Chapter 1: Cherished
"Wake up!!!" I heard a loud calling.
When have I heard this voice before? It was so familiar yet distant. Then I realized I was laying down on a bed. Opening my eyes slowly to the eye-blinding sunlight, I saw a girl with silky blonde hair in front of my eyes. Her green eyes shined from the sunshine that was passing through the window in a warm, peaceful tune. My eyes rounded. This girl, was Everett I'llneherd. No way. I thought. I thought I'd never see her again. Not this annoying girl…! "W--wait. Why are you crying…?" Everett asked, not knowing what's going on. I was crying? But that doesn't matter --I hugged her tightly. "What-- what the hell is wrong with you, Cia?!" Ah. Yes. That name. Never in my life had I thought I'd be called that again. But I was here, in front of my dear Everett. I could feel Everett's hand patting on my back slowly, but surely. I could tell that she had never done this before, it felt like she was slapping my back.
"Everett…" I said, tears blinding my vision. Everett frowned slightly.
"Mom, Cia's gone mad!" Everett said, throwing her handkerchief at me as she ran away from me, out of the door of my room. I could hear giggles from outside. Several from Everett, and several from… my mother. I smiled brightly. Mom…! I get to see you again…! I swung out of my bed, ignoring the pain that was throbbing in my ankle. Then I ran past my door as I went to the living room, where just the three of us had always had awkward breakfasts. And finally, I saw her in front of my eyes. Not just my imagination, but her in my own two eyes. Without understanding what I was doing, I jumped into her embrace.
"Oh, my… Cia. What is up with you?"
"Mom…! Mom…!" I cried her name over and over again. I've always wanted to call her mom. Everett looked at me strangely when I turned my head, and so did my mother.
"Cia… Are you okay?" My mother asked with her usual soft, and somewhat hollow voice. I nodded in reply. Of course, she'd be surprised. I've never called her my mother before. Even though she was the one who picked me up on that cold, yet burning day of winter. In her embrace, I felt like all my worries and pain were melting away. I was just a child, begging for mom's love. Just like anyone else.
"I told you, mom." Everett said, as I wiped my tears, getting off from my mom's laps. Then I threw my slipper at Everett's face and smiled playfully at her. How was that, Everett?! This was for all those teasing you have done today! Everett smiled in anger as she grabbed the slipper that was sliding down her face.
"Cia…! Even if you are older than me, I won't go easy on you…!" Everett said, tying up her hair in a low ponytail. My wine-colored hair fluttered gently through the wind from outside. I smiled. Of course.
"Challenge accepted."
"Hya~" I sighed in relief as I laid down on my bed. Everything here was something I haven't seen for a long time. The old and dusty picture frame of us three, where me and Everett were trying hard not to be close to each other while mom had tried to pull our shoulders so we could fit into this small picture frame. It was all back in the time, or it used to be, at least. But now-- for now, I was with them. Being able to hear Everett's annoying complaints about me, and my mother's soft scolding whenever Everett did that. I remember that she cried when I came here with mom, the first day. She hated me a lot. So did I.
"Ahaha…" I smiled. Who knew that I used to have such a great life? I always thought that my life was just full of misery. Full of curses and full of tragedy. But in reality, I had the happiest life I could have had, back then. I turned around to the direction of the door, feeling a gaze upon me. There, Everett was staring at me with confused eyes.
"Why are you laughing by yourself…?" Everett said, smiling awkwardly. Did I look that crazy? No way.
"Hey, I know you laugh by yourself when you look in the mirror, too." I blew a hard counter to Everett, whose face became red. I never noticed, but Everett truly had the vast amount of reactions. But I didn't mean what I said at all. She was beautiful, and was a blooming flower in age of fifteen. I'm sure she could have grown up to be a way more beautiful, and charming young lady than I could have ever been. She could have married a fine man, just fit for her. Someone who'd love her and someone who'd cherish her. She could have lived the happiest life. If I didn't steal anyone's future...
"Ahhh!!" I yelled as I felt a striking pain in my head. Everett, who was watching this, busted the whole door open and rushed to me.
"Cia!!!" Everett screamed as she looked around.
"Mom!" Everett called hurriedly, as I heard footsteps both from inside and outside of the home. Even though I wasn't in my finest moment, my head told me that it was time. Family reunion was over.