Chapter 95 Side Story 2

Chapter 95 Side Story 2
Jessica.

"Woah, it's bigger than I imagined it to be," Emma mutters under her breath as she gazes out the window.

"This is where you're going to be for the next four years," Devon says, breaking the silence. "Are you excited?"

I watch Emma swallow, uncertainty flashing in her eyes. "I'm not so sure..." She mumbles, trailing off.

"You'll do great, I just know it," I say, turning back to meet her gaze. She glances at me and nods, letting out a breath. "Come, let's take you to your apartment," I announce.

"Apartment? I'm not staying in the school students' lodge?"

"We already talked about this, Emma. You can't stay there. I promise it's not far from the campus," I add.

"And if it is, we can always make arrangements for a driver," Devon adds.

"Stop, you guys are spoiling me."

"Looking out for you," I correct firmly. "We're looking out for your safety and your health. Never forget that. Trust me, I won't do any more after this," I say and feel her gaze on me, assessing me.

"Okay, then. Let's go," she replies, and Devon drives on. We get to a building complex where her apartment is located, and we help her carry boxes and bags up to her apartment.

"Woah, it's really pretty. Not so big. I like it!" Emma says the moment she walks into the already furnished apartment, dropping her bags on the floor, a contented smile on her face.

"I knew you would," I answer, walking deeper into the apartment. She turns around and pulls me into a hug, surprising me.

"Thank you for everything, really," she says, her voice muffled against my shoulder. I reach out to pat her back. "I'm going to miss you."

I tighten my hold on her, my heart aching with the knowledge that I'll miss her just as much. "I'll miss you too, Em. But Harvard is lucky to have you, and I know you'll shine there," I say, pulling away from the hug. I see tears in her eyes and wipe them off with my thumb, smiling warmly at her.

Just then, Devon walks into the room with the last of the things, placing them carefully on the floor. We turn around to look at him. "All your things are already here. Whoosh! That's quite the workout."

"Thanks, my sister's husband," Emma says, giggling.

"You're welcome, my wife's sister," he replies, and they chuckle at their long-running joke.

"Okay, we'll be leaving now. Settle in and make yourself comfortable. I'll call you when we get home," I announce.

"Oh, let me walk you out then," Emma suggests. "It's the least I can do since you brought me all the way here and helped me with all of these," she says, pointing at all the bags on the floor. Unable to refuse, I nod, and Emma walks us back to the car.

The sun is already setting as we step out, and since it's fall, the sky is bathed in warm, rich hues. Its golden light gently kisses the falling leaves, turning them into shimmering, fiery gems, and a cool breeze rustles the remaining leaves on the trees. We get to the car, and Emma stops, glancing at us with a melancholic look on her face.

"Thanks for the road trip. For everything. I'm going to miss you."

"Your not going to be gone that long. Christmas isn't that far off, and you'll come visit, won't you?" Devon says as she nods vigorously.

"Of course, I will."

"See? We'll be waiting for you."

"Don't forget to take care of yourself and always use your meds," I announce, cutting in.

"I won't."

"That's the spirit," I mutter, and we fall into an uncomfortable silence, the gentle autumn breeze blowing past us.

"Bye," Emma whispers before rushing in to hug me once more. This time, tears spring in my eyes, and I'm unable to blink them back. She makes me so happy.

"You should go. Go live your dreams," I mutter, my voice wobbly with tears.

"Thank you for taking care of me. I wouldn't be here without you. You practically raised me," Emma replies, her voice laden with tears. I chuckle, tears streaming down my cheeks at her words. Eventually, she pulls away, cleaning off the stray tears from her face. "I have to go now. Need to settle in," Emma mumbles, sniffing.

Devon pulls me to himself, his strong arms caressing my shoulders. Casting one final glance at us, Emma turns around and starts walking into the building complex, her hair catching the sunset and glowing, giving her an otherworldly look. I watch until she disappears into the building, unaware of the tears streaming down my eyes. She used to be so tiny, when did she grow to be so big?

"Don't be so sad. You'll see her soon," Devon mutters into my hair, wrapping his hands around me as he pulls me into a hug, sensing my emotions. "She's going to do amazing things, Jess."

I wipe away the tears on my face and manage a smile. "I know she will."

He gazes at me, the look on his face soft. "Let's go home."

Home. Yeah, of course.

We get into the car, and Devon starts it up, driving us back. The ride is silent, a stark reminder of Emma's absence. I stare at the polaroid pictures we took on our way here, a sad smile on my face. I'll always love my sisters, but it's time they started living for themselves and I... For myself.
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The house is quiet since it's nighttime, the remnants of the road trip still echoing in the air. Emma is safely settled into her new life at Harvard, her laughter and chatter absent from the rooms she once filled with vibrant energy. I sit at the dining table, my laptop open before me, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. It's a simple click away, a mere press of the "Submit" button, and my application to the nearby university will be on its way. Yet, the weight of that action presses on my chest like a heavy stone. I swallow, the gulp resounding in my ears as I feel that single drop of sweat slide down my back.

Ten years. It has been a decade since I walked away from my studies, leaving behind dreams of a career and a future that faded into the background of life's other demands. A decade of nurturing my sisters, of supporting Sophie, of being Emma's guardian and finally a wife to Devon. But now, in the quiet of the house, the silence echoes with the resounding question: Is it too late to pursue my dreams?

My cursor hovers over the "Submit" button, trembling with uncertainty.