Enduring It

Ethel was perfectly fine with the way things were, but I wasn’t. Seeing her being treated like this was like torture to me. What can I do? What can I do to stop this torture that’s being inflicted upon her? “Teacher! Ethel would like to say something,” I announced, motioning Ethel to say some. She stood up. All eyes shifted towards her. “I can’t believe you all can see-”

“Aiden, you’ve been at school for too long. Go rest,” Eren said. Damn it!

She smiled and sat back down. The brimming cheerfulness and hope on her face was dyed jet black. I failed yet again. “Aiden! Shush! The teacher is trying to explain! Pay attention,” Ethel scolded. Why is she acting like this? She has nothing to gain from being so stubborn. I’ll leave her be. She’ll lose hope soon enough.

Back at home, I tried to stop Ethel from going to school. “Please, Ethel! Nobody can see you anymore! You have no reason to go. Seeing you- sitting on the ground- I hated seeing that.” She glared at me with dismay, her eyes full of hatred. I couldn’t utter a word. She was about to snap. She stormed out of the living room. I heard her door slam shut. She has never been this rebellious before, so why is she acting like this now? She’s upset about something. I can’t do anything, I guess, I’ll leave her be for the time being.

As usual, Ethel came to school with me. As usual, no one could see her. As usual, she was forced to sit on the ground. However, throughout this torture that has been imposed upon her, she never stopped smiling. I stopped trying to convince her, but I still hadn’t given up.

“Aiden! Now’s your chance. Go talk to Eren,” Ethel said, shoving me towards him. Damn it! I didn’t want to talk this soon, but I’ve got no choice. “Hey, Eren! H-Hey! Long time no see. What’s going on?” I panicked.

“Don’t talk to me during school. People will think I’m crazy as well.” He ran off.

I sat outside with Ethel for the rest of the day. It felt peaceful. A feeling I hadn’t experienced in a long time. We sat in silence, yet it didn’t feel the least bit awkward to me. So people think I’m crazy, huh? It doesn’t really feel new. Oh well, not like I can do anything. I just hope she’ll leave school soon. That’s my main objective. I have to make her leave. But, I don’t think that’s possible anymore. She’s gotten attached to the school, to the teachers, to the students, to the buildings, the classes, and the feeling of being in a learning environment.

Back at home, we were as awkward as usual. We barely spoke. She kept making notes for the classes while I continued procrastinating. Seeing her work that hard just made me realize she was going to continue going to school, despite being her invisible. I lost hope. She wasn't going to listen to me, and she wasn't going to stop going to school. That much was clear. As I mindlessly scrolled through my feed, I saw Ethel standing in the corner of the room. She was scared. "Aiden, I'm sorry for what happened between you and Eren. It was all my fault you tried to help me, and I'm grateful for that, but I think it's time you admit it. I'm i-invisible to everyone. I don't exist to them!" She burst into tears. Her sobs made me hesitant to go and try to help her. She escaped to her room. I really can't do this, huh? I wish it'd all just end.

I woke up late the next day. Luckily, It was a Sunday. I prepared breakfast and set it down on the table. "Ethel, breakfast is ready. Come down and eat," I announced. I heard footsteps coming downstairs. "You should've woken me up. I bet you're hungry, dig- Ethel? Ethel, where are you?" I looked around. Nobody. The room was empty. The footsteps had stopped. I went to her room. "Ethel?" No response. Her things were there. I just shrugged it off and went to eat my breakfast.

I stayed up till midnight for Ethel. She never came. I made constant checks to her room to see if she was there, but she was no where to be found. Please, Ethel, just come back. Please.