Unspoken Desires

21.) Distance

Cheska and Ava stand side by side at the kitchen sink. Dirty dishes are piled high, waiting to be washed.

Cheska reaches for a plate covered in dried pasta sauce, inspecting it with a playful grin.

"So, Ava, I heard you made quite a mess with your spaghetti last night. Mind if I inspect the evidence?"

"Oh, come on, Cheska. It was just a little accident. Don't make a big deal out of it." Ava rolled her eyes.

Cheska winks and starts scrubbing the plate vigorously, sending soap suds flying through the air. Ava joins in, trying to keep up with Cheska's energy.

"Just a little accident? Come on, Ava, you practically painted the walls with that sauce. It was a masterpiece!"

Ava laid a finger at her, 'Well, maybe if you hadn't distracted me with your silly jokes, I wouldn't have spilled it everywhere."

Cheska pushes the wet plate on Ava, "Go wash"

"EW! UGH! Cheska, can't we take turns washing the dishes? I've had a long day, and I'm really tired."

Cheska smiles in an evil way, "Oh, Ava, you know the rule in this house. It's your turn tonight. Besides, I've got some important things to take care of."

Ava's exhaustion turns to frustration as she rolls up her sleeves and begrudgingly starts washing the dishes. Cheska leans against the counter, watching her sister with a smirk.

"This is so unfair, Cheska! It's always me doing the dirty work while you get to have all the fun."

"Nge nge nge nge nge" Cheska mocked.

Ava's anger simmers beneath the surface as she scrubs a particularly stubborn stain off a plate. Cheska steps closer, her tone dripping with condescension.

"You missed a spot there, Ava. Looks like you're not as good at this as you thought."

Ava stomped her foot, "Stop it, Cheska! I'm doing my best here. You don't have to make it any harder for me.'

Cheska's smile widens, clearly enjoying Ava's annoyance.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Ava. I didn't realize washing dishes was such a monumental task for you. Maybe I should call for reinforcements."

Cheska grabbed her backpack and spoke, "I'm going to school, by ugly pig!" and slammed the door.

As Cheska walks by, a neighbor, Emita, rushes to Cheska, "Hey! Are you Martha's daughter?"

Cheska fakes a smile, "Yeah, your business?"

"Where is your mother anyway? Is she really in another country working for you or trying to hook up with another man?"

Cheska had enough with people talking bad about her mother and slapped the 45-year-old woman's face, she laid a finger at her, "Just because you're old doesn't mean you can treat my mother like this!"

Cheska raised her hand again, making Emita flinch, "That's what I thought" Cheska looks at her from head to toe and walks away.

Then, another girl in Cheska's age, Panny, passed by, "Hi! Cheskaaaa!"

Cheska glared at her, she isn't even friends with her so why on earth would she entertain her, making Panny feel disrespected and offended.

Cheska went to school for the moving up rehearsal, She then spots Gabrielle, her girlfriend, standing near her locker, engrossed in a conversation with Anne.