Tuesday 6:00 A.M
The doctor came as soon as possible, and went straight into Spéire's room. Mom was about to come in with him, but the doctor blocked her path and told her to wait outside just like the rest of us.
Mom sits on a chair and waits calmly. Zean sits on the chair next to her and holds her hand. Dad leans against the wall and faces the ceiling with his eyes closed.
I just stood in the wall across him, with my arms folded, and head facing the floor.
What happened came totally unexpected. She just woke up in the middle of the night, and went straight to mom and dad's room. Telling them that she didn't feel well… Soon as she took a step she nearly fell over on the floor (well she could have if dad hadn't rush over to catch her in time), afterwards that's when mom took her temperature, and found it was forty degrees Celsius. And in no time dad rushed to the phone and called the doctor that had help mom give birth to her.
7:00 A.M
Nearly an hour had passed and still her hadn't came out yet. "Is she going to be alright Scáth?" Zean asks. I told him honestly, I do not know. Zean gulps slightly in worry, then mom stands up. "Hey not it's the time to give up, if we tell ourselves that she will be alright, then she will be alright." Mom says. I stand up straight as well. "She's right…Spéire is a lot strong than that, and you two know it... She won't just give up because it's the easy way out." I add.
"Scáth…" Zean blinks. I place my hand on his shoulder and look at him. "Let's get ready for school…Okay?" I urge him. Zean nods then goes off to his room to get his stuff ready.
Right on cue, the doctor came out, with a grave look on his face. "Well I managed to get her fever down, but I suggest that she stays in bed for at least a few days, and if you have a fan or air conditioner, make sure she uses as much as possible. Because she is at risk of gaining back her fever." He tells us. Dad nods, listening to the doctor's words carefully. "Is it safe to go in?" I ask. The doctor nodded and then steps aside. I look at my mother making sure that it was alright if I went in first. She nods and places her hands in front of her stomach, folding in a slight reluctant manner. But nonetheless she nodded again assuring me that it was alright if I go see her. I entered the room.
She was lying on her bed, with a wet towel on her head, and her cheeks slightly red from the still existing fever.
"Hi Onii-chan…" She says. Spéire looked so weak, and breakable as ever. "Sorry I scared you all." She says with the same apologetically smile she always had. "Don't say sorry for things that you can't control." I told her. She blinks twice and nods slowly. "Well I at least I can take a rest from school." She says sticking her tongue out playfully.
I chuckle and ruffle her hair for a bit, "True…you're lucky that you get to skip out on school." I told her. "But I will be lonely though…" She complains. "Don't worry…I'll be here…" I pointed to the center of her chest, right at the spot of her heart.
She smiles and we both thought of the same thing.
Eight years ago.
It was Spéire first day of kindergarden, and she was in tears of fear…She was afraid that she wasn't going to accepted for some reason?
"Mama can I stay home with Zean?" She begs in meek voice. Mom looks at her and smiles. She tells her that if she was a good girl and goes to school, then they will make cake together later on for tonight.
Spéire thinks for a minute and then nods reluctantly. Mom pats her on the head.
Soon I came down, already dressed in my school uniform. Soon mom hands me some money, and tells me to buy Spéire some lunch because she didn't have time to make it for her.
I nod, and then she hands me some more money, and says there's enough for my own lunch and the rest is for shopping for groceries.
I nod and then goes to the front area and puts on my shoes before helping Spéire with hers, and then motion her to go forward.
She nodded and walked to my side, and then she grabs my hand. I look to her and raise an eyebrow. But she just ducks her head so I won't be able to see what she was expressing in her face. I sigh, and then pull her forward. She refused to budge at first, so I just waited till she was ready.
Seconds later she moves a step, and then stops before moving another step seconds later.
Finally after ten minutes we made it through the front door, and then I pull her along, this time she cooperated. Then I look at her again. "Spéire don't trouble other people with your personal feelings. School is school it's very important that you go." I scolded her. Spéire gulps and holds my hand tighter. "I don't want to see her." She says. I blink twice. Her?
