1 July 2031, 06:00 PM
When I heard her voice, I immediately stopped. I turned around and saw my older sister, Mariana, standing just a few meters away. Mariana’s dark hair was pinned back, her makeup done to perfection, and she wore a sleek, fitted dress that accentuated her curves. Her chubby cheeks gave her a youthful softness, but there was nothing soft about the look she was giving me.
- “Did I just see you with… a guy?” Mariana asked me, her tone edged with curiosity and something darker.
- “Mariana… what are you doing here?”
- “Out for a walk,” Mariana said with a smirk. “I could ask you the same thing. Or rather, who were you with?”
- “It’s none of your business.”
- “Oh, but it is,” Mariana replied, stepping closer with a sly grin. “Especially when the ‘good girl’ of the family is sneaking around with some… guy. Is he poor? He looked poor.”
- “Mariana, please. You don’t understand.”
- “Oh, I think I do,” Mariana replied, crossing her arms. “You’re slumming it with some guy who probably can’t even afford a decent shirt, let alone keep you in the lifestyle you’re used to. Does mom and dad know?”
- “No. And I don’t think they need to know yet.”
- “Oh, but think about how disappointed they’d be. Sweet, innocent Paola, the girl with all the potential in the world, throwing it all away for a… nobody.”
- “That’s not fair,” I snapped, my voice rising. “You don’t even know him, Mariana. He’s a good person. Better than half the people you hang around with, for that matter.”
- “Touchy, are we? I must’ve hit a nerve. Look, Paola, I could keep this little secret of yours… but you know, it’s going to cost you.”
- “What do you want?”
- “Oh, I don’t know… a new handbag, maybe some jewelry,” Mariana said, examining her manicured nails. “Or maybe I’ll just keep it in my back pocket for a rainy day. A little insurance to remind you that I’m in control here.”
My face flushed with anger. I felt my hands trembling, but I refused to back down.
- “You’re unbelievable, Mariana. You have everything you want, and still, you’re never satisfied.”
- “Life isn’t about satisfaction, darling. It’s about power. And right now, I have it.”
Something inside me snapped. I couldn’t bear the idea of going home, of facing my sister’s taunting gaze or the constant threat of my parents finding out.
- “You know what? Do whatever you want. I’m done listening to you.”
Without looking back, I marched down the street, my heart pounding. I pulled out my phone and dialed my best friend’s number.
- “Camila?” I said as soon as my friend picked up. “Are you busy?”
- “Paola! No, I’m not busy at all. What’s up?”
- “I… I need to talk. Can we meet somewhere?”
- “Absolutely,” Camila replied, her voice instantly supportive. “Meet me at our favorite cafe. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
When I arrived at the little cafe, Camila was already there, waving at me. Camila was petite and had a warm smile, her hair pulled back into a messy bun. She wore a bright yellow top that matched her sunny personality. As soon as I sat down, Camila’s eyes sharpened, sensing my distress.
- “Alright, spill. What happened?” Camila asked, leaning forward with her usual intensity.
- “Mariana saw me with Deniel.”
- “Ugh, that girl. Let me guess—she’s using it against you?”
- “She said she’d keep it a secret… for a price.”
- “Are you kidding me? What a snake! Someone needs to give her a good smack.”
- “I appreciate the support, but that’s not going to help.”
- “It just makes me so mad! You deserve to be happy, Paola. And if Deniel makes you happy, then who cares what anyone else thinks?”
- “I know… I know,” I said softly, my gaze drifting to the coffee cup. “But sometimes I feel like… maybe she’s right. What if my parents find out? They’ll be furious. They’ll say I’m wasting my potential or throwing away my future.”
- “Listen to me!” Camila reached across the table, squeezing my hand. “You are one of the smartest, kindest people I know. You’re studying medicine, for crying out loud. You don’t need their approval to be with someone who genuinely cares about you.”
- “Thank you, Camila. You always know what to say.”
- “Seriously though, Deniel is amazing. I remember the way you described him after your first date—how he made you laugh and actually listened to you. That’s rare. And if he makes you happy, then you shouldn’t let anyone ruin that.”
- “You’re right,” I admitted, feeling the warmth of my friend’s support. “He does make me happy. It’s like he understands me in a way no one else does.”
- “Then don’t let anyone, especially Mariana, ruin that for you. She’s just jealous because you have something real, something that’s not built on money or appearances.”
- “Thank you, Camila. I needed this. Just to remember that there are people who actually understand.”
Just then, the bell above the cafe door rang, I looked up and saw two men. One appeared to be in his twenties, the other in his forties. They were wearing black military uniforms, with long swords strapped to their backs. They were soldiers from the World Safety Organization.
YOU ARE READING
OTHERS: Five elements
FanfictionIt is the 2033 year, and the world has undergone a complete transformation. Wars are a thing of the past; nations no longer wage battles against one another. Instead, all countries have united in the face of a common enemy, known as the Others. Can...
