IF AND ONLY IF

A Butterfly - A Bird

I leant beside the glass window, looking into the field as dandelions played in the wind. I didn't waste any further time, I hurriedly wished.
I know this is obviously not the first time I'm wishing on floating dandelions, I've wished on shooting stars and even on the old wishing well by the town square. But I had this feeling behind my neck, I knew this one would work.
It wasn't too long I wished and I could already feel tickles behind my ears, my hairs were suddenly erect and goosebumps decorated my elegant skin. I could feel something inside of me changing, the wish was actually working.
The wind blew again, a bit ferocious this time. I began to shiver. It was then that it dawned on me that my wish was never being granted , I was merely feeling cold.

I sighed. "How long will it take" I muttered to myself, almost forcing out my last breathe.
I looked up, standing at the door was the town's perfect child, Elena, my sister. She was all dressed up in her long pink gown, the beautiful one that clearly showcased her curves, the one she only wears on important nights.
I gave her an honest smile and she gave me a smirk in return. I then frowned.
"What?" She asked, acting all innocent as though she didn't remember what she just did.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, still putting on a heavy frown.
"Hello? Since when did the morphing room become your personal space?" she  asked, rolling her eyes at me. I was pissed!
"I was here first, leave!" I angrily ordered, pointing towards the door.
"I'll stay" She yelled.
I could literally see furry burning through her eyes. Her hairs were standing erect (a clear sign that she was about to morph)
"Get out!" I shouted as I simultaneously pushed her to the ground. The furry in her eyes grew wilder. She jumped into the air, stretching her hands towards my face. I could literally see her morphing in the air, a skill that could only be executed by the most experienced of morphers. She morphed into a panther, first her face changed, then her body followed suit. She instantly charged and pounced on me, pushing me to the ground, roaring ferociously at my face.
Fear gripped me, I couldn't even breathe properly, my heart flew from my chest.

"Elena!"
My mum shouted from the door before running to my rescue. Elena was still furious. She turned to our mum and growled at her. "Elena!" My mum shouted again. Almost morphing too.
Elena knew she could never contend with our mum. She had to morph back to her normal self lest she start a fight she knew she could never win.

She was naked, her pink dress was all torn up(one reason why no one morphs with their clothes on). She turned and saw her favourite clothe all messed up. Tears filled her eyes. She stood before me, giving me a threatening stare. I knew she was still angry but she obviously couldn't do anything,  now that our mum's here.

"What came over you Elena?
How dare you morph at your sister?" My mum quarrelled.
She hated it when Elena angrily morphs at me (something she almost always does).
Elena was too angry to stand the both of us. She instantly morphed into a sparrow and flew out through the open window, leaving her pink dress behind.

I know what you're thinking, I should have morphed too and charged at her. But the bitter truth is that I don't know how to, I can't morph.
It has been my greatest nightmare yet my surest reality. Everyone else in town could morph with ease into a specific animal, everyone except me.

My mum had tried so hard to help me, always giving me coachings and lessons on how to position myself to morph but it all seemed futile. She eventually grew tired and gave up on the idea of me ever morphing.
So here I am, the only girl in town that has no gift.

"What came over your sister?" My mum asked, as she opened her arms for a hug.
I swung into her arms, tears was already at every corner of my eyes, "I don't know" I faintly said as tears rolled down my cheeks.

My sister and I used to be best of friends when we were younger. She was a polymorph(one of the few people in town that could morph into any animal of their choice).She would morph into a bear, or a jaguar or even a horse and carry me round the entire house on her back.

But now, we barely look at each other's faces for a minute without her morphing into a wild beast and charging at me.

Everything has changed.