Home is where the heart is. ||A Story About Romano's Daughter||

Chapter 2

Jasmine let out a sigh, apparently feeling the heaviness in the room just as much as Alessia. She tore her eyes away from the paperwork to meet Alessia's gaze. Even though there was a soft sort of kindness that Jasmine saw in her eyes, there was also a certain wariness that had found its way in. This was a look that showed quite often on girl's face much to Jasmine's dismay, but then again, what kind of blame could ever be put on Alessia for that? She had gathered enough trauma from one night alone to last her quite some time.

Alessia suddenly took charge of the silence in the room, an attempt to add a twist of humor to the situation.

"No good way to start this, huh?"

There was another pause. Jasmine took note of Alessia, the quirk of her lips and how more often than not, she used clever quips to provide herself with comfort in tense situations. Somewhere in the back of Jasmine's mind, she gathered a bit of kinship and understanding for the young girl, as Jasmine tended to do the same in those situations. Though, this also meant that the woman knew how to use a laugh as to ignore everything else. So, she connected with Alessia in a comment of her own, but still wished to ground her safely in the conversation.

"Hardly ever is," Jasmine shook her head, letting out a light sigh, "but I want you to know that I'm with you every step of the way."

Even though Alessia appreciated the sentiment, she only found herself responding by lightly bouncing her leg. It was in hoping to let out some of the nervous energy that had been balling itself up into something more tangible since the rise of this morning's sun. She really hadn't slept well last night either with knowing what today's events would bring, amongst other things she didn't care to dwell on.

"You and your grandma," Jasmine took to continuing, "It's come to my understanding that the two of you never really spoke much about...?"

"About my parents, yeah," Alessia finished her statement bravely, noticing Jasmine's hesitance. A swell of excitement and nausea filled the young girl's stomach. Surely because, yes, she was so incredibly ready to learn more about her parents, but at the same time, the horror of uncertainty and current events seemed to drag her optimism lifelessly through the dirt. Ultimately, Alessia wasn't even sure what she wanted – what she needed. Because above all, what options really did lie ahead for her? In life, Alessia never truly felt in control, but now, she really felt that any grasp that she may have had on her world had been torn away from her. What little of herself she had managed to cultivate had been shattered like glass after someone had decided to take a sledgehammer to it, pounding the shards into fine dust that was begging to be taken away by the wind. All of a sudden, she felt tightness constrict in her throat. That familiar burn in her eyes shot dread into her heart.

...

Alessia was a crier.

She knew that.

And she hated it.

No matter what Alessia did, she just couldn't ever seem to stop the damn faucet. This time was no exception. Much to Alessia's dismay. Especially with Jasmine's kind eyes and gentle words, it was nearly a guarantee that Alessia would crack, with the tears soon to follow. Though, Alessia had to commend Jasmine in how well she seemed to be able to handle her breakdowns. Right before Alessia's tears began to spill over, she took to crossing her arms atop the table and putting her face head down into them. It was the last action of emotional protection that Alessia could provide for herself so as no one was able to see her cry.

Jasmine felt her own sadness constrict at her throat in response. Even though she and Alessia hadn't known one another for terribly long, she still couldn't help but feel rather attached already. If it were up to Jasmine, she would take all the hurt and the pain away, and steal it as her own if that meant Alessia's comfort and safety. It was almost laughable how this little girl had managed to so easily have her wrapped about her finger. But Jasmine knew that Alessia would be far too kind to ever abuse such a power.