Back to reality

It was already evening..

One thing Jake noticed throughout the day was how Iris's friends were treating her..

He would notice every single time she would get cut off by someone, he would notice how she would give up on what she wanted to do and agree on doing what others want.. He would speak for her whenever he would get the chance but he couldn't help but feel bad for Iris ..

He wondered if she would still be like this if he taught her how to speak up.. He wondered if she would still be like this if he wasn't always busy in his own world and had time to be a better brother to her..

He understood why was she like that..

Their parents would always teach her to be polite and perfect, but they forgot to teach her to stand up for herself..

Iris was the top student in her class, it wasn't a surprise that these people were pretending to be her friends so that she would help them with their studies and stuff.. They were taking advantage of Iris's personality and she was too good to see that ..

When Jake finally had enough, he went up to the group and lies that their parents are home and that he and Iris have to leave.. Iris immediately knew he was lying.. She hesitated for a bit but then she gave up..

"Why did you do that" She said to her brother who have dragged her away from the group..

"Why not.. I could tell that you weren't enjoying yourself enough.. It's your special day and 'that' didn't feel special at all.. So~" he smiled at his sister..

"Wanna check out the marketplace here?"

He knew Iris would love it ..

Her innocent eyes lit up once again as she nodded..It was like all her energy that was lost, has returned to her body..

"YES! LETS GOO!"

Jake couldn't help but smile at her innocent baby sister and her cuteness..

While Iris was busy playing games at stalls, jake sneaked off to buy a present for her..

Iris felt a tap on her shoulder.. She turned around and saw a 3ft koala stuff toy..

"Happy birthday baby sis" Jake who was hiding behind that koala said..

In the end, Jake succeeded in making the day, one of her best days ever..

They were walking out of the movie theatre when Iris felt her phone vibrate in her pocket.. She showed that message to Jake which made his smile drop slowly..

[Iris we're home.. Where are you? Come home asap]

He didn't want to go back.. He was finally having a good time with his sister which made him forget about everything, he didn't want it all to end just yet..

He didn't remember when he started to prefer the outside world over his own home.. Maybe it started when he realized that he could never be the child that his parents could be proud of.. Or Maybe when he realized that he was 'different'..

Him, choosing the outside world over his home doesn't mean that the outside world wasn't scary.. It can be really dark sometimes but to him, his home was darker..

The outside world was dark, especially for a person like Jake who had serious social anxiety, but for a moment, at least the outside world can make him forget things that hurt him..

In his own home, he would feel like drowning in an ocean of loneliness .. No matter how much he tries to escape, he just drowns further deep.. It's like there's no way out.. The more he tries to move, the more he tries to swim, and the deeper he sinks..

Although, there were moments when Jake felt left out today, but at least he didn't feel lonely... Every time his loneliness would try to come back he would look over at his sister and she will smile at him.. Her smile would make him feel like he was not alone..

He knew their bond can't be the same in front of their parents and that's what was making him sad..

The most painful thing about time is that it knows how to trick you.. It makes you feel better just to attack you even harder.. It tricks you into thinking that everything is fine and just when you start to believe it, realization hits and everything comes back like a big wave and drag you back into the deep dark ocean of loneliness..

He snapped out of his thoughts when he heard Iris make a request.. She has never asked him for anything like that.. He could see the pain in her eyes and most importantly, he could see loneliness.. Same as his..

He could see her eyes tearing up..

"If they decide to go out like every year.. Can you please.. Join us too? I've already spent too many birthday celebrations without you, can this year please be an exception?"