Died to Be Loved
Ever since I can remember, I was Nina's blood bank.
Nina was like a glass princess. One sneeze and she could break. She needed blood all the time just to stay okay.
Mom had her tubes untied just to have me to save Nina.
My arms were always full of needle marks.
Mom and Dad looked at me like they felt bad. "Chloe, you're a good girl. Nina's sick. She doesn't mean it when she gets mad. Be patient with her."
I made myself smile. "I know. You can take more. I'm not scared."
They turned away and cried.
I thought if I stayed good and didn't complain, they'd love me someday.
Then I won first place in a painting contest.
Nina ripped the bandage off her hand and started crying. "Why are you showing off? Why am I the sick one? I hate you!"
Mom shoved me to the ground. "Your sister can't even go to school. What are you bragging about some dumb paper for? How can you be this mean? Why couldn't you be the sick one?"
Dad carried Nina out. He didn't look at me.
I ran after the car all the way to the hospital. I only heard the doctor say, "Without a full blood replacement, she won't make it three months."
I looked at my arm.
'Nina, please don't hate me anymore. If I give you my life, will that be enough?'