RuthieBalo
|• who needs a brother when they have you •|

Staring away into the depths of the blank white walls; she wondered, 'will someone ever come?'

Lily would be a fool to think that the answer to her question would be 'yes'. She was wise enough to know that life was hard and full of pain — you have to deal with it.

Her violet eyes searched for a friend, or even a reassuring face, someone to lean her head on. Someone to call family.

She had been thrown into these closed walls since she was three days old, or so she was told. Her parents had abandoned her. 'Why do people have children when all they do is abandon them?' She wondered, 'Surely an abortion would have been better. At least I wouldn't have been alone.'

Apparently, her parents were alive; just not willing to let her ruin their pretty, little love life and career. She never hated them — after all, what was the point. She had a guzzling rage towards them, rage that burned away her curiosity, the curiosity that made her want to see them, that made her want to be loved. But she did not hate them.

"At least I have Aneesa," She mumbled under her breath, barely audible. She smiled at the thought of Aneesa, she might be mischievous but she was all she had.

"LILY!"

'Speak of the Devil', thought Lily, "Hey Neesa, why so excited?"

The sight of a perfect smile drawn upon her lips carved a deep, empty hole in Lily; not because Aneesa was happy, but because that smile — the one that brightened her dark life, would not be there by her side anymore. Aneesa was going to be adopted. She was going to leave just like everyone else did. Like her parents, like her friends, like her smile.

"When am I not excited?" Aneesa giggled, "You're the miserable one. Maybe I should start calling you miserable mommy."

"Very amusing." Lily replied unable to mask her the smile that was creeping up on her lips, "How is the new guardian?"

Aneesa averted her honey brown eyes from Lily's violet ones as soon as Lily asked. Immediately Lily regretted asking the question.

"She's nice. Her name is Candace Specimen. Odd name right? Well, she is a scientist, but still specimen? Sounds odd, right? She also has a son called Duncan, he's nice too, but not as great as you." Aneesa began to babble.

Lily breathed heavily. Aneesa's words felt like a boulder on her chest. Aneesa was nervous, 'Why would someone want me when they could have a family, specially a brother?' She thought to herself. Lily had a desire since childhood, she wanted a brother more than anything, someone who would look after her and call her names.

"Neesa, what's wrong? What's bothering you?" Lily prodded. Aneesa hesitated but answered nonetheless.

"I don't want to leave you, you're everything to me."

Aneesa's words created a combustion of love and adoration inside Lily's soul, she had never felt more loved since the last thirteen years. Aneesa's departure would be even more unbearable, it would hurt her till she was six feet under. Till she was dead.

"Ms. Islam, Mrs. Specimen is here to collect you." A monotonous voice broke the last words of love Lily would ever receive.

"B-But she w-wasn't meant to come until n-next week." Aneesa stuttered.

"No talking back. You are to pack within ten minutes and meet Mrs. Specimen at the reception. Do you understand?"

"But—"

"Do you understand?" He demanded with his authoritative voice.

Aneesa answered through gritted teeth, "Yes, sir."

"Then we must say our goodbyes." Lily held back her tears and tried to hide the quivering in her voice.

"But—"

"No Neesa, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for you. Mrs. Specimen will give you every chance in life possible. Everything I can't give you. My love is too strong to be broken by distance. You belong in here." Lily places her palm over her erratic heart; where Neesa belonged, "Nothing will break the bond between us."

Aneesa knew that if she took there a second longer, Lily would break down, she would crumble and disintegrate to dust, "I promise to visit you every week. Nothing will break this bond. Tell James he has become the best doctor in the world and that I'm proud of him. But I'm more proud of you, you're stronger than anyone out there." She wiped away a tear and crushed Lily into a hug.

After the embrace, she walked away not glancing back, scared to witness the pain in Lily's eyes. But she should have because that was the last of Lily that anyone ever saw.

—

The sky began to darken after the disappearance of the sun, the moon didn't shine brightly, after the disappearance of Aneesa.

Lily placed her head on the hard pillow, staring away at the dark, white wall. Lily pondered how Aneesa was, was she happy?

'Obviously' Lily thought, she must have everything now. Everything, except for Lily.

A frantic knock broke her trance, Lily dragged herself up and turned the handle.

"There's a visitor at the reception, he's here to adopt you, and surprisingly has all the paperwork ready. Pack your things and come to the reception in five minutes. Not a second later. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir." Lily knew best to never ask questions.

She packed the few belongings she possessed whilst wondering who 'he' was.

Could it be her father? She did not let her hopes get too high. A man who abandoned her would definitely not want her back. Even if he did, she would not go with him. For now, she just wanted a way out of this prison.

She gave her dorm one last glance before closing the door of her past, closing Lily's door.

He did not look so old, Lily thought. He looked around fifteen or sixteen years old.

'Is he even old enough to be a guardian?' Thought Lily.

"This is—"

"I'll take it from here," The boy rudely interrupted, "Lily right? I'll take your bag, just follow me." With his last words, Lily stepped out of what she never wanted to remember, herself. She was no longer Lily.

A few minutes away from the orphanage, the boy stopped. The two stood silently under the starry night sky. He broke the silence.

"Lily, from today, you are my sister. But your name will be Emma. Forget Lily. You are Emma for now on. What's your name?"

'His sister?' Lily could not hold back the excitement, a grin slowly formed on her rosy lips.

"Bye Lily." She whispered to herself, "My name is Emma."

"That's my sister."

—

What do you think? Am I confusing you? Don't worry, all will be answered, soon.

Tell me what you think about the characters so far. Any favourites? Anyone you despise?