BROKEN BEYOND REPAIR

ALEXIA KING

"Stop right there" I stop in my tracks, backpack hanging on my shoulder. I fix my strap and turn left to see Kevin with his sister, Emy.

She looks cute. She has a small red backpack hung on her shoulder and a bunny in her hands. Her pigtail suits her.

"Hey! Angel" she tries to hug me but I step back and Kevin stops her in time.

"How's my princess?" I ask in a baby voice and glared at Kevin.

I was about to leave his house for a day.

"She's happy to see you" she gives me a toothy smile.

"Then what are you waiting for? Let's get you chocolates" I beckon her inside and pull Kevin aside.

"What are you trying to play?" I snap as soon as she is out of hearing the shot.

"I'm busy today, so you'll have to look after her"

"We discussed this before and I remember telling you no"

"Duty calls, my company needs my attention" He smiles sheepishly. This has pre-planned written all over it.

"When will you be back?"

"8" he runs with a sweet kiss on my lips and I don't catch him.

Rest of the day, I and Emy play a dollhouse, video games, and I taught her sketching.

Now she's insisting to make a cake. She has come to the wrong place.

"Princess, I can't cook"

She pouts and looks down.

"I know basics" she offers to have a fighting chance.

"Basics? Like what?"

"I can help in the kitchen that doesn't involve knife of flame"

"Who taught you?"

"K, he says we should do our chores and never depend on anyone"

Why do I feel embarrassed? I'm dependent on Kevin for everything. Not for long though.

1 day more.

We try to make a cake with help of the internet. I let her do 'basics' in the kitchen and do as shown in the video. Emy does more work than me. I just mix and set batter in-tray. I set it inside the oven and wash my hands.

I see her on the couch with a comb in her hands. She is milking me for all my patience, isn't she? She takes and she takes, just like Kevin but she also knows how to give. I haven't thought of hurting her even for a fleeting moment.

"What's that for?"

"I want to do your hairstyle like me. We both are princesses right?" I check the time.

6 o'clock

I sit on the floor and she sits on the couch behind me. She starts combing my hair and I close my eyes when I feel her touch my hair. My entire body is covered in goosebumps but I refuse to shudder.

My aunt is combing my hair whilst Mom is making Xaiyla's hair.

"She's so beautiful" aunt says looking at me. I blush at her compliment.

"She is" Mom agrees and kisses Xaiyla on her forehead, "They both are"

I point my forehead too but instead of Mom, aunt kisses me.

I like her but I wanted my mom to kiss me. Mom understands my frown and kisses me too. I smile, content. She's the best Mother and I have got the best family.

"Ow!" I hold my hair when my aunt tugs it hard by mistake.

Only it was not a mistake, but a warning.

KEVIN'S P.O.V:-

I arrive home exactly at 8 and I'm glad I'm on time.

I know she'll take care of Emy. Last week when I witnessed how she helped Kaira and was still normal, I realized it's not too late. She can be healed and overcome her fears.

My home doesn't look like what I have left in the morning. Dolls and stuff toys are scattered all over the floor. I move inside and smell something burning. I run to the kitchen and see a complete mess. Bowls and plates are broken, bandaid and smoke coming out from the oven. Although the oven is auto-off. Thanks to technology.

I thought of many good and bad scenarios but not this. I take out 'cake' and cut it but it's kinda hard. I take one bite and groan in disgust.

I wash the taste off with water and look for my two girls. Xia is sitting on the floor, her back is rested on the couch and Emy is hugging Xia whilst sitting on her lap. My heart gets unsteady at the view.

I smile and click some pictures before making my way to scare them.

"Whooooo!!!" Emy jolts awake with start and looks at me angrily.

"Shh! Angel is sleeping" I look closely at Xia and instantly pull Emy from her. Xia is tightly hugging Emy in sleep. I pull her because Xia is crying in her nightmare.

I shake her "Xia" she wakes up and meets my eyes.

"Come here" I pull her on my lap and cuddle her.

"Everything is fine. Emy is fine and you didn't hurt her" I say what she wants to hear.

She doesn't speak. I play with her pigtails and smile.

"You look cute by the way"

"Princess made my hairstyle same way as my aunt used to"

I hug her tightly.

"But she didn't hurt you?"

"What if she did?" I look at her scared face and she's serious. 

I look over Amy. She's watching us innocently. She can never hurt anyone but how am I supposed to explain this to my Big Skate?

"She won't"

"I know but I'm not ready to accept" she states abruptly.

"It will take time"

"How much time could you give me?" Her question takes me aback. She was always about living in hell but now she is asking for time to overcome her fear.

"As much as you require"

"3 years?" I consider for a moment before replying.

"Done. So what do you want me to do for 3 years?"

"Just live your life the way you want"

"With you always" 

She stands without replying and smiles at Emy.

"Sleepytime"

"You girls ate?"

"Yeah, we had lots of pizza and cookies" Emy speaks spreading her arms. I lift her and take her to the room she has claimed as hers.

I wanted to spend the day with Emy but it seems she enjoyed herself with Xia and I needed to finish some work as we have graduation tomorrow. Her parents and my Dad are already here in Seattle, staying in my Dad's penthouse.

I kiss her forehead and she hugs me sleepily. I close my eyes just for a minute. I haven't slept with my sister since I came here.

I feel Xia sleeping on top of me. I chuckle and twist my head to look at her.

"Let's go"

"No. Let's sleep here"

"But-"

"Shhh!  Our princess is tired, don't wake her up and anyways we can add 2 more adults on this bed" The bed is huge enough to fit 4 grown men but I want Xia comfortable.

"You don't have to push yourself" she shuts me off with a kiss appropriate enough to give a brother who is hugging her sleeping sister.