"Who are you talking about?" I ask. Spéire looks up at me and then points to herself. "She looks like me." She explains. I blink twice. "Don't joke around." I told her. Spéire looks down. And we keep walking.
Then we made a stop at a local bento shop, and then I bought two packs, one for her and one for myself.
I handed Spéire's hers and then I grabbed her hand and continued on till we reached her kindergarden.
I let go oh her hand and waited till she went in. But she just stood there. I sighed. "What's wrong now?" I ask, She shakes her head at first, and just stands there. "I need to go to school too you know, I can't waste my time here." I told her strictly. As I went to walk off, I heard something like I'm scared coming from where she was standing. I turned around and then I saw her trembling.
I look at my watch. It's 7:30 A.M, well I still have time, so there' s not that much to worry about. So I walk over to her, and kneeled beside her. "Why are you so nervous?" I ask.
"Because this is the first day I'm separated from home for a long time. " She says. I chuckle, was that all? She didn't want to leave the house?
"It's just for five days and only four hours everyday, you don't have to worry, just make lots of friends and it's be go by really fast." I told her. "But I can't say 'Okaerinasai…' and I will have to go home without first…I will be lonely…" She says. I sigh and points to the center of her chest. "I will be in here, so if you feel lonely just point there and call 'Onii-chan with' with your eyes closed and you will feel better." I told her. "Try it."
She then points to her chest and then calls "Onii-chan." with her eyes closed, then she opens them. "I feel better!" She declares. I ruffle her hair. "Behave yourself, and try to make friends." I told her before heading off to my elementary school.
"You were always so strict back then, well you still are now…But I'm glad that you've became more relaxed now." Spéire says with a cheerful voice. I nod, and then ruffle her hair again. "Get some rest ok, you need it." I told her. Spéire nods and slowly she starts to fall asleep.
Soon I left the room, and then got ready to go to school.
Five minutes later, I grabbed my things and headed downstairs. Mom stood in the door way with our bento packed lunches. She hands one to Zean and then myself. "Have a good day and study hard." She tells us. We nod and wish her a good day too.
{Spéire's P.O.V}
I stare up at the ceiling. It's been a hour since my brothers had left for school…Today was such an important day as well…I had my exams starting today…And if I miss any that's going to affect my grade…I don't want to redo ninth grade…That'll be too much trouble for mom and dad.
I know that they don't have the money or energy to take care of me… Although mom keeps putting on a brave face, I know I'm just a burden to them…If only I wasn't sick…
I know it might seem a little melodramatic…but it was true, Scáth and Zean have been putting most of their needs aside just for me…
There was a knock on the door, and I answered, "Come in." And there was mom holding a tray of food. "How are you feeling?" She asks. I nod and replied that I was feeling better. Soon she set the tray on my bedside table. Then she feels my forehead, "Thank goodness…" She sighs. I smile, that means I will be well enough to go to school tomorrow.
"Mom, can you pass me my school bag? I want to do some work so I wont get left behind." I tell her. Mom nods reluctantly, and then brings my school bag that was sitting in corner.
Mom smiles and tucks my hair behind my ear. "You should take it easy, though I'm happy that you're ambitious, you need to take a rest too." She reminds me. I let out a slightly frustrated sigh, it was tiring just staying in this bed…
Mom then digs her hand under my neck, and helps me stand up. "Here." She says putting the tray of food on my bed. Then she grabs the glass of water on the top right side of the tray, and holds it in front of me. "Drink first, water always help when you're sick." She tells me. I nod and takes the glass with both my hands, then gulps the water down slowly.
When I finished half a glass, I stare at it, seeing it was half empty. I sigh. Mom tilts her head to the side and places her hand on top of my right hand, then she looks at the glass with a gentle look on her face. "Is the glass half empty or half full?" She asks. I smile. Yup this was our way of saying to cheer up.
"Right now it's half empty to me…" I sigh as my smile faded. She rubs my forearm in caring way. "I see it as half full, here look." She says as she goes out for five minutes, and then carries a jug of water.
