FATE

57. Birds On The Branch

BROOKE

"Thanks for coming Carmen", I say as we walk towards the front porch.

She looks down at me and smiles, "are you kidding?", she asks, "I'm so glad we're finally hanging out"

I pause in front of the door, "I thought you didn't want to see me"

"Brooke", she cocks her head, "of course, I wanted to see you", she says, "I've just been really busy"

A loud thud comes from inside Jonah's house. Carmen and I glance at the door and then back at each other. I knock thrice and we wait.

The door opens and I gasp slightly. Shock fills my entire body, leaving me frozen on the spot. It's her. it has to be her. I could be wrong but that's not possible. I've stared at that picture one too many times to be mistaken. They're the exact ocean blue eyes and she has the exact golden blonde hair. Her cheekbones, raised into a wide grin reveals a set of pearly white teeth as she looks down at me. She's dressed in a white sundress that shows off her glowing tanned skin.

"Oh my God", I use both hands to cover my mouth.

Confusion fills her face and she frowns slightly, "hello", her voice is soft and tiny, "you must be Jonah's friends. Come in"

She leaves the door ajar for Carmen and I to walk in. I walk in, my gaze not leaving her face and Carmen trails slowly behind.

"What are your names?", she asks.

"I'm Carmen", Carmen says from behind me, "and that's Brooke"

My gaze shifts to the framed picture on the wall. The same one I've stared at countless times when I enter Jonah's house. I look back at the woman's smiling face.

"You look just like her", I mutter and her eyebrows crease as she stares at me.

"Oh!", realization fills her face as she closes the door, "that's why you're like this", she stares at the picture and then back at me, 'that's my twin sister Lauren, I'm Wendy"

It takes a couple of seconds for my mind to process what she says, "you're Francis' mom"

She nods and grins, "yes"

"I'm so sorry", heat creeps on to my cheeks, "'I was just- "

She chuckles and waves her hand, "oh, no problem darling. I get it a lot"

From the corner of my eye, I notice slight movement and Jonah's aunt and I look up at the stairs.

"I found my phone", Jonah says as he walks down, his gaze fixed on the phone in his hand.

"Your friends are here Jonah", his aunt says.

He looks up and his eyes light up as he walks towards us. He doesn't look like he's ready in grey sweatpants and a black shirt. He pushes the phone into his pocket and grins.

"Hey", he says to me.

"Hi"

He looks behind me, "hello Carmen"

"Good morning Jonah", Carmen's tone is flat.

A thunderous scream comes from the living room and Francis runs through the door. He stops in his tracks and turns to Carmen and I.

"Cute Brooke!"

Jonah sighs heavily.

"Hi Francis", I smile.

His gaze flickers towards Carmen and he studies her appearance knowingly before nodding, "hello", he smiles at her. I feel her body tense next to me, "what's your name?"