An Elementary Day 

     Ugh, I dreaded this part of my morning routine, you know? It was like a never-ending nightmare! I could hear my big sister's footsteps, thumping loudly across the creaky hardwood floor. She was totally teasing me, and it drove me crazy. Who does this every single day? I rolled over onto my stomach, clutching my pillow for dear life and the door swung open, making a super loud creaky sound that echoed in my room. She was loving every second of it. I could feel her standing there in the doorway, pretending that she was a character in some horror flick.She sprinted toward me, leaping onto my back with her knees.

    "HMPH," I grunted. "You know," I mumbled into my mattress, "If you keep doing that, I won't be able to go to school." I was hoping she'd finally get the message and stop, but she seemed way too excited to break me.

    "Mhmm," she agreed, her voice all chipper and annoying, "Yes, that would most definitely suck!" And she just kept on trying to squish me.

     But then, the noise I made must have been loud enough for my mom to hear because suddenly, from somewhere in the house, I heard her scream, "JADE! What are you doing!" Her jumping finally stopped, and I let out a sigh of relief. 

     "What? You told me to wake her up," my sister Jade sarcastically protested.

     "But I didn't tell you to, like, kill her!" Mom retorted. I felt Jade's knees leave my back, and it was a huge weight lifted off me. I lifted my head off the mattress as the pillow slowly slid off my head. That's when I saw Mom trying to hit Jade, but she locked herself in the room with me, banging on the door and yelling for Jade to open up. Jade turned to me with a grin, and the little bit of sunlight that sneaked through my curtains made her red hair shine. It wasn't that bright a couple of years ago, but she dyed it to make it stand out more. She really wanted the whole world to notice her. Lost in thought, I didn't even realize that Jade had stuck her tongue out at me as an insult. She opened the door abruptly, surprising Mom, and then dashed to the other side of the hallway and into her room. Mom then turned her anger toward me. She had to direct her frustration at one of her kids, or she probably couldn't live with herself. "And what are you looking at, huh?" she demanded, clapping her hands for extra emphasis. "C'mon, get dressed, brush your teeth, and eat!" 

​

     After what felt like forever, I finally dragged myself out of bed and went to my closet. I threw on my black hoodie, which was like a size too big for me, and some pants that were also way too big. Mom always had something to say about my fashion choices. She thought they weren't what a 10-year-old girl should wear. She often compared me to my sister Jade, who knew all about fashion and how to stand out. Tops, tight jeans, jean jackets, Jordans, all that stuff that kinda annoyed me.

     Sure, there were some clothes in my closet that were a bit like Jade's, and I even stole a few from her, but they were overshadowed by all the darker colors. I'd only wear them on special occasions like church, my grandparents' house, or parties. It was kinda funny because no matter how much Mom yelled at me for my unique fashion style, Jade would come to my defense. She'd even help me pick out clothes, but they were always the kind of clothes she liked.

I did all the stuff Mom told me to do and then I headed into my parents' room, which was right between mine and Jade's room. I opened the door, and of course, it smelled like farts. I gagged, and that was enough to make Ba notice me and start laughing.

     "Đổ lỗi cho trứng của mẹ!" he joked, which means "Blame your mom's eggs" in Vietnamese. His comment was loud enough for Mom to peer her head out of the bathroom and give him a look.

     "I guess, but," I had to pause to put my words together, "H-Hơi thở của bạn… nhiều hơn." I said, which means "Your breath stinks more" in Vietnamese. Jade and I weren't born here; Ba immigrated from Vietnam to go to cooking school and become a star chef. His parents moved with him to support him in his dream. Long story short, Ba met my Mom in college, and she got pregnant. Ba felt a sense of duty to his new family, and since Mom was busy getting her Master's Degree, he gave up on his dream to raise Jade. She always asks him if she was a mistake, that she was the reason my parents went through so much when she was a baby. Still, Bàba always says to her, "You are the best thing to happen to me. I will always love you, Bich." Ba raised me too, at least for a little while until he found a job as a Truck Driver. From then on, Jade practically raised me.

     I grabbed my phone from the nightstand to check for messages, and the only one I got was a Bible verse. It was from Psalm 68:6. It made me chuckle, so I deleted the notification. 

​

     "C'mon, Jade," Mom called out, "You're gonna be late for school, and you have to drop off Scarlett."

Jade's voice echoed from upstairs, "Why can't you do it?"

