Trapped

Chapter 5

Chapter Five:

Sisters together, forever.

»»—♡—««

“once upon a time,

a sister made a vow

she didn't know how to break,

and it broke her instead.

once upon a time,

a girl did the impossible,

but she did it just a little too late.”

― laini taylor

»»—♡—««

A sister is always our first friend and our first mother.

Surely, having a sibling has its own pros and cons, right? Bickering and having small fights with them had always been a part of the relationship. Most especially when one teases the other one. Some who aren't patient enough would result in minor arguments or would lead to a physical fight. It's something that has been expected of me. Because not all sisters would click and would eventually clash because of their different personality and attitude.

So one must be patient enough or forgiving enough whenever the other one would always annoy them.

But if we're lucky enough, we'd have a sibling that we can vibe with as we share both hobbies together. Or knowing that they are our family, is enough reason to care and love them fully. Someone that would relate to your feelings and help you cope up with them without the need to tease or annoy you more. Someone that is always there to lend a helping hand whenever you're on the verge of falling apart and they would help you to stand up and mend the broken pieces in your life

They'll serve as a rock, a pillar, and a post to help you stand tall in times of need.

The pros and the cons? A playmate? A shoulder to cry on? Someone that will always be there for us when we need someone. A forever go-to person. Or they can be our rival. An enemy that is close to us, watching and observing; waiting for our downfall. That the only reason they were being close to you is because they wanted to know every bit and piece of your weakness and use all of them against you.

However it does rarely happen.

It actually depends on the relationship we have with them. The bond that ties us together and makes us more united and stronger. Having a sister is like having another you in a different body, with a different personality.

Me and Maxwell were inseparable.

That was what I thought and the world had proven to me that it was indeed true.

»»—♡—««  

[Seventeen years earlier]

“Why are you crying, Chandy?”

I looked at my sister as I wiped the tears that were flowing from my eyes using my small bare hands. I was quivering in my place as my hands trembled in my sides. I could feel the beating of my heart hammering inside my chest so rapidly that I even found it hard to breathe as the seconds passed. She ushered closer to me, holding my shoulders with her both hands, gently. Just by her hold, I could feel the care and the worry that had erupted from her emotions.

Of course, it was only natural for her to be concerned and worried about her little sister. It was expected knowing that she had always been like this to me. She had always been concerned for my well being, even more than hers. Always putting myself first instead of her own. 

After all, she was the bigger sister. It had been expected of her to protect her little sister.

Something that I'm always grateful for.

She's the perfect sister for me. Not that I'm being biased since she's my only sister but the way she cared for me speaks volumes. 

And I felt indebted because of that.

“What happened? Are you alright?” Maxwell asked, I took note of the slight pain in her voice as she had seen me in this state. She then delicately pried my little hands away from my face then took her turn to wipe the non-stop tears, which had only made me cry harder.

Her small actions comforting me had churned something inside me, making me more emotional than I already was. The tears leaking down my cheeks had only intensified with how she was tending me. I felt weak earlier because I didn't have anyone I could lean on the moment that I was in misery.

But that changed because of Maxwell.

I muffled a sob as I composed myself to be able to respond to her questions, “I… M-my classmate took my t-toy.” I managed to say, in between sobs and the trembling of my voice. I stammered as I tried my best to tell her what happened earlier and why I ended up crying in the hallway just outside my classroom.

My sister pulled me in for a hug, caressing my back to help me calm down. However, these kinds of comforts had never fully helped me to disperse the tears. Maxwell was already aware of that but she did it nonetheless. It was her way of comfort and I accepted it without much disapproval.

I just let her.

I just got out of the classroom and my sister was waiting outside the room since we were meant to go home together as our driver would always wait for us at the front gate of the school. And this is what she had witnessed, her younger sister being bullied.

Maxwell broke the hug then fixated her eyes on me, “Is your classmate still in that room?” She asked, motioning towards our room.

I couldn’t remember clearly but still, I answered. “I think so, Maxy.”

With my words, she immediately held my arm then whisked me towards my classroom. The moment that we had entered the room, the room fell silent as they saw both of me and my sister in front. My eyes instantly landed towards my classmate who was still holding my Robotic Barbie doll in her hands as she played with it.

