Samuel closed his eyes.
His memories came back slowly, like pieces of a puzzle clicking together. It had been so long since he had thought about that day, the last day he lived a normal life.
The morning sun had just set, phasing through the clouds. A soft and warm wind pushed against the windows, and as they creaked open, the wind swept through his room.
"Brother Samuel, get up!"
Samuel blinked twice, awakening, groggy, his body still buried under his bed covers. Standing by the window was his little sister, Emma. Her long black hair swayed as the wind swept through it. She had a mischievous smile on her face.
"Come on, lazy! You have five minutes to get dressed and come down for breakfast or I swear, I'm giving up on you."
"One more minute promise," Samuel mumbled, face buried in his pillows.
"Nope. If you don't come down now, I won't tell you the number of that girl you've been drooling over, Sarah, my tennis club captain."
Samuel peeked out from under his pillows. "You wouldn't."
"You're bluffing."
"I absolutely would. I already told her you think she's cute. So you better move now." Emma uttered.
Samuel sighed and sat up, rubbing his face. "Fine, fine. I'm up."
"Good." Emma grinned intensely. Her long black hair swayed as she turned to leave. "Mom made curry this morning. Smells so good. Hurry up before Dad finishes all the beef again. You know Dad is a glutton."
"Tell him to leave some for me," Samuel called after her.
"Not my job," she laughed through the hallway.
Samuel stretched backward, then stood up and walked around his room slowly. His room was a bit small but neat. Posters lined on one wall. His desk was cluttered with books and gaming gear. Outside the window, was the sound of birds filtered through.
He stepped into the hallway and made his way downstairs to the bathroom.
After a quick shower, Samuel returned upstairs, dried his hair, and changed into his school uniform. The blazer felt a little tighter than before.
Maybe I was growing again, Samuel thought in his head.
Then he came back down,
"Morning," he exclaimed as he entered the kitchen.
His mom turned from the kitchen cabinet, smiling. "Good morning, sweetheart. You slept late."
"Blame Emma," he muttered. I stayed up all night helping her with her mathematics assignment because she was on a video call with her girlfriend.
"But She's the one who woke you up," his dad uttered, from the dining table, newspaper in one hand, glass of orange juice in the other hand.
Samuel explained while sliding into his seat. "She weaponized blackmail."
Emma walked in with a piece of beef in her mouth. "Worked, didn't it?"
His mom placed a plate of steaming curry and rice in front of him. "Eat up before it gets cold."
"Thanks, Mom," Samuel uttered with warm eyes.
Emma was already on her seat, plate half empty. "You were seriously gonna sleep through curry rice? What's wrong with you?"
"Not everyone is born a demon like you," Samuel replied back.
Dad chuckled. "Come don't call your sister names."
They ate slowly, talking in between bites.
"So Emma, how's school?" their mom asked.
"Well, It's fine. We have tennis practice after class today. Coach says I'm improving." Emma uttered.
"She's just trying to impress Michael," Samuel teases her.
"Ah, who's Michael"? Mom asked in the moment.
"It's her crush," Samuel uttered with a grin on his face.
Emma blushes and proceeds to roll her eyes. "You wish. I have more important things to think about" intensely Stuttering.
"By the way son, you're 18 birthday is today right, do you want me to get you anything when I come back from work?" Dad questioned while eating.
"That's right Big brother I forgot it was your birthday today, well I don't have any gifts to give you, so happy birthday brother Samuel," Emma uttered tilting her head with a cute smile.
Samuel blushes. "Thanks."
The table filled with laughter. It was warm, ordinary, and peaceful. Samuel didn't know it would be the last time they'd all sit together like that.
When he finished his plate, Samuel stood up and grabbed his school bag.
"Thanks for breakfast, Mom, and Dad. I'm heading out now."
His mom walked over, wiping her hands on a towel. Then She brushed his collar and smiled.
" Happy birthday dear, made extra food just for you."
"Thanks, Mom," Samuel exclaimed softly.
"Don't forget your lunch. And walk your sister to school. No detours, And don't get in trouble again."
"That was one time, and I wasn't even the one who started it," Samuel responded with his cheeks out.
She pinched his cheek lightly. "I know. Just stay safe."
"I will," Samuel exclaimed.
Emma joined him at the door, throwing on her backpack. "Let's go, slowpoke."
Samuel chuckled with his hands on his face. "Race you to the gate."
Then they stepped out into the sunlight, the sky a clear blue. Birds chirped in the nearby trees. Samuel breathed it all in.
"You know," Emma responded as they walked, "Sarah has been asking about you lately."
Samuel looked at her sideways. "Seriously?"
Emma nodded. "She said you're cute. A little shy. But still cute."
Samuel blushed. "That's... I mean, really?"
Emma laughed out loud. "You're so easy to mess with."
Samuel groaned. "You're the worst."
"I'm the best," she replies with a grin.
Samuel sighed softly. "Drop it."
"She might like you, you know," Emma uttered.
"She's just two years older than you."
"Age is just a number," Samuel responded
"Please stop, Eww" Emma declared.
They turned into a corner and spotted a few classmates.
"Yo, Samuel! Emma!" a boy waved.
"Hey, Yuto," Samuel waved back.
They fell into step together, chatting about last night's games, upcoming tests, and what lunch options the school had that day. More classmates joined in as they walked, forming a noisy, familiar crowd.
The School building came into their view, very large, The gate was open. Students gathered in the courtyard, chatting, some hurrying to their classrooms.
As they reached the school entrance, Samuel was tapped on the shoulder.
"Samuel, can you help me with something before class?"
It was Mr. Hayama, my Classroom teacher. He held a box of folders.
I need your help organizing some paperwork before homeroom."
"Sure, no problem," Samuel replied.
Emma waved. "I'll see you later big brother. Don't let him boss you around too much."
"Heard that," Mr. Hayama uttered with a grin.
"See you after class," Emma continues to wave, before breaking off toward the first-year wing.
"Don't bully anyone," Samuel called after her.
"God this girl." Samuel exhaled deeply.
Started following his teacher toward the office. As he walked, he glanced over his shoulder. Emma was already talking to her classmates, smiling, and full of energy. Like always.
Samuel let out a little smirk.
When finished helping, he looked at the clock.
9:00 a.m.
He turned toward the window.
The school bell rang.
RANG RANG!