     Mom chuckled and replied, "You were so eager to wake her up; I figured you also wanted to drop her off!" It seemed like a little payback for Jade running from Mom earlier. I sat down patiently on the stairs and watched Mom and Ba getting ready for work. I mostly ignored what they were saying, just some talk about Ba's job and Mom's business meeting for the day. I forgot to mention that Mom had to learn Vietnamese to communicate with Ba, and he had to learn English for the same reason. Their marriage was a unique blend of two completely different lifestyles. You'd think that might not work, but it did.

     Mom was all serious, by-the-books, and extremely hardworking. Her parents had drilled into her the importance of being studious and that school was the most crucial thing in life. She even managed to finish school while pregnant with Jade, which showed her dedication, man. Then there was Ba, who had been through a lot but always kept a positive outlook. His parents cared about what was best for him, and while school mattered, "family" was the number one priority. Family was what mattered most in life. I guess that's why he was content with his job, even if it wasn't what he originally came here for. He cracked jokes whenever he could and was always loving. People like that don't typically end up together, or at least, I thought they didn't. But they were so happy together that even when they fought, they'd make up before the day ended. Marriage is just... weird.

     When I snapped back to reality, I went up to them and said my goodbyes. I hugged Mom, and she hugged me back, kissing me on the head. "Have a good day at school, sweetie," she said in her sweet tone that was almost like tasting candy.

     "Bye, Jade!" she exclaimed.

     "Uh-huh," Jade replied. Mom rolled her eyes as she headed outside. Ba was next, and I gave him a kiss on the cheek, which I immediately regretted because he had a scruffy beard. I think I got hair in my mouth, and my facial expression was as if I had just tasted Sour Patch Kids. Ba chuckled and messed up my hair, annoying me even more. As he left the house, Bàba said, "Đừng đánh nhau với em gái của bạn," which means "Don't fight with your sister." And they left, leaving me with a smile.

     After a while, Jade finally came downstairs, smashing her boots on the wooden stairs, probably leaving her prints behind. She was wearing her "iconic" black jean jacket adorned with various pins and patches. Her ripped jeans and black vans complimented her outfit... Wait, what did I just say?

     Her green eyes were fixated on me as if she were examining something. Then, it hit me; she was looking at my hoodie. "Hmm. Nice hoodie, wonder who bought that for youuuuu...." Her teasing tone echoed in my head as we made our way to the car.

 

     It was Jade's turn to pick the music, and here's a surprise: I didn't hate her music. I mean, I prefer more modern songs, but sometimes it's nice to have a blast from the past. Unfortunately, she was playing "Bohemian Rhapsody," a song I was way too familiar with.

     I turned my head away from the passing cars and people outside to talk to her. "So, did Amity recommend this song, or did you actually discover it on your own?" I asked sarcastically.

     Jade scoffed and sarcastically waved her hand. "I, dear sister, found it myself. She doesn't always give me songs; I give her a few here and there."

     "Oh yeah? What was the last song you gave her?"

     "Uhh..." She paused for a bit, realizing I'd caught her.

     "You fraud," I whispered into her ear, getting as close as I could.

     "Shut up, you. Go back to looking outside the window, you freak," she retorted with a hint of annoyance but still cheerful.

     "How's it going with you anyway?" I asked, examining my nails.

     "Good, just worrying about colleges. I just hope I get into SF State," she scoffed again. "I mean, I know I will, but still."

     "Hmm," I replied, "Does telling Ba come with that financial package?" Her eyes dropped slightly, and she looked a bit worried. Damn, I didn't mean to touch a nerve. "You're going to have to tell him eventually, you know?" My voice turned soft and comforting. This topic was always touchy with my sister. Our parents had always pushed Jade to pursue a career that would make her rich, especially Ba, who wanted her to have a good job in California near Silicon Valley. They believed in the future of technology and thought that was the way to succeed. Jade had gone along with the idea, even though she's super smart and could easily land a job like that. But that's not what she wants. She wants to be a travel blogger, and yeah, I laughed at that idea when she first told me. She cried and explained that she didn't care about money or how smart she was; she wanted to follow her heart. "I'd rather be homeless doing what I love than be chained to a job that I hate," she told me, and those words stuck with me ever since.

     Jade sighed, "I will. Don't worry about it, lil sis; everything is under control." She reached over and messed up my hair. She put both hands back on the steering wheel, seeming more content. "So, how has it been going with you?"

     Well, since we were having one of those close sibling moments again, I decided to share my life with her. I was about to respond when Freddie Mercury was interrupted by a ding on her phone, then another one, and another one.

