XVI. July 26th, 1989

Mira's POV:

I was fast asleep inside the airplane. Pregnancy really takes a toll on the body, and I'm constantly sleepy.

I hate it because then I'd dream about Lucianus.

Except this dream is different from the other ones.

I grabbed my clothes, and with my hair scattered all over my face, I struck for the exit.

"Mira!" Lucian rushed out of the room, struggling to pull his pants, "I know you're upset, but why don't we sit down and take a deep break-"

I threw my body around, and with a crazy look on my face, I screamed: "Don't you fucking dare tell me to take a deep breath!"

"My Love-"

"Don't-" I put a finger in front of his face. "Don't you try to, my love, this situation." I cannot believe he's trying to ease what happened by calling me my love with his stupid, sexy accent. "Well, go ahead. Take away my memory. Leave. You got enough fucking last night, didn't you?"

He reached for my shoulders, but I stepped away, "Mira, I didn't return your memories to do whatever it is that you're thinking."

"You mean you didn't return it to taunt me?"

"Why would I do that?" He asked.

"I don't know!"

He exhaled, "Mira, I returned your memories because I miss you." He holds my shoulders, and when I allowed him to touched me, he took a step closer. He tilted my head up, "Miss us."

I turned my head to the side and laughed, "Really? Because from how I see it, you're back for your little fuck toy. And when you're sick of her-" I snapped my fingers in front of his face, "there you go. Why should I feel bad when she doesn't remember a single damn thing, and if I want, she won't know for the rest of her life."

More than anger.

He shakes his head, "That's not true."

I feel frustrated.

I slap off his hands, "Prove it. Tell the world about me."

Not towards him.

His lips twitch, "You know I can't do that."

But, myself.

"Then, fuck off."

When I opened my eyes, I noticed the flight attendant staring at me with a crazy smile. I got up, and the small blanket fell off my body. "May I help you?"

"We were wondering if you'd be so kind as to change seats with this young man."

I look up at the young man behind him.

"I'm sorry, but-"

"I'm in first class," the man said, leaning down. "I kind of met this girl," he whispered, tilting his head over.

The girl smiled at me.

"Oh- um- okay."

"Thank you," he mouthed.

I gathered my items and followed the flight attendant to first class. When I looked back, the couple was exchanging smiles. The things a man would do to get a woman.

On my way to my new seat, I wiped off the sweat from my body.

When I got to my new seat, I flopped down and exhaled. I rested a hand on my stomach and tilted my head to the window.

In less than six hours, I'll see my family at the airport. They'll give me tight hugs and ask me how my vacation was. Maybe they'll ask me what happened to Asena if they saw the incident on TV.

Afterward, I'll make an appointment at the clinic and request an abortion. They'll probably ask about the father's thoughts, but I'm pretty sure he doesn't care.

When the plane landed, I staggered down the small aisle until I got out. I shake off the dizziness, but it proves to be ineffective. With my back against the wall, I pull out a bottle of pills and chuck two with water.

By the time I reached the conveyor belt, it was dark outside. I could only hope someone was out there for me. When my luggage arrived in one piece, I exhaled and grabbed it.

I rolled the luggage towards the exit, hoping someone was present. When I saw a familiar face, I rushed to him, "Steven!"

Steven smiles, "Hey! You're alive!"

I punched his arm, "I knew you'd want me dead!"

He hangs an arm over my shoulders, "Let's go."

"Where is mom and dad?" I asked.

"Oh, um- they're working a bit late."

I exhaled, "Ah, yes. Their daughter has been gone for almost two months, and they decided to take OT."

"It was an emergency."

"Always an emergency." I smack my lips.

"At least your big brother is here." He opens the trunk, "With a ride and a nice meal at your favorite fast food joint."

"Nice."

He throws the luggage in the trunk, and together, we drive to get some unhealthy burgers.

"How's Bulteria?"

"It's quite...adventurous."

"Didn't you go with Asena and Dawn?" He asked.

"Yeah."

"I didn't see them. Did they get picked up early?"

"They um- extended their vacations." Maybe forever.

Steven chuckles, "They met someone, didn't they?"

It sounds like Steven hadn't heard of what happened on the other side of the world.

"Unlike you," I sing.

He exhaled, "Why do you have to bring that up?"

"Does it make you feel upset?"

"Yes."

"Perfect. I've done my duties."

