Surface

Chapter 1: The Basement

    That's where she slept. Lisa, that is. See, she wanted her own room. She fought for it against her mother's wishes and she won. Well, sort of. She was 12 years old when she had enough of sharing a room with her 6 year old sister, Lillian. She screamed for independence and wanted sole ownership of the bedroom because she claimed to be a 'woman in the making'. Her mom laughed, but Lisa forced her mother to reach a limit. The mother caved in, but she was cunning. She told Lisa:

"Fine, you can have your very own room."

    However, the mother never said which "room". Hence, Lisa would move to the basement. Lisa was shocked because she thought her mom would kick out Lillian, leaving the room all for one Lisa Smith.
    Of course, she cried. She didn't think she would be the one to get removed. Her mother reminded Lisa of Lisa's own words: "You said you wanted your own room, tamahine (Māori language which means 'daughter'). And now... well you do," Lisa's mom said.
    Lisa was unsatisfied. She walked down to the basement and saw the emptiness. The discolored walls and the metallic smell really stood out. In a months time, that would be her new room.
    A month passed by and it was moving day. Lisa grabbed all her clothing, utensils and belongings and started to move them to the basement. Her dad and mom had already cleaned and fixed the area. With some help from Lisa, of course. The first night went sleepless. It was darker than the room she shared with Lillian, with the only speck of light coming from the basement windows. Still, that night, Lisa decided to get over the uncomfortableness and make the most of it. Day after day, Lisa fell in love with the basement. It was much more spacious. She made it her own. A good size couch bed, her own TV to watch movies and play video games. She very much had gotten the hang of the responsibility.
    Lisa and her dad went to buy some paint and had a good father/daughter moment as they painted the walls Cyan, her favorite color. She doesn't hang up anything on the walls as she likes to look at the wall and recall that memory.
    Then one day, Lisa turned 16. She got a part time job helping in hospitality around Hawke Bay and soon enough, she was able to purchase a bicycle. She was very fond of it. She learned to ride the bike with help from her dad. Though her dad (who is a car mechanic in the Napier area), Lisa also learned things like car mechanisms, be sarcastic, cook some meals, and care for a wonderful family. Lisa would say that her dad was the main reason she loves wearing dresses as they would play dress up. It's why Christmas was her favorite holiday. When she was 6, her dad would create "ugly Christmas dresses" instead of sweaters. She wore them with pride.
    From her mom, at age 9, Lisa said she learned how to fight and how to be social. Her mom is a martial arts teacher or master or whatever. It came in handy. There was a school bully during her primary education, and Lisa gave that bully some physical medication. Her mom was proud but still grounded her. But the bully did stop. On the social side, Lisa was popular. She would be invited to girls night from various groups. She would enjoy the escapades they did such as watching a movie at the theater, going bowling, and/or going to a sports event. She was very active as since she started her primary education, she would play in her favorite sport. Football. Er, soccer (as some people call it). This passion is why Lisa says she wanted to become a physical therapist.
    Time passed and suddenly, Lisa was 23 years old. That's around the time when the special event happened. She remembers the details as if she was stilling living that moment over and over. Sunday, May 7. The day started off with Lisa along with her sister, Lillian, and a couple of their closest friends having their annual football video game tournament in the basement. A tradition they hope to pass on to their children, when they have them. Lisa and Lillian even made a childish ritual to make it 'official'.

"If you think you'll defeat me with Canterbury United, you really need to rethink your life choices," Lisa taunted.

"First off, typical of you to pick Waitakere United. Secondly, I've defeated you with Manawatu United before, and they don't even exist anymore," Lillian poked backed.