In Less Than A Year

Prologue

"El stop! It tickles!" exclaimed my little sister Bella as I tickled her sides while tucking her in bed. My parents took off on yet another one of their business trips leaving my sister and I alone for 2 weeks. Bella is 8 years old and I couldn't ask for a better person to spend my winter break with. I was honestly just thankful that I was done with finals, they weren't kidding when they said college was going to be difficult. Nonetheless while raising Bella on my own since I was 11, our parents cared more about work than anything else. They both worked in the family business which was owning a chain of hotels and clubs all over the world. Even with all the money my parents make, the only good thing they've ever given me is my sister. 

Early in the morning I got dressed and let Bella sleep in while I made us breakfast. Today we were going Christmas shopping, Bella and I started our own tradition of buying toys, clothes and shoes for kids in in orphanages. Christmas was my favorite holiday and being able to see a smile in a child's face when they received the toy they've been hoping for arrive. A few minutes into cooking a sleepy Bella walked into the kitchen and plopped down on a chair at the end of the bar. 

"I couldn't help but smell bacon and Nutella pancakes" yawned Bella as she looked at the plate I had placed in front of her. "Eat up, we're going to buy presents for the kids" I grinned munching down on the apple wood bacon drizzled in maple syrup. I cleaned up as Bella got ready and quickly looked for the wishlist made by the kids at the orphanage. Several hours later I was sure I had blisters on my heels from walking so much. Bella and I managed to fill my car to the brim with presents we barely even fit in it ourselves. We managed to get every single gift wrapped and by 10 pm, we left the orphanage satisfied in ourselves for making those kids happy even if only for a moment. I smiled over at my sister and said a small prayer before getting in the car.

The last thing I remember was looking over at Bella as we left the parking lot, the loud screech of a siren and Bella yelling at me to look out before blacking out. I was zoning in and out before realizing I was in an ambulance. I jerked up looking for Bella, she laid unconscious next to me as they performed CPR on her. I reached over to hold her slim hand in mine before I felt it go limp. The rest of the night was a blur and I sobbed loudly as I watched my sister's lifeless body. I felt a pinch in my arm before blacking out once again as I drifted into a deep sleep.