Uninvited

The bell rang, jolting me wide awake. "Who could it be at this hour?" I glanced at the clock again: 7:30 AM.  I stared at my hands; they were sweating. It was one of the side effects of the episodes. As I stare at the ceiling, I wonder whether I should go and get the door or pretend I didn't hear it in the first place. I decided to answer it. As I walked toward the door, the bell kept ringing.

"As I tried to open the door, it let out a faint squeak as I pushed it further. It opened only halfway. A chill ran down my spine, and sweat began forming on my face as I caught a glimpse of the person standing outside. My whole life flashed before my eyes. I found myself asking, 'Where did I go wrong?"

The person finally stopped pressing the bell as they heard the door creak open. As our eyes met, my face turned blank. The day had finally come—a day that should have never become reality. Yet, here it was, unfolding right before my eyes.

When the door finally opened, they stared at me, their eyes scanning my rundown outfit and sleep-deprived face. A wave of disgust churned in my gut as their gaze travelled over me.

'You haven't changed, have you?' Their voice was sickening, making my stomach twist. I wanted to vomit. I wanted to slam the door shut and run.

But I couldn't. I had known this day would come. I thought I was prepared for it. I was wrong. It was worse than I ever imagined. The person standing in front of me was my older sister—the most loved child my parents ever had.

I responded with a simple nod before asking, 'Why are you here?'

I had a meeting to attend, and staying at a hotel sounded like a hassle. So, I decided to stay at home for a few weeks,' she said casually.

As I glanced behind her, I noticed a few briefcases and a trolley. Without waiting for an invitation, she brushed past me and stepped inside.

"Yeah, take the briefcases and trolley inside. Thanks!" she added, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

I carried her stuff inside and walked toward the living room. As I watched my sister settle onto the couch, I asked, "Where should I put this?"

"My room, of course. I bet you haven't even been using it," she said, her tone laced with insinuation.

I took her things to her room. As I stood there, my gaze drifted toward the bathroom. A familiar sickness churned in my stomach. The sight of the toilet pulled me into the past—a past I wanted to forget. I thought I had prepared myself for this moment, but living through it was unbearable.

I flushed the toilet, erasing any trace of what I had just done. Yet, the feeling lingered, chronic and unshakable, like a shadow of my past mistakes.

I hurried out as she started calling my name. As I caught my reflection in the mirror, a deep disgust settled within me. Being in the same space as the person I resented to my core made my skin crawl—not because I hated her, but because I had to endure. The weight of my emotions lingered, settling deep within me.

"So, are you not going to school?" my sister asked, barely looking up from her phone.

I glanced at the living room clock. "Shit," I mumbled.

"I'm getting late for school, so help yourself."

"Okay," she replied casually.

It was 8:10. I had only 30 minutes before class started.

I rushed to get ready in a few minutes, skipping the shower. Breakfast was nothing more than a slice of toast hastily smeared with jam. I shoved it into my mouth and hurried toward the corridor.

As I sat down to put on my shoes, my eyes caught the scar on my right hand. It pulled at something deep inside me—a memory for another day.

I took a final bite of my toast, choked it down, and stepped out of the house.

I am Shinobu Hara—the most talented person in my family. A perfect human being. A flawless existence.

I had everything. Name it—beauty, intelligence, or the most loving family—I was blessed. But everything changed when my mother got pregnant. They were expecting a newborn.

My parents were overjoyed, and I couldn't blame them. After all, they were welcoming a new baby into the family after nine years of having only me. But I wasn't happy. Not at all.

Because deep down, I knew—everything I held dear was about to be divided in half. And no matter how much I tried; I couldn't shake off that feeling.

I hated sharing. That was my only flaw.

 As I rushed toward school, I caught sight of someone ahead. Even without seeing their face, I knew.

It was Kane.

I decided not to bother her and slowed my pace, letting the distance between us grow. Soon, she disappeared from my sight. She left me behind, turning toward the school without a second glance.

But just as I was about to step through the school gate, I saw her standing there—waiting for me.

"Nice to know I'm not even worth a 'hey' anymore. Classy" She pounded.

"How did you even know I was coming?" I asked, my voice laced with curiosity and a hint of suspicion. Had she been watching me all along? Or was it just some eerie coincidence? The way she stood there, waiting, as if she had predicted my every step—it sent a strange chill down my spine.

"We're running late. Let's get to class first—we can talk after." She stated.

Sensei gave us a very good briefing for being late. We went to our respective places.

Haru laughed as if this was the common thing to do. My expression showed how annoyed I had become from his act.

Sayoko stared at me. She gave me a look which practically said "oh boy, we have things to talk about"

"With this today classes are over" Sensei stated.

Soon, she left the classroom. I let out a sigh, rolling my shoulders before slumping onto my desk, stifling a yawn as exhaustion crept over me.

Man, you look exhausted!" Haru exclaimed, staring at me while I kept my head buried in my desk.

I raised my head for a second just to slam my face again. I had a sleep derived face again.

"I don't wanna go home" I mumbled loudly.

Haru's face changed the moment he saw me. His usual cheerful look faded, replaced by concern as he noticed how exhausted I was.

As he tries to cheer me up.

 "Then, wanna get ice-cream while we head back home?"

"Count me in."

Thus, our plan was put in action. Haru told me to meet him near the lockers. As I watched him fade into the distance.

 I caught Kane out of the corner of my eye, her fists clenched, pounding against something—frustration clear in her every move.

Still resting my head on the desk, I shifted my gaze toward her, noting the tension in her clenched fists and the sharpness in her eyes.

With a tired sigh, I muttered, "So, what's got you all worked up this time?"

"I also planned something like that," she said, her voice laced with expectation, hoping I would take the hint and invite her.

I tried to tease her; I started to play dumb.

"Hmm? Is that so? So…do you wanna run away together?" I smirk playfully.

She picked up my clues. While mimicking me, she also rested her face on the desk, her expression mirroring mine with a hint of amusement.

"So…where are we going?

 I contained my excitement in my throat. "How to about running away from everyone?'

"Hmm ... that sounds like fun, a lot of fun"

I replied "If it's you I don't mind going"

She turned her face in the opposite direction.

"So, where do you get your hair from?" I asked, my voice laced with curiosity as I admired her beauty, captivated by them.

She replied while keeping her face turned away from me, "I got it from my mom. She's from England."

I stopped resting my face on the desk, and just as I stood up, my chair let out a creaking sound as it moved.

With each step I took, my heartbeat grew louder, thudding against my chest. Every movement brought me closer to her—so close that I could reach out and touch her.

But I didn't.

I bent on my knees, I helped myself "hmm...so it is real hair" as I touched her hair with my two fingers.

She froze, too stunned to move, but instead, she slowly turned toward me.

"I always wanted you to touch them," she admitted, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of red.

I chuckled softly, about to tease her again, when—

A loud bang echoed through the hallway.

Both of us jolted, whipping our heads toward the classroom door.