Forever and Always

Chapter 1

KNOCK KNOCK

"I'm coming," I run to the door, carefully putting down a box of my belongings to open it.

"Allison? What are you doing here?"

"What? Can't I visit my sister who I haven't seen in months?" She rolls her eyes.

"I-I just didn't expect it--"

"Hey," Allison puts her hand on my shoulder, "Mom told me you needed help with the move."

"Oh, I'm fine. I don't mean to be a bother, you can just leave and go back to whatever you were doing. I'm almost done anyway.." I ramble, turning away from her, hoping to hide the tears that are threatening to fall down my face.

"Jessica, please. We haven't seen you for months. Mom's worried, we're all worried."

Allison grabs my hand but I pull away.

"I-I don't know what you want me to say."

"Talk to me, Jessica. Like we used to, two sisters staying up late and talking about everything."

I give in, turning around. Her arms wrap around me. I can't hold it in any longer. I sob loudly.

"Shh, come here." Allison leads me to the sofa, sitting down, and instructing me to do the same.

"What happened?"

I cry in response, my sobs shaking my body, and my tears staining my cheeks. It seems like such a simple question, but I know how hard it will be for me to answer.

She sighs, "Okay, maybe let's not do this now."

"I don't want to push you, but maybe we should start cleaning, to get your mind off of him?"

I silently nod.

She gets up and walks towards the box I left at the door. I follow. Allison starts putting my belongings into two piles.

"Okay so here is the keep pile and here is the trash pile," she points at the two heaps in front of her.

My eyes immediately dart to the 'trash pile,' scanning over the items. I stop at the mug.

Picking it up, tears threaten to fall down my cheeks, once again.

"What? It's all cracked, I just assumed it was junk" Allison defends.

My thumb brushes over the words "Seattle" printed on the mug, hidden by the many cracks from when it was shattered. It marks the first place we went together: our beautiful vacation to Washington. Tears are now flowing more freely down my face, as I remember how the cup was shattered and then poorly put together with glue.

(Author's Note: I use italics to mark Jessica's memories)

...

I storm into the bedroom and slam the door, hearing his heavy footsteps follow mine.

I try to distract myself by packing away our luggage from our trip. It was such an amazing vacation. I learned so much about him and finally opened myself up to him.

A smile creeps on my lips as I find the mug we got from Seattle, reminding me of our most vulnerable moments together; the kisses in the rain, the nights where his arms held me tight, comforting me and keeping me safe. I knew there was nowhere else I would rather be than by his side.

But now I'm not so sure.

Did all of that mean nothing to him? Did I mean nothing to him?