Sometime In July (2024 edition)

Chapter Fourteen

The next morning, Yssa knew she had to talk to Seth. She needed to clear the air, to confront the unspoken things between them—about Kristina, about their feelings for each other. And she had to tell him about Glenn's visit the day before. The sky was overcast, the cold and bitter wind hinting at rain, as if nature mirrored the loneliness weighing on her heart. Even the sun struggled to break through the heavy clouds, much like her own troubled thoughts.

When she arrived at the house in Gordon Heights, Elisha met her at the gate, her bright eyes searching Yssa's face for a smile that wouldn't come. Sensing her mood, the little girl asked innocently, "Are you okay, Teacher Yssa?"

Yssa forced a sad smile, squeezing the child's hand as they walked together down the driveway. Elisha's presence was comforting, but her next question hit Yssa harder than she expected.

"Teacher Yssa, did you and Tito Seth have a fight?"

"No," Yssa replied softly. "Why do you ask?"

Elisha tilted her head, her small face thoughtful. "I just heard him talking with Mom a lot about Kristina."

Yssa's heart clenched at the mention of her name. She tried to keep her voice steady. "Oh?"

Elisha frowned as they reached the front door. "You know, I don't like her."

Surprised, Yssa raised an eyebrow. "Who? Kristina?"

"Uh-huh," Elisha nodded seriously, opening the door.

"Well, how come?"

"Because she makes everyone feel sad."

The simplicity of the child's words lingered, echoing Yssa's own unspoken fears.

* * *

"I wish Kristina was here today, Ate. Every day."

Yssa caught Seth's voice as it drifted through the air, wrapping around her like a chill. She overheard him talking to Jeanne, their footsteps echoing softly toward the kitchen. Each word felt like a weight on her heart.

"Mommy! Look who's with me!" Elisha's excited shout filled the room just as they entered.

Jeanne turned, her smile strained. "Oh, hi, Yssa..." She paused, her gaze flickering to Seth as if searching for a lifeline. "We didn't expect you."

"I just wanted to see how Seth's been doing," Yssa said, deliberately speaking about him in the third person, the words heavy with unshed tears. "Besides, it's the weekend, and I missed you all." The pain she masked was like a shadow, lurking just beneath the surface.

"Oh... you're sweet," Jeanne replied, her voice a gentle attempt to lighten the mood. Yet, Yssa's expression betrayed her. Sensing the tension, Jeanne took Elisha's hand and smiled at Yssa. "C'mon, baby, let's get started on your homework," she said, offering a soft farewell.

Once alone with Seth, Yssa felt the air thicken between them. He turned, a smile breaking through his concern. "Hi, Yssa. I missed you. Come sit with me."

She offered a timid smile, sliding into the chair across from him. His warmth was comforting, yet it felt like a fragile truce. He noticed her silence and, wanting to bridge the distance, asked if she wanted coffee. She nodded, and he moved to the coffee maker, the soft bubbling breaking the tension.

"It's my fault," she said suddenly, her voice a whisper of regret. "This isn't fair to you."

Seth turned, surprise etching his features as he sat beside her. "What do you mean? Tell me. Maybe I can help."

"I took advantage of you, Seth. I took advantage of your loneliness, your solitude." Her voice flowed like a river of unfiltered emotion. "I got swept up in something wild, something I thought was a romantic story."