thirteen → jade west

Chapter 11

The sun was setting as Jade, Cat, Beck, and a few others from their prep class arrived at Andre's house. The atmosphere was immediately welcoming, a stark contrast to the rigid formality of Jade's home.

"Hey, everyone! Come on in," Andre greeted them with his usual warm smile. "Grandma Charlotte made some snacks for us."

They were ushered into the cozy living room where Andre's grandma, Charlotte, was bustling around with a tray of homemade treats. Despite her age and the early signs of dementia, her energy was infectious.

"Welcome, darlings! I hope you like apple turnovers," Charlotte beamed, her eyes twinkling with kindness.

"Thank you, Mrs. Harris. They look delicious," Jade replied, her voice softer than usual, touched by the genuine warmth.

Andre's grandpa, seated comfortably in his favorite armchair, watched the scene with a content smile. "You kids enjoy yourselves. It's good to have young energy in the house again," he said, his voice frail but filled with affection.

As they all settled down, Charlotte regaled them with stories of her church choir performances, her voice filled with passion. "Music has always been my life," she said, a distant look in her eyes as if she were reliving her memories.

Jade listened, feeling a pang of longing. The love and support in Andre's family were so palpable, so different from her own experience. She glanced around at her friends, who were all engrossed in Charlotte's stories, and felt a sense of belonging.

Beck caught her eye and gave her a small, understanding smile. Jade returned it, feeling grateful for this moment of escape from her own complicated family life.

The evening passed with laughter, music, and stories. For a few hours, Jade could forget about the pressures waiting for her at home. She was just a teenager, enjoying time with her friends, surrounded by the warmth of a loving family.

As they said their goodbyes, Jade felt a twinge of sadness. Leaving the Harris household meant returning to her reality, but the evening had given her a glimpse of the kind of family she longed for - one filled with love, support, and music.

*

A few days after their heartwarming evening at Andre's, Cat invited Jade, Beck, and Andre to her house. The Valentine home was lively and filled with the rich aromas of Italian cooking. Cat's parents, Luigi and Maria, greeted them warmly, but it was clear that much of their attention was focused on Cat's older brother, Giacomo.

As they settled in, Cat's Nonna, Bianca, shared stories and laughter, providing a comforting presence. Cat seemed to draw strength from her Nonna, her usual bubbly self despite the underlying family struggles.

The group was lounging in Cat's living room, the air filled with the comfortable chatter of friends. They were in the midst of a lively discussion about their favorite movies.

"I just love 'Pirates of the Caribbean,'" Cat exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. "Johnny Depp is just so quirky in it!"

Andre nodded in agreement. "Yeah, but have you guys seen 'Inception'? That movie blew my mind!"

Beck leaned back, crossing his arms. "Those are great, but nothing beats the classics. 'The Godfather' is a masterpiece."

Jade, who was usually more reserved about her interests, chimed in with a hint of mischief in her voice. "Have any of you seen 'The Scissoring'? I watched it secretly. My parents hate horror movies."

"The Scissoring? No way, I've been wanting to see that!" Andre replied, his interest piqued.

"Yeah, it's pretty intense. Had to watch it hiding from my parents," Jade added, a small smirk playing on her lips.