Constant and Changing (kryber)

Chapter 59: Spread Its Wings

Krystal lay awake in Amber's bed after a fairly restless night of sleep. The argument that she had with her mother yesterday evening still weighed heavily in her mind, keeping the young girl from drifting off to sleep for most of the night.

It was now early morning and the faintest hints of sunlight trickled through the blinds and onto the bedspread. Krystal rolled over with a tired yawn and found Amber still fast asleep beside her. The sight of a peaceful llama put her troubled mind at ease for just a moment. Krystal had lost the familiar life that she had lived under her parents' roof since the day she was born, but the first day of her new life was in Amber's presence. She carefully brought her fingertips to Amber's cheek, the gentle touch eliciting a slight frown from the slumbering girl.

Krystal was grateful for Amber's existence in her life. Amber was a constant source of encouragement and inspiration to her. And last night, when Krystal was unable to process her sadness on her own, Amber had been her source of strength as well. The young girl smiled with great affection at the sleepy frown on Amber's face. A dark shadow still hung over Krystal's head, but this moment of peace with Amber was more than enough to motivate Krystal to begin her day.

She carefully climbed out of bed without disturbing Amber's sleep and slipped into the kitchen. Without a single wasted movement, Krystal started a fresh pot of coffee and began to make breakfast. She knew exactly where Amber kept the coffee beans and filters, and she knew exactly where to find the ingredients and utensils she needed for breakfast. As Krystal began mixing a bowl of pancake batter, she experienced a sense comfort from standing in Amber's kitchen. Even though she had only spent a random night here and there sleeping at Amber's apartment ever since they got back together in March, it felt like she had lived with Amber for months now.

But that feeling was just an illusion, just like the feeling that her mother had supported her unconditionally for these past 21 years.

"And if you don't agree with me, you can go find a different family."

Krystal slowly lowered the spoon of her half mixed pancake batter and sighed heavily as her mother's hurtful quote replayed in her head over and over.

"What the hell, mom," Krystal murmured to herself. Her heart was full of anger and sadness as she thought about the ugly fight at the house last night. Even though Krystal had prepared herself for such a reaction from her mother, she couldn't tune out the pain that she now felt. "How could she say that to me..."

A message lit up Krystal's phone and she glanced at it to find a text from Jessica, who was concerned about Krystal and wanted to come over even though it was early. Jessica had been her protector last night, for all of her life really, and Krystal was eager to meet up with Jessica as soon as possible. The younger girl quickly extended an invitation to Amber's apartment and then picked up the spoon and began mixing the batter again, motivated to continue making breakfast now that she was cooking for three instead of two.

Twenty minutes later, with the pancakes finished and a bowl or eggs ready to be scrambled, the intercom of Amber's apartment buzzed and announced Jessica's arrival. Krystal let her sister into the building and then invited her into Amber's apartment with a powerful hug.

"Thanks for helping me last night, Jess," Krystal greeted Jessica sincerely, still locked in their tight embrace.

The older girl ignored the unnecessary gratitude and showered the younger girl with concern. "I'm sorry you had to go through that, Soojung-ah. I wish I could have protected you from all the stuff that mom said. How are you doing? Did you sleep OK?"

"I didn't sleep well, but I'm OK. I'm sorry I was so short on the phone when you called me," Krystal apologized. Jessica called her as promised late last night, but Krystal had been too exhausted to talk. She had cried her heart out to Amber throughout the drive back to Amber's apartment, and the tears and talking continued even after they were inside. Amber managed to console Krystal until she stopped crying, at which point Jessica had called, but Krystal was too tired to talk anymore by then.