Giselle

1.

"just turn a blind eye, everything's okay—"

Silence was heavy in the dining room, a noticeable air of tension surrounding the four people sitting on the table. The silver utensils, detailed with colourful designs, clacked against each other as they ate the dinner.

The mother took a sip of water, seeming to communicate with her husband through eyes. Mr. Kim caught on to what his wife wanted and looked at his daughters, sitting on either side of him. He cleared his throat, grabbing the attention of one of his daughter while the other kept eating.

"How are you doing these days, Migyung?" he asked in a sweet voice, looking at the younger twin. Mijung rolled her eyes at the predictable actions of her parents. They always cared about Migyung more than her.

Migyung felt the gaze of her sister burning holes in her face and decided not to look up as she answered. "I'm good as always. Why do you ask?" she asked, soon stuffing her mouth with rice and some grilled fish.

"Well, I heard something from my friend," Mrs. Kim spoke up this time, the father relaxing as his wife took the reins of the conversation. "She told me that the Kang art centre offered you to be an instructor."

The sisters both froze. One in surprise and one in trepidation. "Oh, really?" Mijung piqued in, her smile overly bright. "Did you accept?"

"No," Migyung answered simply, not caring to elaborate anymore and continued eating. She didn't want to have this conversation here, especially with the way her sister was looking at her. But seemed like her parents didn't get the clue.

"It's been three years, Migyung!" Her mother suddenly burst out, slamming her spoon on the table. "You can't stay like this your whole life. Just because you can't dance, doesn't mean you have to just give it up altogether. I know it hurts. Don't think I don't understand your pain. I've been there when I had you two, but I didn't stop. I continued to dance and then teach."

"Then you go and teach there," Migyung cut in, her face showing just how angry she was. "I didn't ask to be born. I didn't ask for that accident to happen and I definitely didn't ask for that job. I'm fine just the way I am right now. I don't need your words or sympathy. I know I look pathetic in your eyes but at least I'm alive. Be thankful for that."

"That's enough," her father said, making the room fall silent. His stormy eyes pierced Migyung's, showing just how disappointed he was in her. It made her look away in guilt but her mind wouldn't change.

"I understand if you don't want to do the job, that's fine but we want you to stop being like this. You should see a therapist, Migyung," her father's tone softened at the end but it only made Migyung scoff and lean back. "You sure you shouldn't say that to Mijung instead. Have you even been looking after her?"

Everyone's eyes widened at her words. Mijung smiled, quite fake even in its beauty. "W-What are you talking about?"

"Vomiting," Migyung said looking straight at her. "You've been throwing up after every meal. It's not a good way to maintain your weight."

"Who told you that? And how would you know about maintaining your weight. You just have superior genes which make you look just as good as you were three years ago. Don't tell me you've been working out secretly."

Migyung shook her head. "You know perfectly well how to divert attention. I'll give you that but I'm not answerable to you." She got up then and hugged her parents. "I'll get going now. I've got work to do."

"We are not done with the conversation, Migyung," her mother said following her to the door. Migyung sighed heavily, her slender shoulders dropping with fatigue. "Mom, please. I don't want to talk about this anymore. I'm doing great financially. I have a well paying job and good colleagues, good friends. Don't drag me into this...this toxic industry, mom. I can't handle it after everything that has happened."

The mother took her daughter's hands, caressing them lovingly as her aged eyes looked at her with concern. "I know, my dear and I agree with you but we are just worried with the way you seem to fade away everyday. We don't want to lose you."

Migyung embraced her mother tightly, closing her eyes at the comfort her mother's scent brought her. "You won't lose me, mom. I promise you. You need to look after Mijung more."

"When will you stop worrying about others and think about yourself?"

The young woman smiled wryly. "I don't think I can stop worrying about her, mom. We are sisters after all."

Migyung watched the smoke ring disappear in the air, shining in the moonlight streaming in her balcony. She had picked up on some skills in the three years since she started smoking. At first, it was about numbing her brain enough to stop thinking about dancing. Now, it was more about forgetting everything.

She couldn't shake the way Mijung had looked at her tonight though. She had done everything her sister had wished for, be it giving up dancing or her boyfriend after seeing them kissing one night. Even weed couldn't make her forget that particular painful memory.

She shook her head, taking another long puff, her vision getting sharper, the colours becoming brighter as the drug started affecting her system. She sighed dreamily, the soft tunes of piano making her sway her head. The moon looked bigger than usual, her hand reaching out as if she could just touch it. But alas, she'd never touch it. She'd never have what she wished for because a particular someone wouldn't let her.

~~~~
A/N:

The first chapter is out!
I know it's been a while but this book will have slow updates till at least one of the previous ones is completed.
Till then, updates every 15 days. Hope you understand and be patient for updates :)