Chapter 1
Do you know what it’s like to be invisible?
Not the type of invisibility where you cannot physically see the other person... if such a concept truly existed. But the type where, even though you’re the top A student, the one with the most achievement, you’re constantly asked if you’re ″new″?
The type of invisibility where your science partner of 3 years still forgets your name. Or even better, the group projects? yeah, that’s just me, me and also me.
″Çiljeta, can you stop with the annoying scribble and come over here?” My mother’s impatient voice broke my inner monologue, pulling me into my bleak reality. I shoved my book back into my bag, dragging myself to where she was.
“Honestly, have you tried shopping with them now?” she huffed on the phone, rummaging her manicured hands through the clearance racks. She continued to faff about how hard it is to shop for clothes for a;
“40 year old daughter that is ungrateful.”
Her words exact, playing in real time. I rolled my eyes at her exaggeration - I’m literally turning 20 in a few months? I stopped questioning her exaggerations, landing my hands clutched on top of a random clothing, moving it back and forth in the rack so she would think I was putting some effort into ″clothes shopping.″
“Dafina?” a woman’s voice shouted from somewhere behind, pulling both my mother’s and mine attention.
“No-” mother dragged out her no, her mouth gasped open in shock. Excitement quickly taken over all emotions that were briefly present. I turned my slumped shoulders to the side, scanning the area to see who the mysterious woman was.
“Valmira, where have you been!” My mother fussed, as they both leaned to greet each other with pecks at their cheeks.
Aunt Vali, my mum’s best friend of too many years to count. The friend who got up and left the small town of Roseindale after marrying her rich boyfriend.
The woman I inspire to be.
I moved closer behind my mother, waiting for my turn to greet aunt Vali. My time came around once they shared their long greetings filled with constant kisses and tight hugs.
“Oh little Çiljeta!” She awed with a pouted lip and arms out wide. I smiled in return, getting closer to her and interlocking ourselves in a tight hug.
“How have you been little pumpkin?” She questioned, squeezing me just a little more. Before I could even answer, she pulled away - arms length - studying my face with a smile still plastered on her face.
“I’ve been good, thank you,” I politely said. She rose her shoulders up and smiled even brighter, pinching my cheeks hard and saying something along the lines of;
“Oh you sweetheart”
Under her minty breath. I nodded and smiled politely, moving to the side to allow them both to catch up after a while of not seeing each other. My heart pounded uncontrollably against my chest as I looked around the store
“Can’t believe you’re still thinking about him,” I thought to myself, but the selfish feeling of wanting him here won over all the logical thinking. As if she could read my mind, Aunt Val chuckled, whispering in my ear.
“He’s in the car, sweetheart,” She pulled back and gave me a little wink. My eyes widen; how could she possible know? My mother on the other hand was too busy gushing about some nonsense.
•·················•·················•
“That was nice,” mum broke the silence in the car.
“Its been a while since Valmira came, and I heard great thing --” she continued to ramble about whatever gossip they spoke about back in the shop. My mind wandered off to another place, far away from this city.
“Are you listening to me?” she snapped me back from my failed daydream. I grunted in annoyance, I can’t even sit in the car and have some peace.
“Yes, mum,” I looked at her with brows furrowed and a slight pouted lip. She gave me a quick glance, and huffed. I heard a few mutters under her breath, whilst she continued to drive us home. The silence was consuming the air, making it hard to stay quiet without some sort of distraction. I reached over the dashboard turning on the radio.
‘Well Mels, it is true!’
The radio host exclaimed with excitement laced around her words.
‘The band is coming to Roseindale, what a refreshing thing to hear-’
A ungodly throaty scuff left my mouth, my eyes rolling around in my head, my heart fluttering in my chest as the annoyance boiled up within. I shook my head and looked over at my mother, who’s expression was unreadable.
“Nothing good ever comes to town-” I started to complain, wanting to add more to my annoyance speech, when the host stated the most shocking word ever, one that would make my complaining ass shut up.
‘Yes, you heard it here first, Sinner’s Heart is coming to town for a long break get away!’
I couldn’t contain my thrill; eyes wide open, lower jaw practically on the dirty car floor, heart racing. Life was about to become interesting. I was about to meet the best, freaking band ever. I looked over to my mother, who gave me glances. I saw her pursed lip smile, nodding her head.
“Shut the f--” I shouted only half the sentence, as my mother chimed in, waving her finger in the air.
“Front door!”
“Finally something good is happening in town,” I smiled, leaning back into the car seat, with a loud impressive sigh of relief. Maybe this year won’t be so bad? My mind wandered back to Aunt Valmira, if she was here - and she clearly said he was here too - I can’t help but think what this year will turn out to be like? I haven’t seen him since year 11. And now with university starting again, a part of me hopes he will stay, be there again. Even if it has been almost 4 years since we last spoke. I hope he remembers that night.
