The Cotton Candy Girl Chapter 2

My soul followed them home involuntarily.

The house was exactly as we left it this morning.

The lights on the Christmas tree twinkled quietly. The snowflake stickers I pasted were still on the window.

Dad opened the fridge and took out a turkey.

Mom rolled her eyes.

"Why bother with that bird? None of us like turkey."

"We bought it because that ungrateful brat begged for roast turkey on Christmas Eve. It cost fifty bucks!"

"And now? She doesn't even care!"

Dad sighed. He put the turkey back, thought for a moment, then took it out again.

"Let's cook it anyway."

"Maybe she's just playing. Maybe she went to a friend's house."

"Maybe... she'll come back for dinner."

Dad made a feast.

The roast turkey was golden, just like on TV.

Too bad I couldn't taste it anymore.

I tried to grab the turkey, flying through the table.

Mom suddenly looked in my direction.

My heart jumped. Can Mom see me?

I waved, but her eyes didn't move.

She was just staring at the dark window behind me.

After a while, Mom slammed her chopsticks on the table.

"I knew it! She's not coming back!"

Mom's voice trembled with rage. She stood up, grabbed the untouched turkey, and threw it in the trash.

"If she has the guts, she better never come back! I'll pretend I never gave birth to her!"

"Don't..." I tried to stop her, reaching for the turkey.

But I touched nothing.

Dad patted Mom's back gently.

"Okay, okay. Don't be mad at her. We still have Chloe."

Chloe immediately threw herself into Mom's arms.

"Mommy, don't be mad. Chloe only loves Mommy and Daddy."

Mom hugged her tight.

"Yes... Mommy isn't mad."

"Mommy still has Chloe."

Dad stroked Chloe's back too.

Under the twinkling Christmas lights, the family of three hugged tightly.

The next morning, Dad rushed into my room as soon as he woke up.

Seeing the empty bed, his shoulders slumped.

Mom stood behind him and sneered.

"Checking what? Still fantasizing she'll come back? Ridiculous!"

On the TV, the news was reporting on the fire.

"The search and rescue operation for the massive mall fire yesterday is coming to an end. Most victims have been identified. However, one young female victim remains unclaimed."

"The body was found near the play area on the fourth floor. Height approximately 3 feet 11 inches..."

I screamed.

That's Ellie! Go bring me home!

Dad walked closer to the TV, trying to see clearly.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Dad and Mom froze.

"Is Ellie back?"

Panic flashed across Chloe's face. She ran to open the door.

Standing there was my best friend, Mia.

Mia held a beautifully wrapped gift box, eyes sparkling.

"Morning, Chloe! Is Ellie up? We promised to exchange gifts today! It's Christmas!"

Chloe blocked the door, voice cold.

"Ellie? She's not coming back. Don't come looking for her anymore."

Mia looked confused.

"Why? Where did she go?"

Chloe scoffed.

"She wanted to eat cotton candy every day, so she adopted the Cotton Candy Lady as her mom. She's never coming back to this house."

"No way!" Mia's eyes turned red.

"Ellie wouldn't just leave without saying anything! Even if she left, she would say goodbye to me!"

I floated next to Mia, feeling warm.

Mom sighed. She walked into my room and dragged out two large boxes.

They were filled with my favorite toys and books.

"Take these. Don't cry. Be careful making friends in the future. Don't play with heartless kids."

Mia stepped forward and dug through the box carefully.

Soon, she found the Christmas gift I prepared for her. The box had our secret drawing on it.

"Found it! This is from Ellie!"

Mia put the gift in her bag and looked up at Mom seriously.

"Auntie, these toys belong to Ellie. I don't want them. I just want my gift exchange."

"I'll wait for Ellie to come back."

Mom didn't answer.

Mia walked away, then turned back.

"Uncle, Auntie, my mom says trust is the most important thing in a family."

"Ellie isn't heartless. She will come back."

Mom slammed the door. Bang.

"A little brat lecturing me! Who does she think she is?"

Mom was furious. She dragged the boxes out the door.

"What are you doing?" Dad tried to stop her.

"Let me go!" Mom shook him off. "Out of sight, out of mind! Just pretend she's dead!"

But Mom, I am dead.

Chloe "helpfully" assisted Mom in throwing all my things into the community dumpster.

Some kids gathered, rummaging roughly through my stuff.

The doll Mia gave me was unpacked. A beautiful porcelain doll.

"What is this junk?"

The doll was thrown on the ground. Shattered.

I wanted to stop them, but I was less than a breeze. I could only pass through them.

Finally, they got bored and left with their loot.

I floated back home silently.

Everything related to me was gone.

Mom truly didn't want me anymore.