You Only Live Once

CHAPTER 1

 I haven't been at the graveyard in a year.

I haven't visited my mother and brother's graves in over a year. Am I a horrible person? Probably. But my father hasn't been there either. What a great example. Oh well, I guess he's too busy playing the role of a father to kids that aren't his with a woman I didn't know existed a year ago.

The week after my mother and brother's funeral he broke the news to me. We would be moving to his home country to stay with an old friend of his. He just forgot to mention she was somehow, already his girlfriend. I didn't protest. There was nothing left for me in my own country anyway. A fresh start, whatever the factors of it were, was just what I needed.

So , what should a fresh start feel like? Exciting , right? Nerve racking, maybe. What I knew was that it had to be different.

It wasn't.

In my one year in England I hadn't managed to make a single friend for longer than two months. I have maintained my grades though. That was enough for my father . Silia, his girlfriend , had suggested I go see a therapist, said it wasn't healthy for a sixteen year old girl to spent all day with her books in her bedroom, occasionally hanging out with her toddler step-siblings.

Truth to be told I didn't mind it. It was peaceful . Books , even if it contained homework, were a better company that any human had ever managed to keep me. I knew isolation wasn't healthy, I wasn't stupid, but I decided that I wouldn't deprive myself of the comfort.

Today's my birthday. June 29th 2022. My sweet sixteen. I had spent all day in my bedroom as always. My little step-siblings came into the room from time to time to see if I needed anything and keep me some company. I had grown to love these little humans. That's why I felt bad for them. They had to grow up with my father in the picture. He tried to be better for them, he really did, but no one can change their old habits at the mature age of forty four. After all, it was 11:55 , five minutes before his only daughter's sweet sixteen was over and he was still out. Silia was still new to all this. She still had hope left in her. So she waited and waited and waited , so we could all cut my birthday cake together.

It was 11:59 when Silia, James and Aaron came into my bedroom with a small cake singing "Happy Birthday". The boys had big smiles on their faces and came running to my bed , jumping up and down from joy. Probably because they were up way past their bedtime and got to eat cake. Silia had a smile on, although she wasn't fouling me. I can;t say I was sad that I didn't get to celebrate my birthday with my dad, I never had anyway. What Silia did, was nice though.

"Thank you guys" I smiled giving both of the boys a kiss on the forehead before I stood up to hug Silia. "It really means a lot"

"Of course, sweetheart . We wouldn't just stand there waiting for your big day to be over." Silia smiled back. A guilty smile. That's exactly what she did, even if it wasn't her own fault.

Before anyone could say anything else we heard the front door been shut. Silia gave me a look and I nodded, that's when she left, the boys right behind her. I couldn't help but wonder if he could come up to my bedroom to wish me happy birthday. Even if it wasn't technically still my birthday. For the next half hour not even a whisper could be heard in the house, although I had heard the boy's bedroom door shut, which meant they were off to sleep. It was late for them anyway.

My bedroom's door knocked three quick times at 12:45. I didn't get to answer before my father came in . If I hadn't known any better I would say he looked guilty. Unfortunately I did know better.

"Silia told me I just missed the cake"

"We're still talking in English I see"

"We live here now Miranda, I'm doing it for your own good" I could feel his anger getting the best of him and honestly I didn't want to deal with it at the moment. So like the good obedient daughter I was I just kept my mouth shut and continued reading my book. After a while I heard my dad sigh before he spoke again. "Look Mira money is a little tight right now so I'll let you make a decision" he announced making me look up from my book. "We either get those tickets to the Harry Potter world for you and Silia or we get your brothers those toys they want"

"The tickets" I replied in my mind , but it wasn't the right option. There wasn't even an option.

"Silia hates Harry Potter more than anything and...get them the toys"

"You make a wonderful big sister"

"Sure" I smiled before turning my attention back to the book I was reading. Although I couldn't keep myself focused.

It was just another half hour before my door opened again. This time it was Silia, who to my surprise held a book in her hands.

"I thought this would be perfect for you" she said handing me the book.

"A printed fan fiction about Harry Potter's, who you despise, dead parents and their friends." I stated bluntly looking at the title on the cover of the book, before I chuckled and smiled widely. "How is it that you know me so well?"

"I do hate that world, but you love it, And I know how to listen Mira. You talk about everything you read , remember? I just picked up on a few things."

"Thank you Silia" I said before giving her hug. And I was genuinely thankful. I don't think there's anyone else who would pay that close attention to me and get me something that I would actually enjoy.

"Read it" Silia said eagerly.

"Right now?" I asked with her laugh.

"Yes right now" she kissed my forehead before getting up from my bed and to the door. "Just don't get lost in the story. We want you here with us in the morning."

"I'm not going anywhere"