Delilah woke up, her eyes fluttering open, still unfocused, as she tried to squint at her ceiling. She let out a large yawn and slowly sat up, feeling like she suddenly weighed twice her normal weight and gravity was pulling her back into bed. Delilah rolled over to the side of her bed and squinted at the clock. Hmm, 11:30 a.m. She really should try to wake up earlier on Sundays.
Delilah stood up and shuffled over to the bathroom, grabbing her toothbrush and shoving it in her mouth. She blinked, her vision now clearer and her mind functioning a little better. She looked around at the bathroom she shared with Sarah, her sister, and vaguely wondered if it always looked like that.
The Johnsons had moved houses when she was thirteen, during one of the years she had lost her memories of. She forgot about her first year of middle school and the year before that. She could hardly remember what the school uniform looked like until her mother took it out to show her. She had no recollection.
Delilah may have appeared cheerful and happy all the time, but wasn't that the best way to fill up the emptiness in her life when there was this huge hole in the middle of it? Whenever Delilah asked her sister what had happened during those two years, Sarah's smiles always seemed forced. Delilah thought maybe her accident had caused a significant impact on her sister.
The last memory she had of Sarah was when she was still a pretty thirteen-year-old, turning heads wherever she went. But when Delilah woke up from her surgery, Sarah was dressed in the most unflattering clothes with oversized spectacles. Delilah always wondered what had happened in between, and at times she grew frustrated with herself for not remembering. However, whenever she asked Sarah, she would simply say that nothing happened.
Delilah rinsed her mouth and washed her face. Her sister must be up and about by now, at least for a few hours. Sarah always woke up early, even if she slept late, while Delilah had to have her eight hours of sleep.
Last night, Sarah had partied until around one, and Steve had kindly escorted her home. Deliah arrived to find her sister fast asleep, a faint smile on her face as she slumbered with the phone still pressed against her ear.
A tinge of disappointment washed over Deliah as she realized that Alex had left the party so early. It was his birthday, after all. Although she couldn't have some alone time with him, seeing him enjoy himself with his friends was rewarding in its own way.
There had been a flicker of hope in Deliah's heart that maybe Alex would return to the party after celebrating his birthday with his parents. That's why she had stayed until late. But he never did.
Deliah couldn't help but notice that Sarah had excused herself around the same time Alex had left. Could there be a connection...?
"Deliah Johnson," she chided herself, shaking her head. "You're losing your mind."
"Oh, Deliah, you're awake," Mrs. Johnson greeted her with a warm smile. Deliah nodded and eagerly made her way to the breakfast table, or rather, the lunch table, which was already filled with dishes.
"Wow, I just realized I never had breakfast on a Sunday," Deliah chuckled.
"That's because you wake up so late," Mrs. Johnson remarked, glancing at the time. "It's already time for lunch, Deliah. Go and call your father and sister."
"Oka—"
"I'm already here, no need to call for me," Mr. Johnson interrupted as he stepped into the dining room. "Man, it's only been two hours since breakfast."
"You're another one of those late risers. Deliah must have inherited it from you," Mrs. Johnson tsked disapprovingly. Deliah giggled and gave her father a high five.
"So, where's Sissy?" Deliah scanned the room. "She wasn't in her room when I checked."
Mrs. Johnson exchanged a glance with Mr. Johnson, biting her lip. "She hasn't returned yet? Well, she went for a walk in the park just before. Maybe you should give her a call."
Deliah nodded and hurried off to find her sister.
Mrs. Johnson moistened her lips, deep in thought. "What if..."
"Honey, if it's already happened, it's done. Liah did something similar to her sister four years ago. I'm not saying it's right—like an eye for an eye—but you can tell this Alex guy is different from that guy ," Mr. Johnson reassured her.
"But what if Deliah can't handle it?" Mrs. Johnson whispered anxiously. "Sweetheart, I'm scared."
"I think it's time Sarah realizes she can't sacrifice everything for her sister," Mr. Johnson murmured. "And it's about time Deliah learned the truth, don't you think?"
Deliah strolled through the park, the sun blazing brightly in the sky, making her uncomfortably warm. Her sister was nowhere to be found, and she couldn't reach her either. Deliah didn't even know if Sarah was still in the park.
"Wasn't that romantic?" a group of girls passed by Deliah. "That guy just swept her off her feet! I wish someone would do that for me!"
Deliah blinked, confused about what had happened.
"And he was really good-looking too. And aw, the girl was pretty as well," one of her friends remarked. "I wonder what they were talking about before they kissed. It looked intense."
"Yeah, and she was crying," another friend nodded. "But I think it was all right afterward. They seemed happy."
The group of girls moved on.
Deliah stood there, pondering what had transpired. She wished she had been there to witness it. She had always been a sucker for romantic moments like those.
"Oh, right, Sarah," Deliah looked around again.
Sarah was nowhere to be seen, and Deliah grew increasingly sweaty as she scanned the area. The sun was relentless, scorching her back as if it were on fire.
Deliah's gaze fell upon an ice cream stand nestled among the row of shops in the park. "I don't think sissy would mind if I grab an ice cream before continuing my search for her," she mumbled.
Delilah skipped into the ice cream shop and eagerly ordered a double chocolate ice cream cone, tapping her fingers impatiently while waiting. She noticed a couple sitting at the far end of the shop, their backs turned toward her, exuding sweetness and love.
