Living in my sister’s Shadow

CHLOE

I hate my life and all that it had turned into.

The stupid scent of cheap beer hit me the moment I pushed open the creaking metal door of the bar.

My eyes scanned the dimly lit interior, finally landing on a hunched figure slumped over a chipped plastic table in the corner. Dad. Even from a distance, I could tell he was several sheets to the wind.

"Dad?" I called hesitantly, my voice barely a whisper over the din of drunken chatter and thumping music.

His head snapped up, revealing bloodshot eyes and a face creased with worry lines that seemed to have deepened considerably since the last time I'd seen him, a few months ago. A flicker of recognition crossed his features, followed by a weak attempt at a smile.

He had asked me to meet him here after Alanna’s show.

"Chloe! My little angel," he slurred, gesturing unsteadily for the empty seat opposite him. "Come, come, have a seat with your old man."

My stomach clenched. The last thing I wanted to do was sit down at a grimy bar t