It had been a truly tough day for me. All of my bottled up stress, rage, and sadness had been on the verge of escaping in an uncontrollable burst of emotion. I was like a volcano ready to erupt. My emotions were boiling as hot as magma, and it burned like hell. But I couldn’t let that show, I had to appear strong to him. I just had to!

But the moment he walked into the room, I couldn’t hold any of it back anymore. I burst into wretched sobs, bawling my eyes out as I held my face in my hands.

I expected to hear the sound of footsteps retreating as he left me behind, but instead, they drew nearer. I heard the sound of someone sitting next to me on the couch, and then I felt a strong pair of arms wrap around me. Soon after, a pair of lips connected with mine. He smiled at me, his eyes filled with love and care. I smiled back, a smile of love and of hope.

The day was no longer dark, because now I was in his arms, where I truly felt at home.

She blinked, trying to return to reality. At some point, she stepped back without realizing it. Isha was no longer calling her over. Hands clasped together, carefully watching Jinx, as if silently asking "did I do something wrong?".

No. No, no, no… She didn't. Never.

Jinx swallowed hard, forcing herself to step closer, kneeling and reaching out her trembling hands to Isha's light.

The girl picked up her bag, throwing it around her shoulder just like Jinx did, and cut the distance, allowing the older girl to pick her up.

If it really _is _her wake-up call, Jinx can't let it slip. She can't let her hesitation hurt someone so fragile, so alive. Someone who needs her.

She would not let this cycle continue.

But even with that thought, Jinx wasn't sure of how to answer. What to think. She had so much on her mind, yet words just didn't seem to leave her mouth. One thing she knew for sure is that she couldn't let Isha blame herself for anything.

She had always been able to talk her way out of trouble — and if not, her gun would do the job — but this was different. This wasn't about fixing things with words. The upside is, Isha never needed words from her. She communicated on emotion. And over time, Jinx learned that language, too.

So, instead of speaking hollow promises, she carefully hugged Isha and stood up, holding the little kid safely in her arms, close to her chest. Her beating heart. A thing that moms did — _probably _— at least that's what she saw some people from Zaun do; probably some kind of sentiment— as far as Jinx knew — with a reason. Vi never carried her like that, never held in her arms. But Vander did — with both of them, actually. And, even thought is hurt to think about him, Silco did too — in very rare, very necessary moments. It seemed like Jinx would have to figure out the reason all on her own.

Isha learned into her, tiny hands hugging her shoulders, eyes closing with a happy sign. Jinx's heart raced, a stutter in her chest growing louder. The pressure was light but comforting, a reminder that Jinx wasn't alone. There was a trust in her touch, a sense of quiet understanding that made Jinx feel less like she was carrying the weight of the world. She could feel the ache of it, the deep, hurting pull of responsibility settling heavy on her troubled mind. The feeling of unease; fear of messing it up, doing something wrong. Not giving enough of what Isha deserves to have.

_This is what it means to be a mother, maybe?, _Jinx wondered, her thoughts all jumbled. This is what it feels like.

She didn't know what the future held for them. She didn't know how she would keep them both safe or what kind of life they would make — but somehow, she knew it would all be okay.

Isha's breathing, steady and calm, helped steady Jinx's own pulse, as if she was the one holding Jinx together. It was in those moments — quiet, without a spoken word — that she would found herself smiling, and feeling like her true self again. She wasn't sure what it was called, but she knew it was something that mattered.

So she held Isha tightly, burying her face in girl's messy, blue-painted hair, feeling the warm beat of her heart. Steady and alive. She didn't know what the hell she was doing. But maybe that was the point. Maybe it was time for her to stop pretending she had it all figured out. She didn't need to.

— Well... — She finally whispered, voice trembling with something that felt like fear, or maybe hope, or both. — If we're starting over... I guess we can have a little update on our relationship status, huh?

Isha's eyes sparkled, not understanding the words, but feeling that it means a lot for her. She gave Jinx a tiny, knowing smile — one that was filled with such happiness that almost made Jinx smile too, like she wanted to hold onto this moment forever. Jinx knew she needed Isha — the only ray of sunlight in her storm-covered universe. And Isha needed her for a long time, too. Maybe she failed to recognize in what specific way.

As a friend. A sister. A protector. Or even a symbol of Zaun.

"A sister"

She let the word hang in the air for the last time, and with a breath, added to herself, smiling:

It was the time to let that go, too.

Because this was something new — to find something new, accept something new, not use it to replace the past.

She isn't bound to have a sister anymore.

She has Isha.

Her kid. Her daughter.

It will take time to get used to — but hey, what's ahead of her if not getting used to a whole lot of new things?

Jinx glanced back at their old home, the meaning of this last moment floating in the air like a soft curtain before a show. She bit her lip, then moved Isha in her arms to hold her more comfortably, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

— Hey, — She started, leaning down slightly to meet Isha's wide, curious eyes, and softly caressed her cheek with one hand. — Ready for a flight? I was _this _close to bringing the glitter cannons, but then decided—nah, let's keep in classy for once.

