"Where there is hope, there is always pain."
When you were young, there was one thing you wanted more than anything in the world. One thing you would give your very soul up to achieve, if only it meant you would finally be able to make your mark in...
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Melody was once hospitalized in a room such as this.
Peeling wallpaper and drafty curtains, random assortments of things tossed about as though that would make it feel more like home. A picture frame there, a small couch here, blankets and pillows scattered on the floor, candles alight to try and chase away the rancid smell of disinfectant and sanitization.
Yes, all of it are things she is familiar with, things she wishes she wouldn't remember even after all this time.
"Your sister better get here soon, or she's going to miss out."
Melody swallows hard at her mother's voice, dropping the picture frame she was holding into the box laid open on her mother's bed. She chooses instead to busy herself with gathering up the carefully folded clothes decorating the bedsheet.
"Well, you know Yen, always late to everything." Melody mutters, intentionally avoiding Jocelynn's stern look her way.
"Melody..."
"What?"
"You know what."
Melody sighs, raising her eyes to her mother and falling defeated beneath her clear instruction. It takes her a moment, but she manages a forced smile, taking her mother's hand.
"Don't worry, Mom. I promise to keep the peace."
Jocelynn returns the smile, squeezing her daughter's hand a bit before she pulls away. Seeing her daughter's fight like this, seeing two once inseparable siblings' relationship strained like this, pains her in a way she doesn't know how to express. She knows that Melody feels betrayed, and she understands why Yen had to do what she had to do, but Jocelynn hates being put in the middle of the two. So for now, perhaps it is easier to ignore the situation entirely.
"I can't wait to get out of here," She chuckles to herself. "I can't believe it took this long to get discharged."
Melody scoffs, rolling her eyes at her blatant ignorance.
"It's your own fault, you know."
"How so?" Jocelynn hums, prompting Melody to turn to her incredulously.
"Seriously?" Melody can't help but laugh at her mother's blank stare when she turns her eyes to hers. Jocelynn grows offended, tossing a stray sock at her daughter's head in retaliation when she doesn't give her a straight answer.
"Yes, seriously!"
Melody laughs, catching the sock midair.
"Oh come on, Mom." The next time Jocelynn throws a sock it catches Melody right in her face and she groans, pulling the sock off before tossing it aside. As she speaks, she tries to hide the smile growing on her face at the sound of Jocelynn's laughter, but Jocelynn spies it clear as day, and her heart grows warm with affection. "You were ready to be discharged a month after your attack, but you refused bed rest and opened your stitches. They wanted to keep you a few weeks after, but you just had to get restless and assist the hospital staff. A fall and two later you've slipped on wet tile and have rebroken your ribs and leg."
