"You can always message me, call me, facetime me-" Siobhan Vasquez listed off of each manicured fingernail. She rolled off the bed and onto the floor where her little sister Niamh sat braiding her hair bit by bit. She was obviously upset with the news that Siobhan was moving back to Norway with their mum so she can attend college there while Niamh remained in Norrisville. Siobhan was intelligent, a prodigy even. She had the grades and GPA to have her easy pickings of whatever school she wanted, yet she wanted to go back to Oslo to continue her studies.
"I'll be all by myself though." She whined, one braid finish and started pulling her hairbrush through a mass of wavy red violet hair, "Can't you wait until I graduate or something?"
"I'll be, like, twenty-two. I'll be wasting four whole years because you chose not to make friends. We moved here years ago, you attended middle school. Sure you conquered the academic hierarchy like I did but came out with not one person to hang with?" Siobhan frowned. She brushed off Niamh's hand and began to expertly finish the remaining braid until it was complete and neater than the other. She them started to undo the one Niamh did and redo it. Niamh knew Siobhan was right. She spent the majority of the time growing as an honours student, track star, and gymnast. She had goals, plenty of them, but friend making was a distraction and she never strayed from what she promised herself she would do. Sure, she was close with her teammates at the time but it was the sport that kept then communicating, friendship. It wasn't that she couldn't make friends, she just did not make time for it. Siobhan was valedictorian and a previous prima ballerina and math genius. She was pretty with her wild curly hair and thick eyelashes that won the hearts of people around her and had an easygoing attitude that drew anyone to her like moths to a hot flame. Both girls sat in silence for a while, waiting for the tension to disperse from between them. Eventually, Siobhan stood up humming a song as she left the room to assist their dad with cooking dinner. Niamh flopped down floor, itching now and then from the carpet. First week of high school was soon upon her and she was not ready to fend it off on her own while her sister is becoming a chemical engineer in another country. She'll miss her like she misses her mum. It's been two years since her mum left to stay where she was born and raised to continue with her career while her children remained with their dutiful father in Norrisville because of his career.
"Ciruela!" She had heard her dad call from the staircase, "¡Es hora de la cena!"
"Está bien, papá." She responds too quiet for her dad to hear. She did like like speaking Spanish all too often because she learned it a little late and it would confuse her when she tried to memorise Korean with it. She did not like the nickname she was given either-plum, rather, ciruela as both her dad and Siobhan call her. It was because of her pin straight hair and the way it curved inwards unlike her sister's that reached every which way. Downstairs smelled of roast and veggies slow cooked in the crockpot near the stove where the tea kettle boiled and a pot of mashed potatoes sat. Siobhan was preparing peppermint tea for herself as their dad shovelled food into rounded, white bowls with a silver ladle. Together side by side, Siobhan nearly matched him in height being 5'6". They both shared wild curly hair and tanned skin, the only difference being his blackish brown hair in comparison to his daughter's reddish-violet. Niamh took on her mother's appearance and was small like her at 5'0" and not moving an inch. Her skin was a few shades lighter and made her stand out amongst her family. She sat at the table absentmindedly fiddling with the bamboo placemat.
"Why do you look so down?" He says setting a steaming plate of food in front if her. She grabs the fork and starts digging into the freshly cooked meat. There was no waiting when it came to their household.
"High school, sis leaving." Niamh honestly replied, mouth full of roast.
"I keep telling her it's not that serious. I'm not vanishing forever; I'm gonna be with mum at the villa. I've been looking forward to attending Oslo University." Siobhan interjects while adjusting her glasses. She takes a seat at the table with her tea and food in hand looking tired of hearing and saying the same old thing all day.
"Niamh, you know better than to pester your sister. You rely too much on her. It's time to spread your own wings and move outside of your little bubble."
She didn't bother responding because it always sounded like a baby's whines when it can't get what it wants. Niamh was already halfway with her food and paused to get water from the fridge.
When she got back, Siobhan was picking carrots from her plate and putting them in her mouth. When the food was swallowed, she spoke, "I have a weeks session of tutoring this week at a house not far from here. You wanna tag along? The client has two children, a sixteen year old and a fourteen year old, both registered at Norrisville High School. Maybe you can make a friend while I school the other in math."
"I'm not interested."
"You're coming." Siobhan rolled her eyes. Niamh got up from the table and placed her cleaned plate into the sink. It'll be no use to argue with her sister since she hardly ever backs down. She was going and that was final. At least she was going to meet someone new-it's been a long time since she visited someone else's house.
"You girls take it easy, I'll turn in for tonight after talking with your mother." Mr. Vasquez sighed and added his plate to the growing number of dishes as Niamh washed. "Neither of you stay up too late."
In unison, they replied with, "Yes Dad." Niamh continued cleaning the kitchen, taking on the chore for that night. The two chose not to talk to each other for the time and departed into their rooms when the kitchen was straightened up. Niamh pulled at her braids and contemplated taking scissors to each plait. Eventually, she grabbed a pair of old rainbow decorated pyjamas that never seem to be too big or too small for her never growing frame. She glanced at the large photo album upon the nightstand that she had yet to fill with memories other than various sports related winnings, academic achievements, family photos, and baby pictures. Niamh had a whole section set out for friendships and it only had childhood pictures of her and companions made during her time in Norway. She recalled a few of them-Annelie from Kindergarden, Eleonora from next door, Kevin, the boy with the really blue eyes and red hair. She lost contact with them years ago but she began to wonder if she had stayed in contact would they still be friends. Niamh grazes her fingertips on the felted cover before putting the thoughts behind her and climbing into bed and turning off the lamp.