Invisible

Carlotta - 8

"I guess we have time off!" she said as we drove through the cars. My mum didn't seem too concerned but I knew that bit was coming later.

"What should we do?"

"I don't know."

"Hey, I know where we can go." We drove down to the coast and to the beach. Around that area there was a McDonalds and she pulled up to the drive through. I ordered a McFlurry and a Cheese Burger. I hadn't had McDonalds in a while and it was delicious.

"Er mum, how are we going to afford this?" I said with a mouthful of food in my mouth.

"Don't worry darling, it's fine!" she smiled at me but turned her head and I noticed the smile fade.

We drove home in silence, I kept waiting for the "You can tell me anything Lotta" talk. I was honestly quite annoyed when it never came since I wanted it all over with.

When we got home, I went to my room and started going through the book. I carefully lifted up the tattered leather casing and rummaged through my pen pot to find my nicest biro. I got hold of one I forgot I had. It had a little pink gem holding onto it from a little clasp. I'd got the pen from inside my Christmas stockings a couple years back. Back when Mum and Dad were together. I started to remember that Christmas like it had just happened yesterday. Dad had put on some really cheesy Christmas songs and Mum was all curled up next to him with the blanket covering her. She was so happy. Anger built up inside of me. He was the reason mum was so sad. So, not 'mum like'. I hated him. I can't believe I was thinking this. I felt betrayed, I remember when kids used to ask each other when we were like 7, 'Who do you like more, you're mum or dad?'. I would answer that I didn't know, but I adored my dad. We would play football. He would pick me up on his shoulders and then put me on the ground 2 seconds later because his back would hurt. He would listen to me read my school books, and then when I got a little tired he would tuck me into bed calling me his little star because I loved space so much. I love him so much, well loved him so much.

There's a huge difference.

I shook all those thoughts out of my mind. I continued to open up the book,"and wrote one word.

"Hello?" I then started to feel very foolish as if I had answered the wrong answer to a sum the teacher had asked the class. I was about to close the book, embarrassed even though nobody was there watching me. The corner of my eye noticed black fancy writing fade onto the pages.

"Hello Carlotta." How on earth did this anonymous writer know my name?

My shaky hands managed to write down a measly little sentence: "Who are you?"

"I must've startled you. My name is Esme Shallows. I live in the same house you are in right now."

I was creeped out. Anyone would be! I was just about to put the point of my pen onto the crinkled paper when more text faded onto the sheets.

I've lived in this house all my life. I grew up in this house. My mind is hazy but I recall my mum saying she and my dad bought it about a year and a half before I was born. I've not known anyone else that has lived in it. A sudden idea popped into my head. I shuffled through my rucksack and thumbled for my phone. I pulled out the camera app and started filming. I was going to send it to Marie, of course.

"What do you mean? When?" I wrote it down.

"Well my mother is there. My father isn't and neither am I" I had a really strange thought come to my head. Maybe mum had another child? Did I have a half sister or even a half sister? I've always wanted one. I'd love to help each other with homework, hug when we feel down and play. Thanks to Marie I have had a sister. A sister I love dearly.