Chapter Two: Read Me Like an Open Book

Lana opened the door and stepped inside the apartment. She could hear the noise coming from the television in the living room. She took off her scarf and hung it on the coat rack before entering the living room.

"Ema?" Lana called out and smiled upon noticing her little sister reading quietly the forensic investigation book she had once offered her.

The young girl turned around, her eyes sparkling with excitement as her older sister smiled at her. "Lana!" Ema exclaimed, getting up in a hurry and wrapping her arms around Lana's waist in a bear hug. "How was class this morning?"

"Ema, you know I should be the one to ask you that," Lana told her, pulling away from the hug and placing her hands on her sister's shoulders. "I am the older sister, after all."

"Yeah, but it's no fair if I never worry about you!" Ema pleaded. "I want you to fulfill your dream of becoming a renowned detective, Lana! And then we can work together when I become a forensic investigator!"

Lana shook her head and giggled. Ema was really the sweetest young girl she knew, and she appreciated that more than anything. And she had to admit that the thought of working alongside her beloved little sister was pleasant.

"It's been fine, Ema," she relented and told her, petting her head and messing with her hair. "I actually met an interesting girl during the lectures this morning."

"Oh, really?" the youngest girl asked as Lana set her purse on the couch and headed inside the kitchen. "What's she like?"

"Her name's Mia Fey, and she's a first-year student," Lana explained, opening the fridge and taking out a couple of sandwiches. "She attended my classes and sat next to me during the first lecture. I don't think I've ever seen a student so determined, especially on their first year," Lana smiled subconsciously.

"And so?" Ema asked, smirking at her sister. "Did you talk a bit more?"

"That's right," Lana nodded. "She told me about wanting to become a defense attorney. I don't know what she meant by that, but she said it was something she needed to do."

Ema sat at the kitchen table and began to eat one of the sandwiches. "And do you think she can do it?"

"I'm sure of it," Lana said with absolute confidence. "To be honest… she really impressed me. She looks like the type to never give up, and I find this admirable."

"Do you like her?" the youngest sister asked, looking at Lana with teasing eyes. Lana rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean, sis. Are you like… I dunno… intellectually attracted to her?"

Intellectually attracted…? That is an odd way to put it, but… "I suppose that's right, yes," Lana conceded, sitting down on the other chair and beginning to eat as well. "You know that I value hard work, Ema, so to see someone so dedicated and determined… I guess she left an impression on me."

Ema nodded and returned to her sandwich. They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes until Lana felt a bit guilty and spoke up.

"I didn't even ask how your morning was," she said, giving Ema an apologetic look. "Sorry, Ema."

"Oh, it was fine, don't worry," Ema replied with an easy-going smile. "We got back our chemistry tests, and I got an 89!"

Lana's eyes filled with pride. "That's my little sister," she said, smiling at Ema, who seemed grateful if not a little embarrassed. "I'm really proud of you, Ema."

"T-Thank you, Lana…" Ema muttered. Her sister's praise was really the best confidence booster she knew, and it always motivated her to do her best.

They spent the rest of their lunchtime chatting about many things until Ema couldn't resist anymore and began to ramble about science and how great it was and how science could be used in criminal investigations and how she would become a forensic investigator and solve many cases thanks to science.

It was nothing new, but Lana liked it. She honestly wished she could be as passionate about something as her little sister was about science.

Ultimately, however, Ema had to go back to school for the afternoon, and Lana drove her there, even if it was only a couple of streets away. It was why she actually let Ema go to school by herself in the morning. Lana's car wasn't exactly a new model, but it was all the student could afford. And as long as it worked, it was all she was asking for. Lana left her little sister in front of the school building and waved her goodbye for the afternoon. She turned on the ignition again and drove to her campus.

She had her laptop and a couple of books with her, and Lana hoped to make this afternoon a productive one.

Lana entered the library and went to sit at her usual seat, all the way in the back, where she knew nobody would disturb her. The other students were pretty quiet every time she went, but she preferred to be safe than sorry.

She gave quick glances at the different bookshelves, filled to the brim with law books, in case she would find one that could be useful to her. Her search turned out nothing, but it was fine: she had way more than enough material to study all week anyway.

Suddenly, Lana heard a quiet voice call out to her. "Hey, Lana! Over here!"

Stopping at the unexpected sound of a sweet feminine voice, Lana looked to her right and saw Mia sitting alone at a nearby table. She smiled and walked over to her.

"I didn't expect to see you again so soon, Mia," Lana said with a small smile. "May I sit?"

"Yeah, of course!" Mia told her, gesturing to the chair in front of her. "What brings you here, Lana? Studying?"

Lana nodded. "That's right. I had lunch with my little sister and decided I would come here to review my notes while she's still at school."

