We all have someone we never speak of. Someone who meant so much, that even hearing their name makes your soul tremble with memories...
~~~
Jasmine Bryant is your typical teenager. She is well known for being a straight A student and still very beau...
"We've been here for hours! I'm hungry!" I whined, slouching down on a nearby couch as Taylor rummaged through the same racks of prom dresses for the third time today.
"You're always hungry! It's only 1pm!"
"Which is past my lunch!" I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest.
"You're such a baby when you're starving."
"Feed me!" I pouted, showcasing my cutest puppy dog face.
"Fine! When I find a dress." She grinned mischievously and moved on to the next rack.
When we first came, I was worried that I will be the one who took ages to find the perfect dress, but I sure was wrong. The moment I stepped into the store, I found a dress that caught my eye. It was really beautiful especially with my skin tone and brown hair. The color was a bonus for it was Elijah's favorite. I can't wait to see his reaction when I wear it. I also can't wait to see him in a tux for the first time. I can already feel myself drooling as I imagined how handsome and breathtaking he will look. Considering no one knows him at my school, I'm sure people, especially girls, will be staring. That's when my protective girlfriend instincts kick in, and that's a side no one wants to meet. I won't hesitate to rip them into shreds. Too much? I don't think so. I know Elijah would do the same if it were me in his shoes, or even worse.
What felt like, and was, an eternity later, Taylor emerged from the dressing rooms in a gorgeous dress that fit her perfectly. It so happened to be Andrew's favorite color as well. She looked like an instagram model when she did the catwalk, striking playful poses, making me laugh slightly and shake my head.
"We are so going to have our boyfriends swoon and drool all over us," I told her with a smirk, imagining the look on their faces.
"You said it, sister." She grinned and high fived me before she went back in to change. I took the opportunity to go pay for my dress and all the other accessories I got to match with it. Once Taylor was done, she did the same and we were off to the food court. Finally!
***
"I miss you, my flower."
"You just saw me yesterday night!"
"But that was way too long ago! It's today afternoon now!" I was pretty sure he was pouting.
"Not my problem." I sure loved teasing him.
"I know you miss me too. Admit it."
"What? You want me to lie? Never."
"Jasmineeeee." He whined.
I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the smile tugging on my lips.
"Fine, fine. I miss you too, Elijah."
"Now that's more like it."
I was currently standing in the basement, looking through all the packed boxes. I was searching for my old scrapbook. Why? Well, I was looking through Pinterest and pictures of scrapbooks were what I saw first so I remembered I had one made. I just didn't know in which box it sat. I was glad that Elijah was keeping me company though.
We continued talking about random subjects, without forgetting Elijah's frequent flirting, while I made a mess of the basement in my search. When I opened the last box, a picture of an ultrasound was what I came face to face with. I smiled, thinking it was back when my mom was pregnant with me but when I turned the picture around, the date stated was two years before my birth.
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"I have to hang up, Elijah. I'll call you later tonight."
I frowned as I tried to think of all the possible explanations for this date. I doubt that it was written by mistake for not even the day, month or year were close to my own. I looked up and saw my mother standing in the doorway, a mixture of sadness and guilt evident on her face.
"What's this mom?"
She made her way over and sat down on the ground beside me, taking the picture out of my hands and looking down at it. I could see a sad smile on her face and a tear rolling down her cheek, landing on the image. I quickly wrapped my arms tightly around her in a hug, already guessing the story behind this photo.
"I was in my fourth pregnancy month. It was the week right after I knew the gender of the baby: a boy. It was that same week that we moved houses. That day, your father was carrying the packed boxes containing all our things inside our new home. He repetitively told me not to help or touch anything but you know how stubborn your mother is. I couldn't help it. When he disappeared upstairs with a box, I grabbed one on my own. As I was making my way up the front doorsteps, I fell. Only seconds later and your father was by my side, picking me up and rushing me to the car. I was in so much pain but all I cared about was my baby. I would never forgive myself if something happened to him. Unfortunately, something did, all because of my stubborn self. Even your father blamed himself for leaving me out of sight... I'm sorry for never telling you. I was too ashamed. I thought you would hate me if you knew. You've always wanted siblings and I stole that from you..." She was in tears now and so was I. Not because I blamed her for what happened to my brother but because she was blaming herself.
"Mom, I would never hate you. It wasn't even you who should be blamed. No one should be blamed. Even if my brother isn't here, I couldn't have been happier. You know why?" I paused only to cradle her face in my hands just like she did to me many times when I was in tears. I looked into her eyes that were a replica of mine, gently wiping away her precious tears with my thumbs, and smiled, "because now I know I have an angel looking over me from up above. He's our guardian angel, mom. He would never want to see you cry or beat yourself up for what happened. He loves you. I love you. That's all that matters."
"You, my princess, are going to be a wonderful woman as you grow up. Your father and I raised you well. I love you both, so much."
I hugged her again, rubbing my hands up and down her back in a soothing manner as I buried my face in the crook of her neck. I didn't look up or pull away when I felt a set of strong arms wrap around us. I knew it was my father. I snuggled in the warmth and safety his presence offered, closing my eyes and smiling to myself.
We just sat there, in the middle of our basement, sharing our first complete family hug: my father, my mother, my brother and myself...
~~~ Hello wonderful people! This is a quick chapter that I thought would be a nice addition to the book.
Also, THANK YOU SO SO MUCH FOR 1K READS! Never in a million years would I have saw it coming so soon. I might be exaggerating but I'm so happy!! I really hope one day I would be able to accomplish more, all thanks to you! I love you all so much <3
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