Devil s Reprisal

The past 15 years have been hell for me.

"It's your birthday

, what are you thinking about?"

Summer snapped me out of my thoughts.

She is my best friend as well as my roommate.

"Yeah, it is my birthday and a sad day"

I took a sip of my coffee.

"You have to forget about the past and focus on the future"

"How can I possibly do that? The more I try to forget about it, I keep thinking about it"

"You know what? There is a new bar in our street and it's opening tonight, let's go and have fun"

"No"

"You are a fun spoiler"

"You know I need this job, I don't want to be looking like I got hit by a bus tomorrow morning"

She burst into laughter.

"You are a weather reporter, you are just on for a minute every day, it wouldn't hurt to skip a day"

"I need to work hard so I can get to be a full-time staff"

She rolls her eyeballs.

"Ok, whatever"

I looked at my watch.

"It's past lunchtime, you should head back to work"

"Oh, I forgot, my new boss is going to scold me, gosh, I hate her"

She said panicking.

"Well, you need her to like you so you can be on the lip balm project"

"Uh, I don't have a choice. See you after work"

"Yeah"

She drank her coffee and left.

I paid for the coffee and head back to work.

I said today was a sad day because 15 years ago, I was left all alone.

# 17 years ago

"You got first in class again"

My mum said and hugged me.

"I will give you a special gift"

She sat me down on her bed.

She opened her wardrobe and brought something out.

"This is a scarf I made myself"

She handed it over to me.

"It says mum loves Danielle"

I stood up and hugged her.

"I love it, thank you so much mum, I love you too mum"

I said still admiring the scarf.

"I love you more sweetie"

She grabbed my hand and we head to the living room.

"What's the special occasion?"

My grandmother asked.

"Elle got first again in class"

My mum said with excitement.

"Really?"

My grandmother asked looking at me.

"Yes"

I replied.

"I'm proud of you, since tomorrow is your 11th birthday, I will give you my special gift tomorrow"

My grandmother said.

"Thanks, granny"

I said and hugged her.

"You are welcome"

"I'm home"

Mandy, my sister announced her presence.

"What's your position?"

My mom asked her.

She looked at mum with guilty eyes.

"No, don't tell me you got last again".

Mum said with disappointment

"My card was switched"

She hesitated.

"Oh really? Take a look at your sister, focus on your studies"

She looked at me with jealousy in her eyes.

"She will do better next semester, right sweetie?"

My grandmother patted Mandy's shoulders.

"Where is your brother?"

Mum asked.

"I'm not his babysitter"

She left for her room.

"Can you see? She is never going to change"

My mum said.

"Just give her some time, she will"

Granny suggested.

"Ma'am, your phone is ringing"

The housekeeper gave mum her phone.

Mum looked at the caller.

"It's your dad"

She picked it.

"Hello"

She left for her room.

"Will Elle help granny make some cookies?"

Granny asked.

"Of course"

I replied with excitement.

"Ok, let's go"

We left for the kitchen.

"Go to my room, bring my special recipe in my drawer"

"Ok granny"

I left and saw mum heading towards the main door.

"Where are you going, mum?"