"Ah, you have a little sister, Lana?" the younger girl asked, keeping her voice low. Seeing Lana nod again, she added, "What's her name?"

"Her name's Ema," Lana answered. "She'll turn 11 soon, and she's a really cheerful young girl. She dreams of becoming a forensic investigator so she can work with me in the future."

"Aw, that's really sweet!" Mia said with a smile. "It sounds like your sister is a joy to be around, Lana!"

"Yes, she really is. See…" Lana frowned. I'm going to ruin the mood if I tell her that… "No, it's nothing. Forget I said anything."

Mia's smile quickly disappeared as she cocked her head to the side and gave Lana a worried look. "Everything alright, Lana? You seem… disturbed… You can tell me if there's anything bothering you."

"Thank you, Mia…" she sighed. "It's just… we lost our parents in a car crash when Ema was still very young, so we've been each other's only family for years. I've raised her on my own, and I'm really proud of her."

"O-Oh, I'm so sorry, Lana; I didn't know…" Mia apologized, looking to the floor in shame. "I shouldn't have asked…"

"Don't worry about it," Lana assured her, the smile not really returning to her face, however. "It has been years, and while it is still difficult, I've learned to live through it, for Ema's sake."

"That's admirable of you, Lana," said Mia genuinely. "I… have a little sister too, actually. A-And well…" she paused and took a deep breath. "something similar happened to us, but I'm afraid I haven't been as good of an older sister as you are, Lana."

"Oh," That is a strange coincidence… Lana realized, listening closely to the other girl's story. "But I'm sure you have, Mia. What's your sister's name?"

"Maya. She's 12, so a little older than your sister, but she'll always be my baby sister," a genuine smile reappeared on Mia's lips. "Unfortunately, our father passed away when she was still a baby, and our mother…" Mia seemed to be looking for the right words. "Well, our mother disappeared not very long after."

"Disappeared?" Lana echoed before she could even think about it. What does that mean…?

Mia gave a nervous chuckle. "I know it might sound like I'm in denial, but in our case, she really has disappeared," she fiddled with her beige scarf. "I'll spare you the details. It is overly complicated, and you wouldn't believe me, anyway."

"What makes you say that?" Lana asked curiously, her expression showing she trusted her.

"No one would believe it, Lana," Mia told her, sighing. "The only way to accept it as the truth is to have lived through it. Trust me, the few people I've ever told didn't believe me, and now I regret telling anyone in the first place…"

There was a moment of silence between the two young women during which Lana analyzed Mia's features. She seemed saddened, so Lana didn't want to press further, but she had to admit she was curious.

However, I won't force her to tell me just for my curiosity's sake. Lana thought. "I understand. Anyway, I'm really sorry for your loss, Mia."

"Thank you, Lana. It means a lot," Mia said, wiping the forming tears under her brown eyes. She gave a little laugh. "Well, we've gone off-track… I didn't mean to waste your time. Sorry…"

Mia scratched the back of her head. Lana shook her head. "No worries. This wasn't a waste of time," she reached inside her purse and took out her laptop and books. "If you've come to study your notes related to this morning's classes, perhaps we can do that together?"

"I'd love that. Thank you," Mia told her gratefully. "The help of an elder would be very appreciated…"

Lana laughed as Mia moved her chair over to sit next to her. "You make it sound like I'm a thousand years old when you say that…"

The two girls giggled and began to read their notes. Lana was surprised by how comfortable she was around her underclassman but didn't question it. They left the library together a few hours afterward at closing time after reviewing everything they had been taught in the morning. When they got out, they were met by a fresh breeze.

"Thanks for studying with me, Lana. I had a lot of fun, and I feel like I understood everything a little better," said Mia, still harboring her grateful smile. "I'm really grateful."

"No need to thank me; I had fun too," Lana admitted, looking slightly away to hide her reddening cheeks. "I never had a studying partner before, so this was refreshing. If anything, I should be the one to thank you, Mia."

The younger girl giggled. "If you say so. Well, it's getting pretty late, and you might have to go pick up your sister at school, so I won't take any more of your time," she said, tucking a strand of her hair that had been blown away by the wind back behind her ear. "I'll try to come to your class again soon so we can chat a bit more, okay?"

"Sure. I wouldn't mind that," Lana nodded, her blush receding gradually. "Well, I'm off. I'll talk to you soon, Mia. Have a good day."

"Thanks, you too!"

With that, the two students parted after a fun afternoon of bonding closer. Lana left the campus with a smile on her face and a new story she would be able to tell her little sister.

To be continued…

A.N: I had a question for people reading this story... I'm contemplating writing scenes similar to the one between Ema and Lana in the future, but with Mia and Maya instead. Would you be interested? They wouldn't really be fillers, but more like chapters to sum up everything that's happened and discuss it with their respective little sisters. Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter. Please leave a review, and I hope you have a nice day, everyone :)