19!Peace felt like something I had to fight for! 

Sylvia 

I pushed the front door open, nearly dragging my feet inside. Every step felt like I was carrying weights around my ankles. My shift at the hospital had been exhausting. I’d just finished a difficult surgery, one that had tested every bit of focus and energy I had left. It was a very difficult surgery, we had all thought we would lose the patient, thank goodness we didn't. Although everyone was tired, we were so happy at the end of the operation that we had to go for a little celebration. All I wanted now was to kick off my shoes, lie flat on the couch, and maybe cry a little.

But instead of silence and peace, I was met with something else entirely.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

The thundering beat of loud music slammed into me like a brick wall. It was so loud I could actually feel the floor shaking beneath me. I paused in the foyer, closed my eyes, and rubbed my temples. My headache, which had been quietly brewing all day, suddenly flared to life.

Emily.

I sighed. Of course it was Emily. Her music habits were legendary, always too loud, always too wild. Even in a mansion as big as ours, she somehow managed to make sure everyone knew when she was having one of her “moments.” 

Still wearing my scrubs, I walked down the hallway toward the basement stairs, each step heavier than the last. The bass got louder as I descended. The walls vibrated with the rhythm, and I could barely hear my own thoughts. I used my last energy to walk down the basement, I didn't even want to think of how I would walk back up. All I wanted was for the music to be reduced a little.

I reached the basement and spotted Emily sprawled out on the couch, her head bobbing wildly to the music, eyes closed, arms swaying like she was in a trance. She didn’t even notice me.

“Emily!” I called out, raising my voice to be heard. “Can you turn the music down, please?”

She didn’t move.

I stepped closer and touched her arm gently. She opened her eyes and looked at me like I’d just slapped her.

“What’s your problem, Sylvie?” she shouted over the music, frowning. “Can’t handle a little fun?”

I took a deep breath. “It’s not about fun. I just came home from a fourteen-hour shift at the hospital. My head is killing me. I’m just asking you to turn it down a bit.”

She rolled her eyes and stood up, her expression hardening. “You think just because you wear scrubs and walk around all tired, the whole house has to go silent for you? News flash, I also wear a scrub and don't act all tired even after a stressful day at the hospital.” 

I looked at her deeply and scoffed, why the hell would she get tired when she doesn't do much at the hospital, although she was a very talented and skilled doctor, but she has people assisting her in every step of the way, even if it a pen, she doesn't have to search, she had people on stand by to assist her, but I didn't say anything out loud and just replied her. “No,” I said calmly, trying not to snap. “I’m not saying that. I’m just asking for a little consideration.”

Emily laughed, but there was no humor in it. “You always act like you’re so perfect. Like you're the grown-up, the one who knows best. Well, guess what, Sylvie? You’re not. You’re not even my real sister.”

That hit me like a slap. But I kept my face neutral, even though it hurt.

The topic of turning down the volume doesn't even relate to her saying I'm not her real sister. “I know we’re not blood, Emily. But I’m still your family. We live under the same roof. I care about you, even when you act like this.”

“Family?” she scoffed. “Don’t flatter yourself. You’re just a foster kid Dad took in to feel better about himself. You don’t belong here, not really.”

My hands clenched at my sides. Her words stung more than I wanted to admit. I had always known Emily struggled with Dad’s decision to give me responsibility over the business, but hearing her say these things out loud still hit hard. What am I thinking? I knew she would say it plainly one way or the other, it was just a matter of time, especially after everything that has been going on.

“I’m not trying to take anything away from you,” I said softly. “Dad gave me the shares because he trusted me. That doesn’t mean he loved you any less. You're my elder sister, I wouldn't want to take whatever you have willingly, I know how that's feels ”

“Oh, please,” she snapped. “He gave you everything. The company, the attention, the respect. And me? I got stuck playing second to the ‘brilliant foster daughter who became a doctor, like I am also not one, a reputable one at that.’ I’m not stupid, Sylvie. I see the way people look at you. Like you’re some kind of miracle. You always play the victim.”

“Emily,” I said quietly, “this isn’t a competition. You have your own life, your own strengths, I mean you're a very reputable and respectable young doctor.”

“Save it,” she interrupted. “You want me to turn the music down? Fine. But don’t come down here acting like you’re better than me just because you wear a white coat and talk about responsibility today. I haven't caused any issues for you recently, you should be grateful and stay out of my way. You would be safer that way.”

I shook my head, exhausted, not just from the surgery, but from having this same argument again and again. “I’m not trying to act better than you, Emily. I just wanted a little peace and quiet. That’s all.”

She turned away, grabbed the remote, and instead of turning the music down, turned it up, screaming at the top of her voice in order to piss me off more.”

My jaw clenched. I stood there for a moment, staring at her back, listening to the pounding bass that now echoed in my skull like a war drum.

“Forget it,” I muttered, finally turning around and walking away quietly.

I climbed the stairs slowly, the music still following me like a shadow. I could feel tears of frustration prickling behind my eyes, but I didn’t let them fall. I wasn’t going to give her that satisfaction.

As I reached the top of the stairs, I paused for just a second, looking down at the basement below.

I wasn’t angry because of the music.

I was angry because deep down, I wanted her to see me as a sister. As a family. And no matter how hard I tried, it just never seemed to be enough. I always wondered why I seem like a treat to her.

I walked down the hall to my room, shut the door behind me, and leaned against it.

All I wanted was some peace.

But in this house, peace felt like something I had to fight for.