     "Oops. Give me a sec," she said, grabbing her phone from the cupholder. Seconds turned into minutes, and it felt like hours. The more it dragged on, the more frustrated I became. It's funny how you'd think you'd get used to that feeling, but it never really changes. What made it worse was that she chuckled a few times and typed a few responses. Then I saw Amity's name; she was clearly spending more time on that conversation. I didn't want to say anything, but no, I had every reason to be upset. We're sisters, for fuck sake. We've supported each other through so much, but... I don't know.

     "CUT THAT SHIT!" I screamed, startling Jade. "You always ask that question and never even listen, while I listen to all your problems. School, college, your social life, all of it! I'm sick and tired of it." I turned away, facing my side window again, holding back some tears.

     I heard a thump on the cupholders, and she spoke. "Scar, unlike you, I actually have a life. But come on, tell me. What's up with you?" She noted sarcastically. She treated it as nothing serious, like always. It was always a joke with her. We were at a stoplight, just a few blocks away from my school.

     "Fuck off," I angrily murmured, and I walked out of the car, slamming the door.

​

     I attended a seaside elementary school, but honestly, I couldn't be bothered to remember its name. School was just fine for me; I managed to barely get by, and that was good enough. I wasn't like Jade, who aimed for all As and that kind of stuff. I had a few friends, or you could say, classmates, but I didn't really talk to them. The only one who tried to talk to me was Roxy. We had met way back in kindergarten, and while we weren't best friends, she was someone I'd known for a really long time. We'd been in the same class every year, and I always attached myself to her on the first day of school or any social events; she was the only person I knew.

     After a very boring class, it was lunchtime, and I was out in the field. I didn't enjoy playing on the playground or participating in sports. Instead, I preferred sitting under a dead Oak Tree, who I fondly named Tyler, and listening to some music. I was in a bit of a somber mood, so I played some Nirvana, specifically "Something in the Way." The soothing voice of Kurt Cobain and the beautiful guitar strumming made me drift off into a daydream. I imagined myself in the water, but then I realized I was in the ocean. I started swimming toward what I thought was land, but I soon realized it was coming towards me. I panicked and swam the other way, realizing it was a shark. I felt the pressure behind me, and the aura of its nose inching closer to my legs. It called out, "Scarlett," getting louder and louder until I woke up, facing Roxy.

     "Dude, are you okay?" she asked, clearly concerned. I sat up and rubbed my eyes to make sure everything was real.

     "Yeah, I think I'm fine. Just woke up from a perfect nap; thanks for interrupting it," I replied.

     "Oops, sorry. I just saw you alone, and..."

     Her voice trailed off again, and she seemed genuinely concerned. I put my hands on her shoulders and reassured her, "You don't need to worry about me, Roxy. I'm always good."

     But her frown didn't turn upside down. "I just get worried because whenever you're alone, you..." Ding! My phone went off, interrupting her. I reached down to pick it up from the grass, and it was a message from Jade.

     YO

     mmm I replied.

     Let's go somewhere. I'm bored :/

     like?

     Bixby Bridge :)

     oh hell yeah I'd take any chance to skip school!

     Okay!

     I'll pick you up at the usual

     I looked up and saw Roxy still standing there. "Hey, could you tell the teacher I went home? Family emergency," I tried to sound convincing.

     "Uhhh, sure. What is it?" she asked, concern evident on her face.

     "Just my sister; she got injured playing basketball... again."

     "Sure, hopefully, she's okay!" She hugged me, and I slowly patted her on the back before she went off to the playground just as the bell rang. Perfect timing. I went a few meters away from Tyler to the fence and climbed it. I put on my hoodie, trying to be in disguise, and walked casually toward the front of the school. I hadn't even reached there when a car came speeding around the corner, Jade-style, and pulled up next to me, with the window rolled down.

     "Get in, loser, we're skippin' school," she said sarcastically. I laughed and got in, and she sped down the street, not even attempting to look casual about it.

​

     There was no music playing in the car, just the sound of speeding cars. I tried to get some sleep again, but I found myself looking out the window, this time at the vast expanse of Monterey Bay. I didn't want to stop; I just wished Jade would keep driving until we ran out of gas. I felt safe in this car. But eventually, we parked just a few feet away from the start of the Bixby Bridge. Jade still didn't say anything; she just got out of the car and started walking. I saw her walk a couple of feet closer to the edge of the bridge and sit down on a small section of rock foundation just before it dropped away into the middle of the bridge. She looked at me with a big smile and patted a space next to her, signaling for me to sit with her. I was a bit nervous about getting so close to the edge of the bridge, with cars zooming by and a few people watching us, but I went ahead, got out of the car, and carefully sat down beside her.