"Pour a little bit of happiness and laughter, then it becomes full again." She says as she pours the water into the cup within seconds it was whole.
"I know you're too old for this, but sleeping through an illness will make your body happy because the energy pours into them, like water into a cup." She says with a sincere smile. I nod.
Mom smiles wholeheartedly and gives me a hug, then caresses the back of my head, while whispering. "Sleep well Spéire…" She says as she releases the hug, to slowly help me support my head as I lie down. After a few minutes I suddenly felt drowsy, and before I knew it, sleep claimed me.
10:00 A.M (Scáth's POV)
It was finally time for break, and I was leaning in the wall behind the school building, trying to call mom, Spéire or dad, just to see how things are back home? But all I got was the recording machine. I simply pressed the end call button before putting the phone in my pocket.
Then I head back to class, with my bag slung over my shoulder. Well at this point, I day dreaming when I walked, and without warning I slammed to someone.
"Ouch…ouch, …" A young soft, feminine voice winces. I had my eyes closed while I was rubbing my now slightly bumped head, then I open my eyes and saw this red haired girl in front of me, rubbing her backside. When she saw me, she gasps, and then closes her legs so I won't be able to see under her skirt, then she sits with her legs folded.
Soon she looks at her scattered paperwork around her, and soon she began to organize it, while I just sit on the ground stunned at first.
Soon she looks at me with a slight glare. "Aren't you going to help me?" She demands. I nod and then slowly gets up to walk a two feet, before kneeling down, and picking up the scattered paper.
She was finished before I was, and without warning, she just grabs the papers I had in my hand, and cutting my palm in the process.
"Ouch…" I wince, taking look at my hand. There was a five centimeter cut there, not deep, but it was still visible. Soon I feel a trail of liquid run down to the edge of my hand, soon I see a thin trail of blood there.
"Kuso…" I muttered, and then I grab a tissue pack from my side pocket, and pull out a piece, before wiping the blood away, and then pressing it to my wound. I look up to have a good talk with the red head, but saw that was already ten feet away. I sigh and reminded myself that she was not worth it, and in truth she wasn't worth the trouble if she walked out like that.
Soon I grab my bag with my tissue covered hand, and then headed straight to class for study period (basically it's a free period that students can use to study or to fool around and act like kids or just to talk to friends) well I didn't that much friends, and I rather stay on top of my grades instead of being lazy and worry about people 'judging the book by it's cover', plus it's not looks that matter, but it's quality, or what mom used to say 'quality before popularity' and that's the motto that I came to appreciate.
Soon I walk into the classroom and there she was again, sitting in my assigned spot, talking to some of the girls.
I walk over to her. "Excuse me, but that's my seat." I notified her. All four of them look at me, then the red hair girl stood up. "Don't you know it's rude to interrupt?" She says with a 'I don't care' tone. I tilt my head to the side in a daring manner. "I said that's my desk and I need to sit there so I can study." I told her in dangerous voice. She narrows her eyes, and I gave her a cold stare.
"What is going on over there!" Shouted the teacher. We both stepped back slightly. "Nothing sir." We both answered, though we still have cold looks on our faces. "It better be I don't want any trouble in my classroom!" He says. I look at her and motioned her to get out of my chair.
She then sits and walks to the far corner of the classroom, then sits on the desk that stood near the window side.
I finally sat down at my spot, and pulled out the economics homework that I wasn't able to finish last night, and started working on that.
Soon the sliding door swings open, making a loud DUK noise, and standing there was Beira, panting while holding the doorframe. "Ms. Valentine why are you late?" The teacher demanded. "Sorry sir, I fell asleep on the tree branch and I didn't hear the bell go off…So I overslept." She explains in a nervous tone. The teacher berates her, telling her that this is her third late this week, so they will have to call her father to the office…Beira then begs in a pitiful manner not to have him do that. But the teacher didn't listen to her pleas and then tells her that he will speak to Vincent after school, and soon he orders her to go to her seat.
Beira sighs and hangs her head in defeat, then she lies her chin on the desk, sulking.
