After Becoming Each Other's First Love Substitutes

I sat on the stool and shook my head, trying to get rid of these memories.

But it was to no avail.

I wiped off the blush and looked at my lifeless face in the mirror.

I got hungry.

I went to the kitchen to find something to eat, but I only saw some leftover food from my mother and Carol.

So, they cooked.

They just didn't cook for me.

I looked at the leftovers, and for some reason, I picked them up and put them to my lips.

I wanted to feel the warmth of my family for the last time.

In that way, I could tell the people in the underworld that I also had a family.

They would visit me and offer me a lot of paper money. So other dead people couldn't bully me.

I heard the door move.

My mother took Carol to a salon and gave her a new hairstyle. They just returned, and my father followed behind them.

My mother and Carol were talking and laughing.

My father looked happy, too.

I seemed to be a spoiler, ruining the beautiful atmosphere they created.

They all stopped smiling when they saw me.

My mother frowned and glared at me in anger.

"Caroline Jackson, you're playing victim here because you know your dad is coming home, right? You even ate the leftovers. How could you be so pretentious?"

"And your face. I told you not to put on such heavy blush, so you put on too much powder, then. Why do you always have to go against me?"

"Let me tell you. We are all women. I know what game you're playing."

I looked at my mother, listening to her heart-wrenching words, and my stomach ached.

My father was stunned for a few seconds and separated me and my mother.

"Carol, take your mother to her room."

He handed me the bag he brought in.

It had a silver necklace in it.

"Don't be mad at your mother. She has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. She asked me to bring you this necklace."

"Your mother is just upset that you didn't listen to her when you chose your college major. She will be fine in a few years."

I took the necklace and couldn't hold back my tears any longer.

"Is that really the reason?"

"What else could it be? Don't overthink it. No matter how harsh she may sound, she is still your mother. It has been tough for her these years. So, bear with her and don't make trouble during the holiday. People may laugh at us."

"Go wash your face. We will go out to have dinner tonight."

Then, I heard him calling Carol again.

"Carol, I bought you the Cartier bracelet you liked. Come and try it on."

At that moment, the necklace in my hand became so heavy that I couldn't bear to hold it.

"Look.

A biased person doesn't even realize that he is biased.

Even my father, who is kind and indulgent to me in my mother's eyes, is biased." I thought to myself.

I suddenly lost my strength, as if all the life in my body had been sucked out.

Before I fell, I exerted almost all the energy available in my body and dragged myself back to my room.

I lay on the small bed and curled up in the quilt.

"It's time to leave this world.

Mom. Dad. I can't have the New Year's Eve dinner with you." I thought.

The night came. I saw fireworks exploding in the air outside the window.

I felt sorry for them as they would disappear into darkness like me on this bustling night.

I heard the sound of my exhalation.

I heard the sound of wind, water, cicadas...

Things grow, age, die, and are reborn at an astonishing speed.

Then, I heard a shrill whistle.

That was my dad's car.

But I couldn’t get up anymore. My phone rang several times, but I was too weak to pick it up.

My mother rushed into my room.

"Are you dead? I called you several times, but you didn't answer. Hurry up and let's go have the New Year's Eve dinner."

"You're still sleeping! All you do is sleep. Look at you, so lifeless. That's bad luck."

"Look at how lovely your sister is, and you... I can't believe I have a daughter like you."

Not getting any response from me, my mother became even angrier.

She shouted louder.

"Are you mad at me? Fine. I dare you not to eat with us again in your life."

My mother left and slammed the door hard.

I could hear them drive off.

My vision started to become blurry.

Then, I sank into the complete darkness.