A smile always decorated Liberty's face at the break of a new dawn. There was always a reason to face the world with brightness, even on those dark and grey days - her sister was all the reason she needed. However, with the guilt she felt for the forbidden feelings she suddenly developed, for the first time in her life, she dreaded the new day. She dreaded leaving her bed. She lay awake throughout the night thinking about her conversation with Dr Mors and after talking to Cleo, it became clearer that her feelings for Jason were special and it was even more burdensome. This whole time she was blind to her own behaviour; the smile that sneaked its way to her face when she saw him or the distinct worry that pricked her heart when he was sad or her jittered heart when he joked about her being his first love. She looked at the snow globe she got as a gift from him, and her chest suddenly weighed heavy - those were things she never felt before, "Did it always make me feel this sad?", she sighed sadly
The thought of seeing him at the hospital was reason enough for her to call in sick, but she had no choice. She sighed and dragged herself out of bed, she would have to find a way to deal with all these unwanted feelings.
Her stomach knotted even more upon seeing the call from her sister,
with hesitation, she picked up and was greeted by a very enthusiastic Stella, "Sis!", she squealed making her flinch from the ear-drum bursting pitch tone. Stella had been gloomier lately, and her liveliness relieved her heart. Not wanting to ruin her mood, she contemplated whether she should bring up Jason or wait for her to bring it up,
"Why are you happy suddenly?? Did something happen?", she asked hoping to mask her nervous tone
Stella blushed, "No...I just woke up feeling good about myself...but what's up with you? You are usually the one with the energy...", she could feel her chest tighten even further at her concerns and her shame worsened, her sweet sister was concerned about her while her, on the other hand, was busy crossing the line with her fiance.
She drifted back to Jason and blurted anxiously, "I met your fiancé yesterday..." Stella's mood suddenly dampened and all the life in her voice faded, just like Jason when he spoke about her. Liberty's interest was suddenly piqued,
"Oh...sorry. I didn't expect such a reaction—" she couldn't resist, "The thing is...he's staying at our hospital, and we met by chance."
"By chance, you say...", she said sounding doubtful with a hint of annoyance, unknowingly making her sister want to explain herself,
"Yeah. I swear. Milo will be coming to stay with him today. You should come too-", she said, and Stella sighed, "Fine. I will come."
Despite her vulgar emotions, Liberty couldn't help but be concerned for her sister. Both their behaviour was not that of a young couple going through a rough patch. She could sense resentment buried deep within Stella's words while Jason sounded guilty, which made her conclude that Jason may have wronged her sister, "Stella, are you okay?", she asked,
"Yes, I am fine...", She said with the same distressed tone.
"Oh, it's just that I mentioned him and you became sad- I didn't expect it from someone who's engaged. Had he perhaps wronged you at some point?". She couldn't understand why they both wanted to settle if they harboured such sadness at the mention of each other's names,
Stella chuckled suddenly, "I am fine. I am just sad that he got himself hurt...again. He should really take care of himself. If he carries on like that, he will get kicked out of the team. I get he's rich, but he should really stop being reckless-", she halted upon realising that she was saying more than needed to be said, "...anyway....I will come to see him after tomorrow-"
Through all of this, Liberty sensed no love from her sister, "Are you happy, Stella?"
Her question took Stella back, "What do you mean? Of course, I am-"
"I didn't know you were using mother's surname....could I ask the reason for that."
She darkened with guilt, how could she confess that the surname she so loves is a hindrance in her career? It doesn't suit her as well as McKenzie and she gets treated better as a McKenzie, "Just for a short while...okay? I will change it back...I promise...", she sighed,
"I am not angry...I just wanted to know the reason behind it. You don't have to change it if you don't feel like it....", Liberty said trying to mask the disappointment in her voice,
A tear rolled down Stella's face. Life had not been as rosy as she anticipated. Things only became harder the more she achieved and fought. In fact, it was only last night that for the first time in a while, she was able to feel secure.
"I promise I will tell you...", she simply said unable to mask the trembles in her voice,
Liberty's heart broke. Here she was obsessing over meaningless emotions while her sister was suffering. She didn't have to say much, she recognised that tone. That was her tone when she was at the supermarket. The tone of desperation, the tone of wanting to escape an everyday hell - the tone of not having a choice but to show up every day, but things will be different for Stella because she'll never let her feel like she has no choice.
"You know Stella..if it gets too hard. You can take a break. I will take care of you. I love you more than anything ...", she said. At that moment, she wished nothing more than to embrace her little sister, to let her know everything will be okay.
Despite her hurting heart, Stella managed to chuckle, "I am glad you haven't changed", unlike her, her sister was still kind and selfless, "But sis, how will you take care of me...you are not even working-"
"I will find a way...I always do.", she said adamantly,
Stella laughed slowly untightening the pressure in her chest, "I knew you would say something like that. Don't worry, I am sure things will get better after the exam. ..if it doesn't, I will come running to you.", of course things will get better, she had become more ambitious and willing to do whatever it took to get where she needs to be, for both herself and her sister - she will do whatever it takes.
Liberty smiled, "Okay. Remember - you have options.", something she wished she had heard while working at the supermarket and hearing her delightfully smile on the phone, only made her stand firm on her decision. How could she have been blind to her sister's sadness?