After Becoming Each Other's First Love Substitutes

I didn’t know how long it had passed, but my vision gradually became clear.

I thought I didn't die.

But I found that my hand could penetrate my phone, the table, and the wall.

"Oh, my God.

Did I do something unforgivable?

I can't believe I'm still in this world as a soul.

And I have to stay beside my body." I thought.

The clock struck twelve.

The whole city was celebrating.

More beautiful fireworks exploded before my eyes,

lighting up my little room.

I peeked through the window.

I saw a little girl who was lifted by her father to watch the fireworks.

I saw a little boy who was covered in dust, and his mother pinched his face and told him to slow down.

I also saw my parents and Carol. They just returned.

"Carol. I notice that you ate half a fish today. If you like fish, mom will learn how to cook it and make it for you every day."

"No, mom. Didn't you see that my dad spent the whole night picking fish bones and cracking crabs for me? He didn't even have time to eat. I don't want my dad to miss out on what he wants to eat because of me. His health matters more."

My dad stood between my mother and Carol. He was obviously happy.

"That's okay. You're the most important person here. As long as you like fish, dad is willing to pick fish bones for you for the rest of my life."

They must have had a great New Year’s Eve dinner without me.

I didn't know that my parents’ love could last so long.

They were back.

I wanted to escape, refusing to spy on their happiness.

But I still couldn't leave the house.

I could only watch them sitting on the sofa together, watching TV, staying up together, and laughing.

My mother said that she would give Carol a gift that was better than ever tomorrow to celebrate her having a boyfriend.

"What about me?

If they found out I was dead at home tomorrow, would they be a little sad?

Or would they scold me for bringing bad luck to them during the holiday?

If they scold me, I'll have to apologize. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it." I thought.

My father was the most promising one among our relatives.

On every New Year's Day, our relatives would visit us in the morning.

That year was no exception.

I heard the sound of my relatives talking loudly early in the morning.

They praised my father for being able to lead his company so well, and then they praised my mother for looking so good.

They also talked about how they envied my parents for having Carol and me as their daughters.

My mother was also proud. "Carol has been a good girl since she was a child, and I never had to worry about her."

She didn't even mention me during the whole process.

One of my aunts spoke of me,

"Where's Caroline? Why don't we see her? I even prepared a gift for her."

"Don't get me started. She's mad at us. She didn't even have the New Year's Eve dinner with us. She's still sleeping now."

"We've spoiled her too much since she was little, which is why she has become selfish and rebellious. I asked her to study art in college, but she went against me and studied veterinary. So, she has to deal with cats and dogs all day, cleaning up their poop and wiping their piss. That's just indecent."

I stood at the door and listened to their conversations.

My mother couldn't stop talking about me. She seemed to want to tell people everything she was unhappy about me.

In that way, she could prove she made a mistake having me.

I didn't hear my aunt's reply.

All I heard was my mother praising Carol again.

There was nothing new in her words. I had heard all of them since I was a child.

She told people how much Carol had suffered before she was found and how well-behaved Carol was after she returned.

But I just wanted them to discover my body sooner and bury it.

I couldn't stay in that house any longer.

I didn't want to watch them being happy even after I died.

Fortunately, my aunt finally opened my door.

"Caroline, stop sleeping. Today is the New Year's Day. Get up and join us."

Seeing that I didn't move, my aunt approached my bed.

I waved at her as hard as I could, "Aunt, come closer."

If she got any closer, she would realize that I wasn't breathing.

She was about to pull my quilt, but her hand was stopped in mid-air.

It was my mother.

She looked impatient. "Caroline Jackson, where are your manners? How could you still sleep when your aunt is talking to you?"

Seeing that I didn't move, my aunt looked concerned.

"Caroline could be sick. How can anyone sleep for so long? Perhaps I should feel her forehead to see if she has a fever."

As my aunt spoke, she reached out her hand to my forehead.