Light Within

Rebel!

Katherine silently obeyed her father's order and sat on her bed, facing him. She did not meet her father's eyes and only waited for him to start talking first. Eddie rubbed her nose's temple, signing he is kind of tired with this thing. "We promised, arent we?", asked Eddie softly. Kathrine nodded slowly, not sure what response she should make. Eddie continued, "And why this is here?", showing the VR set on the table. Katherine's voice shaken, "Its had been a while since I met Claire...and she asked to play with here. I just want to have fun with her". Eddie looked sorry, but his eyes changed back to a serious one. "That's not the problem now. The problem is you are lying to me, again". Eddie looks tense, waiting for Katherine to response, but she did not. He sighed and took the VR set with him. "I will confiscate this until you have something to said for yourself", threatened Eddie. Katherine suddenly get mad and yells at her father, "What's wrong with you? Can't you let me be happy for a while?". Eddie is not happy with Katherine's tone. "Young lady, watch your tone!", scolded Eddie. Katherine feels like her head is boiled enough, she cannot stands her father no more.

 "That's it! Get out! Take the VR if you want! Just go!".

            Katherine already looks angry, yet her eyes are getting teary. Eddie realized that tears in her daughter's eyes, trying to hug her to comfort her. "Leave. I don't want to see your face anymore", ordered Katherine. She had enough. She does not want to tolerate her father any longer. Eddie, who cannot do anything, takes the VR set and leave. As Eddie left, Katherine slammed the door, loudly enough, to make her father go away. Eddie jumped a little, but he does not want to get mad anymore. Deep down, he felt guilty by taking away her only daughter's enjoyment. Astral already covered herself with her blanket, crying silently, not wanting her father to hear it. That night felt so long, for both Eddie and Katherine. The night where both of them, father and daughter, did not enjoy each other company in the same roof.

            The next morning, as Eddie already prepared the breakfast, wanting to apologize and taking chances to rebond with his daughter. "Katherine, breakfast read...", before he could finish his sentence, Katherine already bolted to the main door, leaving and shut the front door, loudly. Eddie just sits there, watching all his breakfast alone.

            This time, Katherine goes to her school earlier. She also arrived 30 minutes before the bells. She quickly went to her class, put her belongings on her desk and sat there, placing her head on the table, until the bells ring.

            Today, she felt stressful and helpless, as she could not care less about what happened in the school. Last night was horrible, a fight with her father is the last thing she ever wanted to do. "Hmm, I wonder if Claire is online right now", thought Katherine as she slipped through her school's bag to take out her phone. She scrolled to find Claire's number, to tell her about the incident that happened regarding her VR set. "Well, Miss Black, you do know that using a cellphone in the class is prohibited?", said Spencer, standing behind Katherine. Kathrine startled, she almost drops her phone. "Spencer! Mind knocking?", squealed Astral, furiously. Spencer chuckled and took the seat in front of Katherine. "You know, I never saw you this early before. Something wrong?", asked Spencer, concerned. Katherine has to admit that, although Spencer is the most strict person she ever knew, deep down, she is concerned about her friends. Katherine smirked and said: "Aww, did I get the glimpse of my old' Spency back?". Spencer smiled and tucked her side hair back behind her right ear. "Maybe I do need to take your phone now", threatened Spencer. Katherine shakes her head furiously, and said, "Sorry! Please don't take any of my techies away from me".

            Katherine now went felt sad again, after she remembered about her VR has been seized by her father. Spencer tried to persuade Katherine to tell her story, suddenly been interrupted by the bells, indicating the class has started. She quickly stands and ready to leave. Before she left, she waits beside Katherine and says, "Well, if you want someone to talk with, I actually want to taste some new cakes from the cafe at the mall. You can join me if you want to". She continued, "Claire can join too if she wants". Waving, Spencer left the class.

"Claire, are you free after school?"

"Omg! It had been so long since I met Spency".

            Claire was so excited when she heard that the three of them are hanging out together today. Katherine goes to the mall with Claire, drove by her driver. Claire, who was too overwhelming, fetched Katherine in front of her school's gate immediately after she finished her class. "But why so sudden? She is quite busy with her job lately at the school right. Hmm, maybe something bothers her too", figured Claire when she sensed something fishy. Katherine giggled, quietly, when she watched her friend overdramatic. At least, it eases her heart. When they both arrived, Spencer was already waiting for them near the bench under the tree outside the mall. Claire rushed to hug her, while Katherine told the driver that he can leave now, with a smile. All three of them walked inside the mall and searched for a sit in the cafe. "Okay, Spence. Spit it out. Why do you invite us, all out sudden?", interrogated Claire when she sensed something is out of the blue. Spencer looks at Katherine, and finally turns her eyes to Claire when she noticed that Katherine is not ready to speak. "Well, remember Harith?", asked Spencer, while taking a bite of her indulgence chocolate moist cake. Claire smiled and replied: "Of course. Little Harith, your adorable little brother. What's wrong? Is he falls in love and abandons her sweet big sister?", pouted Claire with her big blue eyes. Spencer nudged her elbow and replied: "Haha, no. Lately, he is actually playing an online game and rarely leaves his room". Both Katherine and Claire replied simultaneously: "Is it called Eternal Quest?". Spencer nods and enjoys her cake. Claire squealed loudly enough to make the waitress turns her head and eyeing her. Katherine had to close her mouth to stop her from squeals aloud.

"Well, actually both me and Katherine are playing that game now. You have to join us, Spency", said Claire, while grabbing Spencer's arm. Katherine's face dropped when she heard about the game. This time, it is Spencer's turn to asked: "What's wrong, Katherine?". Finally, Katherine told them about last night. "Oh, no! How could Uncle Eddie?", sighed Claire. Katherine pretty bumped out when she brought the topic. "Aww, the event is coming around. Hmm", wonders Claire, as she is thinking of something. She sighed and finally said: "Well, if you can't make it, then I would not join the event too". Katherine shakes her head and begs Claire to play it with another player. "No way! We promised to play together, didn't we? So, if you can't join, do I. Teammates forever!", exclaimed Claire. Spencer chuckled when she saw Claire's response. She gives some advice to Katherine, "You know, Katherine. If it is important to you, you should encounter those risks, just to enjoy what you liked the most". Katherine was taken aback by Spencer's word. She is thinking, and then she smiles. Three of them continue chatting and return to their home afterwards. Katherine was determined enough with her decision. She will fight back, even if it is against her father's will. She will fight for herself. This time, she will do as her heart told her to and nobody going to stop her, not even her own father. Only her, and herself, will determine the best thing for her, not her father, no one, only her, Katherine, by herself.

"I'm not going to fall back!"