Unraveled

SYLVIA

"Our friendship, once so precious, meant to be cherished. Pity, now it's nothing but sheer emptiness and tears..."

Sylvia woke up to her older sister, Naia's, infuriated screeching directed at their younger sister, Able, who, apparently had not woken up in time for school and had already missed the first class. Knowing Able, it was definitely predictable. With a long sigh she sat up limply on her bed. It was certainly a jubilant way to start her first day of the new academic year. How absolutely fantastic.

She rolled out of bed, freshened up and headed to the kitchen. Her two ridiculous sisters were still arguing. Her six-year-old brother, Josh sat blissfully at the table having his breakfast completely unbothered by the tumultuous scene unfolding in the next room. Sylvia smiled unconsciously at his blithe attitude. She took a seat and lazily spread peanut butter on her toast as Naia's frustrated voice filled the kitchen. Able yelled something unpleasant followed by a loud bang which startled poor josh, making him drop his spoon.

Naia stormed into the kitchen, her face flushed and fists clenched. She resembled a bull about to charge. She glared at Sylvia daring her to make a snarky remark, but Sylvia wasn't going to, not today.
Today she decided to be nice and just raised an eyebrow and continued buttering her bread.

Truth be told she was afraid to provoke her short-tempered sister after last night's lecture - she simply could not handle another. But things did not seem so optimistic for Sylvia, for her silence only seemed to amplify Naia's frustration.

She put her hands up to her hips, an unmistakable sign that she was ready to yell. She shot Sylvia a disgusted look, mouth opening as if she was ready to go ballistic, yet again. Just when Sylvia felt hopeless and was ready to face the music, the doorbell rang. She nearly jumped off her seat with joy, and Josh rushed to open the door.

Standing outside stood her beloved childhood best friend, and right now her favourite person. "Amara!" she exclaimed, rushing out the door with her bag. "Bye, Naia! Bye, Josh!" she called pushing Amara inside the elevator.

"Did I just save you from another one of Naia's lectures?" Asked Amara as she pressed the button for the basement floor.

"Yes, and I love you for it. You always have the perfect timing!" Responded Sylvia.

Amara chuckled, shaking her head "Sylvie, when will you give your sister a break?"

"It was not me this time, I swear! It was Able! She banged the door ! I don't know where that attitude comes from, even I never had the courage to bang a door on Naia's face. She's 12 for goodness's sake. Mom would have flipped if she were here."

Amara let out a small sigh, "When is your mom coming?" Sylvia's smile faltered, "No clue," she said, thinking of something to change the subject.
An awkward pause settled between them before Sylvia spoke again, "Did you know we have a new neighbour moving into our complex?" She asked.

Amara didn't question her anymore, she knew she shouldn't, it would only lead to sadness and conflict.
"Oh yeah, mom was saying something about that. She said he was moving from India or something. She spoke to him this morning apparently, they met in the basement. She says he's pretty smart, come here to write a report or something. "

"Report? Whatever could be there in a town as small as ours? Nonetheless, I hope it's someone fun, after Jason left we haven't had anyone fun to hang out with".

"Yeah" Amara muttered in agreement. After that they didn't have much to talk about, they made their way to the bus stand and to school in silence.

In the bus all Sylvia could think of was Able acting out, no matter how hard she tried to shrug it off, her family drama always left a sour taste in her mouth. She hadn't seen her mom in so long and Able not nearly enough. Was this the reason for her being a dunderhead lately? Or was it just another one of her phases? Either way, it was exhausting.

She glanced sideways at Amara, walking with her even in silence, felt comfortable as always. Through all these years she had Amara, and Amara had her. She would get through this year with her again except, maybe this year would be different, a break from the same old arguments, the same old frustrations. No drama, although it seemed mundane, that's how she preferred it.

But, of course, peace was too much to ask for. Trouble was already on its way, ready to knock on her door.