The Magic Within: Shadows of Two Worlds

Chapter 51 ~ Jamie

     We waited a few days to tell Jake. At lunch on Tuesday, Ella and I pulled him off to the side. "Look, Jake- we need to talk to you about something," I muttered. He nodded, looking a little confused. "So, we've finally managed to plan a funeral for our parents this weekend," I started. Jake cut me off, though. "I'm sorry, but I won't be able to go. Um..." his voice trailed off, and he mumbled his next words. "I'm sorry. I can't go. My grandma isn't doing well. You know, all the stuff with her brain and all." I blinked, taken aback. "The doctors are saying she might need surgery. I need to be there for her," Jake added. "Oh..." Ella whispered. "I'm so sorry, Jake." I nodded. "You shouldn't be the one apologizing. We understand." Jake sighed. "It's really my parents' fault. If they had been trying harder to take care of her..." he paused, then added, "Not that I see her as a burden. It just... would be nice if they could help. Especially with the costs." When he said that I immediately hugged him. "If we could do something, we would. Your parents should be helping." He didn't respond for a moment. "I... thank you," he muttered, then stepped back. "Well, it's good that you're able to finally have a funeral for your parents." I nodded, then I saw Ella brighten besides me. "Wait- I think we can help. You know how we split the cost of the apartment? We can pay you back your portion." Jake's eyes widened. "No, I couldn't do that to you two. You're completely alone in terms of money!" I smiled. "It's the least we can do. Your grandmother has treated us like her own grandchildren. We barely knew our own, but when we were around her I felt like I knew what having a grandma was like." I thought about our grandparents. The small amount of times we saw them, they were always arguing with our parents and with each other because they didn't like how we had to hide our powers. I understood that, honestly more than understood that, but it would have been nice of them to pay attention to me and Ella. I was always so scared when they would come over, because I hated the sounds of them yelling at each other. Arguing over us. It kind of made me feel like a burden. "I hope your visit goes well," Ella said. The three of us paused for a moment, then went back out to finish our lunch. At the lunch table, Liam, Amelia, Lilly, Thomas, and Chris were all sitting and talking casually. I gave Ella a quick glance. Do we want to tell them now? I questioned. She gave me a quick nod in response. "We wanted to talk to Jake about this first because we were planning on inviting him, but just so all of you know, Ella and I are leaving this weekend for our parents' funeral," I explained as I sat down. Chris's eyes widened. Lilly, being the amazing actress she was, smiled softly and said, "Well, it's good that you get to go back to mourn, finally." Thomas nodded. "I'm so sorry the two of you had to go through that." He glanced at Jake. "And I'm assuming you were close to them too." Jake gave him a nod, then stared at the floor. "Unfortunately, I have other plans." Liam sighed. "Yeah. I know you've been... busy recently." I knew Jake and him were pretty close, and it made me happy to know that Jake told him about his grandma. Usually Ella and I were the only people he really talked to. It was good that he was branching out.