Teeniacs: Into The Shadowed Maze

Bite Back

I seem to be quite used to heavy words
Don't even know why this still hurts
And when I come to you and say my peace
Don't give me eyes like this is my problem, please

song: bite back - dodie

Birds chirped softly beside the windowpanes, the gentle beat seems to match the flutter of excitement in 11 year old Dot's chest. She rummaged her clothes for the perfect outfit for her first day in public school. Today is such an important day to her, After months of asking, begging, her mother; Dot finally got her approval. Being homeschooled for her entire life, she plans to make a great first impression to her new classmates and teachers.

After almost clearing out her large closet, Dot pulls out the perfect outfit. It's a white t-shirt with pink sleeve ends and a knee length skirt. She grinned as she got dressed and stood before her mirror, twirling her skirt in satisfaction. She then searched her slightly messy desk to find her favourite yellow flower hair piece, which she meticulously arranged on her hair. A touch of familiarity against the unfamiliarity of the day ahead.

Dot's footsteps padded across the floor as she descended downstairs, framed photos of the Norita family can be seen placed on the side of the staircase walls. From the very top shows the head of the family, their grandmother, then her mother and her sisters, and at the end of it is their family portrait. It displays her, her sister Cora, and their mother. Dot looks up to the arrangement of portraits and gives it a small smile, those framed photos are a reflection of perfection. And Dot would do everything that she can to uphold their family name.

The maids dart around like oompa loompas with well rehearsed routines. The scent of breakfast wafted through the air. Dot sat down, her excitement palpable as she dug into her meal. The sweet, buttery aroma of freshly made pancakes filled the air as she finished her first round. She licked the syrup off her fork and savored the flavor that burst in her mouth when her sister Cora appeared into the dining room who's already dressed up for the day. Wearing a pink jacket with a white T-shirt underneath and a teal short skirt. The teenager has her eyes glued to her phone, casually chatting with her friends about their plans for school.

The girls did not acknowledge each other, as much as Dot wanted to greet her. She knows that her sister would just give her an eye roll. While the sisters eat their breakfast in silence, their mother, Nora Rita Norita, made her entrance. Dot looked up to her mother as Nora had her phone pressed to her ear, "Yes, there are two ways to open it... Then find a way to make it more efficient! Figure out something better or use the... Alright alright, I will take a look at it later this afternoon... Yes, goodbye." She hung up abruptly, letting out a sigh as her brow furrowed with frustration and suspicion.

She composed herself and cast an affectionate smile at her girls, a glint of proud anticipation in her eyes. "Ready for your first day of school, darlings?" Dot's eyes glimmered as she grinned at her mother. "Oh, I am, mother! I'm so excited to meet my classmates and make new friends. I promise you won't regret letting me go to public school." Nora eyed her other daughter as she curtly ate her breakfast. "And Cora, try to look out for your sister, alright?" Cora's response is an eye roll, "Oh joy, I can't wait to be the guardian angel of the year."

Nora's attention settled on Dot, a warm smile disguising the tension in her eyes. "It's a monumental day, darling. Your first steps into the world of education. I'm sure you'll excel." She leaned in closer, a conspiratorial whisper. "Remember, if you ever need anything, just make your way to the principal's office. After all, your mother is in charge there."

Cora's snort of derision was louder than necessary. "Or you could always venture into the abyss of the high school building. Seek guidance from the great and mighty Cora. If you dare." Dot chuckled, eyes averting the sight of her sister, a hollow sound that resonated in the awkward silence. "Thanks, Cora. I'll keep that in mind."

The sleek black car glided through the streets, carrying Dot, Cora, and Nora towards their respective schools. The car ride felt stifling, with a black sound proof window dividing the girls who sits at the back from their mother who's at the front. The car ride was suffocatingly quiet, with a tinted black window that ran up the middle of the vehicle, separating the two girls in the back from their mother up front. Not a word was exchanged between them, and the air felt thick with tension.

The only words they could hear are the muffled words from the phone conversation Nora is having. Cora is absorbed in her phone, endlessly typing about something her friend said. Dot doesn't really know what it's about, she doesn't want to peek into her sister's side so she looks around the window. Cars and students all on their way to school, not wanting to be late for the start of it. With their destination close by, Dot tries breaking the silence.

“So, Cora, are you excited for today?” Cora hesitantly glanced away from her phone, responding with a lack of enthusiasm. “Mmhmm, sure.” Dot tried to continue the dry conversation to kill off the dead air surrounding them. “I mean, it's a new school year. New classes, new teachers...” Cora waved her hand dismissively as if to say that she was not interested in what Dot was saying. “Yeah, whatever.” Dot's brow furrowed, sensing the underlying detachment in Cora's tone. She tried to brush it off, determined to make the best of the one sided chat. "Well, we're going to have a great year, Cora. We'll both make new friends and have lots of fun!"

Cora shot her an annoyed look, arms crossed and rolling her eyes. "Right, it's not like everyone is already fawning over you." Dot's smile faltered, hurt by Cora's snide comment. She didn't understand why Cora seemed so cold towards her. "I'm not trying to steal anyone's attention, Cora. I just want us to get along and be sisters."

The older Norita girl let out a sardonic laugh. "Sisters? Please. We may share a mother, but we're nothing alike. And I won't be overshadowed by the likes of you." Dot's heart felt like it was sinking into her stomach as she heard her sister's vitriolic words. She bit down on her lip to keep from saying something in return, and absently began to dig her nails into her fingertips. Cora saw Dot fidgeting, struggling with what to say, so she scolded her harshly.

"Would you stop fidgeting, Dot?"

The younger girl fought against the urge to flinch from her sister's gaze, she tries to bring that positive excitement from earlier. Nora's voice, a jarring interruption, echoed in the confined space as she opened the dividing window. "That's enough! Both of you. Remember, we're representing our family here. So I better not see or hear you two quarreling here and especially in school." The two girls looked away from each other and looked outside.

The car pulled up at the school, and the three of them sat in an awkward silence. Cora stepped out of the car, mumbling a goodbye to their mother and strode away to the high school building. Nora popped Dot's seatbelt off and gave her a gentle kiss goodbye on her forehead; Dot stood at the entrance of the school, her backpack slung over her shoulder, watching as Nora walked away until she disappeared from sight.