Everyone gathered, dressed in black, at Claudia's funeral. Her two daughters were still in shock after their mother's passing. Tears streamed down their faces as people began to leave one by one. The sisters followed, sobbing, getting into the car and driving away.
" I'll make you some hot tea," said the woman as the wind blew outside. The two teenagers sat on the sofa, a photo of Claudia on a small table beside them, framed in pink.
"Do you want some cake too, Keyli?" Keyli shook her head, still leaning on the sofa.
"Will we be living with you, Aunt Sarah?" asked Elis, looking at her mother's photo and hugging it tightly.
Sarah sighed, placing a cup of tea on the table. "Your mother asked her lawyer to make me your guardian."
"Will we live in your house?" Elis asked.
"Yes, you'll live with me," Sarah replied, trying to comfort them.
The doorbell rang, making Elis get up. Keyli urged her to hurry, as Sarah was waiting downstairs.
"Can you knock softer? You're always making me lose my beautiful dreams," Elis complained.
"No time for dreams, we need to leave soon," Keyli said, pulling off the blanket and opening Elis's wardrobe. Her clothes were still neatly arranged; she hadn't unpacked yet.
"I'll wait downstairs in 30 minutes," Keyli said, closing the door.
Keyli went downstairs and saw Sarah waiting with breakfast.
"Is she awake, or should we delay?" Sarah asked.
"No need, I'm ready," Elis replied.
They saw Elis, dressed and ready to leave. Usually slow, today she seemed eager to leave the house.
Maybe Claudia had a house far from the city, as the journey to Sarah's took about 2 hours. When they arrived, Sarah showed them around the large house with a spacious yard and several luxury cars in the garage.
"This is the house! Maybe Mom wasn't wrong about her friend," Elis said.
Sarah introduced them to the people inside. The house had four floors, filled with luxurious items and paintings done by Sarah herself.
"Your house is so quiet. Do you live alone, Aunt Sarah?" Keyli asked.
"I think your mom didn't tell you everything about me. And this is Jerry, my son," Sarah said as Jerry came downstairs, greeting them warmly.
"Let's show you your rooms," Sarah said with a smile.
Their rooms were ready, next to Jerry's. Keyli noticed four rooms on the second floor, three occupied, and one empty. She approached it, but Jerry startled her.
"Mom's calling us for lunch," Jerry said.
Keyli saw a man she recognized.
"Oh, hi, Uncle David!" Keyli exclaimed.
"Do you know my husband?" Sarah asked, surprised.
"Yes, Mom told me about him. She always praised what a good man he was," Keyli replied.
The phone rang; Sarah answered it and stepped outside.
In the backyard, David and Sarah seemed to discuss something.
"Where's Elis?" David asked Keyli.
"Oh, she's having a bit of trouble with the journey," Keyli replied.
"Is she sick?"
"No, I gave her some medicine. She should be fine," David said, joining Sarah.
Jerry brought out some juice.
"Your sister was really sick, vomiting on my shirt," Jerry said.
Keyli turned to see Jerry sitting beside her.
"Really? I should've given her some anti-nausea medicine before we left," Keyli said.
"I gave her some medicine and water. She should be sleeping now," Jerry replied.
The dining table faced the backyard, where David and Sarah were discussing something.
"Will she be okay living here?" David asked, standing by the pool.
"She's already on her way. We'll just have to wait," Sarah replied.
As they waited, a car arrived at the airport. Sarah greeted someone warmly and brought them inside.
"You're cold, dear. I'll get Nancy to make you something hot," Sarah said.
Keyli went upstairs and saw Jerry.
"Someone's here?" Keyli asked.
"Yeah, my brother," Jerry replied.
"Brother?" Sarah called them downstairs.
A tall, cold-looking guy came down. "This is Holland," Sarah introduced.
Holland barely acknowledged them.
"Welcome, Holland," Jerry said sarcastically.
Holland ignored him and went to his room.
"Who is he? So arrogant," Jerry muttered.
"He's your brother? Is he still in school?" Keyli asked.
"Third year. Next year he'll go to his dream university. One year with him is enough," Jerry said, leaving.
Keyli went to her room, saw Holland entering his, and they locked eyes briefly.
That night, Keyli prepared for her new school.
Sarah checked on her. "Busy?"
"No, just organizing books for tomorrow."
"Your uniform's ready. I want to hear about your day tomorrow," Sarah said, smiling.
In her room, Keyli had pink walls, a computer, and cute clothes Sarah had given her.
Next morning, Elis woke Keyli early.
"Arkenstone School? You're kidding," Keyli said, seeing the uniform.
"Get up and get ready. Don't be late," Elis said.
Sarah saw them off with breakfast.
"Holland, will you take them?" Sarah asked.
"No, I'll drive myself," Holland replied coldly.
"Keyli and Elis, ride with Holland," Sarah insisted.
In the car, it was silent. Elis occasionally glanced at Holland, who stared out the window.
At school, Elis got out first. Keyli and Holland parted ways.
"Good luck," Holland said briefly.
Keyli entered her class and saw a familiar face.
"Hey, Keyli!" Laura hugged her.
"I didn't know you were here," Keyli said.
"Me neither. Sorry about your mom."
"Thanks. I'm living with Aunt Sarah now."
"Sarah, Jerry's mom? You're lucky," Laura said.
Jerry joined them. "Is he being okay?"
"Holland?" Keyli asked.
"Yeah, he's cold," Jerry replied.
As they talked, Holland walked by, ignoring everyone.
"He's so handsome," Laura sighed.
***