Welcome to the Dollhouse

Prologue—

When I compare myself to the eccentrics in my family, I figure that I must be pretty average and boring.

My brother is the famous, halfway notorious, Joel Noland. I’m sure you’ve heard of him.

He’s a senior. He was on the court for Homecoming King and Big Man on Campus, and he’ll most likely be Prom King by the end of next month. Basically every large title short of valedictorian has belonged to him this year (and I’m sure it kills him that he’s not number one but ten).

One might say he’s a perfect catch, right?

Yeah, well I’ve got hell to pay for that.

I don’t know how many floozies I’ve had to beat off with a stick who were using me to get to him. Sadly, every year is worse than the last.

Then, there’s my little sister Jamie. She’s only a sophomore—a young one at that—but she’s got more juniors and seniors after her then I do.

Jamie tosses around her vibrant hair like she owns a place. She’s such a tease.

I am the middle child. I’m a junior right between the two. I’m a median to their extreme personalities.

That is to say, I was the middle child until my parents had a little surprise of their own ten years after their first kid, proving to our mostly innocent minds that they continued to… erh… love one another.

My mother squeezed out Justin, who is easily the most obnoxious eight year old to roam these parts of Jefferson County, Connecticut.

But who am I, you ask?

I’m Jillian Rae Noland, the unmemorable redhead.

I’m the only Noland who isn’t supermodel gorgeous. I’ve been told I’m ‘subtle,’ while the others are ‘bold and beautiful.’ As if that’s a compliment.

I blend into a crowd in a way they never will.

My family assures me it’s a blessing, but when teachers are constantly forgetting your name and boys are always calling for your little sister instead of for you, it doesn’t feel like one. In fact, I typically refer to it as a curse.

Family of hellcats aside, life was normal. I was a seventeen year-old junior, and the only thing that had been coursing through my mind all week was the nearing arrival of spring break. It was so close I could taste it.

One more day. Just one more excruciating day of Westervelt Christian, the school that seems much too unholy to have such a name, and I would be free. My brother would leave for his senior trip. My sister would be out trying to seduce older boys with her plastic friends, and my parents worked days, leaving Justin with a sitter.

I would have the house entirely to my lonesome, if only for a short while. Hallelujah.

Welcome to the dollhouse.

My perfect, happily married parents and our goddamn Scottish terrier. My perfect family in disguise.

A/N: do not fear. This is the only chapter that will ever be so short. This is just a prologue to get a feel for the story. Tell me what you think. R/r.

To all the people waiting for the next installment of Chemistry, I am trying really hard, my mind is just having a fart. I hope this will appease you momentarily.