Dance of Affliction (GxG)

Family

»»-----¤-----««Estelle's Pov»»-----¤-----««

I find myself in my favorite beauty store to unwind of this mess called my life right now. I scan the extensive collection of beauty products, my back curved in defeat. I've been wanting to buy some new products for weeks but keep forgetting about it. My gaze lingers on one product in particular, and I pick it up to inspect the instructions. But my attention got snatched away when a voice calls out to me from behind.

"Elle! It's been so long!"

I turn my head and dread washes over me as soon as I spot her - my sister, the one with the perfect life. She's got a great job, lives in an amazing house...the picture of success.

"Ah, Kirsi hey," I say, my lips curling into an uneasy smile as I embrace her. I can't help but feel a pang of envy as I take in the life she has created for herself. Meanwhile, I am stuck here, feeling regretful and ashamed because of the poor decisions I made.

"What are you doing here in the city?" I ask curiously.

"I'm here on business and I thought I'd stop by to visit my sister while I'm at it." She smiles, but all I can do is return an awkward grin.

"What a coincidence that you ran into me in my favorite beauty store!" I say sarcastically but mean no harm by it, We share a laugh and head towards the cash register, our footsteps echoing off the shelves behind us. As we exit the shop, strolling down the pavement beside the road, a slight breeze stirs around us and I cross my arms to keep myself a bit warm. Kirsi takes a deep breath and turns to face me.

"Listen," She begins. "I know what you're doing here.. I think it's time for you to get out of this life and start fresh somewhere else."

My eyes flick up to her as we arrive at my apartment. I unlock the door before we walk in and I put my beauty products on the table.

"You think I'm not trying Kirsi?" I ask, a hint of annoyance in my voice. "I just have to endure this hell until I have enough saved up to re-enter the academy and finish my degree." I sigh in resignation.

"Elle, listen if you need money I can—"

"No!" I protest, "I'm fine, I appreciate the thought, but I'm done settling for scraps." I plop down at the kitchen table and offer a glass of water to my sister. "I'm getting by okay, it's been a bit rocky lately but I'll make it through somehow, I always do."

My sister gazes at me with an expression of sorrow and support. "I understand Elle, but if you need help with anything - even something small like a ride for grocery shopping - you can always call me." Kirsi smiles at me warmly. I smile back and whisper a soft thank you. She knows I'm going through a difficult time but she's still here for me, like the good sister she is.

"Have you looked into the prizes of the academy?" She looks at me with concern plastering her face very evidently.

I slump into my seat in defeat and nod. "Yeah, but I'll have to hang on and keep on working like this until I get the money."

"Wait Elle, are you still sending money to mom and dad?" Kirsi frowns and I can feel the scolding ready to erupt from her lips.

"Uh, maybe..." I mutter nervously. I jump in shock when Kirsi slams her fists on the table, standing up, pacing back and forth with her face in her palm.

"Didn't they tell you!? For the love of god and his disciples--" She paces back and forth feverishly, like a marine marching in formation. I'm sure if she keeps this up, it won't be long before I've got a visible line in my floor from her footsteps.

"Tell me what?" I murmur in confusion. Kirsi sighs and rests her hands on the backrest of the chair in front of her.

"Mom and dad are doing well, for now," she says. "They've been telling me that they are almost financially stable again. Mom is feeling better and the debts are slowly disappearing."