In The Middle Of The Night

April! April!! I heard the witch call me again for the hundredth time today and it's just ten in the morning. I wipe my wet hands with the towel laying on the kitchen counter before replying her.

"Yes ma'am" I say before leaving the kitchen, she might as well slap me for not responding to her quickly, she's that crazy. I saw her sitting down in her favorite cushion in the living room and another woman is there too sitting down but I couldn't see her face because she's backing me, but one thing I'm sure of she's someone I'm not familiar with.

"Come and greet your aunt Claire"the witch suddenly said and confusion was written all over my face.

Aunt Claire!!! I definitely remember not having any family member bearing that name but then again I remembered I don't know most of them.

"Oh my God! April you've grown so big, it's been ten years I last saw you " the so called aunt Claire said and I almost rolled my eyes, was she expecting me to remain the same after ten years?!! Definitely not.

"You should greet her" the witch said and I plastered the fakest smile of mine on my face,bending a little as a sign of respect while greeting her

"Good morning aunt Claire" I said and she smiled widely and I almost vomited, I could see something greenish stalked in between her teeth, I wonder if she doesn't brush her teeth at all or see herself in the mirror before leaving the house maybe that would have helped her knowing something was stalked in between her teeth

"Good morning my love"she says looking at me from the top of my head to my toe, I'm definitely not her love though

"Aunt Claire is here to take you with her to England"the witch suddenly said and I tilted my head so fast that I almost got my bone broken.

"Yes, I'm going back to England with you"aunt Claire said and I got sick loosing my stance, I staggered back a little almost crying out loud for someone to explain to me how are we related and why is she taking me out of the country to England I'm not even familiar with!!!

"I'm your mom's elder sister, it's so sad I wasn't able to come back from England to attend her funeral, that's why I came back here to come and take you, don't worry about your schooling or any other thing, it's going to be well taken care of"aunt Claire said and I remembered the first time the witch showed up on my face when my mom just died seven years ago, she told me the same thing, telling me how she's going to take care of me but she did the complete opposite after trusting her, she turned me into her maid and right from that moment my trust issues started growing so fast.

"You should be glad"the witch said, yeah I should be glad I'm not begging in the street right? since the only parent of mine I have ever known is gone "when are you leaving?"the witch asked directing the question to aunt Claire.

"I've some things to sort out here cause I don't know when I will visit America again, it shouldn't take more than a week"aunt Claire said and smiled at me, her smile is creeping me out or maybe it's just my trust issues eating me up.

"You can go back to the kitchen"the witch said and I went straight back to the kitchen, I sat on the nearest available stool and I could see my hands shaking fervently. I'm scared and I hate that feelings, I don't know why I feel like I'm going to get betrayed again. I didn't know when a tear escaped my eyes, I wiped it away with the back of my hand standing up, well it's not like I'm having it great here anyways, I might as well try a new environment out, I thought and continue washing the plates I was busy washing before I was called to the sitting room.

***

I took my old school bag, I checked inside it making sure I'm not forgetting anything. I slip it on my back and head to school with my empty stomach as always, I'm used to it now. I was walking slowly when I saw a familiar figure waving at me, I slowly smiled. It's Elena the only friend I have in school or let's say in the world,she's the only one I'm closest with

"You look grumpy"she said jogging over to meet me,her auburn hair was busy flying, I always admire her hair and how silky it is but she always say she loves my black hair and how dark it is, to me my hair is just plain and did I forget, she hypes everything even things that doesn't worth the hype but I just go along with her most times and then sometimes I argue with her when I have the energy to.

"You're so silent"she said again and I realized my mind have taken me somewhere far away again

"I'm not feeling too good"I said remembering the event that happened the previous day, I didn't know when aunt Claire left, I remember coming back to the living room and she wasn't there, it was just the witch and her daughter

"What's wrong with you? Are you hungry? I brought something extra for the both of us"Elena said and I gave her a grateful smile, that's one of the reason I love her. She always thinks about me and sneak out food for me, I can't be grateful enough to have her as a friend, she's very supportive

"You won't believe it"I said picking her interest

"Try me" she said and I sighed halting my steps, I turn to look at her and I can see curiousness written all over here face.

"I'm moving out soon" I said and she chuckled

"New York?"she asked and my shoulder sagged

"No not New York"I replied, I'm not sure how to break the news to her

"Where in America?"she asked and I got all emotional instantly, I'm already missing my best friend

"Not America"I said a tear escaping my eyes

"For God's sake where?!"she asked couldn't contain her curiosity anymore

"England "I replied with a very low tone, I wondered if she heard me

"England ?"she asked in an unbelievable manner, she chuckled taking a step away from me

"are you kidding, tell me it's a big joke"

"I wish, I seriously wish so"I said and she took another step away from me and I knew at that instance that things is about getting ugly.

