Life Like Reality

7 - This Is Our Sanctuary

Jesse POV:

We drove home in the early evening since Nika promised to cook, Soph said she would come over at 8. Nika took a quick shower and then headed to the kitchen. I assumed I had to help her a bit, because she didn't know where all the stuff was. "What are you going to make?" I asked curious as my sister pulled out some potatoes. "I'm not gonna tell you until you tried it." she said with a grin and continued to wash the potatoes. Then she cooked them and while they were in the water she cut some different meat. Then Nika took out a pan and put the meat with onions into it. Then after about four minutes she added the potatoes. She mixed it and after Nika added some spicery she cover the pan and let it cook.

The same moment Nika finished preparing the salad the bell rang. I went to open it and Nika told us to sit down at the table. We did like we were told and Nika served the salad and then put the bis pan in the middle. "Oh my god that smells awesome! What is this?" Sophia asked. Nika smiled. "This is an Austrian meal called 'Gröstl' Former days it was for the poor ones with mostly potatoes, different meat and onions. Nowadays you can get it everywhere in Austria and it's my favorite. I used to make it with my mom and you eat it out the pan." Explained my sister and we tried the weird looking mix. It tasted completely different than I expected but it was incredible. "Wow, this is... Amazing!" I said truly impressed. Sophia too was speechless what was really rare. Nika smiled shyly. "Good that you like it."

After dinner we talked about random things so Nika got to know Soph a bit better. The two get along very well and laughed a lot. I looked at the two girls. My two favorite girls probably. "Do you have to work tomorrow?" Nika then asked and I shook my head "Nope, we can do whatever you want." "Then I want to explore Chicago a bit more." She said with a smile. "Sadly I can't join you guys because there is a demonstration against rasiscm which I support. And in the evening my friend Dara is going to present her new book." Soph said. "Maybe we can spend some time together next week?" Nika asked and Soph nodded. "That would be awesome. So I'm gonna head home. See you." She greeted and gave me a kiss. Then she went out.

Nika pov:
I sat down at the couch and Jesse joined me after a few minutes with a glass of whiskey. "You want something to drink too?" he asked and I shortly thought about it and then said "I would like a Campari orange if you have it." Jesses looked confused. I assumed he didn't know what a Campari orange was. "It's Campari mixed with..." Jesse interrupted me. "I know what it is but Nika, you are sixteen." He said. Now it was me who was confused. "And?" I asked. "And that means no alcohol." Jesse explained. "Not until you're twenty one." I sighed. "Well in Austria we are allowed to drink alcohol when we turn sixteen but it's nothing special when you drink alcohol already when you're younger." Jesses eyes grew wide at my explanation. "You people are crazy." he laughed. "But if it's like that I get you a Campari."
After Jesse got me my drink we watched 'The hunger games'. I didn't recognize it at first but after some time Jesses arm laid on my shoulders. I didn't say anything about it because I felt comfortable. I snuggeld closer to him and inhaled his scent. I swore myself to always remember it and with Loki in my lap I fell asleep.

Jesse pov:
I saw Nika asleep snuggeld against my side. Loki and I exchanged a look and I nodded. "Yap, you're right. It's time for bed." I said to my dog and like he understood he jumed up and ran to Nikas room. I picked her up bridal style and carried her to the bed. I laid her down and covered her with the blanket. Loki jumped to her side and also laid down. "Take good care of her." I told him and was just about to leave the room when a picture caught my eye. I pulled it out of her backpack. It showed her and her parents. I looked at my peacefully sleeping sister. She didn't deserve this. She was so young and she had everything she wanted. How could someone up there just take her parents away? At this point I made a vow to myself to always take care of her. No matter what. She was the smartest, nicest and most remarkable girl I knew. Nothing should hurt her anymore.