Chapter 5

For the next few days, Alayna Dickerson stayed in her room. She didn't leave from morning until night. Jarrett Sheppard took Kisha Prince out early every day and came back late, and sometimes they didn't come home at all. Their lives no longer seemed to intersect.

Sunday arrived. Ten days before she was set to leave. It was also the day of her high school reunion.

At a bar by the sea, as soon as Alayna walked into the private room, a few of her close friends handed her a drink.

"You're eighteen now. Let's say goodbye to being kids and legally have our first drink."

Alayna paused for a moment. People said alcohol could drown your sorrows, and she wanted to relax. This drink was a farewell to her friends, a final toast.

After one drink, she felt a little dizzy. She went out to the corridor to get some fresh air. As she passed an open private room, she unexpectedly saw Jarrett. He was surrounded by a group of men and women, laughing and talking.

Her heart skipped a beat. She forced herself to look away, but the conversation from inside the room made her stop.

"Jarrett, you're about to get engaged to Kisha. What about your sister, Alayna Dickerson? She used to follow you everywhere."

"She's an adult now. She's not my responsibility anymore."

The clear, familiar voice reached her ears, and it sobered her up a little. She stood at the doorway, her eyes lowered, not moving for a long moment.

After what felt like a long time, she murmured to herself and continued walking down the corridor.

"Yes, she's an adult. She's sensible. From now on, my world won't have you in it, either."

Alayna went to the window at the end of the corridor to get some air. Then she went to the restroom and splashed cold water on her face. When she came out, she ran right into Jarrett. He seemed to have had a few drinks himself.

Their eyes met.

Alayna was about to speak, but Kisha Prince's voice came from behind him. "Jarrett."

She called out his name sweetly, then threw herself into his arms. "I drank too much. I can barely walk."

Jarrett kissed her on the forehead, his voice doting. "Then I'll carry you."

With that, he scooped Kisha up into his arms in a princess carry and walked away, as if Alayna wasn't even there.

Their intimate display left Alayna frozen in place for a long time.

"Alayna, why are you crying?" Her friend, Gabriela, asked, pulling her back to reality.

Alayna froze, then forced a faint smile. "It's just an eyelash in my eye. It's nothing."

Gabriela nodded, then pointed in the direction Jarrett had gone. "Is that your brother? He actually has a girlfriend now. We all thought he'd never date. We thought he'd always stay with you, because he used to dote on you so much."

Hearing this, Alayna felt a slight bitterness in her heart. "He and I both have our own lives. We won't be tied together forever."

Gabriela's face showed a hint of regret. "Actually, we all used to think he was your boyfriend. You two looked so good together. It's just a shame he's your brother..."

Alayna's heart felt heavy and damp. She used to think it was a shame, too. But now she felt that the bonds between people were just fate. She and Jarrett used to be siblings. From now on, they would have no relationship at all.

The reunion ended at one in the morning. Alayna said goodbye to her friends and walked out of the bar. She saw Jarrett and Kisha standing by the revolving door, looking like they were waiting for her.

"You're an adult now, and you're still out past midnight. You're getting more and more out of control. What if something happens?"

The reprimand froze her in place.

Kisha glanced at Jarrett reproachfully. "Alayna has you to protect her now, and later she'll have her boyfriend to protect her. What could possibly happen?"

"Let's go home together," Kisha said, taking Jarrett's hand and walking out. She motioned for Alayna to follow.

Alayna followed behind them, her eyes on the ground. Only when they stepped outside did she realize it was drizzling again.

Jarrett opened his umbrella and walked forward with Kisha, not looking back. The large umbrella was tilted to the right, shielding Kisha completely from the rain, while half of his own shirt was dark with water.

Alayna watched them in a daze. She suddenly remembered how Jarrett used to hold his umbrella for her. He always tilted it towards her.

"Alayna is my delicate rose," he used to say. "Roses can't get wet. I'll always protect you."

A gust of wind blew, and the slanted raindrops fell onto Alayna's white dress, bringing a chill with them.

Alayna came back to her senses and slowly walked out into the rain alone.

Roses can't get wet, but I want to be my own sunflower. Always facing the sun, always bright.