Isha's face lit up with another smile so bright it made Jinx pause for a beat, momentarily stunned by the warmth in it. The kind of smile that could outshine any stage lights. How can she do that, every time?

— You know what? We can still make it fun. Here's the deal - no confetti or smoke bombs, but I _will _make sure there's at least one passenger who leaves with a story, — Jinx paused, eyes glinting mischievously. — And by story, I mean one where they'll probably be complaining about me for the next decade.

Isha closed her eyes, shaking her head with laughter, clearly entertained by Jinx's over-the-top flair. Her excitement was palpable.

Jinx leaned back, chuckling softly as she tug at her backpack, making sure it's safely in place, and turned around to the exit.

— Trust me, kid. If you don't hear someone muttering about how I ruined their entire day by the time we land, I'll personally put on a one-woman play just to apologize.

The words were left in their hideout, but something else lingered too — a subtle shift in Jinx's chest, something light, like the promise of new beginnings. A true one.

The past wasn't something they could change, but accepting that, this new life could be something different. Maybe, hopefully, better. She didn’t know exactly how or when it would unfold, but for the first time in a long while, she felt excitement in that unknown, ready to step forward, one moment at a time.

His hand brushes mine as he places my cup of tea on the table. 'Thank you.' I say, my hand burning from his touch. He nods in response and settles beside me, opening his book and begins scanning the page. I raise the steaming mug to my lips, the scent of peppermint overflowing my senses. 'My favourite.' 'I know.' He responds. It shocks me, that he listened to me while i ranted for half an hour about every flavour imaginable and how peppermint was by far the best.

Thank you for rubbing my back as I fell asleep at night. I don’t think I ever told you how much that comforted me.

Thank you for making lunches and dropping the kids off. Those slow mornings mean everything to me.

Thank you for giving me another son. A reminder of everything we’ve built together.

Thank you for showing up for two boys you didn’t create. The way you’ve ensured we never go without is the greatest reassurance—proof that you’ll always be there.

Thank you for slowing down. Thank you for putting us first. Thank you for meeting everyone’s needs before your own. It doesn’t go unnoticed.

Thank you for letting me in. I know how hard it’s been to tear open the chest you’ve stitched shut so many times before.

I promise this is the last time. I’m so grateful to hold your hand. Proud to call you mine. You’re stuck with me—

There's a certain warmth to him that I can't quite explain, a warmth that spreads up into my chest, into my neck, then the tips of my ears as I glance to my side. He's a steady presence, arm pressed agaisnt mine. He doesn't reach out, doesn't move, doesn't even offer a word in the silence. I let my eyes fall back to my hands, flexing my fingers.

I pause, hand splayed open in the cold winter air. It's chilly, the breeze that drags by making me bury my face further into my hoodie, winter nipping at my numb face. His hand is tucked into his pockets, out of sight, out of reach, but oddly enough it doesn't stop me from tugging on his sleeve. He doesn't resist, only offering an acknowledging glance as I pull his left hand from his pocket.

I tuck my arm under his, threading my thicker, rougher fingers through his thinner, softer ones. I tighten my hold as he tightens his. A pleasant heat spreads from the palm of his hand into mine, running up my arm and spreading through my chest. I slouch further, flushed face, no longer just from the cold, burrowing deeper into fabric.

Tentatively, reverently, I feel his thumb rub the back of my hand, and I lean into his touch, head falling onto his shoulder.

It doesn't feel quite as cold anymore.

“There is more out there in the world for us to discover. The destinations and the journeys that we shall go, we will be together. Isn’t that what you want? There is a future written in the stars that is destined for us. We believe in the stars because that is how we met. Our stars collided, we collided helping us to realise what we adore. We collided to have a future that is meant for us,” I say facing Jackson waiting for his response patiently.

“I don’t believe in the stars,” he says shrugging my head off from his shoulder.

“Then what exactly are you looking at?” I reply pointing my finger out to the night sky almost touching the firey aspect of the stars, that makes them burn bright through the night.

“Darkness, Liana.” I rise my chest up and sigh in frustration before I fiddle with my fingers, twisting them around together nervously. There is silence between us that is ripping us apart.

“Then what do you believe in?” I ask waiting for an answer that I expect. I need him to say that he believes in us which will slow down my heart from racing and calm the nasty thoughts that roam around my head. _He doesn’t love you. You’re unworthy. _I shake these off like he is doing with us.

“Religion,” Jackson says bluntly and his word pricks my heart up again, racing like mad trying to get these thoughts to throb against me. It hurts. I turn away and put my head down on my lap, trying to hide my face and the eyebrows of mine that are scrunched down, along with the redness around my eyes because of the moments I regret spending with Jackson.

“I want words of affirmation.” My voice may be a little muffled because it is covered by my shame. “I want you to say you love me without actually using the words.”

“How do you expect me to do that? I don’t know love.” I throw my head up before turning to face him. To face the man that is suddenly breaking me apart.

