Mom watched as Dad began eating his breakfast in silence.
The way he lifted the food from the plate and brought it to his mouth was… wrong. There was a stiffness to his movements that I didn't understand. Mom smiled at Dad with quiet, wicked satisfaction.
Then she turned her attention towards Big Brother.
He still had his back to us, seated on the couch as he ate his pastry. Mom took calm, deliberate steps towards him until she hovered at his side. She gently placed her hand on his shoulder—nothing like the way she had done with Dad.
"Son, let's go to the aquarium together, okay?" she said, her voice soothing.
Without turning around, Big Brother grabbed her hand and took it off him. It almost looked rushed, like he wanted it gone as quickly as possible. Still, his voice sounded as detached as ever.
"I don't care. Do whatever you want."
Mom gracefully clasped her hands together. The sound she made wasn't loud or sharp—just precise.
"That's wonderful! Alright then, let's talk about this more when you get back home from school."
She didn't wait for a response.
Mom turned her attention to me.
My heart stopped.
D-did I do something wrong?
Before I could think any further, she crouched down in front of me, her face lighting up.
"Awww, is that the hairstyle I taught you before?" she said warmly. "You look so beautiful!"
I stared blankly at her for a moment as I tried to process what was happening. Is she just... trying to compliment me?
When it finally sank in, a smile spread across my face before I could stop it. I scooted closer to the edge of my seat and leaned towards her.
"Yeah! I worked really hard to do it like you do. Is it good?"
Mom nodded and began patting my head. I closed my eyes and snuggled closer to her, unable to stop a small giggle from slipping out. I felt so light—so relieved.
I was happy. I made her happy.
Her strokes became slower and slower.
Then she stopped.
Hmm? What's wrong?
I opened my eyes.
Everything was exactly the way it should've been. Dad was still eating. Big Brother was still sitting on the sofa. Mom was still smiling at me, warm and affectionate as ever.
That was what terrified me.
Her smile hadn't moved. Not even a little.
"Yes, it's great, Lily," she said gently. "But…"
The rest of her words blurred together. All I could hear was that single word repeating in my head.
"But."
What does she mean, "but"?
Is it not good? Did I mess up?
I watched as her arm lifted, moving slowly toward my face. I shuddered in my seat. My breathing turned shallow, my chest tight as if something invisible was pressing down on me.
W-what is she going to do to me?
Her fingers looked wrong—longer than they should've been, thin and deliberate, like those of a witch.
N-no… Don't touch me!
Her fingers came closer and closer, until they moved past me.
…W-what?
"But, you messed up the braid and clippings a little bit," Mom said calmly. "Here—let me fix it."
Her fingers dug into my hair.
I watched helplessly as she began undoing it. Strands slipped loose and fell down the side of my head, one after another.
No… don't do this!
I dug my nails into my thigh, pain searing under my skin as I struggled to speak.
"W-wait…"
Those words came out weak and thin, barely a sound at all. She had to have heard me—she was right there—
But she didn't stop.
More hair fell forward, brushing against my cheeks, then my eyes, until it blocked my vision completely. I sat there, limp, as everything I worked so hard on unravelled beneath her hands.
"Okay," Mom said pleasantly. "I took it all off. Now we can fix it!"
Those words fell flat in my ears.
She grabbed a handful of my hair and began braiding it—then suddenly stopped.
…what is happening?
Before I could look up, a cold voice cut through the haze in my head.
"We are going to be late. Fix her hair another time."
The sound of his voice snapped me back into my body.
I peeked through the curtain of my hair hanging over my face—and gasped.
Big Brother was standing over us, his hand wrapped firmly around Mom's wrist.
So… that's why she stopped.
Mom turned towards Big Brother, not a single wrinkle present on her face. Her lips parted as if she were about to speak—
But before the words could come out, Big Brother grabbed me by the arm and pulled me off the chair.
"C'mon, lil sis. Let's go."
His grip was rough—but steady. My feet barely found the ground as he pulled me toward the door, my steps clumsy and uncoordinated. Every time I stumbled, he caught me without slowing down.
He slipped on his shoes, crouched to help me into mine, opened the door, and pushed me outside.
We stood outside, motionless, watching as cars and people passed us by, the world moving on like nothing had happened.
It was only then did I realize I could breathe again.
…What the hell just happened?
I took a side glance at Big Brother.
His face looked the same as always, but he let out a long, tired sigh.
"What a pain in the ass…"