I couldn't bear standing by her. I didn't feel hate but I resented her presence at this very moment. She is not the worst person to meet on my first day back, nor is she the better of the half. "No… I'm just a little pudgy." I responded matter of fact. I leaned forward with my finger flickering the tap open to allow my palms to pool the water before rubbing. I could see with my eyes peering on the mirror noticing her finger tap on her reflection. Her cheek rested on the surface before releasing her breath she left a moist gauze on the mirror before the tip of her index finger drew on it. "To be honest, you don't really look pregnant,"
Her eyes pulled away staring at her drawn smiley face. "Aren't you going to ask my name?"
After a few seconds, the ringing bell filled the school corridors and gave my pathetic self an escape to the outside. "Sorry, class,"
I muttered past the girls towards the door. Between steps ascending the staircase to class, I couldn't believe that the first person from the past could be a girl like her. Her almond eyes of dark green irises were of the observant kind that can see anything that her twisted mind can screw into an ingredient that is arsenal for the instruments of her imagination. To think that she took a quick interest in me didn't surprise me, but the timing of it was a little early from what my memory can perceive. I finally came near my classroom look above the wall to see the wide open windows at the top of the wall. I'm glad the bell rang because I would say her infamous name before it was coined, Gig. I sat in the middle of the row with the class separated into 7 lines of 5 rows, which made the class feel small with neighbours at arm's reach. Sitting behind a girl with blonde hair styled like a bouquet with a band blocked my vision of the front of the class. I was barely aware of roll call being enacted in class with each student responding.
"Here," I called.
"Yes, ma'am,"
I heard his voice from the second row near the windows facing the wide school fields below. I caught frizzy blonde hair, he was looking beside his neighbour laughing before looking forward. My heart seems to leap a little at the mere sight of him. I rested my back on the chair and realized that the teacher repeated her name twice.
"Chiara? Chiara Webster?"
I raised my head a little to turn back. Her seat a row behind me from two lines across was empty, I felt a little pain not seeing her again even though I could feel a small guilt form in me. I wished I could experience the whole day with full clarity but the overwhelming nostalgia that was bittersweet was influencing my perception. Time felt faster at most times but experienced a stillness for a moment noticing something clearer than my old memories would see it. I just found myself after the whole day of a weird nostalgia trip planted on the front steps before the school waiting for my mother. After a few minutes, the school ended with children walking towards the transportation or walking in groups to their homes. Most school children relaxed on the stairs where I sat or remained within the courtyards of the school building. I heard the hoot of the Toyota Corolla which caused me to stand up from the top step and shuffle down to the ground before jogging through the parking lot to the car waiting. I entered the vehicle with my bag thrown across the backseat before leaning my head on the chair's headrest. "Oh, a little jumpy. I hope you remain this energetic," she commented with cheeky with her behind black shades eyes looking at her through the rearview mirror. My eyes turned to stare at the school building that slowly pulled to notice Gig standing a few steps away where I sat staring blankly at me with her arms folded. I just stare back a few minutes before looking away to stare forward at the road that the car entered before picking up speed.
"Kid, how was today?" she asked her turning back for a second.
"Probably, fun. I hope…"
"It's school."
"And?"
I sighed with my face revealing an irate expression mixed with loss.
"It felt like a good day and I didn't hate it." "Okay, not fun but I love the lack of negativity,"
Her thumb rose from the wheel.
"Nice job."
I smiled effortlessly before back on my seat recovering from the emotional distress experienced alongside a wave of nostalgia that felt like a drug. I could feel the car pull into the driveway, I got out of the vehicle and walked up the porch. I stood near the door waiting for my mom, but I could hear the television loudly playing. Something clicked in my mind as my heart jumped, my hand would fall on the handle and twist it. The door fell open to the revelation that the heart held with a hope that began to burst into a scream. I just scurried through the doorway towards the living room to see him sitting on the armchair with his two legs resting on the single armrest staring blankly at the screen. "Oh, you have the TV so loud!!"
my voice was betrayed by the childlike joy that overwhelmed me.
"Ahhh… shhh!"
he shushed loudly with his fingers before his lips. I walked a few steps towards him with wide arms but would immediately reach with a single arm to playfully slap him on the knee.
"Don't shush me, you bitch!"
I cried feeling a lump in my throat.
"Hey, language!" her mother warned stepping into the house with the front door shut.
"Can you relax?" he responded with a little laugh before grabbing a pillow to lunge softly at her midsection.
"I'm going upstairs now." I announced awkwardly before walking past my mother to climb the stairs.
"Why is she crazy?"
"I don't know, but I love her energy."
Mother responded. "And down the TV for god sakes."
I climbed the stairs to my bedroom and fell on my bed feeling my mind reel away from reuniting with my older brother and beginning to confront my past with a plan.