Yna's Pov
I was always the odd one. The introvert. The daughter who ended up being different. Everyone got used to the idea that I was the weird one. Leighla, my baby sister was thriving in all aspects of social life and I was bottled up in my room without any friends. I sucked up some air through my teeth.
I liked the solitude and peace with not having to deal with other people but there were times I felt lonely too. This feeling was overwhelming especially because Leighla was for boarding school in a few days.
I huffed, feeling conflicted about myself. Papa was barely home and mostly on business trips. Mama was only concerned with not aging. She always talked about how giving birth to us had made her older. She blamed us for Papa's infidelity and made sure to remind us of her greatest sacrifice.
It made me mad and upset, especially because she was never even there for us. My phone chimed with a message from Leighla. She was going to college in a few hours. Today was her birthday and she just wanted to hang out. I honestly would not do it but she specifically asked me to do I was hoping to take one for her.
It wasn't a big party, it was a get together here at the house with her best friend Stella and Knox.
I knew Stella for a while but I was yet to meet Knox, her boyfriend. I got up to pull on sweats and tied my hair in an updo. It was the least I could do. Then I put on some lip gloss and grabbed my glasses, I was pretty much blind without them. As I headed down the stairs, I saw them already taking shots. Leighla smiled when she saw me.
"Yna, I thought you wouldn't come", she said in an excited tone. I managed a small smile, feeling a bit conscious.
She grabbed me a shot and I declined.
"Just one shot, for good luck!", she pleaded
There was a smart retort but i stifled it down my throat, forcing myself to grab the shot.
Scrunching up my nose, I downed it when she shouted, "for good luck!".
We spent another hour drinking, me settling for some iced tea instead of drowning myself in alcohol. Leighla and the rest were almost passed out on the couch.
"I'll miss you Leighla, I hope you have a good first semester", I said with a kiss to her forehead.
Getting back up, I headed to my room. For the first time, I felt the sheer weight of being alone. Although, Leighla and I seldom talked or did anything together, there was this sense of belonging knowing she was here, somewhere.
Now, with miles between us, it truly felt like I was alone. I sighed, plopping down on the bed and allowing tears I didn't want to flow.
I woke up next day to say goodbye to my sister, watching as she packed the last few things into the car. I smiled at her, sad that she was leaving but happy that she was getting away from our messed up family.
"Now, sister of mine, so go out sometimes and have fun!", she said before slipping into the car. She blew me a kiss and I cringed right as the car pulled off.
There were more tears before I ran up the stairs to my room. The rest of the day was pretty much morbid for me.
Time moved like quicksand and it was already 4months since Leighla left. For the first time in a really long time, I was excited to see my sister. Of course, I had done some work on myself, I got a new haircut, added some bangs and an extra piercing on my ears. Nothing too dramatic but still loved the self-expression and the new confidence it brought.
I still was pretty much an introvert but I had made some friends. It definitely felt better.
I started working too, as my dad's assistant with my Associate degree in Finance and Marketing which I earned the previous year. I was not about to let that build dirt this year. I was excited to see my sister and hear all her college stories especially because my college years were just me being a loner. I intended to have some fun with Leighla tonight when she got back.
It was pretty late afternoon, I was finishing up the last bits of my task when someone stopped by my desk.
"Sarafyna, are you leaving early today?"
I looked up at the voice, smiling a little at Christean with a nod.
We worked together on a project and he was my supervisor.
"Yeah, my sister is coming home for the holidays", I simply said.
I didn't mean to hide it, it was just nobody knew about my relationship with my dad so I never brought it up. I liked it though because everyone treated me like a regular employee.
"Well, if you're done with all your tasks, I won't hold you back", he said with a smile. I nodded, while he held me in his gaze intensely. I don't know why we were staring into each other's eyes, all I know was that it happened often and he had beautiful hazel eyes.
He stepped closer, grabbing the file on my desk before giving me a smile. I gulped and adjusted my glasses on my nose nervously.
He locked eyes with me again and then he was gone. I took a deep breath, feeling relieved, then I gathered my bags and headed home.
The first thing I saw as soon as I walked in was Leighla. She was sitting in the couch looking like all her life force had been sucked out of her. To be fair, I honestly knew that college would do that to anyone.
But Leighla wasn't always like this, like everyone, she had her bad days. She was also that cheery little girl that made me look like the pessimist that I wasn't.
This look wasn't right and I hated seeing it. She had a poker face on and a mouth that looked so dry like desert sand.
"Leigh?", I called, looking at her carefully.
"Yna!", she shouted but there was no enthusiasm.
"Rough first semester?", I asked.
She gave a little smile, "not really".
I smiled back.
"I know it's stupid and I never stood a chance but I just don't know anything anymore. I…"
I cut her off, feeling her frustration
"Hey, it's okay. Things happen, you're okay"
She took a deep breath, looking at me with tears on her eyes. Leighla never cried, at least not after 8th grade. She had wore the big pants and literally become the elder sister, she protected me when I was being pulled all through high school.
Seeing her break did something to me, bring out a side I didn't know existed.
"Who did this?", I demanded. She looked at me helplessly, one word coming out of her mouth before she voluntarily turned mute.
"Enzo"