First Rain Of Summer | COMPLETED

Seventeen

THERESE'S POV

"Therese, help your sister."

I'm at Mom's house. Her new family invited to come over as her new husband got promoted and there's a high chance that they'll migrate to Canada. They're celebrating.

On the other hand, my half-sister is currently decorating a cake. She's only ten years-old and she can do whatever she wants. She even joined the soccer team because she likes it.

I got up from the sofa and headed to their kitchen.

"What can I help?"

She raised her head and looked at me, smiling.

"No need na po, I can handle it."

The cake she's decorating is a mess, the choice of colors and the terrible choice of piping tip. I bet Mom will scold her when she sees this, she adores perfect things and Eloise is no exemption. She doesn't care if she's her daughter, she must be perfect or close.

"Visitor ka po, eh. No need to help me po."

Visitor. So, this explains the uneasy feeling whenever I'm here. I'm not considered a member of the family but a visitor. Mabuti pa kila Madam Eula, they never make me feel like one.

"Rese, would you please help me slice the carrots?"

I didn't hesitate as I love the feeling when someone needs me. I felt useful and somehow, that made me think I'm capable of being loved.

"Make yourself comfortable. You can eat what's inside the fridge. Marami 'yon at kaming apat lang ang nandito sa bahay. Hindi namin mauubos 'yan."

Do the elderly like to spoil teenagers like us? I never saw it with my Grandma. She may give whatever we want as long as we'll work for it, even the smallest thing like candy.

"If you say so."

I headed back to the sofa and scrolled through my laptop. I recently looked for an international school offering a degree in fashion designing. So far, I needed a guardian for me to be able to register for underage applicants and I'm still underage.

I can't let them know what I'm up to. The registration ends in October 2016 and I'll be turning eighteen by September. I think I'll just look for a professional guardian in order for me to register.

Eloise's shriek echoed in the living room. I stood up immediately and ran towards the kitchen. I saw her holding her hands and there was blood dripping on the floor.

"What happened?" I heard Mom's voice behind me.

She runs past me and holds both Eloise's shoulders while panic is in her system.

"What happened, baby?" nag-aalalang tanong nito.

"I accidentally cut my finger with a bread knife." She's about to cry.

I winced. Is that all? I bet it's small and she's overreacting. She could treat it by putting some ointment and give it a week to completely heal. Ang layo sa bituka.

"Go to yaya and ask her to wash it. Susunod ako kasi ako maglalagay ng ointment diyan."

While staring at them, I can't help but to feel envious. I watched Mom being a mother to Eloise without begging. The affection that I've been craving for years and begged for yet she doesn't have to. The pain in my chest is consuming me and no matter how I push it aside, it still lingers.

I wanted to ask Mom why can't she showered me with love like she did to Eloise. Why can't she accept me even though I'm not planned? Why can't she be a mother to me?