My sister asked me to make her towels warm for when she came out of the shower
Don't get me wrong, she asked nicely
But the dryer is in the basement, I'm in my bedroom and I just don't want to do it
I can't even get started on the essay that's due at the end of the week

Somehow I find myself downstairs, setting the timer for ten minutes
I even fold them, fold them! before I handing them gently through the bathroom door
She says thanks

My mom called up the stairs and asked if anyone wanted to come do dishes and listen to music with her
My sister says no from the couch, in a tone that hints at disgust
I just went up to my room, to try and work on that essay again
I really need to do that

Somehow I find myself there for thirty minutes, dancing around the kitchen
Pretending to have fun, and when my mom asks guiltily if I shouldn't be working
I say I'm avoiding it anyway

Hate and anger aren't emotions I get to feel
I just breathe out and do what everyone else needs done

This is what I meant when I said I was scared
I am that kind of person

I know you think I'm strong, that I'm smart
And I do too
But strong or smart enough to beat the person I was born to be?
I'm not sure

I'm the kind of person who was set up to be abused