Part IV

Angela : Sis….(she stares at me as I played my guitar while singing a lullaby to her, she was in her rabbit pajamas while hugging her stuffed toy sitting on the bed)

It was almost 11 PM, and I wanted her to sleep early today so that I can go for my late-night football practice as per my new routine. "it's a time when everything is calm, helps you concentrate in your life more than disturbing mornings." I was lost in my thoughts when I heard Angela sigh as I stopped playing and stared at her cute little face.

Angela : (her voice was excited, yet sad) Sis! You're good at everything! (She exclaimed as she gives me a hug and snuggled against my body) Sis is the best!

Me: Angela is talented as well (I stroked her hair smiling)

Angela : (pouts looking at me) Liar, I am useless.

Me : You've such a melodious voice, you are good at dancing as well. (Pulls her fluffy cheek)

Angela : Still, am far behind you…. (She buries her face in my chest embarrassed)

Me : Silly, you're far better than me. (Sighs)

Angela : No! You're lying! (She puffs her cheeks tearing up as she pushes me moving away, and she folds her arms)

Me : You don't trust me? (I tried to make puppy eyes)

Angela : Puppy eyes suit me more! (She pouted like a spoiled kid)

Me : That's not the point, do you trust me or not? (I looked at her with a serious expression)

Angela : I-I do…. (Face drops)

Me : Then, am not lying. (Smiles) Don't worry, from now on, you will never feel that you're useless. (Kissed her forehead)

Angela : Really?! (Eyes sparkled with hope)

Me : Yes, goodnight. (Strokes her hair)

Angela : (yawns sleepily as she rubs her eyes) Sometimes, I forget that sister is the same age as me….I feel like my sister is a grandma in a four-year-old body…Goodnight, sister. (she says before falling asleep)

"I am making my lovely sister, insecure?....No, that won't do….I-I can't make her feel useless, from now on, I will never ever play music or dance again. It's a promise, I will never be a huddle in the path of her success. Even if I have to sacrifice myself, I will." For others, this may sound like naïve words, but for me, Angela is my world. And I can do anything for her.

That night, I went back to my room and put all my musical instructions inside a box for donation except for my mouth organ as it was a gift from my siblings. I played it for the last time before locking it inside my drawer.

I couldn't sleep for the whole night, as there were dark circles under my eyes the very next day. I was already in a grumpy mood, only to get it worse, I could have never imagined that there was going to be another unnecessarily eventful day ahead.

The next day started normally, I got punished by the teacher for being late, but, soon everything started going upside down in my already 'peaceful' life, at that time, I could have never imagined that I could gain an annoying sidekick for the rest of my life. It was during recess when I noticed a new face, her dirty blonde hair was tied up in ponytails, one of her front teeth was missing, seems like she already started losing her milk teeth, and her eye colors were mismatched (Heterochromia iridium). As far as I know, she is the new exchange student Maria Lopez, a Spanish transfer student. What attracted me, wasn't her looks but the people who were surrounding her. Apparently, when you look different, you attract bullies, it is like you're giving them a reason to bully you, as per their mental setting.

Girl 1 : heh such an ugly pig dares to think that she can study sitting in the same classroom as us? (Smirks as she pushes her to the ground and steps on her left palm)

Girl 2 : She even dared to snatch your crush using her ugly looks, just because she is from a foreign land, she thinks we are inferior to her. (frowns)

Girl 3: (she was a scardy cat as she exclaimed) W-What if a teacher comes over?

Girl 1: Shut up, loser. (she scolds the girl)

Maria winces in pain as my blood starts boiling, I sighed "pathetic" I thought to myself before raising my voice. But, that girl's words gave me a brilliant idea, and I smirked to myself before acting it out.

Me : Good morning ma'am! (I said loud and clear making sure they hear my voice)

The bullies shivered and ran away without even turning around to check whether any teacher was really around in the fear of getting caught. "You see, kids are so stupid," I walked up to her out of courtesy and offered her my hand.

Maria : (stands up with the support of my hand and smirked while dusting herself) Tyou faked ith didn't Tyou? (due to her missing teeth, her pronunciation sounded funny, as she covers her mouth embarrassed)

Me : (I suppressed my laugh making a cold expression) Now that you are alright, fuck off. (Sighed)

Maria : Sho Tooool! (She says excitedly as I give her a 'are you a psycho?' look) Can twe be best friends?! (She grinned looking at me as if showing off her broken tooth)

Me : No, friends are annoying burdens, they just pull you down. I don't need something like that. (I said straight at her face)

Maria : Oh tcome on, you are just trying to tustify tyour inability to make friends.(she laughs at me)

Me : (I glared at her coldly) Your mispronunciations are giving me a headache.

Maria : Alright, I will leave for now, but don't worry twhen tyou lose your tweeth, tyou will do the same. (saying this she runs towards our class)

Me : See you never. (Shows middle finger) heh, I would never be pathetic like her, even after losing my teeth. (I said while using my tongue to check if all my teeth are in their place)

Helping that little brat became the biggest mistake of my life, as two of my calculations went wrong, firstly, I did lose my teeth and started mispronouncing words, secondly, I saw her again and again, she was like a head lice stuck to me, not only during class but outside school, she became a new member of my mother's football team and followed me everywhere like a chick following its mother, until I accepted her as my side-kick against my wishes.

To be continued.....