Shaking, I couldn't look straight at her in the eyes.

Maxwell didn’t even need to ask me who took my toy, Athena, when she stomped towards my classmate. She peered over her nameplate, “Angel Philips,” her voice was high-pitched, and laced with a warning tone.

The girl looked over to my sister, when she saw us both she did not even flinch. There was a smug expression smeared on her face, “Someone called for help, boohoo.” She scoffed, grinning at the sight before her. 

Maxwell reached her right hand to hold my left hand, delicately. Comforting me the moment she did that. It was her form of affection that had always calmed me down. I averted my gaze to her, however her eyes were focused on Angel’s direction. Maxwell’s exterior demeanor was intimidating enough as she appeared to be a strong kind of person.

“You need to give back what is not yours.” She warned, no expression on her face.

When Angel stood up and walked towards us, I was about to stumble backwards but Maxwell’s hand in mine supported me, keeping me in place.

“This is our school, everything belongs to me.” Angel proudly announced.

Everyone was aware of that, which is why no one messed with her and she was the bully in our class. Everyone was afraid of her. One wrong move, she can get you kicked out. Yes, at such a young age, she already has that power in her small hands.

However, my sister is different. She wasn’t the type of person that can easily be frightened. No matter what the situation is, she’ll face it vehemently. Nothing can get through her way, if she wants it; she’ll do her best to have it.

That is my sister, Maxwell Quinn.

She shot daggers to Angel, evidently showing her annoyance at the little girl’s attitude. 

“What? A rich girl like you can’t afford to buy Athena?” Maxwell mocked, a satisfied smirk plastered on her face when she noticed how Angel flinched right before our very eyes. Even the other students noticed it too and they stifled a laugh.

Angel Philipps is loaded. Her family owned this very school that we were enrolled in. She has all the trend stuff that has been circulating online. If she sees something that interests her, she’ll make her parents buy it right away. 

She is a spoiled brat.

She is a bully.

And most importantly, she never had remorse whenever she oppressed other people.

Because she knew that her parents got her back. No matter how many classmates or students that she bullies, she won’t get a sanction. In return, those she had bullied were the one who had received a punishment. 

In this school, she’s untouchable.

“Cat got your tongue?” My eyes switched to my sister as she said those words, the playful smirk still laced on her lips.

When Angel didn’t respond, Maxwell spoke again, “You know that you shouldn’t be messing with my sister.” She pressed.

Angel’s eyes blinked fast, her hand appeared to be trembling as I caught a glimpse of my robotic doll shaking in her grasp.

“You wouldn’t want our dad to withdraw his shares to this school, right?” Maxwell added, now creating a commotion inside the classroom as other students were busy gossiping.

Maxwell is intelligent. She is just ten years old but she knew so much more than a ten years old child should’ve. She already knew some aspects of our family business. And up until now, that amuses me.

Angel shuddered at Maxwell’s words, growing small as time passed by and as more words came out of my sister’s mouth.

Maxwell snickered, “Give Athena back to my sister.”

My sister doesn’t need to repeat herself, as Angel hastily gives back Athena to me and bolts outside the room in such a hasty manner.

I held Athena tightly in my grasp as my other hand squeezed my sister’s hand.

Both of us were silent even when we hopped in the car and it drove away from our school. I grew too shy to even face my sister. It has been so many times already when she told me to stand up for myself. To never let anyone stomp on me and just idly let them do that to me. Because that’s what she does. She let those bad people get a taste of their own medicine.

But I am not like her.

And I will never be her.

Most of the time, I wished I was like her. As smart, as strong, and as will powered as her.

“Thank you, Maxy.” I finally say, not looking directly at her eyes but on the window behind her. Seeing the car past by establishments and trees.

Even with my peripheral vision, I noticed the smile on her face. She inched closer to me, tucked a strand of her behind my ear, causing me to look straight in her eyes. 

“You’re always welcome, Chandy.” She responded, her hand reached for mine and she gently caressed the top of my hand.

She knew how to soothe and calm me down.

A way of comfort that was always successful.

She then engulfed me in a hug, “I’m here, Chandy. No one else can hurt you. I will protect you.” She uttered and I snuggled closer to her hold, hugging her tighter as if I didn't intend to let her go.