So, so so so. Today's a nice day.
Rise and shine~
So, what's special about today? Well, you see, today is Fable's birthday, which would mean that my brother's finally becoming of legal age in our household. Also, there's gonna be this cool birthday party at home which Yin will probably be attending.
Right, so why don't we start today off with a story?
So there was this guy, he was really nice and sweet. Typical nice guy with decent enough looks. The only thing interesting about him was probably the marks around his neck. Well, he lived in a foster home and was pretty chill about life until a newcomer transferred in. This new girl was sad and all, foster home stuff.
First day.
"What's wrong?" the guy asked the girl.
You can tell this is gonna be good. Typical drama stuff where a couple touches for the first time and oh my, the sparkles, the instant connection.
"Mommy left me," The girl cried.
Sadly, no sparkles.
They were both young, they didn't really know what to do. The guy just shrugged, and with a smile, told her, "My Daddy hit Mommy really hard."
This kid watched his mother get clobbered to death by his father in a drunken rage. When his father came to his senses, he faced his own son. The father was just about ready to kill the kid too, but the police came in time to stop him from strangling the boy.
That's where the marks on his neck came from.
The girl was still sad, but the boy did everything he could to cheer her up. Now, you may be wondering; why the heck is this kid doing so much?
The answer is simple. There weren't many people in the foster home, and he wanted a friend. When someone that wants a friend sees a person alone and in need of a friend, what do you think happens? Yeah, magic happens, and as kids, they either become really good friends, enemies or rivals.
So one day, the boy snuck in a couple of tangerines to share with the girl.
"Where did you get these?" She asked him, mildly concerned.
"I dunno," he laughed.
One of the adults had given him a couple of tangerines cause he was being really helpful around the foster home. They ate them, complained about them and had a really fun time at the foster home.
Remember how I said that his Mom was killed and his Dad was in prison?
He's stuck there until he gets adopted. And so he did.
One year since they met, they became really close friends. They even did that embarrassing thing where they swear to marry each other if they didn't get married at a certain age. But he was adopted by a family who was only about to take in one. They were initially willing to take in the girl as well. After hearing the nature of their relationship, they decided it would be 'problematic' for both of them to be raised under the same roof as a family.
The girl was now alone.
The boy went to his new home, a pretty decent place to live. He insisted on going back, but the new family forbid him from ever meeting the girl ever again. He was abused, insulted and overworked by his new parents and brother.
Did I say it was a pretty decent place to live in? My bad.
He couldn't fight back because they would just lock him in a crate again.
"One day," He kept telling himself.
Over time, he clung to these words, that one day, everything would be alright. Maybe he could see his friend one more time. He had fantasies of growing up and meeting the grown-up version of the girl, hanging out with her. He fantasised about falling in love with her all over again, no matter what kind of person she became. He thought that if he could become independent quick, he would be able to support himself and escape this Hell he was adopted into.
The last straw came when he was locked in a crate one night.
He was punished for being disobedient, for trying to run away from home. That night became two nights, three.
He was forgotten there for a couple of days, until at the end of the fourth night, thirsty, hungry and afraid, he was let out. He decided he couldn't live like that anymore, he needed to escape. But how?
He couldn't run, he couldn't hide.
No matter what he thought, the future seemed bleak. With this family, he was bound to die at their hands.
So he tied a knot with his thin bedsheets.
Unable to do anything, with his hope dying, he decided to finish the job his Dad had started. Two years after being adopted, he hung himself.
Morbid, I know, but let's be real here.
It's just a story, relax.
My god, not like it happened on anyone's birthday.
Oh my, let's get a move on with my day, yeah?
Let's say, for the sake of argument, that I, a person with an extroverted personality, were to say, hypothetically, leave really early without the notice of my parents, in order to, hear me out, skip a birthday party, what would people say?
'Wow, —, why you such a downer all the damn time?"
Yeah, shut up.
I rolled off my bed and landed with the grace of a mother eight months pregnant. I clutched the back of my head, groaning, "What the hell? Does it still hurt? It's been like 15 hours, why's it still hurting?"
