Perfect Illness || lookism x reader

4. Sibling Dynamic

Trigger Warning: Mentions of abuse

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline Text and Call: 1-800-422-4453, USA and Canada

In which we feast on backstory. Nuff said?
    Daniel was visibly moved as he shoveled food into his mouth. Both YN and Jace stared at him, as murmurs spread around the cafeteria. This new student was already infamous. Why are you acting like the grateful one? YN thought. Not only was the behaivior deceptive to his true strength, it was unnecessary. Wouldn't it be better for him to get as much power as he could in the school? Unless he didn't need it, but considering he had to work a part-time job, it appeared that he did. Money is power after all, and vice versa. YN smirked to herself, noting her hypocrisy. That's exactly what I'm not doing. Maybe Daniel has his reasons for acting like a wimp. I'd like to find them out. YN noticed Jace's glance had shifted to her. Their eyes met and for a second they had a quick and silent conversation. Both knew that this new boy had the potential to beat Vasco.

We continue...
After school, Daniel intercepted her.
"Hey YN! I was invited to go to dinner with some friends. Do you want to come?"
YN was pretty certain that the people who invited him, the three fashion department bullies and Zack's lackeys, were NOT his friends, but Daniel was sparkling too much for her to bust his bubble. Also, it could be a good chance to interrogate Zack about Johan. YN was lucky the fast food place she worked at was closed for inspection (which wasn't surprising considering the manager was really lazy, and the employees all done with life). But first she had to ascertain something.
"Look, I appreciate it and all... But why me?"
Daniel fidgeted nervously, blushing slightly. "You seem like a really good person. You've helped me with Zack, and with Vasco. Believe it or not, I didn't have friends in my old school, and I really want to be friends with you!"
YN smiled. Daniel was kind of adorable. Just then it was as if lighting had cracked in her brain. YN dropped to her knees and clutched her head, groaning in pain. Her vision blacked out for a few seconds, and there was a roaring in her ears. When it cleared, and the pain subsided, YN was left with a new fragment of a memory. Another of Johan's faces, expression almost identical to that of Daniel's. Ugh why does this keep happening??? YN mentally shouted.Her urgency to find Johan had escalated. YN didn't think the memory attacks would stop until she regained all her memories. And coming to the same conclusion as a few nights ago, that started with finding Johan. Which meant interrogating Zack.
"YN!" Came a voice, snapping her out of her attack. "Are you okay?" Daniel had also crouched, trying to get her attention. "What's wrong?!"
YN mustered a confident smile. "Oh, nothing. Just a headache." Daniel didn't look convinced, but YN knew he was too enamored with his 'new friends' to care very much. "About coming, I'd love to! Let me check with my brother." YN rose from her crouched position and pulled out her ancient phone. She texted Eli.
YN: Can I go to dinner with friends at 7?
Eli: I didn't know you had friends except for that blond dude but I trust you. Sure.
YN: Shut up
Eli: :P. Please go. It's nice to see you having some normal time.
YN: You know, you should get some of that too.
Eli: Naw, I have a responsibility. You're just humoring it.
YN smirked to herself. True enough. She enjoyed Yenna though. The three dots signalling Eli's response had not stopped dancing, so YN waited.
Eli: Why did you collapse though?
YN glanced up from her phone, her gaze sweeping the surroundings. She glimpsed Eli, surrounded by his usual gaggle of Beauty dept girls, also looking at her. YN locked eyes and very purposely turned off her phone, leaving him on read.
YN turned back to Daniel, who had been waiting patiently, quite confused at her actions. "Yeah, I can come. You'll text me the address?" YN said to Daniel who was waiting patiently.
"Great! Of course!" he said enthusiastically. "What's your number?" Daniel handed YN his phone, and she noticed his hand was shaking. She grinned to herself. He was REALLY nervous. It was kind of cute. She typed in her number and handed the phone back.
"See you later!" YN waved and left. Daniel also left, his ears bright red. First girl's number! He thought to himself.
Eli and YN met outside the school.
"I can pick up Yenna today, like we discussed."
"Yeah sure, but you still didn't answer me. Why did you collapse?"
"I didn't collapse, I dropped something."
Eli eyed her, seeing through her blatant lie.
"Tell me the truth."
"I did."
"No you didn't."
"Yes I did."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
Eli sighed, defeated. "Look, YN, I know you are used to dealing with everything on your own, but please, tell me. Let me help." The two stopped and made eye contact. YN could clearly see Eli's cotton candy hair, the one that covered the 'H' on his forehead. The 'H' that he had to hide for the same reason that he had to get up at two in the morning, and that he had to vanish as soon as school ended.
"Seriously, im fine." YN said.
"...mhm." Eli glanced at YN as the two continued walking. She really was amazing, and had been through so much. He didn't deserve her help or support. Especially after leaving her.
The two siblings had a terrible childhood, with abusive parents. While Eli was constantly playing the sick game of 'hide and seek' with their birth mom, it was the opposite for YN. Their DAD was the one abusing YN. Eli didn't know the reason, for their birth father, despite not stopping their other parent's abuse, didn't hit Eli himself. But for YN it was a different case. While their birth mom simply ignored her, their father... beat YN inches from death but. Eli's only happy memories from his childhood was time with YN, while their parents were out.
Eli felt pathetic. After their mom had run away, (domestic physical abuse while their father was drunk), it had finally gotten peaceful for Eli. He was almost happy. But it was a living hell for YN. Without their mother present, their father's drunken rage was also directed towards YN. Eli never raised a finger to help her, and that was his biggest regret.
His guilt intensified, when YN would help him despite her risk. When their father remarried, their new mother was evil. She had two daughters, and Eli didn't want to think of what she did to him. YN always tried to defend him, knowing very well that she wouldn't receive any sympathy from their birth father either. Then their birth father died.
Their stepmother remarried and the two siblings' situation wasn't any better. Eli finally thought he would be able to join the family, but that was an illusion caused by his naivety. And he left that place... Because he wanted a family.
Eli and YN parted ways with a word of goodbye from YN. Eli watched her leave then continued to make his way to the hair salon. He slammed his fist into the wall of the alley he was passing through. He bit his lip and rested his forehead against the back of his hand, tortured by the memories.
Because the worst part of YN and Eli's childhood story wass that Eli left YN. He left behind the only person that was there for him, his only family member. He was going to regret it for the rest of his life, and he owed YN his life. It was very possible without her he would have been beaten to death numerous times. So he REALLY, REALLY, wished that YN would open up to him, so that for once he could save and support her. The second worst part was that YN didn't remember his betrayal. Her memory loss pertained to most memories of their childhood, except for him. He didn't deserve her loyalty or love. So he would do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING he could to keep her happy.

