Earlier that evening...
After Jayden left for his date, the house had grown quiet. Only Tasha and Jessica remained. Harleen and Jacob had gone out for the night, attending so fancy party.
The sisters sat on their separate beds in the sa room, each pretending to be absorbed in their own little world.
Jessica was tapping furiously on her console, blasting through so intense boss fight. While Tasha, headphones on, stared at the screen of her tablet, watching a movie.
On the surface, they looked calm, distracted, entertained.
But it was a lie.
Behind every button tap and scene skip, they were both fighting storms of emotion.
Their eyes kept drifting toward each other, stealing glances when the other wasn’t looking.
Sothing was bothering them.
They both knew it. They just didn’t know how to say it.
Finally, Tasha pulled her headphones down around her neck and glanced over at her sister.
"Hey," she called softly, her voice cutting through the tension like a warm breeze. "I don’t think Jayden’s ho yet. Should I order a pizza for dinner?"
Jessica paused her ga, lowering her joystick to her lap. She turned with a faint smile and nodded. "Yeah, pizza sounds nice."
Tasha smiled and got up, stretching before walking over to the wall-mounted house phone. She placed the order with practiced ease and then returned a few minutes later, the soft creak of the wooden floorboards announcing her arrival.
But as she stepped into the room, her brows furrowed. Jessica was now sitting upright on her bed, the joystick set aside. Her head was bowed, gaze locked on the floor, her shoulders tense.
Tasha’s voice ca out gentle. "Um... Jessica, are you okay? I’ve placed the order. It’ll be here soon."
No reply.
Tasha slowly approached, concern deepening in her chest. "Hey... is everything okay?" she repeated, lowering her voice.
Jessica finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "No, it’s not. I’m a bad person... and a bad sister."
Tasha’s expression softened instantly. "Jessica, don’t say that. You’re not a bad person. And you’re definitely not a bad sister."
Jessica looked up. Tears shimred in her eyes, threatening to spill. "But I am, Tasha. I’m a terrible person... and I’ve been nothing but a bad sister to you."
Tasha sat beside her, close enough that their shoulders touched. "That’s not true. You’ve—"
"Please, Tasha," Jessica interrupted gently. "Just let say this."
Tasha shook her head slowly. "No, I won’t let you. I won’t sit here and listen to you call yourself a bad sister. You’re the best sister in the world and one of the nicest people I know."
She placed a hand over Jessica’s. "And besides, there’s nothing you want to say that I don’t already know."
Jessica blinked. "No, Tasha. You don’t understand. I lied to you. I was jealous of you. I was mad because I saw you and Jayden together. I couldn’t sacrifice for you the way you did for . I told you I didn’t like Jayden anymore but... it turns out I still do. And I think I’m in love with him. But you—"
"I know, Jessica." Tasha cut in gently.
Jessica stared up at her sister in shock. "You... know?"
Tasha sighed, looking slightly sheepish. "I may have overheard your conversation with Jayden earlier."
Jessica’s eyes widened.
"I promise," Tasha added quickly, "I wasn’t eavesdropping. I was just passing by at that mont."
Jessica’s gaze fell to the floor again. "So... you heard everything?"
Tasha nodded. "Yes."
Jessica swallowed hard. "I’m sorry, Tasha. I really am. Please forgive ."
Tasha let out a small chuckle. "There’s nothing to forgive, silly. If anything, I should have told you about Jayden and . I didn’t an for you to find out that way. But the truth is... I didn’t know how to tell you. Because I knew you still loved him.
Telling you would’ve made feel like a terrible person... but not telling you made a terrible sister. I’m sorry."
Jessica’s lip quivered as she reached forward and pulled Tasha into a hug. "You’re not a terrible sister. You’re the best sister ever."
Tasha smiled and hugged her tightly. The tension between them lted in that mont.
Then, after a pause, Tasha leaned back slightly and asked, "Do you truly love him?"
Jessica hesitated, then nodded. "Yes."
Tasha exhaled slowly. "That’s all I needed to know."
Jessica blinked. "Huh?"
Tasha gave a soft smile. "Jayden has no issue being with both of us. And I have no issue sharing him with you."
Jessica’s face lit up with surprise. "Really?"
Tasha nodded. "It only depends on how much you want to be with Jayden. If you’re willing to share him... then you have no issue either. Can you do that?"
Jessica stared at her, stunned, heart thudding in her chest. Slowly, she nodded. "Yes."
Tasha squeezed her hands gently. "I’m glad to hear that."
Jessica pulled her into another hug, this ti tighter. "Thank you. You’re a good sister."
Tasha chuckled. "I know."
She stood up, brushing her hands off. "Now, let go get the pizza."
She slipped out of the room, leaving Jessica alone on the bed.
Jessica fell back against the pillows, exhaling long and deep... the kind of breath that only ca after you’d finally told the truth.
And for the first ti in days... she felt peace.
The next morning, golden light spilled lazily through Jayden’s curtains as his alarm buzzed softly. He groaned, stretched his arms wide with a satisfying crack of his shoulders, then sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
No ti to waste.
He got dressed quickly.. black joggers, a simple gray T-shirt, and his running shoes—then slipped out of the house and jogged towards the park. The air was crisp, the trees swaying in a cool morning breeze, birds chirping like background music to his routine.
At the park, Jayden made a beeline for the training zone he’d unofficially claid for himself. With a grunt, he lifted a moss-covered boulder and held it above his head for ten full seconds, the strain pulling at his muscles in a satisfying way. Then he dropped it gently and sprinted towards a tall, sturdy tree, climbing with fluid precision. He reached the top, grinning as the system pinged:
*Daily Quest Completed
[ 10 Exp received]
[ 10 Stat point received]
He exhaled, then began his jog back ho, sweat glistening on his brow but his heart light.
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