My thirteenth birthday had arrived.
When I got home from school, the house was empty and unsettlingly silent. Just as I reached for my phone, I got a call from Mom. I answered to the sound of chatter and what seemed to be a bunch of kids in the background.
"Shiloh, sweetheart, we're taking care of you and Karina this year. You know how Karina's been unwell and in and out of the hospital. Things are a bit tight right now, so we won't be able to get you a birthday gift."
"I’ve sent you some money via WhatsApp, so make sure you grab yourself something nice to eat, okay?"
"We won't be home tonight, so don't stay up waiting."
I heard Karina calling for Mom, and before I could say anything, she hung up quickly. I glanced at my phone, saw the money she sent, and couldn't help but smile bitterly. I chose not to accept it. It wasn't more than $30, and frankly, it didn't seem worth it. Luckily, I wasn't truly a scared thirteen-year-old anymore; otherwise, spending the night at home alone would be nerve-wracking.
After making a bowl of instant soup and sitting down to start some homework on my phone, I happened to notice Karina's latest post on Instagram. I had nearly forgotten. In my past life, my birthday had been just like today. Karina had wished she could go to a theme park like her classmates, and Mom and Dad had immediately bought tickets and taken her.
It wasn't until later that Mom remembered it was my birthday and sent me the money. I thought they were working late, so it didn't bother me.
I sat on the couch waiting for them to come home, and when I saw their enthusiastic faces when they finally did, I couldn't help but throw a tantrum. Karina cried, and Dad ended up making me apologize to her, pushing my head down.
Pulled back to the present, I opened Karina's Instagram story. She was dressed in a Snow White costume, flashing a big peace sign at the camera. There was even a family photo, taken in front of the theme park gates.
Yes, their family photo.
Without me.
They were all smiling so brightly. They even had a feast inside the park.
They said they had to care for Karina, so money was tight, and they couldn't get me a gift. Yet, on my birthday, they took Karina to the theme park.
In both lives, it was the same.
A wave of disgust suddenly washed over me.
