Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall.....

Sweet Little Sister

I couldn't concentrate much in school. I kept thinking about the 'upgrade' Arista was referring to. How did that happen in the first place? And why was she so sulky when I said no to her this morning? Well, whatever. She has to learn that I'm in charge of us. And if it weren't for me, somebody would have found out about her by now. I went back to my work. But it was hard when you're constantly looking out for a tiny ghost that may or may not have slipped along with you. I was jumpy throughout my entire class, and every one that followed afterward. Even when I was hanging with Angel, Heidi, Janice and Iliana at lunch, I couldn't concentrate on what they were saying. I just stared at my enchilada, and zoned out, and occasionally looked for my free-spirited ghost. "Hey Arielle, are you okay? You've been really quiet today", Heidi said. "Yeah, you barely raised your hand at all in classes today, and you usually do", Janice said. I smiled and shook my head. "I'm fine guys, really I am. I'm just tired." I didn't want to lie to my friends, especially Angel. But what else could I say? I couldn't tell them about Arista.

The day went on, and it felt like forever. I was considering skipping the rest of school when the phone rang in my Social Studies class. "Arielle McCormick?", my teacher said, and I stood up. "Yes ma'am?", I addressed. "The principal wishes to see you", she says, and hangs up the phone. "Bring your things." I frowned, thinking it was a little weird. Why would the principal want to see me? Since that catfight I had with his demonic daughter, I couldn't recall doing anything else wrong.

I packed my things and went to his office. I knocked on his door. "Come in", his voice said. I went inside. "Hello Mr. Breitbart", I said. "Is something wrong?" He folds his hands on his desk. "Actually, yes Arielle, but not to worry, you aren't in trouble." I sighed in relief. "Oh, okay. Then, what is wrong?" 

"Your mother called me", he said. "As you know, your younger sister Judy had a short schoolday today, yes?" I nodded. "Well, shortly after your mother brought your sister home, Judy had an accident", he said. My smile slowly faded. "An accident? What kind of accident?", I asked nervously. "Well, according to your mother, your sister had jumped on her bed when she got home and her canopy bed fell apart at the seams on her." My jaw dropped. "What?! What do you mean?" He sighs and took his glasses off. "I mean, the top of the canopy broke and fell on your sister, and your sister's body broke through the wood underneath the mattress." I sank in my seat, picturing it in my head. I cringed. "Well, is she alright?", I asked. He shook his head. "Hard to say. Your mother didn't tell me. She just wanted me to tell you that she wants you to go over to the hospital right away."

"Hospital?", I repeat, and my mind starts to race. Maybe me and Judy fought, but I certainly never wanted anything to happen to her. She is still my little sister after all. I got up out the chair. "Mr. Breitbart, I need to go", I tell him. "Of course", he agrees. "And please, let me know if there is anything I can do to help." I thank him and leave. I get in my car and drive to the hospital. Please, I think to myself. Please be okay Judy.....

I go inside the hospital and up to the receptionist. "Excuse me?", I say. She looks up. "Yes, can I help you?", she says. "Where is Judy McCormick's room?", I ask her. "Are you in any relation to Judy?", she asks. I nod. "Yes, I'm her older sister Arielle McCormick", I replied. "Oh", the receptionist said. "Well, I should've guessed. You look a great deal like her." I chuckle, remembering how many of our relatives used to say that when Judy was a baby. "Her room is on the third floor, room 305", she says. "Thank you", I say, and race into the elevator before it closes. The whole time I'm praying for Judy to be alright. I crossed my fingers so tight, they turned white.

The elevator opens, and the first thing I see is my parents. "Mom, Dad!", I call out. They see me and rush to greet me. "Oh Mom, what happened?", I say. Mom leads me to my sister's window. I see Judy lying there, with an IV attached to her, and a few other machines I didn't recognize. "She had an accident", my mother chokes out, close to tears. "I was there, I was sitting in her room, and the next thing I knew, Judy had jumped on her bed, and it came falling apart all around her. Her fragile little body broke through the wood underneath the mattress, and the top of the canopy fell on her too." My father takes her to sit down and comes to me. "Shouldn't you be at work?", I ask him. He looks at me and smiles. "Are you kidding? This is far more important than some old job." I grin and he pulls me close as we both watch Judy. 

