TORN

5

As soon as he pulls the shirt down, I close my eyes and drift off to sleep, as quick as lightning.

****

I wake up in the morning, and glance at the clock. Damn me. It's only 7:00 am. I snort at the thought of last night. When Alex had changed my clothes.

"Hazel honey, are you ready?" A voice chirp outside. Jemima, I roll my eyes. "Kinda." I say, unsure. "Come on! We're leaving in 15 minutes!" She calls. I hear the footsteps going down to Alex's room.

I walk over to the closet and take out teeny tiny shorts that cover my bum and a long white t-shirt with a black cross on. I wasn't exactly a strong believer but the shirt was cool.

I go to the bathroom and brush my teeth, wash my face and grab my phone. In ten minutes I'm out.

"Hey Jemima! How's your day so far?" I sit down at the table.
"I'm doing good. How are you?"
"Eh, good as yesterday." I smile. "Can I have some apple juice?"
"Yeah. It's in the fridge," she poimts to the refrigerator, "By the way, I'm glad Ford promised me to take care of Fisher. Those two men are a pain." She rolls her eyes.
"Where's Alex?" I ask.

Just as the name spilled out of my mouth, two arms wrap around my waist and I feel a light kiss on my neck. "Speaking of the devil," I say, "How was your day Alex?" I ask as he sits down across me on the table. "The day just started." He sticks out his tongue at me. "Are uou kids ready? We'll have McDonalds breakfast at 10." Jemima informs us. "Cool." I smile.

Jemima was wearing tights and a cotton shirt and a red scarf around her head. She looked pretty even if her hair was not visible. She was a strong believer. As a Muslim, I saw her offer her prayers yesterday. She had a strong light radiating off of her face.
"Done staring at my aunt?" Alex chuckles. "Shut up." Is my reply as I make our was to Jemima's black car. It was polished. Sooo well kept.

I take a seat in the front. "So, would you like to your appearance or remain the same?" She smiles. "Well, change the whole look." Alex and I say in unison. Then we chuckle... and then burst out laughing. Jemima looks at us and laughs too.

"I've seen you a couple of times at Alex's. How did you and Ford meet?" I ask, my voice laced with confusion.

"Well, I lived in India, my parents were really strict, but they were good parents. Then they became really... I don't know, hard on me?" She says thoughtfully, "Then one night I ran into Ford. And then we fell in love. That night, I ran away." She smiles. "Then we married. I was only 20. Ford was 21. We loved each other immensly. First we carried out the marriage in my religion's style then when we were legally bonded, we carried it out in his religious style, then we had Fisher. He was the most hapliest thing ever." She smiles again, "Then Ford got a job that paid him tremendous amount. We were happy, and the money was hard earned and legal. We have lived happily since then."

"That's so cute, but Jemima, were there." Alex pokes his nose in. Honestly, I was having fun listening to Jemima's story.
"Welcome to the mall of Manhattan." She smiles and I hop out of the car. I immediately feel cold. Damn you tiny shorts. It is chilly but a peaceful chilly, not too cold to the bone.

Suddenly I feel that the clothes I was wearing are too revealing. "Alex?" I call out to him.
"Hmm?" He asks.
"My clothes are okay? Right?"
"Yep. That dude over there is checking you out." I hear the smile in his voice.
"Kids! Would you like to go to McDonalds first?" Jemima waves her hand infront of my face.

My face lights up. "Hell yeah." Alex takes my words. He's the best brother. EVER.
"Come on then." She takes my hand into her soft one and drags us to McDonalds.