely wrapped in a towel. It was plain to see why she was so popular in school. She had a great body but her personality... I just couldn't stand it at times.

"All ours Al." She said knowing I hated to be called that. "The might not be much hot water though."

With that she walked to her room almost strutting with pride that she once again got the better of me. Damn there were times I wished i could get her back for all the hell she put me through over the years. I couldn't worry about it now though. I was going to be late. I jumped into the ice cold shower and got ready for the day.

Once I was ready I rushed down to the kitchen were my mom was cleaning. Ever since dad left she had become a bit of a busy body and perfectionist. Everything in the house except for Sara's and my rooms had to be exactly the way she wanted it and she made sure of it. Even as I opened the fridge to get some juice everything was organized so exact that it got a bit on my nerves. But today it wasn't going to bug me because I was going to be out of the house all day with Liz. I slugged down my glass of juice and made for the door.

"Bye mom" I said. "If you need me call me. I'm hanging out with Liz today."

And before she could reply I was out the door. Liz was leaning against the fence between our houses looking annoyed as I came out. About six years ago she had gotten into dressing like she belonged in a punk rock band and with the look she was giving me as I met her the illusion was complete.

"Did the ice queen slow you down again?" She moaned in aggravation. Liz and Sara had never really gotten along. a few months ago Liz joined mom and Sara to a dinner for my 18th birthday and I swear the tension between the two of them was thick enough it could replace a brick wall. "She really needs to be taken down a peg before something bad happens."

"Yeah but what are you going to do?" I said with a sigh. "unless it's to bother me or she is **** by mom I am invisible to her. It's not like I can do anything about it."

"I guess. Maybe one day." She replied grabbing her bag. "Anyways let' get going. I've heard so much about this market. It's in a building that was repurposed from an old factory. There are shops there that are unlike anything you have ever seen. Are you ready?"