Our parents were arguing again. This feels different than usual. I feel that something bad is about to happen. I quickly stood up and went to my sister's room, knowing that she's probably crying right now. I entered her room and approached her quaking and shivering form on the bed.

She wrapped her arms around me tightly as if she thought I was going to disappear on her. I embraced her and just let her cry all over me.

"O-onee - chan, wha - what will h-happen n-n-now? W-will O-okaa - san and O-otou - chan really separate?" She was bawling now.

"I don't know Saki, I don't know." Tears were also welling up in my eyes.

"Is it because of me? Did I do something wrong Onee - chan? Is it because I keep winning in Mahjong? Or is it because I was bad? Onee - chan, do you think I'm bad? I promise to be good! I promise I won't ever play anymore! Please... I don't to be separated..." Saki continued to sob and I could do nothing but comfort her. All the while my heart was breaking.

The arguement finally stopped after a few more minutes. It was quiet in the house now but I still feel uneasy.

It was quiet a few days after that. No shouting matches, no arguements, heck we barely got to see our parents in the house, and if we did, it's always one or the other and never together at the same time. That was until...

"WHAT?! YOU CAN'T DO THIS! I REFUSE!" I shouted, not caring whether they are my parents or not. Heck, with what they're doing, could you even call them parents?

"O-onee - chan, c-calm down" Saki tried desperately to make me clam down while she herself can't take it. I could already see tears running down her face.

"Teru, it's already done. Now pack your bags, we're moving to Tokyo as soon as possible," my mother said as she calmly sat on one of the chairs in the living room. I look at her and can't help but think she's crazy.

"I CAN'T GO TO TOKYO! WHAT ABOUT SAKI?! I CAN'T LEAVE HER HERE! She needs me...*hic*... We're supposed to be sisters..." I trailed off, I can't take it anymore. I started to cry. Why do they have to do this?

"Saki could still come with us as it will be her decision on whom she wants to stay with, whether it would be me or that man." She spat out the last part, as if she was disgusted by it.

There's still a chance! Hope begun to flood my chest as I turned to look at Saki. Of course she would stay with me. There's no way we'll ever be separated. If we have to go through something like this, it would be better if we remain together. We are sisters after all. I wouldn't be able to take it if I were to lose her too.

Saki looked around, her eyes still glistening with tears. She turned to me and then to our mother, and then to our father who was quietly observing everything. She looked like she can't decide and how could she? She was still a child after all. Why they are making her choose between family is beyond me but what's important is that we be together.

"I-I c-can't...uurgghh... I c-can't chhhoossee... P-please d-don't make me choose..." Saki said while bawling her eyes out.

"Regardless of whether you can or not. You have to, otherwise the choice will be made for you." Our father interjected, trying to placate a crying Saki. I wrapped my arms around her tighter.

Saki looked around the room, carefully looking at our faces. The decision weighing heavily on her young mind. Finally she spoke, "I'd like to stay with... Otou - san, please."

It was it this moment that an uncomfortable feeling filled me. It felt terrible, like something wanting to come out of me, to come out of my being. It felt like something was tearing me up, so much so that the little pieces couldn't be put together again. I couldn't take it. I stood up quickly, running out of the house, Saki hot on my trail. She was trying to call my name but I can't hear her. Betrayal was coursing through me. How could she do that? How can she take me being away from her? Didn't our bond mean anything to her?

It took me awhile to realize that Saki wasn't behind me anymore. She probably got worn out and went back home. I stopped and looked around. I was back on the hill that Saki and I used to visit often. Remembering all the times we spent here telling stories and making flower crowns made my pain hurt so much more. I let out gut wrenching cries, as if I was trying to curse the sky.

After some time, I went back home and saw my mother already placing our thing in her car. I don't know what to feel anymore. I welcomed the numbness that enveloped my being, not regestering what was happening around me. My mother and sister's tearful goodbye, my sister trying to explain herself to me, trying to fix what she broke. I went inside the car to drown her out, staring blankly ahead. I could feel the car move and I took one last look back, one last glimpse back of my old life.

It was then that I started coughing. My mother looked at me in the rearview mirror, clealry worried. My throat was hurting and I keep coughing until...

A single Yellow Carnation came out boody from my mouth. You have disappointed me.