30 Baby Steps (1/2)

The muscles in Lyra's entire body went stiff and she stopped breathing altogether. Even the loud rotor above them suddenly faded in the background as her ears rang and the world around seemed to spin. She could go sick from the nauseous feeling that overcame her at the moment.

Angela shifted in her seat before bending her neck to check if her sister was okay.

”What's with that look? I'm actually very happy to know that you care so much about your brother-in-law!” the older twin beamed.

Lyra let out a deflated laugh as her vision adjusted once more.

”Great! I was scared that the island incident made it weird between you two. When I ask him about it, he just says everything is fine, but you seemed to be giving him the cold shoulder so I thought you didn't like him.”

[I gave him the cold shoulder because I liked him too much…]

But that was in the past.

The younger sibling leaned forward and surprised Angela with a long hug.

[Yes. Despite everything, Kurtis always looks out for me one way or another. Perhaps it's because of the island incident or because I'm Angela's sister or even as a friend, I know he cares about me. However, it is my fault for letting his actions lead me astray. It was my fault for falling for him.]

”Is everything okay?” Angela questioned, switching roles to be the comforter.

[He only ever was himself, seeing me as someone who needed a little more guidance like a leaning plant needing some extra support to continue to grow up. I fell for him because he was the first to support me after such a long time of getting by alone. He made me feel special…]

The younger twin nodded confidently.

[And it's never easy to let go of the first person to make you feel a certain way…]

There was no need for Angela to be concerned. Her twin was in no need of comforting.

[But eventually, the plant won't need guidance to know to grow towards the sunlight. It'll be fine on its own.]

Lyra looked at her reflection and smiled.

”I like him. He's a great person and a wonderful brother-in-law.”

Those words felt good coming out, but upon hearing Lyra's honest words, Angela broke down into tears.

”I know right!” the older twin exclaimed between sobs. ”I'll try to talk to Kurt more!”

The younger sis didn't understand why Angela was getting so emotional or how her words fit in the context of the situation, but in that moment, she also felt tears streaming down her cheeks.

[I've been trying so hard to forget him that I was only pressuring myself to prove that I have moved on. But that's just me and my one-sided feelings again. I'm telling Angela to talk to Kurtis, but I think I also need a few words with him to get things straight.]

The girl rummaged through her bag and took out some tissues for both of them to dry their eyes. It was strange handing her twin a napkin because it had been so long since she saw her cry.

The last time Lyra did see her cry was during the summer of their parents's accident when Dev Andrews moved away. He stayed by Angela, his girlfriend at the time, to the very last minute before his school semester started. The night he left, the strong and independent Angela cried her eyes out, crying harder than at her parents' funeral.

Dev was a support pillar to both sisters and with his absence, life suddenly became tougher. It was as if three family members left at once. However, Angela was hit harder with him moving away.

Lyra offered the last tissue to Angela who took it willingly because it was obvious who needed it more. When she stopped bawling, she asked Lyra why she was giggling.

”Your mascara…” she said, half pointing and half covering her mouth from laughing too loudly.

Angela brought her phone up to see her reflection and was immediately struck with horror. This caused Lyra to burst out laughing and successfully spreading the laughing bug to her sister. Both of them held onto their stomachs laughing and rolling around in their seats that the pilot had to kindly ask them to be mindful of swaying the air vehicle too much.

”Feels nice…” Angela said as she finally regained her breath. ”Talking to you feels nice…”

Wiping a tear, her twin produced a big smile as well. ”I miss us.”