“You don’t know love?” I shout. “Then what do you call this? What do you call us?”

“Dating.”

“You’re a star, Jackson, that collided onto mine. You fell for my beauty, my shine, my everything. That is something you could say to me at least.”

“I am the wrong star that fell for you. I wasn’t meant to collide with you. I am the right person wrong time because I don’t know love. I’m sorry, I can’t do this anymore Liana. Stars or darkness, right? I’ll always choose the darkness.” Jackson walks away leaving me stunned, mouth gaping open to see him leaving and that my thoughts were true. He left. He doesn’t love me. I’m unworthy.

Stars or darkness? Stars. I’ll always choose stars, because I choose to see the good people and want them to shine through their darkness. But Jackson is choosing to stay there in the darkness of this night, not letting himself to shine. And I’m staying here under the black painted sky while he walks from my life, walking from my shine.

My love,

You are the oxygen in my lungs You are the blood coursing through my veins I am filled with nothing but you

My love,

You are every thought in my head Every nerve in my body You are every beat of my heart

My love,

A black hole, stealing all my love I am every planet and you’re my sun You are the centre of my universe

My love for you is an ocean And I drowned long ago

My love.

I close my eyes and I see you beside me I see you walking my heart feels as though it’s running a marathon I hear your voice it’s like hearing the waves in the ocean

Tell me what it means if your all I think about Your all I wanna see throughout the day What’s it mean when I look into your eyes and I see a future I see you walking down the altar.

 "Xara, you are my sun, my stars, and the air I breathe. You consume me, my every thought and wish." I take another step towards her, but she doesn't move from the ledge. "I hear your sweet, serene voice in my dreams calling me and I've never craved the sound of my name more than when it escapes from your lips." Another step, I'm right behind her. I crouch down and soothingly stroke her pale shoulders. "You are intricately carved into my heart, Xara. And I'm the one holding the knife." 
 She lifts her head and gently places it on my shoulder as she leans back. I bury myself in her ebony waves until I find her ear and caress it with my lips. "May the Fates witness my words," I whisper. "I vow myself to you, Xara. I vow my loyalty and trust. I give you my heart to hold in your hands. Should I ever cause you grief or pain, I wish you crush it and reap my very soul. I could never walk this land knowing I hurt you in the slightest."
 I sit in the sand, grab her by the waist, and spin her into my lap. Her shining aquamarine eyes gaze up at me. Gods, she’s beautiful when she cries. I hope these aren’t the tears of sadness. I’ll offer my soul this very moment if that’s true. “Xara, I-”
 “Don’t.” My blood ices over at her words.
 “No, I won’t stop. You can’t make me stop, Xara. I-”
 “Don’t say it!”
 “I want you!” I yell out over her protests. “Godsdamn, Xara! I want you and you can’t make me take back my words! I will not take them back, ever.” Rivers flow down her cheeks and I can’t stand to see it. I rest my forehead on hers and close my eyes. I feel my own tears threatening to flood behind my eyelids. “Don’t make me take it back, please.”
 I feel the cold touch of her small hands cupping my face. Mine are still resting on her waist, I pull her closer.
 “Do you mean it?” Her tone is meek and cautious.
 “Every word, I swear it.”
 “Could you fall in love with death, even if it means you succumb to it yourself?”
 “If that’s what awaits me down this path, then I welcome it.” Before I open my eyes, her mouth finds mine. The cooling sensation of her lips takes me to the edge of ecstasy, I want to dive further into it. She wraps her arms around my neck as if she’s tethering us together and I snake my hands from her waist up her back to hold her tighter. I wish we could live in this moment forever. Just our two souls, fusing as one.

Maria had done her hair and makeup beautifully, something she hadn’t done alot, but tonight was special. She was going out with Joel, a guy she had met online. They’d talk over messages alot and Maria had really liked him. Maria was putting more efort into what she wore and what she looked like today, just for Joel.

Joel had gotten out of bed after laying there for a while. He was nervous, very nervous, what if Maria didnt like him? He was unsure if he even wanted to go on this date. What if Maria didnt like him? That was the thought circling through Joel’s head the whole day.

Joel had began to get ready. Putting on his fanciest suit and tie, and a spritz of cologne. he couldn’t tie his tie though, having his mom come over and tie it for him. Although it was a bit embarrassing he told the story to Maria over text messages, giving her something to laugh at.

Over the cellphone Maria saw the message, she laughed uncontrollably, something she hadn’t done in a while too. It was as if Joel was bringing out another side of her, one that she left in the pass when her father died in an elevator. The elevator cables had been loosely tied together making the elevator fall down multiple stories and kill everyone in the elevator.

Maria was traumatized from this event for life, scared, she didnt know how to carry on with her life after this event. But like everyone, after some time and therapy she let go of that memory. Maria was confused, she hadn’t frlt this feeling ever since her dads accident, she felt love, love from Joel. He was always there for her. Especially when she had harsh memories from her father.

Maria texted Joel for the last time before going outside to his car. “ I need you..”