She’s the Star, I’m the Ghost

"You're still not ready?"

It was my mother’s voice.

Sharp. Impatient.

Just like I remembered.

I turned slowly toward the door.

There she was—still young, still beautiful. Dressed in her usual soft pastel blouse, hair perfectly tied, makeup light but flawless. Her eyes landed on me, and for a moment… I hoped.

I always used to hope.

But it passed.

She didn’t look at me like a mother seeing her daughter.

She looked at me like an inconvenience.

“Don’t make Silvia late again,” she said flatly. “I don’t want her getting anxious on audition days.”

Ah. So today’s an audition day.

Of course it is.

I looked down at my school uniform. It felt too clean. Too new.

Just like I used to be. Before the years tore me apart.

Downstairs, I heard my father's voice—laughing.

He never laughed like that with me.

And Silvia’s voice—sweet and high-pitched—echoing like music in their ears.

I brushed my hair in silence.

Tied my shoelaces.

Not because they told me to.

Because I needed time to think.

The kitchen smelled like toast and eggs.

I stepped inside and stood by the doorway, watching.

Silvia was already dressed in a cute pink skirt, twirling a spoon in her cereal like a princess. My father handed her a glass of orange juice with a smile that melted me once.

“Good luck today, sweetheart,” he said, ruffling her hair. “Remember, you’re already a star.”

She giggled. “I know, Daddy!”

My mother walked over and kissed Silvia’s head.

No one noticed me.

Not until my brother came down.

He glanced at me once and muttered, “You’re in the way.”

Then walked past, stealing the toast meant for me.

I used to flinch. Apologize. Step aside.

Not today.

I didn’t move.

He looked back. “What?”

I met his eyes. Cold. Unblinking. “Nothing.”

He scoffed and walked off.

I sat down quietly and picked up my spoon.

No one said good morning.

No one asked how I slept.

Just like before.

Only this time… I wasn’t hoping for anything.

I watched them.

Smiling, chatting, fussing over Silvia.

A picture-perfect family.

And me?

The background blur.

But deep down, behind my calm face…

I smiled.

Because I remembered how this story ends.

And this time… I won't be the girl who gets erased.

I finished my breakfast in silence.

No words. No warmth.

I didn’t offer my eggs to my brother like I used to, desperate for scraps of approval.

I just ate.

When I stood up and headed for the door, no one stopped me.

“I’m leaving,” I said, grabbing my bag.

“Walking alone again?” my mother called from the kitchen. “Is this another tantrum?”

“She’s being dramatic again,” Silvia chimed in. “Ignore her, Mommy.”

No one cared why I was going.

No one asked if I was okay.

They never did.

Outside, the wind was cool against my skin.

I used to cry during these walks—quiet tears, hidden under long sleeves and forced smiles.

Not today.

My steps were steady.

My thoughts, louder than the traffic.

How do I escape this family?

How do I run before they sell me again?

Because they would.

I knew that now.

They once gave me away like I was nothing—to an old man, a monster hiding behind a producer’s title—just to protect Silvia’s future.

And when I tried to save myself…

The truck didn’t miss.

But this time…

I was twelve again.

Alive. A second chance.

And I wouldn’t waste it begging for love.

When I reached school, students buzzed through the hallways.

Laughter, footsteps, the clang of lockers.

Then I saw her.

Silvia.

Flanked by her usual orbit of friends—girls with shiny clips and glitter pens—laughing like she ruled the world.

She spotted me instantly.

Her eyes lit up with that familiar gleam—mischievous, cruel, curious.

She stepped forward, voice sweet as syrup.

“Aw, you walked to school alone?” she asked. “Did Mommy finally give up on you?”

I kept walking.

She tilted her head. “Don’t worry, sis. Not everyone can be the favorite.”

I used to smile.

Used to try so hard.

Not anymore.

I walked right past her.

And for the first time in years, she didn’t know what to say.

Inside the classroom, seats were nearly full.

Only one remained.

Back corner.

Right beside him.

Raiyan.

Tall. Intimidating. Always alone.

Rumors clung to him like a second skin—he’d punched a senior, broken a teacher’s chair, scared a kid into silence. No one dared sit beside him.

But there were no other seats.

And to be honest? He was safer than Silvia.

Safer than my brother.

Safer than the parents who gave me away.

He was just a boy with a scary face.

That made him a relief.

He was asleep, arms folded, head resting back against the wall.

I walked over.

Sat down beside him.

Didn’t ask. Didn’t hesitate.

Gasps.

Whispers.

Stares.

“She’s crazy.”

“She’s sitting with him?”

“She must want to die…”

Let them talk.

I opened my notebook.

Focused on the blank page.

And started to think.

I need a plan.

I need freedom.

I need… out.

Behind me, Silvia’s voice came again—low and mocking.

“She’s just doing it for attention.”

I gripped my pen tighter.

Let her think that.

Let them all think what they want.

Because the quiet girl they used to ignore?

She’s dead.

This one…

This one’s watching.

And one day…

She’ll walk away for good.

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