Sylvia used to believe family was the one place you never had to fight to be seen.
But even home was turning into a storm she couldn't read.
Her parents — Daniel and Rose Hartfield — once laughed loudly. They once danced in the kitchen while loading dishes. They once sat together on the couch like love was the easiest thing in the world.
Now?
Silence filled the house heavier than furniture.
Her dad came home later and later, smelling like dust and exhaustion. Her mom stared at the TV without watching it, the glow reflecting on eyes that hadn't slept well in months.
Whenever Sylvia tried to talk…
> "I'm tired, Sylvia." "Not now, Sylvia." "Later, okay?"
But later never arrived.
She ate alone often.
She slept with questions no one answered.
She wondered: "Is it my fault they're not happy anymore?"
That question hurt more than lightning ever could.
---
⚡ The "Friend" Who Was Never a Friend
School wasn't giving her a break either.
There was a girl named Melanie — perfect hair, perfect smile, perfect followers count. She wasn't mean… at first. She spoke to Sylvia sometimes:
> "Hey Sylvia, you're actually smart. Wanna help me study?"
And Sylvia — desperate for connection — believed maybe this was a real friend.
She helped Melanie with homework… projects… test prep… everything.
One day, Melanie said:
> "You should come sit with us at lunch tomorrow!"
Sisi went home smiling wide for the first time in weeks.
She even planned what to wear — just so she wouldn't embarrass her new "friend."
But the next day…
She walked up to their table…
Melanie looked at her…
And laughed.
> "Oh… did you think I was serious?"
"Sorry, we don't do loners at this table."
Her friends giggled.
Someone whispered,
> "She really thought she belonged."
Sylvia stood there, frozen, food tray trembling in her hands.
Then she turned away — slowly, like she didn't care — but her heart was breaking quietly.
She sat alone again.
The back of the cafeteria felt colder than usual.
That night, she didn't whisper to the wind.
She just hugged her pillow and let the world turn its back on her.
---
🌧️ The Storm Inside Her
Thunder rolled outside — angry, loud, impatient.
Lightning flashed like it wanted to punch the dark sky apart.
Sylvia stared at her window and whispered:
> "If storms are so strong… then why do I feel so weak?"
Then — crack ⚡
A tiny spark flickered across her fingers.
She gasped.
Her eyes widened.
For the first time ever, she wasn't afraid of the storm.
The storm was afraid for her.
And that spark wasn't a mistake.
It was a warning.
To the bullies.
To the pain.
To the world that ignored her:
Sisi is coming.