TWO

Mum is the only one I know who can do this. She's the only one who teases me about flowers since she knows how much I despise them. Annoying! She was no longer funny for constantly pestering me.

I took the flowers and tossed them into the garbage next to the window. From where I was, I could see Mum in her garden. She was organising the pots she had brought from our previous house as well as the ones she recently purchased. Mum has a variety of flowers. There are roses, hibiscus, sunflowers, and orchids and those that I have no idea what they are because they are unfamiliar to me.

She looked at me, and when she noticed that I was gazing at her, she grinned and smiled. She pointed to a hibiscus that was just starting to blossom.

'One day, Mum, you'll wake up to find all your flowers dead because I'm going to pour Clorox on them once I finish poisoning Janel's cats.'

Many people have asked me why I dislike flowers. To be honest, I'm just sick of looking at them. I feel irritated. As I already stated, they were like annoying elves mocking me. So whenever I see flowers, I feel like I've done something wrong again, and they're there to ridicule me, to laugh at me. They were like stuffed animals—ghosts with huge smiles taunting me every day.

As a result, the only things I have on display in my room are paintings and frames with images of animals, homes, and places. Often, beach paintings. But the majority of the items on display in my room are mugs, various varieties of them. There are several sizes, including large, tiny, short, and long. The mugs I have were frequently sent to me by my readers.

I sat down in front of the computer after getting ready to compose another story. In a year, I hope to complete three novels. Here, I devote my time and energy to writing. Because through the novels I create, I can express myself in ways I couldn't show to anyone else.

I started typing, but it appeared that I hadn't yet overlapped since no matter what I started, I didn't like the words that appeared on the monitor. I've been sitting here for a while, but with every line I write, I instantly delete it.

I couldn't think of anything to write, so I decided to simply finish the merch I made for the book signing the next day. I'll also have some freebies for individuals who can't afford to buy things. It's encouraging that some people are pleased with the stories I'm creating, despite the fact that it's all fiction.

I had just gone to bed after getting dressed when Janel called me for dinner, so I went down right away. I discovered that Mum had already prepared marinated squid and fried fish for us. Dad had a burger because he doesn't eat fish at night. He drinks milk before going to bed and does not drink milk after eating fish since it makes him itch.

"How's your book signing, Mia?" Dad asked as we began to dine.

"Everything is going great. I'm gaining more readers as the days go by," I replied, as he nodded and looked at Janel.

"How are your academics going?" he asked her.

"I was under pressure because the semester was drawing to a close. Especially us, the graduating seniors, because we were entrusted with all of the preparations.”

“Hmph! So, what are your college plans?” Dad asked her again.

Janel didn't answer. She looked at me, so I glared at her. 

Dad also looked at me and then sighed. "I won't stop you from doing what you want with your life if it makes you happy, but at the very least, Janel, don't be like your sister, who prioritised writing over going to college and wasted being valedictorian," he said to her, but I know he meant it for me.

‘Seriously, this kid! Because she didn't respond right away, the tables were turned on me.'

"Well, you know how much I dislike soaking in school. I'm not opposed to studying, but what's the point of having a college diploma if all I want to do is write? The fact that I can write, read, and earn money with my talent is all that counts to me. I've already made money, and I still enjoy what I do," I emphasised to both Dad and Mum.

"I understand. That's why I'm not stopping you because that's where you're happy. I'm just saying, what if the day comes when you run out of ideas to write? What if you suddenly don't know what to write because you've already written practically everything you want to write?"

‘Impossible!’ I wanted to respond to Dad, but I opted to keep silent.

“Honey, your dad is just saying it's better if you have a diploma even if it's only a four-year course. Somehow you will also have something available when the day comes that you need it. It's not too late; you're just twenty-two and may still pursue it."

'You are a nursing graduate, Mum, and you even passed the board exam, yet you are still a housewife, and we are your only patients. You, too, did not make use of your diploma.’

"I'll think about it," I said instead of letting my thoughts win, hoping that the discussion wouldn't escalate and that I wouldn't be the bad person again because I voiced an opinion.

"Janel, have you considered anything just in case?" my mother asked my sister.

"Ah, certainly, Mum. I'd like to study fine arts so that I may put my drawing talent to use. Who knew that my sister's profession as a writer would advance much farther? When the time comes, we can work together. Isn't writing novels also a form of art, sister?" She winked at me once.

I only rolled my eyes at her along with a grin. Please understand that I am not resentful of my sister. I simply want to show her that I don't feel what she said, but deep inside, I am glad about what she said because I am her aspiration and desire in life.

"By the way, can you produce comics—your story and Janel's drawing, right?" Mother said.

We both nodded.

“We will not stop you from doing what you want. As long as you always remember—"

"You have to know the limits," Janel and I added to what Dad said.