The sun beat down on Celine's shoulders as she stood on the stage, her eyes fixed on the sea of faces in the stands. The air was thick with the scent of freshly cut grass and anticipation. It was a beautiful day for a graduation, but for Celine, it was a day of bittersweet joy.
She had always been the responsible one, the older sister who shielded Patrick from the world's harsh realities. Now, as she stood beside her younger brother, their family's history etched on their faces, she realized he was no longer the little boy who needed her constant protection. He was a young man, graduating high school, his future wide open before him.
Patrick, with his tousled dark hair and shy smile, stood beside Celine, his hands fidgeting nervously. He was tall for his age, and as Celine reached to place the first medal on his chest, her heart swelled with pride. This was a moment they had both dreamt of, a moment of triumph in the face of unimaginable loss.
"Patrick," she whispered, her voice breaking slightly, "You did it. You're a graduate."
He met her gaze, a deep, unspoken understanding passing between them. Their parents, gone too soon, would have been so proud. But they weren't here, and Celine, the strong, silent one, knew she had to be both the elder sister and the absent parent.
One by one, Celine placed the medals on Patrick's chest: academic excellence, community service, sportsmanship. Each medal felt like a small victory, a testament to Patrick's resilience. It was a shared victory, a testament to the bond they had forged in the face of grief.
As the final medal, a bright gold one for the coveted Student of the Year award, was placed on Patrick's chest, Celine felt a surge of emotion. She hugged him tight, her tears welling up. This was more than just a graduation. It was a symbol of hope, a reminder that even in the midst of darkness, light could shine through.
"I am so proud of you Patrick," she whispered, her voice trembled with so much emotion.
"Thank you Celine," he replied, his voice choked with tears.
As they stepped down from the stage, hand in hand, Celine knew this was not the end of their journey, but the beginning of a new chapter. Patrick's graduation was a turning point, a milestone that would forever etch itself in their memories. And as Celine watched him walk away, his back straight and his head held high, she knew that he was ready to face the world, with the strength of a survivor and the love of a sister guiding him...
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A few moments after the graduation ceremony...
The fluorescent lights of the fast-food restaurant buzzed overhead, casting a sterile glow on the plastic table where Celine and Patrick sat. A mountain of fries sat between them, untouched, a silent testament to the weight of their unspoken truth.
"You did good, Celine," Patrick said, his voice quieter than the clatter of trays and the muffled chatter of other customers. "You really pulled it off. Everyone thinks we're actually siblings."
Celine met his gaze, a flicker of pain passing between them. "It's what you needed, Patrick," she replied, her voice flat. "And besides, I'm good at my job."
The truth was, she was tired. The pretense, the forced smiles, the constant reminders of what they had lost... it was exhausting. Yet, she knew this was her role, her responsibility. Patrick needed her, needed the illusion of family.
He reached across the table, his hand hovering over hers for a moment before drawing back. "Thank you, Celine. For everything."
He laid down a crisp envelope on the table, pushing it towards her. "Here's your fee. For your service."
Celine stared at the envelope. After a few seconds, she decided to open it and count the money inside. She then puts her attention back to her "younger brother."
But as she looked at her younger brother, his face etched with a mixture of relief and guilt, she knew the truth. They were not family. They are bound together by a need to pretend. The envelope on the table was a symbol of their transaction, a reminder that even the deepest emotions could be bought and sold.
In actuality, she is not really Celine, but she is Selena. But for today, she needs to take the identity of Celine, who is Patrick's older sister who passed away three years ago because of a terrible traffic accident. Their parents already passed away when they were still in grade school, and Celine and Patrick have been together ever since.
Patrick wanted to live in a fantasy just for one day, pretending that her sister is still alive, believing that she is with him during the special milestone in his life.
Selena can still remember the day when Patrick stepped inside her office, which offers a special service to their clients. Their small company offers services such as being a stand-in for occasions and different complicated situations. They can pretend to be fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, friends, lovers, and they can also pretend to be professional workers. They can be anything based on their clients' requests, as long as there is no danger or threats to everyone involved in their business transaction...
*FLASHBACK*
"I need someone to be my sister," he’d said, his voice thick with emotion. "For one day. For my graduation ceremony."
Selena, used to the peculiar requests that came with her line of work, had listened patiently. Their company, a small operation with a unique niche, provided a spectrum of services, from playing the role of a long-lost relative to posing as a professional consultant. It was a world built on the human need for connection, for a fleeting moment of normalcy, even in the most unconventional circumstances.
"My sister, Celine, she… she was killed in a car accident," Patrick continued, his voice cracking. "Three years ago. My parents were already gone. And… I just want to pretend. For one day, I want to feel like she’s still here, with me."