Nine years ago, I was just a kid, small and timid, with big, innocent eyes that often brimmed with tears. The other kids at school, cruel as kids can be, saw that vulnerability in me and decided to exploit it. Every day seemed like a battle, and I was losing it badly.
The bullies, led by a boy named Tommy, made my life a torment. They'd taunt me, calling me names that stung worse than a bee's sting. I would spend my afternoons wiping away tears in the hidden corners of the schoolyard. It felt like I was alone in this cruel world.
But there was someone who refused to let me be alone, my twin sister, Posy. She was everything I wasn't—bold, fearless, and utterly unafraid of confrontation. She had a spirit that could outshine the sun. Posy never hesitated to stand up for me, even against bullies twice her size.
One sunny summer day, Tommy and his gang cornered me, in a hidden part of the schoolyard where no teachers or around students could witness their bully.
"Hey, Cry Baby, got a tissue for your tears?" Tommy said with two other boys behind him.
"I am not a crybaby," I muttered, my head lowered as I was too scared to look them in the eye.
"You think you have toughened up, but nope, still a crybaby!" saying this he pushed me, causing me to land on my butt, my hand hitting the concrete and causing a scratch.
"What's the matter, Cry Baby Piper? Gonna cry!" he laughed at me, and so did his gang. I held my arm close to my chest, feeling the sting of the scratch as it began to bleed. Tears slid down my eyelid, and a gentle sob escaped my lips.
"Look at her, boys! Tears on cue!" Tommy sneered, his gang erupting in laughter like hyenas. I huddled against the wall, my knees drawn to my chest, tears brimming in my eyes.
But when I thought I couldn't bear it any longer, then Posy appeared like a guardian angel. Her brown hair caught the sun, making her look like a superhero. Or so I thought.
"I don't care who you think you are," Posy declared, stepping between me and the bullies. Her voice was filled with the kind of authority only a big sister could muster, even though she was only five minutes older, it still counted. "Leave my sister alone."
I remember the way she held her chin high, her fierce blue eyes locking onto Tommy's, those blue eyes were the only way we could be distinguished, other than that we looked completely alike. She wasn't afraid, and that fearlessness spread like wildfire. It was as though she had the power to make the world bow to her.
The bullies, taken aback by her sudden appearance and confidence, backed down. They knew not to mess with Posy, as she was one not to back down without a fight. Tommy and his gang slinked away, muttering empty threats. Posy turned to me, her protective shield lowering.
"Are you okay, Piper?" she asked, genuine concern in her voice.
Tears still clung to my eyelashes, but this time, they were tears of gratitude. I nodded, and a small smile tugged at the corners of my lips. I felt safe with Posy by my side. Nothing could harm me when she was around.
She helped me get up, but when her gaze caught my bleeding arm, she became furious.
"Did they hit you?" I remember her asking.
I stared at my arm and stared back at her before shaking my head. "No, he pushed me, and I scratched my hand."
Posy's anger simmered as she examined my scraped hand. She didn't say anything more about it, but her clenched jaw and furrowed brows told me she was seething with a desire for justice.
"Let's get you cleaned up," she said, her tone softening. Posy guided me away from that secluded part of the schoolyard.
We found a quiet corner near a water fountain where she carefully washed the wound with her handkerchief. Her hands were gentle, contrasting the fiery spirit she had just shown. I groaned a little, but after a while, the pain from the scratch began to fade.
As she wrapped a band-aid around my hand, Posy looked into my eyes, hers reflecting concern. "You don't have to let those bullies get to you. You're stronger than you think, just like me. We are twins, after all." I wish it was that easy as she had said, but although we were twins, we were nothing alike.
I nodded, grateful for her words. Posy always had a way of making me feel better, and I was grateful to have someone like her by my side.
Before school came to an end for the day, Posy had reported the bullying incident to our class teacher, and seeing the scratched wound was the last straw to get Tommy and his gang punished. It felt good to see the look
on their faces as they received their due punishment from the teacher.
The satisfaction brought a smile to my face, something I rarely experienced during those tough school days.
Posy and I walked to the school bus stop where we usually waited to be picked up by our dad. We spotted his familiar car pulling up, and our excitement bubbled over.
"Dad!" we both yelled in unison, racing toward the car. Our father stepped out, a warm smile on his face. He scooped us up in his arms, one under each arm, and we laughed in delight.
"Dad, guess what?" Posy chirped, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Yeah, guess!" I echoed, my voice filled with anticipation.
Our dad chuckled, his eyes moving between the two of us. "What's going on, you two?"
We exchanged glances, then burst into giggles. "We got those bullies in trouble, Dad!" Posy announced proudly.
I nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, they were really mean to me, but I told them to stop, and Posy helped me!"
Dad's eyes widened with concern as he carefully set us down. "Bullies? Piper, are you okay? What happened?"
I showed him my scraped hand. "I fell when Tommy pushed me, but Posy protected me!"
Our dad examined the scratch, his face filled with both sympathy and pride for Posy. "You did a great job looking out for your sister, Posy."
Posy beamed with the praise. "Of course, Dad, that's what big sisters do."
Dad hugged us both tightly, and for that moment, the world felt safe and warm in his embrace.
We settled into the car, Posy and I in the back seat with our seatbelts on. "I will talk to the management later on to be sure you don't get bullied again," Dad said as he settled in the driver's seat.
As Dad started the car, he glanced at us through the rearview mirror with a mischievous smile. "Guess what? Since it's summer break, I thought it's the perfect time for a beach trip!"
Posy and I paused and exchanged excited glances, our faces lighting up with joy. "The beach?" I exclaimed.
Dad nodded. "That's right! We're going to the beach! Next week."
In the back seat of the car, Posy and I couldn't contain our excitement about the beach trip Dad had just announced.
"Dad, that's amazing! I can't wait to build sandcastles," I exclaimed with a big grin.
Posy, on the other hand, looked at me with a playful twinkle in her eye. "Sandcastles are fun, Piper, but you know what's even more amazing? Cats!"
I frowned, not quite understanding why she'd bring up cats when we were talking about the beach. "Cats? What do cats have to do with the beach?"
Posy shrugged. "Nothing really, but cats are awesome. They're so graceful and independent. I bet they'd be great at building sandcastles too."
I shook my head, determined to defend my love for dogs. "Nuh-uh, Posy! Dogs are way better. They're loyal and playful. Imagine having a dog to fetch a frisbee at the beach!"
Posy giggled, clearly enjoying our little debate. "Well, cats are like little furry ninjas. They can climb trees and sneak around quietly. Dogs can't do that!"
I crossed my arms. "That's because dogs are too busy being friendly and protecting us. Cats just do whatever they want."
Our dad chuckled as he drove, amused by our argument. "You two have some strong opinions about pets, huh?"
Posy and I glanced at each other, still not willing to back down. But Dad knew us so well, I could feel his gaze stare at us through the rearview mirror before saying. "Speaking of strong opinions, how about we stop to get some ice cream on our way home?"
Our eyes widened, and our debate about pets was instantly forgotten. "Ice cream?" I exclaimed as I could feel my heart dancing in delight.
Posy nodded in agreement. "Yes, please! I'll have chocolate, Dad."
I chimed in, "I want vanilla with sprinkles!"
Our dad laughed, glad to have brought a smile to our faces. "Alright, you two. Ice cream it is!"