I turned to the side. "Of course, it still hurts, injuries don't go away immediately."
I turned back. "Should I go see a doctor or something?"
"You should, but Mom would ask waaaaay too many questions."
"You think so?'
"Duh."
I chuckled to myself as I made my way over to the washroom to get prepared for a visit to my comfort person.
I put my glasses on and I'm off!
I made my way over to Catherine's workplace without much interruption, which was not surprising, considering it was 2 in the morning. Should I be concerned? Nah, probably not.
"Come along with me~" I hummed to myself as I walked through the park. "With the butterflies and bees…"
Eventually, that middle of absolutely nowhere convenience store appeared in sight. Did I ever mention how nostalgic that convenience store is?
Ring~
After stepping in, I was immediately greeted with a familiar sight. Catherine was studying once again. I announced my entrance, "Good morning!"
She glanced up and pointed to the seat beside her.
"Do I get to wear the uniform again?" I asked Catherine while leaning over the top of the counter.
"You can't," She replied bluntly.
I tilted my head. After making my way around the counter and sitting beside Catherine, I asked her, "So what happened?"
She let out a deep sigh. I instantly commented, "Oh shit, it's serious?"
"My boss checked the security footage last week because he came into the store while it was still blasting Bruno Mars," She explained the situation.
"He should be thanking me," I countered. "We could go uptown and funk it up."
Catherine rolled her eyes. "So he noticed that you were around and talked to me. He says he's got no problem with you doing… whatever it is you do, but you can't wear the uniform anymore."
"That is actually so dumb," I told her.
Catherine shrugged. "I don't make the rules."
"Well, since your boss person doesn't mind, I gotta take some revenge on him, eh? What does say we… enchant this place? Shake things up a little, some might say we're living our wildest dreams."
"Don't," Catherine told me, pinching her forehead. "Stop making these shitty puns."
"Taylor Swift!"
"At least that isn't a p-"
"I'll change the song so swiftly that you'll call me Taylor."
Catherine face-palmed herself. I laughed on my way to the control room. I changed the playlist as quick as I could before reappearing by Catherine's side.
"Anything going on recently?" I asked Catherine.
"Not much, I guess?" She shrugged, staring in front of her. "I got an affiliation with a company, that's about it."
"Congratulations!" I cheered for her. "Is that something congratulatory-worthy?"
"I actually don't know," She noted.
I clapped slowly for her. "So, what will you be doing? What's it about? Tell me all about it, okay?"
"I'll be an accountant," She said simply. "It's a boring enough job, but at this stage in my life, it's better than nothing."
"I've been on an internship the past week, which was why I wasn't able to talk to you much," Catherine explained to me. "But it's been a good experience all around, I guess? Met some people. Since I'm working an internship, I might be able to sign on with that company after I graduate."
"C'mon, I know you wanna smile," I chided.
She shook her head, trying her best to stop her smile. She eventually broke and smiled, telling me, "Just thinking about how far I've come, you know?"
"I'm so happy for you!" I hugged her from where I sat.
She awkwardly hugged me back.
After we let go, she asked me, "So, what's up on your side?"
"You know, normal stuff," I chuckled, waving in front of me. "I'm allowed back in school again. Guess what the school did?"
"What?"
"They put a restraining order on me."
She raised an eyebrow. "They're allowed to do that?"
"I don't know," I shrugged. "But the fun part starts from there cause I'm not allowed near the girl who has been bullying me. The best part is that she's not allowed near me too."
"Is that a good or bad thing?"
"Yes."
I circled my finger, trying to transition to the next important thing. "And I also got two death threats yesterday, so that was fun. Also, a fun fact, the back of my head is swollen, and I'm not sure if it's serious."
"Swollen?" Catherine sat up.
"Yeah, this girl pushed me against the wall really hard," I explained. "And no, that was not a love move in the slightest."
Catherine sighed and told me, "You should go get that checked out."
"No, no," I shook my head. "What if my Mom finds out, hm? Then that's a whole different problem I would have to deal with."
"How about I help you out with it?"
"You can heal me with your magic hands?" I joked.
She rolled her eyes. "I took a first-aid course, stupid."
