Problems of an Invisible Girl

Chapter 12

Saying that she was shocked would be an understatement. She thought that if there was one thing she understood about her invisibility was the fact that no one could ever see her. Only then did she realize that she wasn't completely correct in her assumption. As annoying as it was to be wrong, she had to think of a way out of that strange situation. Rina's brain was sluggish and terrified, but she knew that she had to get away from there before she could do anything else. She needed time to think, to reassess what she knew. But she couldn't very well ignore the hand that was still on her shoulder. It was very much real although she was one hundred percent sure that there was no one else in the room. Nothing was visible when she looked earlier, no one was visible. "Is it possible that there is someone else who is invisible? I should probably stay and figure it out." She was thinking to herself.

Instead of doing the rational thing, she let her body take control of her actions. That, in consequence, led to her letting a low whimper and running away from the lab as fast as she could. She didn't stop running until there was a safe distance between her and the lab. It was a stupid thing to do, and she berated herself for it but on the other hand, maybe it was the right thing to do. After all, they were all alone in an almost empty school. Her attempt to convince herself she did the right thing was weak, and she couldn't help but get angry with herself. Rina really needed to know the truth, to understand what was happening to her and yet when faced with the possibility to find out, she ran away. It wasn't only the fear of the other person that scared her off. She was also scared of finding out the truth. "What if it is terrible? Something I had never expected and wasn't ready for?" She rationalized while trying to calm her breathing.

Once her breathing evened out she decided it would be best for her to just go back home and try to think things through. Still, invisible as she was, she didn't think anyone would notice if she just went in. They never noticed her when she was physically there so why would they when she wasn't. Of course, she was right. They kept chatting with each other when she arrived home and didn't seem to notice the door opening and closing by itself. Every other family would have noticed that something strange was happening but her family was too self-absorbed to notice any discrepancies that weren't directly connected with them. So she managed to get to her room without any problems. Although she couldn't help but overhear parts of their conversation. Once more it was them complaining, so she didn't stop to listen, it was all they did in the last couple of years, and she was sick and tired of it. Getting into her room she decided she wouldn't think about anything, she needed a timeout. So instead of fretting and worrying, she decided to start reading a book. It always helped her calm her mind and soul. The books had the unique power to transfer her in a different reality and away from the mundane problems.

While she fought dragons and explored magical lands she couldn't very well think about her insignificant problems. The fate of those worlds was in her hands, and she had to keep reading. Sometimes she would even feel guilty if she didn't read on because she had a feeling that the characters stayed there until she read them along. For example, if she stopped in the middle of the battle they would have to stay there much longer than necessary. So she did her best to read on and help them defeat evil and save the world. It was so easy to get lost in those imaginary worlds that she could spend hours and hours just reading. This time she managed to become visible without even noticing. Maybe it happened while the main character was fighting the dragon or when the fairy orphan was crowned as the queen, she wasn't sure but it felt good to be back to normal.

When she finally came back from her amazing adventures she felt lighter and able to think more clearly. She realized her mistake but was also aware that there was nothing she could do about it. Instead of stressing out, she decided to react differently if something similar ever happened again. Also, she decided to try to check her blood the next day since she didn't get the chance to check it before the whole incident happened. Another reason for her decision was the fact that she was hoping that the person who startled her would be there once more. Maybe they could even have a civilized discussion without her freaking out. It felt like she was close to finding out the truth one way or the other and it was nice to finally know there was hope.

Before she could get too happy, she was called by her brother to join them in the living room. That was never good news for her and the moment she stepped into the room they started criticizing her and interrogating her. It was rare that they took interest in her life but when they did it seemed to Rina they were just doing it to belittle her opinions and to crush her dreams. Everything she said was strange to them, and they would tell her it was a silly dream and that she should think about her future more. Not only to find a profession they would approve of once she finished her studies but also a good husband and of course two or three children. "For God's sake, I am only eighteen. Why would I think about marriage? I don't even have a boyfriend. What are they even talking about?" She thought to herself but said nothing. Just nodding her head she agreed with every strange and ridiculous thing they expected of her. It was like they wanted her to copy the way they lived their lives and there was no way she was going to do that. She found their lives boring and meaningless but of course, she never told them that. Unlike them, she was polite enough not to interfere in their lives. Besides, she knew to tell her true opinions, would only get her in more trouble, so she kept her mouth shut.