The Kiss that Sparked it All

The very thought of all the strangers who would whisper and point about how plain she looked next to Balfour twisted her guts like a knife.

“Oh Victoria, please, I’m begging you. This whole mess is my fault, let me just see that post, will you? The thing about Balfour, I don’t really know him that well. I just… I just…”

Mara trailed off, unable to continue her fabrication, because she truly liked Balfour. Saying she hated him was a trio of words that just wouldn’t come out.

“Just what? Just that you don’t know Balfour and he doesn’t know you? I don’t know when you started falling for him, but let me tell you. There’s a whole line of girls crushing on him, and you’re not the first and certainly not the most special. So don’t worry, this post will blow over soon. Besides, it’s not like they caught your face in the shot. No one at our school knows you, so what’s the big deal? You’re just going to have to deal with a little heartache, that’s all.

Since Mara showed no signs of wanting to apologize, there was no reason for Victoria to keep indulging her. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Argh! What do you want me to do? You’ve always had the upper hand in everything, so why do you have to deny me the right to like him too? Is it just because you’re prettier and more accomplished than me?” Mara shouted.

Victoria stopped in her tracks, ready to leave, and turned around with an incredulous stare.

“What are you talking about? Isn’t it because you lied, which got me in trouble with Dad? You haven’t even hinted at an apology, so isn’t that why I’m punishing you?”

Mara clenched her teeth and said, “I did nothing wrong, so why should I apologize to you? If I have to apologize, then you’ve got a lot more to apologize for over the years.”

Victoria actually found it somewhat amusing.

What was Mara thinking?

When had she ever wronged Mara?

“Alright, let’s set today’s incident aside and hash this out properly. Who owes whom? Let’s clear the air between us. Tell me, where have I wronged you?”

have Mara’s face was stormy as she said, “Your very existence is an insult to me. Do you any idea how much I’ve suffered because of you? Sure, I’m not ugly, but whenever I stand next to you, no one else sees me! All the compliments are for you, all the criticisms are for me. Why?”

Victoria was flabbergasted. “That’s how I’ve wronged you? Have you lost your mind? We’re sisters. If people praise me, isn’t that just like praising you too? Besides, could I even control that? Are you just making up excuses because you’re out of arguments? From the moment I was born a few minutes before you, I was destined to be your older sister. All these years I’ve taken care of you for Dad, cooked for you when he wasn’t around, helped you with your studies. Have I ever complained once?”

Victoria took a deep breath and continued, “These were never my responsibilities, yet I was forced to shoulder them. I want my own space too! Just take today’s incident. I didn’t even want to take you to my school. You don’t know any of my friends, you wouldn’t know a soul there. Why did you insist on following me?”

Mara’s smile was cold. “Aren’t you complaining right now? You don’t want to take care of me, but when have I ever wanted to enjoy your care?”