     "See? That wasn't so bad," she cheered, but I still didn't respond. I was scared of falling off somehow and plummeting to my death. We sat in silence, just listening to the sound of passing cars, the wind, and the soothing ocean. After a while, I began to relax, and it started to feel peaceful. However, Jade broke the silence.

     "Tell me what's wrong," she said, her tone more serious. I looked at her, confused, but she didn't even flinch, still gazing out at the ocean.

     "Is that why you pulled me out of school? Just to ask me that?"

     "Dude, don't play smart with me. I know you've been feeling this way for God knows how long. I'm not stupid."

     "Well, you are because there's nothing wrong with me," I replied, turning away, only to realize that I wasn't looking out my window anymore. There was another awkward pause, and she spoke again.

     "So you hate me?" I was caught by surprise, and her voice quivered a little. I turned back to see her turned away from me, maybe to hide the tears forming.

     "No... No, no, no, I-I don't hate you, Jade..."

     "Then why have you been so... like aggressive towards me? You've been so distant and cold when you weren't even like that a few months ago? Why, Scarlett? Why!" Her voice started to shake so much that it felt like my own emotions and thoughts were backing me into a corner. I didn't know what to do anymore.

     "Did... Did I mess up as a sister...?" she lamented, and that broke me.

     "Fuck..." I whispered. "Yes? No, I don't know. I don't know how to answer that."

She finally turned to me, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Scar, do the one thing you never do: let your emotions speak for you." She was right.

     I sighed and let the floodgates open. "I'm jealous of you...alright? Y-you-you've been so caught up with Amity, school, and just... everything that I hardly even talk to you anymore! Jade, I know you're family, but you're my best friend! I always want to tell you what happens at school, or what's happening with me or Mom or Ba or our grandparents or damn, anything! But... you're leaving soon, and I don't want you to go. I look up to you; I fucking want to be you! I want to be as social, as positive, and as smart as you! You make everything seem easy while I struggle with everything!"

     I tried to hold back my tears, but I couldn't, especially as I continued talking. "And... And-And I have a hard time sleeping, and I can't shake off this feeling. I don't know what it is, but I sit under Tyler, and I see all these kids playing and having fun, and... why can't I be like that? Why can't I bring myself to play with Poppy or talk to my classmates? I'm so confused, and I just feel shitty about myself. Like I can't do anything... then I think of how much of a fuck up I am with Ba, and how sometimes I can't talk to him because I fucking don't know Vietnames. I feel like I disappoint everyone around me, even you. I wonder what life would be like if I wasn't around. Maybe this wouldn't have happened, or me finding out your secret. I feel like a burden to everyone. I'm not what they want me to be. I hate myself... and I feel so alone. But I have to be tough, not let the world get to me."

     Snot, tears, all the mess that comes with sadness were happening to my face. I kept crying and crying, and I wouldn't be surprised if people looked at me weird, but it felt better when Jade's arms wrapped around me. I felt relieved, safer than I did in the car. The ocean joined Jade in comforting me.

     "Scar, you don't realize how strong you are to say all of this. Opening up to me is something even I struggle with. I'm sorry that I forced you to do it, though. I didn't know you had so much bottled up inside you." I could tell that Jade was trying to put her words together because she paused. " I'm sorry for not being there. We're family, and we're supposed to have each other's backs, and I messed that up, so I'm sorry. From now on, I’ll always be by your side. I’ll stop the whole world if I have to just listen to you.”

     “Yeah,” I sniffled, “I’ll hold you to that.” We both chuckled, trying to ease this tension. After a while, we stopped being moody and got back in the car.

​

     I woke up just as we pulled up to the curb, with "You're My Best Friend" by Queen playing. How fitting.

Jade parked the car as I rubbed my eyes and yawned. After processing what had just happened, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.

     "I hope that wasn't too much, you know, earlier on the bridge?" I said, still a bit uncertain.

     "Pfft. Don't worry about it; I'm always worried about my little Scar," she replied with a soft smile, playfully punching me on the arm.

     "I love you, Jade," I finally said, my voice filled with emotion. I rarely expressed my feelings in such a direct way.

     "I love you too, Scarlett," she replied. As she said that, the sun shone on her red hair, illuminating her face and highlighting her beautiful features. My sister was beautiful, and I was grateful to have her as my sister. I hugged her impulsively, and she hugged me back, a genuine, warm embrace. We got out of the car, and our voices echoed down the street.

     "Do you think they're going to be mad when we get in?" I asked, feeling a bit apprehensive.

     "Hmmm, probably, but we'll face it together," Jade said, her tone reassuring.

     "Till the end of the world," I added.

     "As sisters," Jade affirmed.

     "Always," we said. 

​

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