It was a serene Saturday morning when Jessica, feeling the gentle pull of consciousness, decided to rise from her slumber. As she stretched and blinked away the remnants of sleep, she noticed her younger sister Deana already engrossed in a solitary game, her laughter echoing through the room. Their father had already departed for his journey on the road, leaving behind an atmosphere tinged with both absence and anticipation.
With a graceful motion, Jessica smoothed the covers of her bed, her movements guided by a sense of order and familiarity. As she made her way to the kitchen, the aroma of a freshly prepared meal greeted her senses. Her heart leaped with joy as she discovered her father's culinary masterpiece - rice paired with succulent brown stew chicken, a combination that never failed to evoke happiness within her.
However, her elation was tempered by the realization that this delectable feast was meant to last the entire day, confined within the confines of a small basin. Jessica couldn't help but sigh at the thought of the fleeting nature of culinary delights. Glancing over at her sister, she observed Deana already indulging in her portion, the remnants of the meal disappearing rapidly.
"Deana, have you seen Kayla this morning?" Jessica inquired, her voice tinged with curiosity. Kayla, their cousin and Jessica's closest confidante, was a frequent presence in their lives, her absence now notable.
"No, Jay, I haven't seen her," Deana replied, her attention momentarily diverted from her meal. Despite the absence of their beloved cousin, the sisters found solace in each other's company, their bond unbreakable even in the face of uncertainty.
Jessica's gaze wandered around the mundane confines of their concrete abode, a weariness settling upon her spirit. Questions about her purpose in life lingered in her mind, overshadowing the mundane routines of their existence.
Suddenly, a familiar voice pierced the stillness, shattering Jessica's introspection. "JAY???" Kayla's voice rang out, jolting Jessica into action.
In a flurry of excitement, Jessica darted outside, her heart racing as she rushed down the garden path to the fence that separated their homes, eager to connect with her kindred spirit.
"Kayla, I'm so bored," Jessica exclaimed as she reached the fence, her eyes pleading for solace in the face of monotony.
With a serene smile, Kayla met Jessica's gaze, offering reassurance in her calm demeanor. "Jay, everything will be alright," she said soothingly, her words a balm to Jessica's restless soul.
Before their conversation could continue, Jessica caught the sound of her father's voice calling out. "Kayla, I'll catch up with you later," Jessica hastily informed her friend, reluctantly retreating back into the familiar confines of her home.
"Deana! Dad's coming!" Jessica called out, prompting her sister to hastily stash her unfinished meal in the cupboard before retreating to her reading nook.
"Did Dad catch you, Jay?" Deana inquired.
"I don't know," Jessica admitted, her heart racing with a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty.
YOU ARE READING
Rising from the ashes
Roman pour AdolescentsJessica's life changed dramatically at just ten years old when her mother died shortly after her birthday, leaving her and her siblings with a grief-stricken father. Her world became a fortress of paranoia, isolating her from the joys of childhood...
