The Curse of Ballet Shoes Made Me A luna

"Sister, hurry and try them on! These ballet slippers are a gift I've saved up for ages to buy you!" Fiona's voice was high-pitched with excitement as she handed me the delicate pair of slippers, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. And in that moment, I knew. I had been reborn into this cruel world once again. The urge to strike Fiona, to claw at her face with my hands, was overwhelming. But the time for vengeance wasn't yet ripe. I forced a smile, taking the slippers and examining them with feigned admiration. "Fiona, you've grown up so much. I can't believe you're buying gifts for your sister now. Meanwhile, here she is, the older sister, clueless about everything." "I can't believe you still act so ungrateful... And now you let your little sister buy you things? Pathetic." My mother's tone couldn't mask the contempt she felt for me. She never wanted me, had never wanted me. She kept Fiona close, doting on her, while I was cast aside like some mistake. I had never even met my father until I was eighteen Fiona, with legs-short and stubby, nothing like mine-had always been her greatest source of shame. She'd begged for help, sought out sorcery, gone to every healer, and still, nothing had changed. I stepped closer to Fiona, lifting the slippers up and holding them to the light. "You have good taste, sister. These ballet slippers are beautiful." Fiona's eyes sparkled, but then her gaze fell to her legs, and I saw it-the flicker of deep-seated insecurity. I was about to speak, to finish what I had started, when a sharp crack split the air-my father's hand, landing across my cheek with a force that sent my head snapping to the side. "You heartless little beast!" he snarled, his voice laced with fury. "If it weren't for you, Fiona wouldn't have these damn problems! You drained all her energy when she was inside your mother's womb. If you hadn't taken everything from her, maybe she wouldn't have been cursed like this!" "Apologize to your sister, NOW!" he roared. My head was spinning from the slap. I could barely see straight, but I caught a glimpse of Fiona crouching on the floor, her eyes gleaming with malicious triumph. The smug smile on her face, the way she looked at me as though she had already won. I forced a bitter laugh. "It's not that I absorbed all the nutrients, Father. It's genetics." Then Fiona-always the little viper-chimed in, "Daddy, stop hitting my sister. She didn't mean it. But you know, sister, you really should learn to keep the peace. You've been causing so much trouble. Why don't you apologize to Dad?" If this had been my last life, I might have cowered. But not this time. Not anymore. "Fine, it's all my fault." I threw the ballet slippers to the side. "Here, take it back. I don't deserve something this good." The moment the slippers hit the ground, Fiona's face twisted. She jumped up, rushing to our mother's side, tugging at her sleeve desperately. "Mom, do something! She's throwing it away! She doesn't deserve it!" "Oh, come on! It's just a slap, don't be so dramatic!" My mother's voice was sharp. "If you hadn't been so rude, maybe your father wouldn't have had to teach you a lesson. We've told you time and time again, think before you speak. Now, put on the slippers, don't disappoint your sister. She was so kind to get them for you." "Yeah, Britney, just wear them. Don't make your sister feel bad." I felt sick. The disgust I felt toward them was almost suffocating, thick like the dense forest air before a storm. "I'll wear them." "But I need to step out for a moment." I turned and walked out of the room. The door slammed behind me. I didn't need to think twice. The wolf in me knew what I had to do. I stalked through the park, my eyes scanning the terrain until I saw the long-legged creatures-ostriches-strutting across the ground with their imposing height, their legs long and powerful. I approached one, and without hesitation, I took the ballet slippers from my bag. Quietly, almost like a predator, I affixed them to the bird's long, graceful legs. As I stood back, watching the absurdity of it all, I couldn't help but laugh. Fiona would never know what happened to her precious gift.