Chapter 3

Otto calmed down as he stood outside Ella's room. He knocked but there was no answer, he then walked in quietly. In her room, he saw her watching a video on their milky way. He silently sat next to her, she didn't notice since she was too absorbed in the channel. On closer inspection, Otto found books and articles on stars, planets and space in general which caught him off guard. Soon the video ended and Ella gave out a small yelp when she saw Otto sitting beside her.

"W-what are you doing here?" She asked timidly. As she began to pack her books away, Otto awkwardly scratched the back of his head unsure on how to answer, he can't find the words. Then an idea popped into his head.

"Hey, do you want to go somewhere?" He asked hopefully. Ella wasn't sure on how to answer and her uncertainty just made Otto decide for her as he grabbed her hand and the began to leave the house. They started walking in an awkward silence not really knowing what to talk about. it was then that they arrived at the market place and the streets were engulfed in noise. Otto looked around uncomfortably then he noticed Ella staring at something which definitely piqued her interest. Otto looked over to the store she was staring at and there was a small star pendant reflecting the sunlight. Otto then broke the silence. "I'll be right back." He said and entered the store and within a few moments, he came back with a tiny bag in his hand. Ella stood there in confusion as to why he brought her out there and what he bought. "I... I'm sorry for the way I've treated you in the past." He said apologetically. though he apologised he didn't feel like it would be enough for her to forgive him. He held up the bag to her.

"What's going on? what's this?" Ella asked confused.

"This is an apology gift." He said handing it to her.

"Otto, it's fine. I don't want the gift because I've already accepted your apology." She said with a slight sigh.

"Then a present to remember us becoming real siblings." He said desperately. "Please just take it. I really want you to have it." He said shoving it in her hands. Because of that reason Ella didn't see any reason to refuse and took the bag.

"Can I open it now?" She asked.

"Do whatever you want, it's yours." He said trying to act more casual about it. Ella quietly opened it and saw a blue star pendant in the bag, her eyes began shimmering. "I know you've got a sudden interest for stars now so..." Otto said facing the other direction with embarrassment. Ella looked at it then began to laugh slightly from his act of kindness. "What's so funny?!"

"You know stars don't look like this right?" She said trying to hold back her laughter. Seeming more embarrassed Otto began to walk.

"Of-of course I know! You're the one who was staring at it in the display case-" He trailed off at the end a little embarrassed now for buying it for her. And though he didn't wait for Ella to follow, Ella didn't mind at all as this was the first gift she ever got from her 'brother' and soon got used to Otto and his awkward behaviour when it came to being nice and showing affection for another person, cause that's just the kind of person he was. After that, they became like an actual brother and sister. Otto was the big protective brother that his mother expected of him while Ella was the caring little sister who also wore the necklace he bought her every single day as if to confirm that it wasn't just a hopeful dream and they are actually a family now. However, like all good things they must come to end.

Not long after Otto was hospitalised with a virus that made him incredibly weak. He had to stay there and have more injections than he did before. He couldn't see his family that much anymore and Otto's heart filled with regret. Regret that he couldn't spend time with his sister, regret that he couldn't look after her or protect her as his mother wanted. Regret that he wasted ten years neglecting his only sister and when he finally tried to understand her he can't even be with her anymore. He hit rock bottom. Ella wasn't taking it too well either. She just gained her brother yet life rips him away from her, however, it didn't quite sink into her that she was never going to see him again.

One day, when they went to visit him their mother wanted to speak to the doctor alone. Ella waited outside Otto's hospital room, a little afraid to enter and see her beloved brother with tubes on his face. But her mum returned as quick as she left and took Ella's hand.

"Don't you want to see him, Ella?" She asked in concern. Ella reluctantly shook her head in silence looking down at her feet clenching the pendent otto got her a few weeks ago. her mum gave knowing look. "I didn't tell him you came so he probably isn't expecting you... but I would like you two to see each other before-" She cut herself off, tears brimming. She couldn't talk anymore and silently took Ella home after saying goodbye to Otto.