Unspoken Goals

I've Always Been Yours

November 26th

The car rumbled to a stop, tires crunching softly against the gravel of Abigail's driveway. Juliette's hands rested confidently on the steering wheel, her grip loosening as the soft hum of the engine faded into the quiet. The world outside seemed to exhale with them, the wind brushing through the skeletal trees, carrying whispers of autumn's end.

Abigail stirred from where she had been lounging in the passenger seat, her head leaning lazily against the cool glass of the window. A smile tugged at her lips as her gaze lingered on the house she had grown up in, its familiar shape outlined against the soft hues of the fading evening sky.

"Home sweet home," Juliette said, her voice warm and teasing. She turned to face Abigail, her grin carrying that easy charm that never failed to lift the corners of Abigail's heart.

Abigail glanced at her, a playful glint sparking in her eyes. "I missed it," she admitted, unbuckling her seatbelt with a deliberate slowness. Then, after a pause, she added, "Can you please carry my bags?"

Juliette raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching into an exaggerated smirk. "Oh, of course," she said with mock reverence, pushing her door open with a dramatic flourish. "Whatever the princess wants."

Abigail's laughter spilled into the air, soft and melodic, as she followed Juliette out of the car. The November chill greeted them, brisk and sharp, nipping at their cheeks and noses as they made their way to the trunk. The leaves scattered along the driveway rustled beneath their steps.

Juliette popped the trunk, revealing the mountain of bags Abigail had packed for the short trip home. She reached for the largest suitcase, her fingers curling around the handle before she lifted it with an exaggerated grunt. "You'd think you were moving back in," Juliette quipped, pretending to stagger under its weight. "What do you even have in here? A full gym set? Rocks?"

Abigail crossed her arms, her smile mischievous as she leaned against the car. "You never know what you're going to need," she replied with a shrug that was far too casual to be innocent.

Juliette tilted her head, studying her. "Is that what this is? The 'just in case' suitcase?" She gestured dramatically at the bag. "What if we get snowed in? What if there's an impromptu gala? What if the apocalypse hits, and you need exactly seventeen outfit changes to survive the collapse of society?"

Abigail chuckled, shaking her head as she reached into the trunk for her smaller bag. "Maybe I just like to be prepared," she said lightly, but her eyes softened as they met Juliette's.

Juliette paused, the teasing smile lingering on her lips as her gaze lingered on Abigail a moment too long. Then she gave her head a small shake, as if snapping herself out of a daze. "Well, your preparedness is my workout for the day," she said, hauling the suitcase out with a grunt and slinging another bag over her shoulder.

Inside, the house greeted them with a comforting warmth, the faint aroma of cinnamon and pine lingering in the air. Fall decorations adorned every surface—pumpkins and golden leaves scattered along the mantel, twinkling fairy lights weaving through garlands. 

Abigail led Juliette up the familiar staircase, the quiet creak of the wooden steps beneath their feet breaking the stillness of the house. Her fingers brushed along the banister as she climbed, glancing back at Juliette with a soft smile. Juliette followed closely behind, her presence grounding, her silhouette framed by the faint glow of the hallway light.

When they reached Abigail's room, she pushed the door open, and Juliette stepped inside, her eyes scanning the space. It was an intimate blend of the past and present: shelves crowded with childhood trinkets, walls lined with photos and soft string lights, and the bed neatly made with a quilt that looked as though it had been there for years.