He shakes his head, "Tell them to be careful of those guys. You don't trust foreigners."

When we got to the drive-in, Steven ordered my favorite meal and paid for it. I hummed alongside the radio until we got to the pickup section. The scent struck my senses, and I held back the vomit that desperately wanted to appear. Steven grabbed the greasy bag. "Thanks, man." When he handed it to me, I stared at it.

"Here," he says.

Hesitantly, I grabbed the bag.

Steven laughs, "What's wrong? By now, you'd tear the bag apart."

I chuckled awkwardly before I grabbed the bag. With Steven's suspicious eyes set on me, I grabbed a fry and forced it into my mouth. I dug my nails deeply into my palms to prevent myself from throwing up.

The whole car ride feels like a punishment for the vacation I've overindulged in. By the time we got to the house, I excused myself to the bathroom and threw up everything I'd eaten. Seeing the fries inside the toilet, mushed with questionable yellow liquids, makes me want to throw up even more.

Steven knocked on the door, "You okay in there?"

"Yeah!"

"You sure?"

"Yeah!"

By the time I was done and properly cleaned with a shower, I left the bathroom to see Steven downstairs in his usual spot. I grabbed a bottle of low-percentage alcohol and sat beside him. We clank bottles.

"Great summer so far," I said.

He chuckles, "You'll see soon-" his eyes didn't leave the screen, "the best thing in life is the simple things."

I sink the bottle into my mouth and allow the alcohol to burn my throat, "You sure nothing happened?" he asked.

"Nope."

"You know you can tell me."

I smirk, "Just like how you tell me everything?"

"Big brothers are supposed to help their little siblings, not the other way around."

I grabbed the blanket and pulled it over my legs, "Learn how to lean once in a while, bro. It makes life easier."

"Oh, someone brought back a little life philosophy from their vacation," he teases me, "At least you brought back something."

I rolled my eyes, placed the bottle down, and got off the couch. Quickly, I ran upstairs and unzipped the luggage. When I spotted the souvenir I got for Steven, I grabbed it. With the box in the corner of the luggage, I took it out and placed it on the nightstand before I rushed downstairs.

"Guess what I have!" I sing.

"Something I'll never have a use for, that's for sure!"

I bonked him in the head with the souvenir. He smiled, set down the beer, and grabbed it from my hand. I climbed my way back onto the couch while Steven opened the bag. "Cool. A keychain." He looked at me, "You flew halfway around the world to get me a keychain."

"It has your name on it." I point at the key chain, "Steven."

Steven rolled his eyes before he threw the keychain back inside the bag. "How thoughtful of you to remember my name."

"You're welcome." I grabbed the bottle, "To a thoughtful sister!"

Steven holds the bottle in the air and cheers with me.

I spend the remaining half of my summer vacation at my parent's house, with them at work most of the time. The fun part about having work-obsessed parents. Then again, how else are they going to pay for tuition and the apartment?

Finally, after two weeks of staying at home, I got an appointment at the clinic. It couldn't be a clinic in town or nearby since my family knows a lot of doctors, and the last thing I need is to run into someone familiar.

With my hands attached to the wheel, I tightened my grip and exhaled. "No big deal," I told myself. Whatever is inside your body is just a clump of cells."

The ride to the clinic was a lot faster than I thought it would be. Before I knew it, I was standing in front of the door. When I opened it, a small bell ding and the patients in the waiting room glanced at me.

I checked in at the front desk and then took a seat in the waiting room. The ride here was smooth, and so did the check-in process, but I'm anxious.

The nurse called me in.

It comes in a strike without warning, this sudden headache.

I changed my outfits and sat down.

The headache is different from usual.

The doctor came in, "Hi, Mira?"

"That's me."

She smiled, "How are you?"

"I...I'm good."

"That's good." She leans against the counter, "What brings you in here today?"

I place a hand on my stomach, "I um- I went on vacation and-"

I didn't have to finish the sentence for her to understand.

She nods, "You're here for an abortion?"

Why does she have to say it like that?

I nodded.

"Alright. Let's check you out first, shall we?"

I shouldn't have fallen for that statement.

The doctor asked me additional questions to ensure my mental fitness and checked my body to ensure it was the same.

When she placed the gel on my stomach, I caught up with her games. So, though I appeared calm, I wasn't.

The gel feels cold.

Ba-dump.