Broken In Never-ending Infatuation X BINI

Κεφάλαιο 2

Chapter 2: Shifting Dynamics and Nightfall Reflections

** Jhoanna's POV**

Jhoanna sat on her bed, legs crossed, staring at the glowing screen of her laptop. The day's events played back in her mind as she waited for her friends to join the video call. Meeting Luca and his mom had been...surreal. It wasn't that Luca was unpleasant or that his mom was anything but kind—it was the reality of it all. After years of it being just her and her dad, this sudden shift felt like the ground beneath her was moving.

As the screen filled with familiar faces—Maloi, Stacy, Colet, Mikha, Sheena, Gwen, and Aiah—Jhoanna forced a smile. "Hey, girls," she greeted, trying to sound cheerful.

"Hey, Jo!" Maloi's voice chimed in, her excitement evident even through the screen. "So...how was it?"

Jhoanna hesitated, then decided to be honest. "It was...weird. They seem nice, but it's just so different, you know? I've never had to share my dad before."

The girls nodded sympathetically, but then Sheena's face lit up with a mischievous grin. "So...what's the deal with Luca? Spill!"

Jhoanna rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile at Sheena's enthusiasm. "He's...quiet. Polite. I mean, he seems nice, I guess."

"Oh, come on, Jo!" Maloi teased. "You can't just say 'nice.' Is he cute?"

Gwen and Aiah giggled, leaning closer to the screen as if to get all the juicy details. Jhoanna sighed. "Yeah, he's...okay, I guess." She could feel her cheeks warming, and she knew the girls would pick up on it.

"Aha! You're blushing!" Mikha pointed out, her eyes twinkling with delight.

Before Jhoanna could defend herself, Colet, who had been quiet, spoke up. "I don't know, guys. It's kinda weird, right? Like, suddenly having a new brother? A new family? I mean, it's not like we haven't all been through stuff, but this feels...different."

The mood shifted. Stacy nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's like...you've had your dad to yourself for so long. Now you have to share him with this...new family. It must be hard."

Jhoanna sighed, feeling a lump form in her throat. "It is. I know they're not trying to replace my mom, but it feels like everything's changing too fast. I've spent years with just my dad, and now suddenly, there's a new brother, a new mom..."

The girls were silent for a moment before Colet broke it. "But Jo, you're strong. This isn't easy, but you'll get through it. You always do."

"Yeah," Aiah added, her voice firm but gentle. "We know it's tough love, but it's what you need right now. You're not alone in this, okay? We're here."

Mikha chimed in, "Just remember, they're probably feeling as weird about this as you are. Luca and his mom, I mean. It's new for them too."

Jhoanna nodded slowly, her friends' words seeping into her. They were right—this wasn't just her life changing. Luca and his mom were also navigating this new family dynamic.

"Thanks, guys," she said softly. "I needed that."

"We got you," Colet said, her tone lighter now. "And who knows, maybe Luca will turn out to be the best brother ever. Or at least not a total pain."

They all laughed, the tension easing as they moved on to talk about the upcoming semester at the academy. But even as they discussed classes, clubs, and crushes, Jhoanna's thoughts kept drifting back to Luca.

"Okay, okay," Maloi said, steering the conversation. "Enough about the new brother—let's talk about the new semester at BINI Academy! Can you believe we're finally entering the big leagues?"