Grace Moonstone lived a passive existence. That's the nice way of saying that she lay on the floor staring at the ceiling.
Her mother became slightly more tolerant towards the baby as her pregnancy was confirmed. She promised herself that this one would be the heir--the world should be very, very frightened if not.
In due time, Grace aged into a lovely toddler. Mist was struck by how alike the mother and daughter looked--had she been colorful, Grace would have been the perfect heir.
As it was, the child's head was shaved and it was sent to work in the fields.
Mist came to enjoy being a mother--it was like having a free candy factory in your home. Grace's pitiful little cries provided a nice backdrop to the scene, and the sugar allowed Mist to form an idea.
Instead of locking Grace in a tiny room or leaving her on someone's doorstep, she would turn the child into a willing slave. "And when Mommy has problems, you patch them up!"
"Fix Mommy problems!"
"Ugh . . . go stand in the corner."
The two girls were neck-and-neck in the race for heir--at least in each other's mind. Finale might have been too young to marry, but she knew she couldn't wait to propose if she wanted to be married and bring in an heir right after graduation. So, she asked Ferby to marry her.
And, foolish vampire that he was, Ferby accepted.
Even the puppy-boy, of all people, had a girlfriend. Darcy Xu was more than happy to receive a prom invitation from the shy, handsome boy in shining armor. Matt didn't know how Mist would react, so he hid his relationship from the rest of his family.
But Mist knew. And she knew just how to bring Matt under her control--threaten his girlfriend, and Matt would have to follow her orders. And her orders were to bring down Finale.
Mist watched as Finale came home, finding Matt in front of the house, and began to excitedly explain how he had proposed to Ferby and how she expected Matt to be the maid of honor.
"Sure, that's great and all . . ." Matt began uneasily, then cleared his throat and continued, "but I think you're insane to be doing this. I mean, you and Ferby are just teenagers! Why should you give up your life just to be the heir?"
"What are you--" she shivered in the cold wind. "You know what, let's go inside so I can remind you how to think like a normal person."
"Sorry, can't talk--my girlfriend is over right now. And unlike you and your freak of a boyfriend, we plan to be married
after we're old enough to drive." He turned and walked into the dining room, leaving Finale staring after him open-mouthed.
"What,
this is your so-called girlfriend?" Finale scoffed, stomping angrily into the room. "Darcy Xu? You have got to be kidding me."
"What's your problem?" Darcy answered angrily. "Matt
said you were a total jerk!"
"Shut up, you pile of garbage! Matt and I are best friends. He would never say anything like that behind my back."
In the next room, Mist smiled. Finale's biggest weakness was her insecurity--she needed a friend like Matt to always support her. Well, now that support was turning on her and crushing her into the ground.
"Finale, that is enough!" Matt shouted. "You need to stop trying to destroy every friendship I have. You are so mean, and rude, and you don't care about anyone besides yourself!"
The girl reeled back in shock, tears coming into her eyes. Mist thought for a moment that Matt would lose his resolve.
"And if you can't start acting like a normal person . . . we aren't friends."
The eldest sister smiled as Finale turned and stormed out, Matt and Darcy kissing as she left. Mission Accomplished.