"What the fuck April?! What about all our plans? What about us sharing apartment in university and finally you out of her house and she out of your life"Elena said and I broke into tears, I remember us planning a lot out, I know it all,I didn't forget anything

"I don't have any control over this Elena,you of all people knows that."I said and she chuckled dryly, I can see how furious she is

"All my plans revolves around you April"she says shaking her head and I saw a tear betraying her and falling down from her eyes

"I don't mean this to happen trust me,I know everything we planned but this is definitely out of my control "I said and she gave me a look that could kill

"You're seventeen for fuck sake!"she shouted and started walking away

"Elena!!"I called her trying to walk over and meet up with her

"Don't! I need my space"she said and I stopped chasing her, I saw her walk away and my heart tightened. This is not how I expected this to go, this wasn't the reaction I expected to get from her, I know it's not going to be easy for her cause I'm the only friend she got and it's not going to be easy for me too cause she's the only one I have but she should have also known that it's hard for me the way it's hard for her and I literally have no control over how I want to live my life.

I made my way inside the school looking around thinking about the fact that I won't be seeing this building again soon and I will be surrounded with different kinds of people I'm not familiar with. I took my seat and Elena wasn't here, we seat together always but this time around she's sitting somewhere far away,near to the window side of the class and who said nothing hurts more than break ups, her reaction is killing my soul but yeah she needed space and I'm giving her that.

****

The bell was rang and I saw everyone leaving the class, I just sat on my seat too tired to stand up and go back home, I keep on thinking about how my life in Korea is going to be, I rested my head on my desk feeling so tired than I've ever been,I felt someone's presence standing beside me and sat up immediately,it was Elena. I don't know what to do I just stood up hugging her and she hugged me back, we couldn't control our emotion anymore and bursted into tears

"I'm going to miss you" she said in between her tears

"I will miss you more trust me"I said breaking the hug

"When are you leaving?"she asked

"This weekend"I replied

"Then we have to spend the rest of the days meaningful"she said and I smiled

"Yes Elena"I said and we both smiled. We held each other's hand leaving the school compound when she suddenly broke the silence

"Who are you leaving with?"she asked

"My aunt I never knew of, seems like my mom have another elder sister"I replied

"Is she nice?"she asked and I went silent trying to recall the little time I spend with her, she doesn't look that bad

"I don't know"I said instead and Elena nodded with understanding, she knows how hard it is for me to trust any soul.

"We should go to the mall tomorrow,bills on me what do you think?"she asked and I nodded yes

"you better wear that pink shirt I got for us"

"Yes I will my queen"I said and we both bursted into laughter

"I will miss you so much"she suddenly said

"I will miss you more"I replied and gave her a knowing smile and we continue walking hand in hand,in silence both of us occupied by our own thoughts

Elena reached her house first as usual, I waved her goodbye as she entered her house, I continue walking until I sighted the familiar building I live in, I enter the house going for the main door when I heard Hope's voice, the daughter of the witch and also she's a witch herself

"How can you let aunt Claire take her, who is going to do all the chores?!"she shouted, oh I forget to mention how she sit down and wait to get everything done for her,thinking she is a queen or a princess,she never try doing anything herself

"I couldn't say no because she's my elder sister and she have every right like I do to take her responsibility, I was already tired of seeing her around anyways"the witch said

"Then you better get someone else who will do the chores because I'm definitely not going to be the one"Hope said and I suddenly heard someone opening the door, Hope opened the door with force dashing outside, I could see her eyes burning, she saw me on the way and push me before walking away. I sighed heavily before entering the house

"I'm back"I said and the witch look at me and look away immediately, I decided to go to my room when her next words stopped me

"If you don't want to go to Korea, you can tell Claire and you wouldn't have to leave"she said and I almost laughed at the nerves she really got.

She only wants to keep me around because of the chores,she doesn't even have a genuine likeness for me and I'm her younger sister's daughter

"I want to go"I said throwing away the only chance I have to stay back, well I was tired of living with her the way she's tired of me too.

I was expecting her to say something or threaten me to stay but nothing came out of her mouth, she must be really tired of having me around.

I went back to my room, my sanctuary and the only thing and place I can call peace in this house, I throw my bag on the bed getting naked, I stood in front of the broken mirror in my room looking at my body, tears welled up in my eyes, I hate my body so much and it's my biggest insecurity so far, I wonder why I still see it in the mirror when I could just pretend and cover it up with a piece of clothes, I left my room heading to my bathroom, turn on the shower and I closed my eyes,I could live in the shower for years without noticing it,it always gives me peace and washes away my tiredness,I sign letting the cool shower to take over me.

A perfect time to think about Myself and my life.