I ignored her and then look at question fifteen. The differences between percentages of taxes for Kalm and Wutai, and how much would each countries gain in products if both taxes lower by ten percent.
I stare at the question, thinking hard… Well it was a difficult question especially if the prices weren't written…Besides how much was the taxes in Wutai or Kalm?
"Beira-san, did you do question fifteen?" I ask her. "No I didn't, I was staying over at your house last night remember, and I left all my school stuff at home…" She whines. "Papa's going to kill me…" I ignored her last comment and then try to solve it, but by then time I tried again, then teacher suddenly stood up and announces that study period was over.
I sigh, I spent an hour on this question and no avail, well I can ask the economics teacher during class, after all it was a difficult question, I hope she can understand?
2:00 P.M
"Man I never seen the economics teacher that disappointed before!" One of the girls exclaimed. "I know, Beira is a such an idiot!" The other one agrees. "I feel sorry for her father––" "Actually that man isn't her real father…Her parents died a long time ago…" The first girl adds. "I bet he's real sorry that he took her in…"
I remained pokerfaced while listening to those girls badmouthing Beira.
They walk pass me as I leaned against the school gate, soon I turn to school gate and saw Vincent come out with Beira standing next to him, on the left side. The teacher bows in respect, and Vincent responses to the bow with a simple nod before leaving first. Beira bows to the teacher and follows Vincent.
"How did it go?" I ask her. She shrugs, and look at Vincent. He looked stoic and calm as possible. "Papa I'm not in trouble I am?" She asks. "That remains to be seen." He tells her. Beira gulps slightly and then she looks at Vincent again before looking at me. "So I guess I'll see you tomorrow?" She says. I nod, and then she waves. "Ja-ne…" She says. "Matane…" I reply.
Beira waves again and catches up with Vincent as he walked off.
"Scáth!" Oh, here comes Zean. Again he bends over to catch his breath. "You should stop running so quickly, I know you don't like school but that shouldn't be a reason for you to waste your breath like that." I tell him. Zean sighs and sulks slightly. "Sorry––" "Let's go." I told him brushing away his apology.
Zean takes another breath and follows me.
On the way home, Zean decided to have a race, which was really stupid, because he could have gotten run over if I didn't pull him back to the side walk. Afterwards I scolded him and also reminded that if anything happened to their mother would be heartbroken.
Zean looks down at his feet. "Sorry I'll try and be careful next time." He says. We left it at that, then walked all the way home.
Soon we entered the bar, expecting to see some customers there, but it was empty.
And there was mom behind the bar stand, washing some plates. "Mom, Taidaima!" Zean shouts. Mom jumps and drops all her plates in the sink. She slowly turns around. "Oh, Okaerinasai." She replies with a smile. "Mom how is Spéire?" I ask her. Mom smiles to my question. "She's going fine, though she was feeling down at first, but she's feeling better now." Mom adds. I nod in approval, then I take off my shoes and walk in.
"Do you have any homework?" She asks. I nod before heading upstairs to do whatever work I have.
While I was walking I could hear mom asking Zean that same question, but he simply replied that he didn't.
Mom gave him one warning, if she ever caught him lying, then it's instant groundage.
All I could think about that talk was 'He had it coming' suddenly I walk pass dad and wave slightly to him. Dad nods before heading out the door to do one of his deliveries.
Well my dad wasn't the type to talk or give out his opinion; unfortunately I inherited some of that from him.
Mom sighs, again she didn't really get a simple 'see you later' from him, but after a few seconds she smiles, I figure that she knows dad will come back like he always does.
After that I went straight to my sister's doorway, and stood there for a few seconds before knocking and turning the knob.
"Taidama…" I greeted. "Okaeri…" She replied while she still laid on her bed. I walk in, and pull a chair so I could see near her bedside. "How are you feeling?" I ask. She nods and replies that she was alright, and that she was feeling better now. Then she added that she wants to go to school, but she wouldn't be able too. "That's right, I had a test today…and I missed it." She sighs. "Don't worry about it… It's better to be healthy during a test then sick when there is one." I pointed out. She smiles lopsidedly. "You're right." She admits, "I was just bored that's." She explains. That understandable, after all who wouldn't be bored if you had to lie in bed all day (and for the next few days).
