UGLY (Vol.1)

Pg 6. Eliza

When Alyssa was awake again, she found Eliza on the bed, beside her. She had a book in her hand, and a laptop on her legs. Eliza, being a college student- had lots to do before graduating.

Eliza had sensed Alyssa watching her, and spoke without glancing at her.

"Seriously, you had to come home half-fainted in the arms of a boy?"

"Wh-why are you here?" Alyssa said, sitting straight.

"I had something to discuss. And it was a damn good thing I did."

"...." Alyssa groaned.

"What were you going to do if he took advantage of you? Raped you? He had your keys!" Eliza was calm, reading her book- but her voice shivered.

"I keep my keys in my purse- that's why. Come on; I know my moves. You know that too." Alyssa objected.

"I know that very well- but still." Eliza murmured, closing her book, putting a flimsy bookmark inside of it.

"You know what might have happened," Eliza said, still not meeting Alyssa's eyes.

"If it did, you would beat the hell out of Tyler, or shot him." Alyssa laughed.

Eliza nodded, finally meeting Alyssa's eyes.

"Exactly."

Alyssa looked at Eliza. Though that statement was a small passing joke, both of them knew they meant every word. The sisters would do anything to protect one another.

"So... has there been any issues with them lately?" Alyssa asked carefully.

"None to speak of, but I do have something to mention," Eliza said.

"I think I'll have to take a semester off college."

Alyssa stared at her sister blankly. She couldn't believe her ears.

"Take....a semester off?" Alyssa stuttered.

"I'll be coming back to our apartment. I can help you with your studies and...." Eliza said, trying desperately to seem hopeful- but her darkened eyes gave them away.

"You don't have to.. you were trying so hard to graduate!" Alyssa cried.

"I don't have a choice!"

"Why don't you have a choice? You always have a choice!"

"Look, the choice you think is not given to me in the first place- in reality."

"We can wait for your graduation! You can... get a job or something afterward!"

"I'm doing two part-time jobs, and it's not getting enough money!"

"But you'll get paid well after graduation!"

"Delayed rents ain't gonna wait for my graduation, you know?"

"..."

Alyssa couldn't argue anymore. She held her tongue and kept silent.

"I don't want to do this either, a'ight?" Eliza said- her gang-voice coming out.

"I don't know anywhere that gets me more money." She said, shaking Alyssa by her shoulders.

"You don't have to...We can always move." Alyssa begged. If this was the cost for her to be living in this dope city, she was out.

"I need you just to stay happy- live your life- be a... high school student."

Alyssa looked into Eliza's tired eyes. Was this worth it? Was anything worth her sister tearing down like this?

"So... you're going back there," Alyssa whispered, now calm and numb. She didn't meet Eliza's eyes. Those eyes broke her heart.

"Yeah... I already called Nick." Eliza replied. She looked down onto her book. She slid her fingers over the old crumbly paperback cover.

There was an awkward silence between the two sisters.

Alyssa knew what that meant. Eliza would be doing the 'work' she's done about four years ago after their father's death. Drug dealing.

"Um, so, are you going to...stay for dinner?" After checking the time was late, Alyssa asked Eliza.

"Well, I repeat, I intend to stay here," Eliza said, bewildered.

"Are you sure?" Alyssa asked, her eyes pleading Eliza to keep her future in her palms.

"Already signed out of my dorm." Eliza shrugged. She stood up and walked over to her former room. It was the same room that she left. Eliza started to observe the small room with the bookcase and desk, the bed still ruffled.

"I didn't change a thing, in case you- graduate and come back," Alyssa said from the kitchen, followed by the sound of pots clashing and water running.

Eliza felt grateful but remained silent. Her tongue held its position, but her mind was whirling. Her hand held an old picture of their family, back from the valleys.

"What do you say to- um, some leftover pasta and instant corn soup?" Alyssa called from the kitchen.

Eliza remained frozen.

"Eliza?"

After a brisk moment, Alyssa came running to Eliza's room, scared to see whatever was inside. There sat Eliza, hopeless, holding a flimsy piece of film paper. And Alyssa knew exactly what picture it was before even taking a closer look. She kneeled down before her sister.

"Come here."

Alyssa embraced her older sister, who was feeble and fragile as a doll made of hay. Eliza slouched down in Alyssa's arms, her body letting go and her face in a un-readable expression.

"Alyssa?"

"Yeah?"

"Can we order some fresh pizza?"

"Really? That's what you're upset about?"

"No..but I think it'll help."

"Fine, fine. Fresh pizza it is."

And the two girls laughed their heads off, conscious that there was nothing to be really laughing about.

The next day came as usual, and Alyssa awoke at the smell of bacon. When she dragged her legs to the kitchen, she found Eliza, making breakfast. It was all like a dream. Just what it was in the old days. Alyssa felt something warm fill her insides. Something she missed for a long time.

Family.

"Heya, found the bacon in the fridge door- so, mind if I use it?" Eliza said, knowing she was awake and present in the kitchen.

"Y-yeah, sure." Still dumbfounded of her fulfilled emotions.

"And also- I found some sheets on the living room sofa- and it was all crumbled- what did you do there?" Eliza scorned softly.

Remembering how she had cried and laughed in her sheets, Alyssa turned to a blush. "I- I don't know."

"Forget it, you're never gonna blow anyway. Get ready for school." Eliza rolled her eyes, paying attention to her half burnt bacon again.

"Yeah."

Alyssa ran into the bathroom.

Eliza grinned.

Maybe things were better this way.