June reached out, placing her hand on Jasmin's arm, trying to bridge the gap that had formed between them. "You're still you. Just because things have changed doesn't mean you're not still here."
"I don't know how to be okay again," Jasmin admitted, tears glistening in her eyes. "Everything I did revolved around him. It's like I have to learn how to live all over again."
"You will," June reassured her. "It's just going to take time. But you've always been strong, Jasmin. You're not weak for feeling this way."
The words hung in the air between them, a fragile connection slowly starting to mend the rift. "I don't want to be strong anymore," Jasmin said, her voice breaking. "I just want to feel normal."
"Normal is overrated," June said lightly, hoping to lighten the mood. "Besides, you'll figure it out. We all will."
They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, the weight of their conversation lingering. Finally, Jasmin sighed, her shoulders dropping as if she was releasing some of the pent-up tension she had been carrying. "Thanks, June. I needed that. I just... I don't want to drag you down with me."
"You could never drag me down," June insisted, smiling softly. "You're my sister. I'm here for you, even if it gets messy."
Jasmin smiled back, a genuine smile that reached her eyes, and it felt like a small victory. "Okay, maybe I'll take you up on that."