I stood up and then asked her. "Do you want to play cards?" She nods and then sits up in her bed.
I left to room for a bit so I can find a card game that we can play.
I went downstairs, and grab a stool. Soon I climbed up on the stool and feel around for the deck of cards on top of mom's wine cupboard.
I stretched my fingers, and moved my hand to find it with only my fingertips. After five minutes, I felt and then close my hand into a claw before dragging it closer and closer to the front edge of the cupboard.
Finally I grabbed hold of it, and a deck of cards laid in my hands.
"Scáth, what are you doing?" Mom calls. I nearly fell off the stool, but my reflexes kicked and I grabbed on to the top of the cupboard. "Sorry…I was looking for this card game." I showed her the cards, and mom raises an eyebrow. "What are you going to do with those?" She asks. I told her that I wanted to play with Spéire so she won't be so bored. Mom nods, and then she tells me only for half an hour and then it's homework time. I nod, and then promised her that was all, no more, no less.
Soon I casually walked up the stairs and then went back Spéire's room.
She took the cards as soon as I sat back near her bedside and shuffled them around, soon she gives me seven pieces and then seven for herself. Soon the two of us engaged in a card game that we would call 'Dimes'.
The rules were simple if the player can finish all his cards first then he would be the winner. However if the player had cards that went above the number five then he allowed to call dimes, but he is not allowed to drop a card until the next player pulls out either a five (dime) then the second player can re-enter the game.
Now to win the game. Each one of the players must have four fives (dimes) and put it onto of the other, and the last person to put the five on the other player's card calls "dimes!" and wins the game.
After twenty minutes, neither of us actually won the game, and I look at my watch, and then sigh to myself. "Spéire I have to stop." I told her. She nods, and sets her cards down so I can collect it.
"Hey Scáth." She calls. I turn around and raised an eyebrow. "What is it?" I ask. "I was wondering do you have any goals in life? Because I saw an empty look in your eyes just now…So are you happy?" She asks.
That was a tough question, life is just life whatever happens it's just a part of it, it's not a big deal if you're happy or not, it's just normal isn't it?
"Why you ask?" I wandered. She shakes her head, "Just curious." She explained. Odd I never thought about before...Why I am here anyway?
'Snap out of it, Scáth.' I told myself mentally. 'There's plenty of time to worry about that, now it's time to focus on your studying and get a good job and try to live a normal life just like everybody else.' I added.
"Onii-chan." Spéire's voice broke my thoughts. And I look towards her, seeing her smiling face. "Try not to think too hard about it." She says tapping the side of her head, then she smiles for a bit and then chuckled. Yup, she was in her 'be all smiles' phase. "Anyway, thank you for the card game, I really enjoyed it." She says. I nod and replied your welcome before leaving her room to head to my own.
2:30 P.M
I started on my geography homework, and look at question eighteen for a second before letting my mind wander.
'Maybe I don't really have a goal in life? I mean other people suggested that I be a scientist or biologist, maybe mathematician or an engineer like Denzel, or just a teacher at a high paying private school…I don't know where to go? Maybe I should help dad with his delivery service?' I thought all the possibilities about where I could go? And then I knew I was wrong about having plenty of time, I just have till the end of the next month before I can decide…So there's not that much time at all…
Soon I sighed and then told myself to get back to work when suddenly mom knocks on my door.
"Scáth I can come in? I brought you some ice tea just incase you wanted something to drink?" She announced. "Sure." I yelled so she could hear me. Soon she turned the doorknob and placed the ice tea on my study desk. "Look at you studying so hard, it makes me wonder if you ever get tired of it." She jokes. I shrug, after all she was the one who asked me to do my work, and besides I just started so it's not over yet. "Well when you're done don't forget to give your brain a rest okay? At least take a ten to twenty minute break." She reminds me before she leaves my room.
I nod and then I heard the door close, soon I was alone again. All that's left for me now is to finish my work.
