Lily POV:
My heart drummed in my ears as I watched my Brother turn his back to me and drift off to sleep. I remained still for a few extra moments, replaying my every word and action in my head.
I-I did it!
A shaky breath escaped me. I already knew that my Brother was going to let me sleep in his room. Even if he stubbornly acts annoyed, it's just that—an act.
The real issue was whether or not he would notice that I was lying. My Brother can be irritatingly perceptive when he wants to be.
But it looks like God is on my side today!
I felt a twinge of guilt for waking him up, but it worked out in my favour, so I couldn't complain too much.
A cool breeze brushed over me, causing my entire body to shiver.
…I'd better start moving before I catch a cold.
I hurriedly tiptoed over to my Brother's bed and collapsed on top of it. I snuggled myself into the blanket as a soft, comforting warmth enveloped my body. A wave of nostalgia swelled in my chest.
I haven't felt this warmth in so long…
An innocent smile slowly formed on my face. A childish giggle threatened to escape, but I swallowed it down. If my Brother heard me, he'd probably tell me to stop being creepy.
I couldn't let that happen. I wanted to cherish this moment for myself just a little longer.
I took a deep breath.
This… is what I have to protect.
I closed my eyes, my body sinking even further into the bed.
If it means being able to stay in this warmth… then I'll become the world's greatest fool.
My world slowly faded to black.
***
When I opened my eyes again, I was sitting alone at the dinner table, doing my math homework. There was a sheet of paper riddled with tear stains.
My hand moved on its own, scribbling things down. Each time my pen crossed one of the tear marks, the ink bled outward, smudging into warped black streaks.
I'd write something down, then cross it out. Write something down, cross it out. Again, and again, and again—for who knows how long.
Eventually, there was no more room on the paper. It was nothing but a chaotic mess of black smears.
A silent tear streaked down my cheek. I let out a shuddering sigh before tossing it onto a nearby pile, where others like it already rested.
I propped my elbows on the table and buried my face in my hands. Tears slipped through my fingers and dotted the tabletop below. The only sounds in the room were the faint, broken sniffles I failed to suppress.
Suddenly, an eerie creaking sound sliced through the silence, making my entire body stiffen. The sound came from behind me—where the couch was.
Only one person would be using the sofa at the moment…
I held my breath, my body trembling as I slowly peered behind me. My eyes frantically scanned the figure on the couch, careful not to disturb her.
Mom lay sprawled across the cushions, her eyes still closed. It seems she had only turned a bit in her sleep, the movement causing the creaking sound.
I let out a shaky breath.
Thank goodness…
I sat there completely still for a little while longer, just to be safe. After a full five minutes had passed without another sound, I finally allowed myself to turn back to the table and continue working.
I reached over to the stack of clean sheets of paper on the table and took one. Then another. And another.
Eventually, the stack was gone, leaving me with my last page.
The paper didn't have a single thing written on it, yet it was already completely soaked.
I turned my head up and glanced at the clock on the wall.
It was 2:30 in the afternoon.
My heart slammed violently in my chest as a wave of nausea surged up from my stomach.
D-dad comes home in six hours and thirty minutes!
If I don't finish by then..!
I covered my mouth with both hands and hurriedly got out of my seat, forcing myself to move quietly as I rushed into the bathroom.
I threw myself over the toilet bowl and gagged uncontrollably.
Lines of saliva dripped out of my mouth and into the water below.
The harsh sounds reverberated inside the small space, ringing in my ears until my vision blurred and my head grew light.
N-no! I have to finish before he gets home!
I don't want to get him mad again!
I pressed my hands against the toilet bowl in a feeble attempt to push myself up. My arms trembled, but no matter how hard I struggled, the strength never came.
No…
noNoNO!
PLEASE! GET UP!
YOU KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF YOU DON'T!
I pushed my shaky arms even harder as tears streamed down my face. My sobs pounded against my chest as I kept them in, my body giving out and collapsing each time.
I huffed and puffed, resting my head against the toilet bowl.
Is… is it all pointless?
I hugged the toilet bowl tightly. Its cool surface brushed against my burning skin, and with it, my breathing slowly began to steady. My tears dried little by little.
But the fragile comfort was shattered by the sound of footsteps approaching me from the hallway.
I quickly let go of the toilet, scrambling backward on my hands and feet.
Did– did I wake Mom up?
My eyes widened as I locked onto the door. The tears I'd managed to stop melted, streaming down my face. My vision blurred as they flooded my eyes, but I desperately wiped them away with my sleeves.
The floor seemed to shake as the footsteps drew closer.
Then— a shadow appeared in front of me.
My heart stopped.
A moment later, a person stepped foot into the room.
I craned my neck upward.
"YO! Whatcha doin' here, lil sis?"