Meanwhile YN tugged open the door of the daycare. The lady at the desk glanced in surprise to see the young girl.

"Are you here to pick up a sibling?" She asked suspiciously. The girl was quite beautiful, and she didn't have the haggard or warm look of a mother. Their eyes met and the lady flinched. But YN smiled reassuringly, and the lady instantly relaxed. Something about YN made the lady instantly want to trust her, but because she had been on guard previously, the lady could also sense the nagging feeling inside telling her not to trust the girl. The lady felt as if... she was being hunted. That feeling was squashed however when YN opened her mouth to speak.

"Uh, no, actually I'm here to get my niece. I've come here frequently before... are you new?" YN asked with a smile.

Instantly any reservations about YN that the lady had vanished. How could such a nice pretty girl be a kidnapper or something? The lady smiled sheepishly. "Yes I just started working a week ago. I love young kids."

YN smiled indulgently. "That's great! I'm picking up Yenna Jang." She added, intending to hurry the process up. SHe had not come to make small talk and also wasn't in the best mood. The lady on the counter smiled in a dazed maner and held out the sign out book. YN signed it, at the lady absentmidedly lead her too the kids area.

Yenna ran to YN, in that disjointed toddler fashion, babbling incoherently. YN picked her up and tickled her feeling instantly refreshed. Yenna giggled. Together they made their way out after YN thanked the lady. What a nice young girl, the lady thought to herself after YN left. She had been successfully hunted.

After spending the afternoon satisfying Yenna's desires, YN took her to Eli's work place, the salon when Daniel texted an address.

"Hey YN!" Eli greeted cheerfully, appearing to have forgotten their earlier conversation.

"Are you sure you don't want me to stay with Yenna? Cause I can totally cance-"

"GO!" Eli shouted. He took a breath. "Please go and have a normal life for at least a few hours. One of us should and-" he glared at YN who was opening her mouth to protest. "It WILL be you. Now shut up and go." YN smiled. It was a real one, not a charming or threatening one, and it broke Eli's heart.

"Thanks." She said genuinely. "Love you."

"L-love you." Eli said, barely veiling his emotions. As YN left out the door he gasped from the weight of his emotions.. Please don't make that face. Don't thank me. Don't love me. I don't deserve any of it. I don't deserve you.