Chapter 3

When I opened my eyes again, the pain in my body was gone. I felt incredibly light.

I saw my little self curled up in the nest of my parents' clothes. My face was paper-white. There was a horrific, jagged cut across my neck.

Yet, there was a sweet, peaceful smile on my dead face.

So, this is what death feels like.

But where were Mom, Dad, and Maya?

Why hadn't they come to get me?

Did they still refuse to forgive me for killing them?

Anxiety gripped me. Luckily, because I was light as air now, I could easily glide right out of the house.

The car accident.

Yes, maybe they were still stuck at the crash site.

I floated down the snowy streets, following my memory.

I passed a family laughing and ice-skating on a frozen pond.

I instinctively tried to dodge them, but they ran right through my translucent body.

Suddenly, I stopped.

Through the fogged-up window of a cozy local diner, I saw them.

Under the warm orange lights, Dad and Mom had huge, happy smiles on their faces.

Maya sat between them, wearing a bright red bow in her hair, looking like a perfect little doll.

Dad kept piling ribs and fries onto Maya’s and Mom’s plates, laughing as he took a sip of his beer. They looked like a normal, perfectly happy family of three celebrating the weekend.

Because I couldn't stand the smell of grease and loud restaurant noises, we had never eaten out at a diner together.

Dad had never had a beer in front of me, either.

But I knew Maya loved ribs.

Thank God. They were okay.

I hadn't killed them. And it turned out that without me, they were actually a happy family.

Relieved and content, I floated back home.

My physical body was still lying on my parents' bed.

Blood had splattered across the white walls. The clothes and sheets were soaked in deep crimson.

Mom loved a clean house. And here I was, making such a horrible mess of her room.

I had made Mom angry again.

I instinctively tried to grab the blood-stained clothes to put them in the washing machine, but my hands swept through empty air.

I stood there, frozen, not knowing what to do.

After what felt like hours, the sound of keys jiggling came from the front door.

Dad's hearty laughter echoed through the hall. "I haven't had a weekend this relaxing in years."

Mom’s voice was filled with a rare, lighthearted joy. "I know. It feels like a massive weight has been lifted."

Then came Maya’s sweet, childish voice. "Mom, can we go get ribs more often?"

Mom gently stroked Maya’s hair. "Of course we can, sweetie."

I rushed into the living room.

Dad and Mom were busy putting the leftovers into the fridge.

Maya was holding a small takeout box, carefully placing it on the coffee table.

Their cheeks were flushed pink from the cold, but their faces were glowing with happiness.

After cleaning up, the three of them sat on the couch to watch a comedy show.

Dad suddenly spoke up, his voice dipping. "Megan... do you think we went too far this time?"

The smile on Mom’s face stiffened. She tossed a popcorn kernel into her mouth. "Too far? How?"

"We’ve been home for ten minutes and she hasn't even come out to say hello. She’s probably in there throwing another tantrum."

"You always enable her, David. That’s why she acts out the second things don't go her way."

"If we don't teach her a lesson now, who is going to cater to her fragile ego out in the real world?"

I floated desperately in front of Mom, crying out to her.

"Mom, I know I was wrong! I’m standing right here beside you!"

"I’m not throwing a tantrum!"

But no matter how loud I screamed or how wildly I waved my hands, there was an invisible wall between us.

She couldn't hear or see me at all.

My hands fell to my sides. I sat down quietly in the corner.

Just then, Maya slid off the couch. She picked up the small takeout box, walked over to my bedroom door, and knocked gently.

"Christy, I brought you the steak you wanted."

Silence. There wasn't a sound from inside.

"Christy, it’s Maya. I’m back!"

Maya thought I was just pouting. She called out again in her sweetest, most playful voice.

But after waiting a long time with no response, her lower lip trembled.

"Christy is ignoring me."

My heart ached for my sweet little sister.

"I’m not ignoring you, Maya. I’m right here. I’m right next to you."

Dad walked over, scooped Maya into his arms, and kissed her cheek.

"It’s okay, Maya. Let’s get you to bed first. You can give Christy the steak tomorrow, okay?"

Though slightly disappointed, Maya still flashed a bright smile. "Okay! Tomorrow, I’ll be the first one to say Happy Weekend to Christy!"

"Happy Weekend, Maya," I whispered softly beside her.

After putting Maya to bed, Dad walked back into the living room.

"Christy hasn't come out once. Do you think she's okay?"

"She’s definitely hiding under her covers crying," Mom sighed, rubbing her temples.

"I don't know where she got this dramatic personality. Any little inconvenience and she turns the whole house upside down."

"If she were even half as easygoing as Maya, I wouldn't be losing my mind."

It was true. Maya was an angel. Even as a baby, she slept through the night.

Unlike me. The second I was left alone, I would scream so hard I gasped for air.

A few times, I had cried so violently that I fainted, scaring my parents half to death.

As Maya got older, she was the one who looked after me. She would always give me her favorite toys, even if she wanted to play with them.

Because I was terrified of other kids, she would always walk in front of me at the park, shielding me from everyone else.

Maya was the best sister in the world.

And Mom was right.

Ever since I was born, I had been nothing but a burden to them. It would have been better if I had never existed.

Then, Dad, Mom, and Maya could have been a perfectly happy family every single day—not just on the rare nights they lied to get away from me.

Tears cascaded down my cheeks. I touched my face, realizing for the first time that ghosts could cry too.

Dad, Mom, I’m so sorry. I caused you guys so much trouble.

I knelt beside them, apologizing over and over, but they could no longer hear me.