Not many people showed up tonight. There was one dude that was just passing by and didn't buy anything. There was a lady who wanted to know the location of the closest bus stop. Vaguely sure I pointed at the wrong one, but I'm sure she'll figure it out.
When Catherine's shift was over, we got onto her car.
"Oh yeah, didn't you say it was your brother's birthday or something?" Catherine asked when starting the engine.
"It is, it is," I confirmed. "But it's at home."
"So?"
I paused for a moment. "Could I… hang at your place for a bit?"
"Don't you have a birthday celebration to attend?"
"I don't feel like attending it."
Catherine let out a soft sigh before biting her bottom lip. "Sure, just don't blame it on me, okay?"
"Love you."
She ignored me.
We drove by the apartment building I lived at and toward Catherine's flat. Getting off the car, she slammed the door shut, telling me, "Some rules, okay? Don't touch the alcohol in the fridge, don't touch the cigarettes and don't touch the white drawer, okay?"
"I understand the first two, but what's in the drawer?" I asked.
"Family stuff," She muttered.
We were on our way to her room. Upon entrance, it was a one-room flat. There was a mattress, a couple of pillows, a drawer, a larger cabinet, a fridge and a heater that was inactive.
Catherine kicked a couple of clothes aside and invited me in. She pointed at the mattress, telling me, "Yeah, I don't have anywhere you can sit."
"I mean, you do spend 3 hours here to sleep," I commented. "Makes sense."
"The bathroom's down the hall," She told me. "It's a public space, so don't go too crazy if you wanna shower or anything."
"Doubt I'll shower."
She set her stuff aside. She went to the cabinet, pushing some stuff aside before eventually finding a first-aid kit. I commented, "Dang, you actually got one of those?"
"Of course," She stated. "Most people do."
She helped me out with my swelling, asking me, "Doesn't it hurt?"
"A little?" I tilted my head.
She smacked the side of my head. "Keep still."
"Alright, alright," I laughed.
Afterwards, Catherine got up, patting my back. "Make sure not to do anything dumb in the meantime, okay?"
"Depends," I replied.
She crossed her arms. "You're gonna get yourself killed one day."
"Who knows?"
Catherine glanced around before telling me, "I gotta go to my supplementary classes soon, what are you planning to do?"
"I don't know," I told her bluntly.
"Go home," Catherine instructed.
"No."
"What do you have against your brother?"
I tapped my knee a few times as I thought of how to reply. Eventually, I shrugged and simply told her, "I've got nothing against my brother. But his girlfriend's gonna be there, and I don't want outsiders to see me in my own home."
"Why?"
"Just cause."
Catherine visibly gave up. "Well, unless you want to follow me to my lessons, you can't exactly do much else."
"I would love to, but I gotta go to a Doctor's place later today," I told her. "Could you drop me off there?"
"Like, now?"
"Yeah."
And we're off!
Catherine seems patient with me like she doesn't mind me at all. We're friends, is that how friends acted? I have no idea, again, barely had any friends in my life. So, so so so, I'm at Doctor Lisa's place, but my appointment's hours later.
My phone buzzed.
My Mom, dad and Fable all texted me.
I waited for my Mom to call me before picking me up. "Hello~ What's poppin'?"
"Where are you?" She demanded.
"Why?"
"It's Fable's birthday, where did you go this early in the morning? Yin's almost here, you better get home as quickly as possible!"
"Chill out, Mom," I laughed lightly.
"You should be at home," She insisted.
"Wish Fable a happy birthday," I told her. "I left my gift on the dining table, it's green and has my name on it. I'm currently at Doctor Lisa's, you guys can go enjoy yourselves, okay?"
"W-"
I hung up and waited in the waiting area.
Someone walked out and Doctor Lisa poked her head out. Her next patient walked in. She saw me, a look of concern passing. She told me, "Uh… —, you do realise it's not your turn yet, right?"
"I'm aware," I confirmed. "I just missed you so much, you know?"
"Do you… want to push your appointment forward?" She asked me. "The next patient cancelled today."
"Absolutely!"
"See you in 30 minutes, okay?"
