<p>After that night, Mira's relationship with Nia became different, not strange, at least, not to Mira.</p><p>She simply became more attached.</p><p>Nia was no longer someone Mira imagined when she was bored or lonely.</p><p><br/></p><p>She is now part of her everyday life, mira woke up and greeted her everyday </p><p>She ate breakfast with her everyday </p><p>She told her about her day everyday </p><p><br/></p><p>Before going to bed, she would spend hours talking to her.</p><p><br/></p><p>Sometimes, she laughed so hard that her mother would come and ask what was funny and she will say “Nia said something"</p><p>Her mother would smile and replied"of course she did"</p><p><br/></p><p>Mira didn't notice the way her mother's smile had started becoming forced.</p><p>Buh still she didn't care, if is only nia understood her and that was enough for her </p><p><br/></p><p>One Saturday afternoon, Mira was cleaning her room when her mother called her from downstairs Mira, come and help me with this</p><p><br/></p><p>She said she is coming but she continued folding her clothes.</p><p>Suddenly she stopped, she looked toward the corner of the room and asked do you want to come ?</p><p>She listened asd said no you won't want to </p><p>Mummy doesn't want you downstairs,because you're messy...</p><p><br/></p><p>Then she went downstairs.</p><p>Her mother was arranging some things in the kitchen and ask her </p><p>Mira, why do you keep talking to yourself?</p><p><br/></p><p>Mira frowned and said momm, i'm not talking to myself</p><p><br/></p><p>Her mother proceed and ask her </p><p>Then who are you talking to?</p><p>Mira didn't answer at first </p><p>Then she said I was talking to NIA mom</p><p><br/></p><p>Her mother sighed, Mira, you know Nia isn't—</p><p><br/></p><p>But the cut in and said SHE IS MY SISTER...</p><p><br/></p><p>Her mother stopped talking because Mira's voice wasn't playful anymore, It was firm, Almost offended.</p><p><br/></p><p>Her mother looked at her for a moment</p><p>Then she changed the subject.</p><p>Just help me with these plates pls </p><p><br/></p><p>But she kept glancing toward the staircase.</p><p>As if someone was waiting for her upstairs.</p><p>Later that evening, her mother noticed something.</p><p><br/></p><p>Mira had started referring to Nia differently.</p><p><br/></p><p>Before, she would say: I imagine my sister.</p><p><br/></p><p>Now it was: My sister said…</p><p>My sister wants…</p><p>My sister doesn't like…</p><p><br/></p><p>There was no imaginary anymore.</p><p>No pretend.</p><p>Just NIA MIRA's sister </p><p><br/></p><p>One evening, Mira's friend came over.</p><p>They were sitting in Mira's room, talking and laughing.</p><p><br/></p><p>Then her friend pointed at the small yellow dress hanging beside Mira's clothes.</p><p>And ask Mira is this for your sister?</p><p>Mira nodded and told she loved it</p><p><br/></p><p>Her friend laughed and ask her did you still do this?</p><p>Mira looked at her with angry face and said DO WHAT??</p><p><br/></p><p>Talk about your imaginary sister he friend replied </p><p><br/></p><p>Mira's smile disappeared </p><p>She isn't imaginary!!!!!!!!</p><p><br/></p><p>Her friend immediately realised she had said the wrong thing </p><p>She told her okay,</p><p> okay Sorry I didn't mean to get you angry </p><p><br/></p><p>Mira said nothing.</p><p><br/></p><p>She simply turned toward the empty space beside her.</p><p><br/></p><p>Her friend followed her eyes There was nothing there for God sake Mira </p><p><br/></p><p>They continued talking.</p><p><br/></p><p>But the mood had changed.</p><p><br/></p><p>That night, after her friend left, Mira sat on her bed.</p><p><br/></p><p>You heard her, right?</p><p>She doesn't believe you're real</p><p>Mira's eyes filled with tears.</p><p><br/></p><p>I believe you Nia </p><p>I know you're real</p><p><br/></p><p>She wiped her face</p><p>I'll always believe you</p><p><br/></p><p>Then she whispered: you don't need them.</p><p>You only need me.</p><p>Me ALONE!</p><p><br/></p><p>For a few seconds, she said nothing.</p><p>Then she smiled.</p><p>As though someone had answered her.</p><p><br/></p><p>The next morning, Mira woke up unusually happy.</p><p><br/></p><p>She walked into the kitchen smiling.</p><p><br/></p><p>Her mother looked at her.</p><p><br/></p><p>What's making you so happy?</p><p><br/></p><p>Mira sat down and said Nia told me something last night...</p><p>You won't believe what she said </p><p>She said she's scared.</p><p><br/></p><p>Her mother frowned and said scared of what exactly </p><p><br/></p><p>Mira looked toward the empty chair beside her.</p><p><br/></p><p>Then she answered quietly.</p><p>That you'll make me stop seeing her..</p><p><br/></p><p>Her mother didn't reply.</p><p><br/></p><p>And for the first time, Mira noticed something.</p><p><br/></p><p>Her mother wasn't smiling anymore.</p><p><br/></p><p>Neither was she laughing.</p><p><br/></p><p>She just looked worried.</p><p><br/></p><p>Mira called her Moooommm</p><p><br/></p><p>Her mother looked at her.</p><p><br/></p><p>Do you see NIA ?</p><p><br/></p><p>Mira stared at her then she smiled of course I can see her </p><p><br/></p><p>Her mother looked at the empty chair ,then back at Mira.</p><p><br/></p><p>And Mira suddenly felt something she had never felt before.</p><p><br/></p><p>Not fear.</p><p><br/></p><p>Anger.</p><p><br/></p><p>Because for the first time, someone was trying to convince her that her sister wasn't real.</p><p><br/></p><p>And Mira wasn't willing to hear it..</p>