Across campus, June sat at a lunch table, flipping through her textbook. Around her, the hum of classmates' conversations filled the air, but it was just white noise. She couldn't focus. Her sister's face kept flashing in her mind. Jasmin had always been the star—people gravitated toward her without her even trying. But lately, that light was gone. In its place was someone who seemed distant, as though the vibrant energy that used to fill the house had been sucked away.
June sighed, absentmindedly stirring the untouched food on her tray. She hated how everything felt different now. It was like a switch had flipped in her family, and suddenly, there was this heavy cloud hanging over everything. Watching Jasmin go through her breakup was like watching someone unravel in slow motion. The confidence Jasmin once had? Gone. The easy smiles? Gone. And it scared June. If her sister, who seemed to have it all, could fall apart so completely, then what did that mean for her?
Her fingers drummed lightly on the table. What did it feel like to lose someone who meant so much? She hadn't experienced that kind of heartbreak yet, but watching Jasmin was enough to make her feel it too. The worst part was feeling useless. She didn't know how to help her sister. All she could do was watch.
June tried to concentrate on her studies, but her mind was elsewhere. Each passing moment felt heavy, as if the air in her room was thick with unspoken words. She grabbed her phone, scrolling through social media, but the images of smiling couples and carefree friends only intensified her frustration. It felt like everyone else was moving on with their lives, while her sister was stuck in a loop of pain.
"What if this is the new normal?" June whispered to herself, the thought making her stomach churn. If Jasmin couldn't bounce back, what did that mean for her? They were supposed to be a team—sisters who could face anything together. Now, it felt like they were worlds apart.
June grabbed her backpack, determined to find Jasmin after school. She needed to check in, to remind her that she wasn't alone. But as the final bell rang, June's resolve faltered. What if Jasmin didn't want to talk? What if she pushed her away again?