5:00 P.M
Mom shouted that it was time for dinner. I pushed myself from my desk, and then then change into a simple white singlet, and loose dark blue cargo pants. Soon I just sat on my regular seat, right next to dad's seat.
Soon I saw Zean take his seat, and then I noticed that Spéire's seat was empty. "Isn't she coming down?" I ask mom, who was bringing the last piece of meal on the table.
"She was already on her way down, but I told her to stay in her room." She tells me. "So I'll bring her dinner to her room." She added, before she does what she was going to do.
Zean moves his hand to grab some food, but I slap his hand. "What do you say first?" I reminded him. Zean sighs and clasps his hands together before saying. "Itadakimasu." Then he grabs some of the food that he was aiming for. Soon I pick some of the food as well.
"Hey why do I have to say that I you don't!" Zean shouts. "Because I'm older." I told him while I put the first piece of steak in my mouth. "That's not fair! That means you're a hypocrite!" He comments. I decided to ignore him and just continue eating.
Mom comes down, and Zean complains that I didn't say 'itadakimasu' and that I made him say it.
Mom pats his head and tells him that she will have a talk with me about it. Well I guess I have to prepare myself for that.
"So Zean do you have anything interesting to tell me about school?" Mom asks, looking at him with a knowing. Zean freezes and then slowly looks up at her. "Well we had free time for math today…" He says.
Mom raises her eyebrow, yup she doesn't buy it. "Is that all that happened today?" She adds. Zean grinned and nods, "Okay…Well I better be all." She adds. "If does anything else then I will deal with him." There was dad's voice as he came inside. "Okaerinasai." Mom greets. "Tadaima." Dad replies as he enters the dining room and takes his seat.
Soon dad picks some food and notices that Spéire wasn't there. "Is she eating upstairs?" He asks. Mom nodded. While I ate, I noticed that mom wasn't eating anything in particular. "Why aren't you eating?" I ask. Mom blinks twice, and then nearly all the attention was on her.
Mom sighs. "I have an upset stomach at the moment, so I don't think I will be able to eat anything tonight." She says. "Have gone to a doctor?" Dad asks. Mom eyes widen and then she shakes her head.
"Tifa don't forget to make an appointment, it's better to have it checked as soon as possible." Dad says.
Mom smiles lightly and then nods.
That night was spent like any other night, Zean was rushing to finish his meal first, and this time dad was the one who gave him a scolding, afterwards Zean and I had to help mom out with the dishes, when she covered her mouth with her hand. Then she looked like she was going to throw up. "Mom are you okay?" Zean asks. Mom looks at him, then gives a assuring smile. "Yes I'm fine––" She pauses looking unsure for a minute. "Can the two of you keep a secret?" She says. I put the drying towel down. And turned around to listen to what she had to say.
"For the pass few days, I've been feeling sick, there's certain smells that trigger nausea, and of course I've been having trouble sleeping…So what I am trying to say is there is a possibility that you will have another sibling." She says with a slight happiness and a slight uncertainty.
"That's so cool! So I won't be the youngest one anymore!" Zean cheered. Mom and I shushed him and then reminded him that dad and Spéire were sleeping upstairs. Zean apologizes. Mom replied it was alright, and then the three of us were back on dish duty.
Though I couldn't help but look at her after she announced that, and wondered was it a good idea to have a baby especially at her age? What were the risks for both her and the baby? Could she have a miscarriage?
Sigh…
I guess no one can no for sure, besides we don't even know if she was pregnant or not? And if she is, then all we can do is hope that this pregnancy will go well.
That's all we can do now…
Hope.
Well there you go. Here's chapter two!
Any I hope you will like it, and I hope that Tifa's possible pregnancy won't be too much of a surprise or make the story seem so dramatic.
So please review and tell me what you think!
P.S
Sorry guys if the first chapter were confusing for some people, but I will tell you know that there will be times where the P.O.V will change. This is to give more insight of the characters, so you guys can read the story in a new perspective.
Anyway enough rambling.
Please enjoy the story, and look out for chapter three!