"How severe are her injuries?", I ask him. My dad sighs. "Well, the doctor said the heavy wood from the canopy broke her leg, and she suffered a concussion from breaking through the wood on the mattress. But they're going to put her leg in a cast, and when they do, they're going to X-ray her head, to make sure there are no fractures on her skull. I just hope they're keeping her awake, because her brain might bleed from falling asleep after the concussion she's had." I felt sick to my stomach. How could this have happened? Judy has jumped on her bed many times before, (believe me, I've heard it) and it never fell apart. Not once. I go close to glass window and look closer at Judy. My sweet little sister, I'm sorry this happened to you. I know we fight, but I really do care about you.

I move away from the glass. "Mom, Dad, is it okay if I go home?", I ask them. They look at each other and nod. "Yes sweetie, I'm sure this experience was very traumatic for you", my mom said, wiping her eyes. "See you later kiddo", my Dad said. I left the hospital and drove home in my car. I didn't know what it was, but something was not right. And I was going to find out what it was.

When I arrived home, the first place I went was Judy's room. I stare at her bed. It was a hot mess. I went and tried to move the busted canopy without getting any splinters. When I finally did, I took a look at the mattress. There was a hole where my sister had fallen through. And I looked at the wood holding the mattress up. My sister had broken through that too. But something just didn't make sense to me. Judy was not that heavy. How could she have caused all this mess just by a single jump on the bed? Unless.....

I looked at the posts that held up the canopy. They had not been broken.

They had been cut. 

Someone had cut the posts holding up the canopy so it would fall. Then I took a closer look at the mattress. Some of the stuffing inside the mattress had been removed. So when Judy jumped in that area, she would surely fall through. This was foul play. Someone had purposely done this to Judy. But who? Mom and Dad wouldn't do this. I didn't do it. Like I said before, I fight with the girl, but I don't hate her. That only leaves-

"Hey Arielle."

I turned around. Arista was standing there, in her pink dress, and curled red hair. "Arista?", I say, a little surprised. "What are you doing out of your mirror?" "You let me out", she said. I shook my head. "No, I told you to go into your mirror. And you said once you go in, you'll be locked inside." "But you said my name when you said 'I'm sorry Arista, but it's for your own good' into my mirror. The lock came loose", she said. "Oh yeah", I said, remembering. "But you shouldn't have come out. Someone could have seen you." She shakes her head. "Always worrying", she said. "Always so focused on how 'someone might see me'. Well I've been out of my mirror all day, and no one saw me."

"You've been out of your mirror all day, and no one saw you?", I repeat. "Yes", Arista says. "Do you know what happened to my sister?", I say, walking slowly towards her. Arista laughs. "Of course I do. I'm the one who did it."

I stop dead in my tracks. "You're kidding", I say, but Arista shakes her head. "Why would you do that?", I ask her. "You could have killed her!" Arista shrugs. "Well, that's what you wanted.....right?" I stare at her. "What are you talking about? I would never want my sister to die!", I exclaim. Arista shrugs again and walks to Judy's bed. "I just figured since you are always fighting with her, always calling her 'demon' and a bunch off other stuff.....", he voice trailed off, and she looked at me. I want to protest, but she's right. I have done those things. I have given off a vibe that I just want my sister to die. I look down, feeling ashamed. Maybe I thought it, but I never meant it. "Look Arista, maybe I do fight with my sister a lot. Maybe I do say mean things about her. Maybe I have wondered what it would be like to be an only child again. But I would never want my sister to die." This time Arista looks down, ashamed. "I'm sorry", she said, and she really did look sorry. "I thought I was helping you, I thought I was giving you what you wanted. But I guess not. I'm sorry." I sighed. I really wasn't in a forgiving mood. But if Judy were me, she would forgive without a moment's hesitation. So I should forgive too. 

"It's okay Arista", I say. "Just please, don't ever do something like that again. Ever." Arista shakes her head vigorously. "I won't. I promise", she says, smiling and putting her hands behind her back. "Good", I say, and leave the room.

Arista's POV

Fingers crossed!  ;-)