Lemon butterfly

Chapter 2

Jade's POV

It's been years since I came to Italy. I used to visit my uncle all the time when I was a kid, but then we stopped when I was around 11. My mom never told me why, and even uncle Al doesn't talk to me about it. I was closer to my dad, but he worked all the time so I focused on school. When they died, I couldn't really put words on how I felt. I miss them, but I don't feel the need to communicate with them like everyone else. I was in the middle of my math class when Principal Boche asked to talk to me. I remember when my friend Louis' mom died, he was devastated. He screamed and fell on the floor, his hands around his head. But when I heard about my parents, I didn't say a word. I stood there hearing nothing of what the social worker was telling me. She then came with me to my house, I packed my stuff and took the plane to Italy. 

So here I am, sleeping in Dante's old painting room. It's quite nice, Maria helped me decorating and she even knitted me a blanket. There are a dozen blank canvases in the wardrobe, Dante told me I could use them if I got bored. I was never into arts, all I did in France was biking with my friends at noon. 

- Can I come in?

- Sure Dante.

- How do you like the room? Maria did a great job in here!

- It's nice, but I feel bad for using your painting room you know.

- Jade are you kidding? I have all the space I need in my room. Plus, I'm looking for an apartment in the next year.

- Really? Is Maria coming with you?

- We haven't really talked about it, don't get your hopes up just yet. Hey um, Al wanted to know if you'd go lemon picking tomorrow. Celeste will be there and she'll probably bring Raven with her. They're really nice!

- Sure, I didn't have any plans anyway. Good night Dante.

The next morning

I woke up feeling really rested this morning. I guess I was a little tense these last few days, even though I was all moved in. Alessandro made waffles for everyone, but half of it ended up in the fridge for when Maria and Dante would wake up. Celeste was already here, talking to Al in the kitchen.

- Well good morning Sleepy Face! This is Celeste, I believe you've never met her.

- Hi, I heard a lot about you, your uncle says you're a really bright girl!

- Oh, well I just enjoy school, that's the secret.

- See? We already have so much in common.

She had a lot of energy for 5am. I had a friend named Celeste back in France, but she was always falling asleep in class.

- Wasn't someone else supposed to come with us?

- Raven, yeah. They were struggling to get up this morning, so I let them sleep a little longer. I'll pick them up on the way.

I went back upstairs to get ready. I took a cold shower, just like my mom used to do. She said it helped with blood circulation. I put moisturizer on my face, down to my neck. I then brushed my lashes with burgundy mascara. 

- Jade! We're leaving in 5 minutes, take a waffle for the road okay?

- Coming!