리틀팍스

 Nikita threw back her hood and exposed her face. I tried hard not to gasp. She looked very different from the last time I saw her- which was about a year ago-in a bad way.

 She had the same caramel-colored hair, but it was a lot messier and and much shorter. Her face was no longer rosy- it had become pale and ashen. Her eyes were bloodshot and red. She smirked at me.

 "Now, now," she said. "Happy, weren't you?"

 "I-I don't know w-what you're t-talking about," I blubbered like a fool.

 "You know perfectly well what I'm talking about, Mylnowski. You made me, Kima, Lori, and Vicki transfer to another school. And you'll never guess how much trouble you got us into. I never knew we'd see each other again, in a time like this," Nikita hissed. She grabbed me on the shoulder. "Have any money?"

 "No," I lied.

 "We'll see about that," Nikita said nastily. "Girls, you can come out."

 Three other figures suddenly came into view. As they approached me, I realized that they were Kima, Lori and Vicki. They had changed over time, like Nikita. They looked so much like thugs my mouth dropped open.

 The three started searching me. First it was my jeans. Then my jacket. Then.. my shirt. I winced as Kima took out my wallet from my shirt pocket. She handed it over to Nikita with a jeering grin. Nikita counted the money and split it with Kima, Lori and Vicki. With satisfied looks on their faces, the four stuffed my money in their pockets.

 I seized my locket, but Lori caught me doing that. "Aww," she mocked, "poor Mia! Still lamenting the death of your poor old daddy?" Then, without warning, she snatched the locket away from me. Seriously! I did not know that I would lose my locket again. I bit my lower lip, trying my best not to cry.

 "Don't you think this is undue behavior?" I said, trying to be brave. But my voice trembled. "I mean, you four were the people who bullied me! Why are you acting like I am the one to blame?"

 Nikita snorted, held up her fist, and the next thing I knew was my head was aching so badly. I rubbed my head stupidly when the four bullies cackled evilly. It was a total nightmare until-

 "Hey!"

 Nikita, Kima, Lori, and Vicki turned around. So did I, and I saw the most surprising sight.

 It was Mandy.

 Nikita rolled her eyes. "Some punk," she muttered. "You, go mind your own business." 

 Mandy smirked. "Sorry, but this is my own business." She pointed at me. "I'm Mia's sister. So there." 

 Kima narrowed her eyes. "I didn't know you had an older sister," she said to me. 

 "Oh yes she does," Mandy retorted. "Now get out of the way, before I punch all of your lights out. And I mean it." 

 "Make us," Nikita sneered.

 And Mandy did make them.

 It was really fast, like an action movie. Mandy got into action and started punching Nikita, Kima, Lori, and Vicki. She looked like some kind of martial arts master. I stared in awe as Nikita, Kima, Lori and Vicki fled.

 "Here," Mandy said, handing me my money and locket. "I guess this belongs to you." 

 "Thanks," I said gratefully. "And I'm sorry I screamed to you before because of one little tee. I guess I wasn't myself then." Mandy smiled. "You're welcome. After all, I'm your sister." 

 I did not know the word 'sister' was so strong. And warm. 

 I hugged Mandy. And she warmly hugged me back.

 For the first time, Mandy seemed.. actually nice. Like a real sister. Like a real family.

 I was grateful that Mandy was my sister.

 This was the final chapter of Heartache. If you enjoyed reading this, please click Fantastic!