Short Dance: The first segment of an ice dancing competition. There are more mandatory elements required in this portion but skaters can choose their music.   

Rosaura thanked the flight attendants before stepping off the airplane. It was only a five-hour flight but had felt like an eternity with all the turbulence and kids crying in the back. Normally, Rosaura flew business class for her competitions but in the midst of everything, she had forgot to book her ticket back home. Her only option had been a crappy seat squeezed between two middle age men since it was close to Christmas and everyone was trying to get home.

The airport was bustling with people and Rosaura struggled to make her way to the baggage claim. It seemed that people were everywhere, all trying to flee the airport as fast as possible. Finally, with difficulty, she arrived at the Baggage carousel and waited for her suitcases to come. An eternity passed before she was able to grab her bags.

She opened her phone and called her mom who was supposed to be picking her up. Her phone went to the answering machine on the first bell and Rosaura sighed. She didn't think her mom would forget to pick her up. She was tired and sweaty; her arm still hadn't healed, and she did not want to take an expensive cab all the way home.

She stepped out of the airport into the chilly weather. Her eyes scanned the perimeter, looking for a taxi. Before she could step towards a cab, she heard a voice calling her name. She turned around to see a tall figure standing a few feet away. Rosaura squinted before realizing that it was her sister, Haya standing beside the family car.

A rush of warmth filled her body at seeing a familiar face after so long. However, with the monotone expression Haya was displaying, it seemed that her sister wasn't as happy to see her.

"I've been waiting for forty-five minutes," Haya said in a way of greeting.

Rosaura pursed her lips tightly. "There were a lot of people in the airport."

Haya completely ignored her before sitting in the front seat. Rosaura was left alone to put her luggage in the back of the trunk. Not in the mood to deal with her sister's annoyance and side comments, Rosaura slipped into the back seat. Her eyes met her sister's in the rear-view mirror.

Their eyes were so similar but so different at the same time. Sure, they were the same inky colour, but Haya's were much darker, filled with more secrets and walls that she hid behind. Since Rosaura travelled so much, she didn't get to see her sister much. The time they did spend together always left Rosaura feeling raw and unwanted. No matter how harsh her sister was with her, Rosaura was still the younger one trying to please her. It was pathetic, but she couldn't help it.

"Do I look like some kind of driver that you need to sit in the back for?" Haya asked her.

Rosaura sighed. She could argue but that would just take up more time, so instead she slipped into the front seat beside the dragon. Her sister pulled onto the highway and Rosaura stared outside, trying not to engage in a conversation. She could feel the glare from Haya every five minutes and finally she snapped the silence

"So, how are you?" Rosaura began awkwardly.

Haya snorted before gripping the wheel tighter. "Maybe you would know if you cared to call me or anyone in this family!"

"It's not like you called either." Rosaura snapped back.

She was usually calm, but her sister always brought out a dark side in her. They were six years apart and distance had not made their hearts grow fonder. A part of Rosaura always wondered if her sister was jealous, and maybe that is why she was mean to her. After all, her parents had poured their time and money into Rosaura's figuring skating career while leaving Haya to figure things on her own.

"I didn't call, because I actually work instead of wasting my time gliding on the ice."

Rosaura was hurt by the comment. She knew Haya didn't care for her skating career, but she always made her feel insignificant and small. "You know what, I don't want to have this conversation with you." Rosaura rubbed her injured arm, "Every time I come home, you have a problem with me and guess what? I'm done arguing with you. I don't care what you think about me anymore."

With that as her last word, Rosaura turned up the radio station and choose to ignore her sister for the rest of the ride.

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Her dad was the one who welcomed her inside the house. He pulled her into a big hug, "I've missed your kiddo."

Vaguely, she saw Haya rolling her eyes and climbing the stairs, but Rosaura ignored it. She felt tears pricking out of the corner of her eyes. It had been nearly a year since she had been home. After practicing overseas Val and Rosaura had directly moved to London, Ontario and her father had been unable to get time off of work. When Rosaura walked into he kitchen, she was surprised to see her mom was missing.

"Is mom not home?"

Her dad gave her a reassuring smile. "She's home but taking a nap, she'll be up in a bit."

It was then Rosaura realized how tired she herself was. "I think I'll do the same. Wake me up for dinner."

Her dad nodded. "I will, it's good to have you back." He added softly.

"It's good to be back."

Rosaura dragged herself up the stairs before opening her door. The room was tidy and smelled like peaches. It was probably her mother who had cleaned for her arrival. Rosaura collapsed on the bed and in a few seconds, she was asleep.

When Rosaura woke up a few hours later, she was disoriented and confused. It took a few moments to recall that she was back in her parent's house in Vancouver. She tumbled out of bed to the aroma of what she was pretty sure was Udon. Opening her bedroom door, she was surprised to see her father on the other side smiling.

"Good, you're awake. I was just coming to wake you up."

Rosaura smiled. "I could smell the food from a mile away."

Her Dad laughed before heading down the stairs. "Come on, dinner's ready."

Rosaura practically leaped down the stairs. She saw her mom seated at the table and ran to give her a hug. It felt comforting before her mom started to cough. Rosaura let go alarmed, "Are you okay?"

Her mom responded by handing her a pair of chopsticks. "Don't worry about me. Eat, I know you are hungry."

Rosaura listened to her and began eating her meal. The first few moments at the Simmons table were silent occasionally broken by the sound of her mom's cough.

"Have you taken a cough syrup?" she asked.

"I'm fine," her mom counter, ignoring her question.

Rosaura took another bite of her food. "The noodles taste a bit different, is it store bought?"

Her Dad nodded. "I picked it up a few minutes ago."

Rosaura frowned. Her mom usually loved cooking Udon and hated takeout. But it made sense if she had made an exception because of her cough. Rosaura turned around to see her sister staring at their mother and gripping her chopsticks tightly.

Rosaura couldn't help but ask, "What is wrong with you?"

Her sister didn't reply but the chopsticks broke under the pressure of her arm. "You know what, I'm done with this! I'm done with you all being fake and doting over Rosaura."

Her gaze hardened as it turned towards Rosaura, who tried not to flinch. "It's pathetic, you come here, not knowing anything and give your suggestions. They aren't needed or remotely wanted. I don't feel like seeing any of your faces for another second, pretending everything is fine."

And before they could say anything, her sister got up and exited the kitchen. "I'm going to my boyfriend's house, so I don't have to deal with you all." She added before slamming the door shut.

Rosaura was confused at her behaviour. Her sister was rude, but never to their parents. Puzzled, she turned to face them, but they just forced a smile and told her to continue eating. Rosaura didn't have an appetite but she also different have the heart to have another daughter disappoint them. As so, she ate the noodles, a little less happy than she had been minutes ago. 

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So what do you think about Rosaura's family? Her sister in particular? There is also some foreshadowing here;)