"April!"I heard Elena's voice, I look around a little before I saw her waving at me at the front of the mall. I smiled and jog over to meet her, she was wearing the pink shirt she talked about the previous day, I was wearing mine too but with a body hug long sleeve shirt inside,she tugged my left hand with hers,she could barely control her excitement

"You're so bubbly ginger"I said calling her the nickname I usually call her due to the color of her hair

"Yes black"she said giggling, she calls me black whenever I call her ginger

"I'm so excited about spending the day with you"she said and I can feel my chest tightening, I'm definitely going to miss her badly. I didn't want to spoil the fun and plastered a fake smile on my face following her inside the mall.

"An ice cream first will do, what do you think?"she asked and I nodded

"With this weather I definitely need something cold"I said and she chuckled.

Well Elena and I decided to skip school and enjoy ourselves,the witch thought I was going to school but well yeah I'm somewhere else with the only person that matters enjoying our time together

"Oh my God!!! Let's get that April!!!"Elena suddenly said her honey brown eyes shining brightly

"What's that?!"I asked looking around

"That shirt"she said pointing to a pair of identical black shirts"bills on me remember don't fret"she said giggling after seeing the expression on my face, I don't know if she's trying to make me feel sad because I'm about leaving her or she's just trying to make good memories of our last days together before I leave the country , it's getting heavier for me and I might get emotional anytime soon and cry my eyes off

"The shirt is nice"I manage to say and she gave me a knowing smile jogging over to where the shirts are hanged, she pull them of the mannequin and paid for it.

"Let's wear this and take pictures"she said,we went inside the changing room changing our shirts. We took pictures with the shirt and also of us licking ice cream together, she dragged me into all the sections in the mall and after three hours I was already tired

"I'm tired Elena"I say and she giggles

"Pooper!!"she says and I chuckled,she always calls me that when I tell her I'm tired of whatever we are doing. Elena always carry this energy around her, she's always cheerful and could go on and on without getting tired but me on the other hands can get tired of things easily

"Let's go back home,I think I need to sleep now"I said and she could see how tired I am, I'm sure she's not ready for us to leave but with the way I looked she just accepted and ask us to leave

****

I was busy scrubbing the living room floor when I heard a knock on the door, tried standing up to open the door but Hope was faster than me,I saw aunt Claire coming inside the living with her fond smile, I wonder if she ever frowns

"April!! You wouldn't mind giving your aunt an hug?"she asked widening her hands,I could see Hope rolling her eyes from the side of my eyes, she's the only one angry about the fact I'm leaving their house soon,seems one person at least knows my value in the house. I stood up wiping my hands at the back of my shirt before going over to hug her.

"That's so nice of you"she said breaking the hug, I never remembered the witch ever hugging me apart from the day she came over to pick me after my mom's death, I was only ten years old and I was so scared that I ran into her arms without thinking, I gave her all my trust immediately and she crushed it without pity

"Where's Helen?"aunt Claire asked, before anyone of us could speak the witch already joined us in the living room. They hugged and I decided to excuse them

"Pack up April, we are leaving together"aunt Claire said and my heart skipped a bit.

I went back to my room pacing up and down I got no phone to call Elena so that I can see her for the last time, I remember her giving me a piece of paper where she write her phone number on three days back asking me to make sure to call her with it when I get to Korea. I quickly look for the sheet of paper and I saw it where I kept it, I really didn't have much to pack, I've few clothes that are not even presentable. I arrange it in my old bag and put the piece of paper in the bag too,I carried my bag outside and I saw the two older women talking, just from seeing them sitting together, the resemblance between the two is so noticeable and one can easily tell that they are sisters.

"You're ready?!"aunt Claire asked and I nodded

"we should get going"

"She's not done scrubbing the floor"the witch said

"Hope can do it, right Hope?"aunt Claire asked and I can see Hope trying so hard to swallow the anger she feels,gritting her teeth together

"Yes"she manage to say and aunt Claire smiled,her smile is really creeping me out.

I hold my bag dragging it out with her,I stopped walking when I was close to the door turning to look at the house I've grown to I've known forever,I look at the witch face and well I can't say I will miss it here, the only person I'm going to miss is Elena and painfully I can't even see her before leaving the country, I know I will be back one day and if I'm not I'm sure she will look for a way to come see me, I turn and saw Aunt Claire looking at me, I smile genuinely at her for the first time since I got to know about her existence She led me inside a car parked inside the compound,seems there was a driver waiting for us,we both entered the back seat of the car and the driver ignited the car engines driving us out of the compound.

"Anything you want to do before we leave?"I suddenly heard aunt Claire's voice and I tilted my head looking at her "anything you want to do before you leave?"she asked again and then I remembered my mom, I wasn't allowed to visit her grave all these years, tears welled up in my eyes and I thought about visiting her before I leave.

I should at least pay my mom a lovely visit before going somewhere far away.