Delilah blew a strand of hair away from her face and muttered, "I wish Alex would act like that with me someday."
As she observed them, Delilah noticed the girl seemed a bit rushed. She attempted to stand up, but the guy gently pulled her back down, feeding her another spoonful of ice cream.
"Don't leave just yet. I'll miss you," Delilah overheard him say. The familiarity of his voice struck her, though she couldn't quite place it.
The girl let out a sigh and settled back into her seat. The guy looked content, pulling her closer and allowing her to rest her head on his shoulder.
"Alex, I have to go home. My mother could call me back for lunch anytime," the girl murmured.
Curiosity piqued, Delilah approached the counter to pay for her cone, but she suddenly froze in her tracks.
Alex? Wasn't that...Alex?
Delilah turned slowly, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Do you think your mom will let me come over? Have lunch at your place?" the guy pondered.
"Alex!" the girl huffed. "I don't know... but how should I go about it? As a friend?"
"Your boyfriend, duh," the guy replied with a smirk. "And I need to sort things out with Delilah. I feel guilty for not telling her that I've never truly loved her."
Delilah gasped, and her ice cream cone slipped from her hand, falling to the floor. What?
"Alex, I really don't know," the girl sighed. "I don't want to hurt her."
"Yeah, but we have to," the guy insisted, playfully tapping her nose. "It's not right for me to be in a relationship with her when I love you. And you obviously love me back." He kissed her template.
"Oh, Ale—" Sarah abruptly sat up and halted mid-sentence. Her eyes widened as she noticed a girl staring at them, a chocolate cone splattered on the floor beside her. Sarah's heart sank, and she hastily untangled herself from Alex's embrace. "Oh my god, Liah," she whispered.
Alex's eyes also widened, and he quickly rose from his seat, his throat tightening. He saw Deliah gazing at them with teary eyes, her glare filled with apparent disdain. Well, he surmised, hating them wouldn't be much of a stretch at this point.
"I can't believe you two!" Deliah whispered in disbelief. "My friends have been telling me, but I didn't believe... oh god." She shook her head.
"Deliah, there's an explanation for all of this," Alex attempted to interject, but Deliah shot him a reproachful look.
"What? That you never loved me, and you love Sarah, and she loves you?" Deliah hissed. "I heard it. I get it. You want to break up with me for my sister. What other explanation is there?"
"Liah..." Sarah murmured weakly, desperation etched in her voice.
"I hate you two," Deliah whispered, her voice laced with hurt. "My sister. The guy I love. I hate you. I hate you!"
With tears streaming down her face, Deliah fled from the ice cream store, crying uncontrollably. Sarah immediately followed suit, with Alex close on her heels. Why did it have to unravel like this? Why, why, why?
Sarah's tears mirrored Deliah's pain, and Alex felt a profound sense of remorse. If only he hadn't reciprocated Deliah's feelings in the first place, if only he hadn't been so foolishly entangled in this love triangle...
Delilah sprinted across the road, and Sarah hurriedly followed suit. Alex's eyes widened in alarm as he spotted a car hurtling towards Sarah, prompting him to swiftly pull her back to the safety of the curb. "Watch out!" he exclaimed.
The car whizzed past just moments after Alex had encircled Sarah with his arms, causing him to release a relieved sigh. "Do you have a death wish? What about me?" he scolded, his voice filled with concern.
"Sigh." Sarah straightened herself up, scanning the area for her sister. She discovered Delilah standing on the opposite side of the road, witnessing the entire terrifying incident.
Alex let go of Sarah, but it was too late. Delilah had seen it all.
Delilah shot them a wounded glance and bolted away, tears streaming down her face. Sarah darted after her distraught sister, with Alex close behind, ensuring the safety of his beloved without risking her own life.
Upon arriving home, Delilah rushed to her room and slammed the door shut. Mrs. Johnson sank weakly into her chair. "I think it's happening again, Honey."
"Relax. Lightning doesn't strike the same place twice," Mr. Johnson murmured, his voice laced with concern. "I hope."
Sarah hurriedly ascended the stairs to her sister's room and pounded on the door. Alex remained on the first floor, overwhelmed by guilt and remorse.
He noticed Mr. and Mrs. Johnson seated at the dining table, and a knot formed in his stomach. "I'm sorry," he whispered softly.
Mr. Johnson shook his head. "Don't apologize for love. Just make sure you treat her right. Though I would have preferred you choose her before going through Delilah, what's done is done. Now, you must minimize the damage," Mr. Johnson advised, his tone serious.
"Please, Delilah, can you open the door?" Sarah pleaded. The sound of Delilah's inconsolable sobs emanated from behind the closed door, breaking Sarah's heart.
Once again, she had unintentionally hurt her sister.
"Liah..."
"Sarah, do you love him?" Deliah's voice came from behind the door. "Tell me honestly."
Sarah swallowed, feeling the weight of the question. "Liah..."
"Do you? Do you love him?" Deliah demanded, her tone insistent.
Sarah's voice trembled as she mustered her answer. "Y-yes. Yes, I do."
Amidst the silence, Sarah could hear Deliah's sniffles. "Fine. I'll give you two my blessings. But don't expect me to talk to you ever again."
Sarah crumpled against the door, overwhelmed by sorrow. Alex approached and enveloped her in his arms, gently swaying her back and forth.
"She doesn't mean it," he reassured her.
Sarah looked up at him, tears streaming down her face. "But it still hurts."