Before The Bloom

Chapter One: The Return

Closing the trunk of her car, Jendari squints up at her home. As much as it should have been easier to leave, each time her varsity semester began, the heartache would start.
"Don't do that"Brando dashes down the steps to join his daughter on the sidewalk.
"Do what?"Jendari's tone changes, sounding low and uneven. Brando manages to hold back the laughter tickling his throat but some of it escapes, sarcastic and breathy, shaking his head.
"As if this is your first time leaving home"Brando says. "It's your third year at varsity and your mum and I couldn't be more proud of you"
"I know Dad"She kicks at an imaginary pebble. "You have said it a million times before, that Carrington Heights and you and mum will always be here"Her eyes wonder to the front door as it squeaks shut, revealing her mum.
"And it's true"Aretta confirms, smiling up at Jendari. "So are we ready to go?" Walking toward Brando, she intertwines her arm into her husband's, looking content.
"Yeah, I think so"Jendari adjusts the straps of her book bag round her shoulder before turning to open the car door. "Let's go"

The drive to Western Bay University took one hour and the heartache eased as excitement settles in. Brando drives past the sign of the university, parking near the office building. He unloads the suitcase from the trunk and looks over at Jendari.
"Should we walk you to the dorm rooms?"When he looks at his daughter, he still saw the curious doe-eyes eighteen-year-old from two years ago.
"No thanks Dad"Jendari shakes her head, grabbing hold of her suitcase and securing the backpack around her shoulders. "Thanks for driving me; I'll see you soon"
Brando steps forward and captures her in a hug, which she gladly accepts, hugging him back. As he walks back to the driver's side, he mumbles a thousand things at once which Jendari simply smiles at. "I will, I love you both. See you this weekend"

Jendari walks to the dorm rooms with her suitcase in tow. She stands in the hall of the dorm rooms, taking it all in. "Dari!"Jennifer comes at Jendari with open arms, engulfing her into a giant bear hug. "I missed you so much. Let me help you with this" Stepping back, Jennifer helps her friend with her suitcase. "Tell me, how are you?"
"I'm tired but excited to be back"The drive up to Western Bay had taken its toll on her and all she wanted to do was take a nap. Opening the door to the room she shares with Jennifer, Jendari throws herself on the bed situated on the right. She proceeds to close her eyes but Jennifer interrupts her by bouncing on the edge of the bed. "You're going to have to cancel your nap time because you and I have plans"

At first glance, Jennifer and Jendari didn't seem that different from each other but upon closer inspection, they were day and night; Jennifer is a varsity cheerleader studying towards an education degree and Jendari is a small town girl studying toward a degree in medicine. "You have my attention"Jendari sits up, forcing Jennifer to stand. "What are these plans?"
"Watching the Tiger Sharks' scrimmage match"Jennifer's smile was big and bright, the kind that's hard to miss.
"And I spoke too soon"Jendari immediately loses interest, reclining on the bed. The smile evaporates from Jennifer's features, replacing the beaming light of pearly whites with a frown.
"Oh come on"Jennifer pouts, pleading with her friend. "It'll be fun"
Jendari maintains a steel gaze and a straight face. "I can think of one hundred other things that I can do than go to a football game"She crosses one leg over the other. "And this is one of them"
"Buzzkill"Jennifer fires the first blow. Unaffected, her roommate easily counters the jab with, "Know-it-all"
The mocking was all in good fun as the two friends laugh it off. "Have fun"She wishes, stopping in the doorway with her gym bag in hand. "Love you"
"Love you too"Jendari waves as she leaves. At ten that evening, Jendari decides to turn in because the first class tomorrow was the practical and she needed to be fully rested.

The morning sunlight kissed Jendari's brown skin through the lace curtains. Opening her eyes, she yawns and spots Jennifer up and ready, her shoulder length black hair tied in a ponytail. "Rise and shine, you're going to be late"She cheers.
"No I'm not"Jendari sings, kicking the sheets and duvet aside, climbing out of bed to grab a towel, gown, a pair of blue jeans, a grey Iron Maiden t-shirt and black combat boots. A quick shower later and popping back into her room, she made up her bed and throws on her white lab coat. Checking her wrist watch, she had ten minutes to get to class and the gymnasium was on the other side of the school. She hit the concrete running and all her years of playing soccer paid off because she made it with three minutes to spare.

Screeching to a halt, Jendari got in line to get her patient file. Absently walking into the physio studio, she pages through the folder and the name on top of the paper is 'Collins, Wyatt'. Somehow she'd forgotten how to breathe and only one thing rang clear in her mind: she was in trouble.