"He texted." Stella beamed at her sister. "He says he'd love to come over to pick me up."
"Good." Jane replied.
She hated how Stella acted when she was talking about this guy. This guy she had met a few days ago, who she had got so much interested in. It wasn't anything new, Jane was used to her sister's craziness.
But Stella seemed so different these days, always talking about this guy, expecting his replies and jumping up at every incoming message's notification.
Jane thought it'd be better to sort it out with her sister.
"Stell, let's talk for a moment?"
"Uh, sure. What is it?"
"I'm a little-"
"It's about him, isn't it?" Stella pulled a face. "You haven't even met him yet, Jane. Give him a chance."
"Right," Jane sighed.
She decided to wait for the guy to come over before she could pass her judgement. She wasn't always this prejudiced about anything but her sister's boyfriends had always been an issue to her. She was concerned about her little sister and she knew that was alright.
When the doorbell rang that evening, Jane stood watching as Stella climbed down the stairs gracefully, looking pretty in her short, blue dress. Her sixteenth birthday dress, Jane remembered, the day Stella had first known the truth about herself.
Stella and Jane wouldn't have had anything to do with each other if it weren't for Jack.
Jack was Stella's biological father, who had once stayed in Jane's neighbourhood. Stella was just over three when he had abandoned the child and fled. That was when Jane's parents had taken in the little girl, adopted her and brought her up as their own. Jane and Stella weren't related by blood but she loved Stella like her own sibling and the family made sure the truth was hidden from the little girl.
Until the day she turned sixteen.
Jack had come knocking at their door, demanding to see his daughter. In spite of their efforts to keep the two away, Stella had finally come to know the truth.
She wasn't devastated, as everyone expected. She looked normal, in fact she was suddenly interested in her father now. This worried Jane the most.
She was brought back to reality by the new voice she heard from the porch. A gentle yet dominating, male voice made her walk toward the front door.
She stopped when she reached the door where a young man stood with a bouquet of white roses in hand. He was handsome, to say the least. Well dressed, intelligent looking and, of course, the soothing voice. She was beginning to wonder why she'd hated him so much in the beginning.
He reminds you of Jack, a small voice reminded her and she found herself swallowing hard.
Of course she couldn't stand this guy, he was just like Jack. But what she didn't understand was why Stella couldn't see the similarities, why she liked this guy instead of wanting to stay as far away from him as possible?
"Jane, this is Ross. Jack's son, my half brother. He's taking me to Jack's so I can know the family better."
Stella sounded so excited, it got Jane worried sick. She had grown up despising Jack with all her might and now her sister wanted to know him better? She was torn between slapping some sense into Stella and kicking the hell out of Jack.
She had stayed quiet before, because she thought Stella would cut away every bond with the man who'd abandoned her. She had waited patiently for that to happen.
But what was happening here was completely unexpected. Stella was about to leave with Ross, her step brother, to go see her family.
Jane was devastated. Who she expected to be one of Stella's new friends was her step brother, Jack's son. Stella was going to meet her real family that night, she was going to stay there for a night.
What if she likes it there? What if she never comes back? What if Jack threatens her to stay? Will she be alright on her own? Jane's mind went haywire with crazy thoughts. Before she could stop her, Stella was already at Ross's car, waving back at her.
"Bye, Jane. I love you!"
Jane felt her cheeks moisten, words failed to form in her throat.
Stella was more than just a sister for her, she had grown up taking care of the girl. She had threatened those who bullied her sister, she had finished her homework when Stella had dozed off mid way, she had been there for her when she went through her first heartbreak. And Stella had been there to share every grief and joy with her.
Stella was that someone for whom she'd always thanked God.
As she walked back into the house, she suddenly felt incomplete. She sat on the swing and watched the clouds engulf the moon. For the first time in months, her thoughts went back to her parents. She realised how lonely she was without them, now that she didn't have Stella by her side. She stared at the night sky and lost count of her tears.
She had no idea how much time had passed but a tiny movement caught her attention. She looked up to see Stella making her way towards her.
She quickly wiped her tears and stood up. Stella walked closer and hugged her sister in a tight hug.
"Jane!"
"Hey, I thought you were going to stay with your family tonight," Jane stuttered.
"I couldn't do it. The moment I left, I started missing home, missing you. And then I realised that no matter what people say, I belong here. With you." Stella sniffed in that cute way that always made Jane laugh.
"I thought you'd left forever. Jeez, I was so scared. I thought you'd forgotten the promise you made to Dad."
"Jane! It was a promise I made to my hero. A promise I shall keep till I breathe my last."
"Sisters, forever?"
"Sisters, forever and after!"
Both the sisters looked up at the sky and smiled, wishing their parents could see them standing together, their bond stronger than ever.