Okay~
30 minutes later.
Wonder what's going on with the other people from school.
The patient walked out looking depressed as ever. I waved him off. Doctor Lisa smacked my arm lightly, telling me, "Hey, don't do that. He's sensitive about that kind of stuff."
I followed her into the room.
"Doctor Lisa, you should really consider redecorating," I suggested. "Add a couple of flowers, a couple of snakes, maybe a bunch of corn fritters as snacks?"
"What brought you here so early?" She questioned as she took her seat.
"Reasons," I replied. "Wanna chat about them?"
"I'm all ears," She told me.
I explained my situation as briefly as I could. Doctor Lisa simply nodded as she listened to me. When my story ended, she commented, "Are you perhaps, avoiding something?"
"Yeah," I shrugged. "Outsiders."
"---, let's talk about your image, okay?" She said to me. "What kind of image do you have of yourself?"
I grinned. "That image is exactly what you're seeing."
I tapped the armrest of my chair, talking to Doctor Lisa. "Doc, let's discuss something really important, okay? Who suggested that I go to the mental hospital? Was it my Mom or was it dad?"
There was a moment of silence.
"What are you talking about?" She asked me.
"The mental hospital," I repeated myself. "Who's trying to send me there? I gotta know cause I need to know whether or not I need to be sad."
Doctor Lisa adjusted her seating. "No one is trying to send you to the mental hospital. We're just worried for you."
"Doc," I said. "After talking to me, do you think I need to be sent there? What d'ya think? Am I worthy?"
"I don't think you need to be sent there," She shrugged. "You're a normal girl, you shouldn't have to be sent there."
"Right," I nodded.
"I'm serious. I think you're absolutely lovely to be around," She smiled at me. "Whoever you end up with will be one lucky fellow."
"Love's always on your mind, huh?" I chuckled.
"You'll understand one day."
I don't think I will…
Three, two one…
"---!" I heard a familiar voice call out.
"My Mom's here~," I told Doctor Lisa.
"Huh?"
My Mom burst into the room, her eyes darting immediately to me. She breathed a sigh of relief before asking, "Sorry, am I disrupting a session?"
"Time's up, right?" I asked, winking at Doctor Lisa.
"Yeah," She agreed with me. "My next patient is probably waiting."
I got onto my feet and waved her goodbye. I went up to my Mom, who looked mighty pissed off at my whole situation.
"Why did you do this?" She started ranting in the car.
We were driving home.
"Can we stop somewhere on the way home?" I asked her.
"Answer my question," She demanded.
"I don't want to be seen by an outsider inside our own house," I told her. "I don't want Fable to have his birthday rescheduled or anything, so I just left."
"It's your brother's birthday!" She told me angrily. "You can't skip it just because you don't want to be seen!"
"You mind if we stop on the way home?" I asked again.
"Yin's probably worried sick," She continued scolding. "You're lucky Fable is patient, cause we won't start the party without you there."
"You don't get an excuse, we're all going to celebrate his birthday together as a family, okay? You don't get a choice in this."
"Can we stop on the way home?"
"---!" She shouted, slamming the brakes.
We jerked to a stop. I giggled after we stopped, humoured by the sudden stop. My Mom turned and faced me. I asked her, "You're looking really serious."
"I am," She told me. "This is a family event, okay? If you're going to disappear and worry everyone around you to death, at least tell us! What are we going to do if you actually get in trouble?"
She put a finger to my mouth. "Shush. You've talked enough. We're going to go home, we're going to celebrate Fable's birthday party. I don't care what kind of preference you have, I don't care if you don't like Yin, we're going to celebrate his birthday!"
I gave her the 'Okay' symbol.
She let out a sigh of relief.
I don't like this part, so let me skip it real quick. Point is, Yin was there, and I was trying my hardest not to lock myself in my room.
It's nighttime, and I am absolutely gassed.
My Mom knocked on my door and tried to apologise, but I ignored her. I'm tired, let me go to sleep, I don't want to-
Shut up. Shutup, shutup!
Peace. Calm. Sunny days~
Today's been a disaster, see you tomorrow.