Born to die

5

My phone lights up. Frightened I look at my cracked up phone. It's Simon. I'm biting my nails.

Hi Elsa, it's been so long since last time. No words can describe how much I miss you. Maybe we can meet up and have a chat? Like the old days:)

I'm smiling like an idiot. God knows how much I missed him.

I'm so happy that you texted me Simon! I would love meeting you, maybe Monellas?

I texted back. Monellas is a coffee shop that we used to go to everyday when we were younger. It was only five minutes from our old house. I haven't been there since I was 18.

Sounds great. What about tomorrow? I'm free all day.

I text him back and say tomorrow fits good, we're meeting at 11 o'clock.

I look in the mirror one last time before leaving. My dark hair reaching my shoulder blades, I'm wearing white paper bag pants and a black sweater that my grandma knitted for me.

I'm waiting for the traffic lights to turn green so I can cross the street. People driving past me, they are probably having a normal day, maybe on a lunch break. I wish I was one of them. They don't realise how lucky they are to wake up early and go to work, being busy all day and when they get home they have a family waiting. I wish I was normal. The light turns green and I start walking.
I'm really close now, my body is shivering with goosebumps. I'm so close to where I grew up. I wonder if mom's still living in the same house.

I open the door to Monellas and I notice that nothing has changed. The place is like stepping into the 80s. I've never seen the barista before. He has blonde curly hair and lots of tattoos. I go up and order iced latte with almond milk. I find a table in the inner section. There's no one else here. I start drawing in my notebook.

"Hi, I'm so sorry I'm late"
I hear a high-pitched voice say. I look up and a girl is standing there smiling to me. She's wearing a purple dress with a yellow sweater underneath, her long dark hair is in a ponytail. Somethings familiar with her, I stand up. It's like looking at myself just that she's taller and got longer hair than me.
"I probably should've told you before, it's me Simon" she says laughing. What did she just say? That's Simon. That's my sister. I smile relieved. I give her a big hug. "I love you so much" I say. We sit down. It feels so different, but at the same time it's like everything's the same.
"I'm guessing you changed your name? What is it?" I ask. Her eyes are wide open, I can tell she's excited.
"Yup I've changed it to Stella"
"Stella" I repeat.
"I wanted it to be similar to Simon" she says and start blushing.
"What a beautiful name" she admitted.
"I'm going to order something, anything you want?" She asked.
"No I'm fine"

She comes back with a big mug.
"Hot chocolate?" I ask and smile.
"Just like the old days" she replied with a even bigger smile.

Stella looks down, her head's hanging low.
"There is something I need to tell you..."