CHAPTER TWO
Mrs. Melody was preparing breakfast, when she heard the sound of footsteps. It was Jane, obviously.
" Morning dear!" She squealed, her voice coated with excitement.
Jane walks over to have a drink of water, completely ignoring her mother.
" Yes, Lina had to return earlier. I think she mentioned having to babysit or something like that."
" I know," Jane didn't seem to notice the effort her mom was putting in or maybe she didn't just care. She grabbed a bottle of water and headed back to her room.
Mrs. Melody was disappointed as she failed to have a good conversation with her daughter.
Few hours later, Jane came down, dressed up.
" Where are you going?"
" I'm going for a walk."
She smiled, seeing that her daughter answered even though she was rude. Now she wasn't going to give up, she'll win her back no matter how long it took.
" I made pancakes and maple syrup, your favorite."
Jane stares at her mom, her eyes filled with so much hostility.
" That was a long time ago, before you decided to choose work over family. You would have known if only you were there." Jane's voice went higher with each words.
Mrs. Melody felt deeply hurt by Jane's words and even though she had fought so hard to hold back her tears, she could'nt. She fell on her knees and broke down, her tears streaming freely.
Jane was hurt, seeing her mother like that really broke her, she never knew her mom would get hurt this way only because of something she said.
She takes a step forward, wanting to console her mom but then the image of her father living and how she had begged flashed in her mind and she stopped.
She glanced at her mom and looked away, " if I get hungry, I'll grab a burger or something from Tim's, but right now, I'm in no mood to eat." She says and runs out of the house. Her eyes glistening with tears that threatened to fall, she knew that if she had stayed only a while longer, she wouldn't be able to control herself.
She walks down the street, when she felt something vibrate in her gean, it was her phone.
" Hey Lina what's up?"
" Nothing much just checking on you,"
" I'm good, at least for now."
" Please don't tell me you had another fight with your mom."
" Pretty much but don't worry,"
" For what reason did you fight this time,"
" If I remember correctly, it all started with breakfast,"
" Breakfast?"
" I know sounds stupid. Everything happened so fast I can vaguely recall her asking about breakfast and then the next thing we were arguing."
" Seriously I don't understand you anymore." Carolina's voice was laced with frustration.
" Even I don't understand myself, " she whispered beneath her breath.
" I... I don't know what to say anymore, I'm getting tired of these fights."
Noises could be heard from the background. " Jane I gotta go."
" Yeah sure. I'll see you later." She exhales tiredly.
After walking around for a while, Jane finally decided to take a rest.
She sat in front of the frozen lake of the town. She threw small pebbles on the ice.
She went on until she heard a throaty laugh from behind her.
Her brows knot and she turns around, staring at the stranger in front of her with a frown.
' there's a new guy in town. He's cool and handsome, maybe he's your type.' Lina's words came back to her.
Her lips spreads, displaying a friendly smile. She walks forward, " Jane."
" Justin."
" So you're new in town?"
" No. Not really, I basically grew up here."
" I've been in this town for some months now but I've never seen you,"
" How can you be so sure?"
" It's a small town."
" Well you're right, we haven't met yet because I just got back."
" From?"
" College. I came back only for the break."
" So you'll be leaving immediately after the holidays."
" Yeah, pretty much."
" What were you doing just now?"
Her brows creased and she stared at him confused.
He smiles at her reaction, " you were throwing pebbles on the ice,"
" Oh that. "
" Yeah. Usually I see people do that for a normal flowing river, but you're the only one I've seen doing that on ice."
She nudges his arm gently, " what are you trying to say?"
He throws his hands in the air as if surrendering, " I don't know. Just trying to make sure you're perfectly sane. No offence."
" Well some taken okay." She smiled
" You seem to have come prepared." He says pointing at the ice skates.
She turns to look at what he was pointing at, " oh that.... It's solely for fun. Trust me when I say I don't know a thing about skating. Although my father did try to teach me."
" If you don't mind I would love to teach you some few basics."
Jane smiles, " I've got a lot of time on my hands."
They both had their ice skates on. Justin was holding onto Jane to support her, and so he could catch her in case she messed up.
After trying hard, Jane was finally able to stand properly on the ice. Though she didn't know yet how to do it well, but at least she could stand properly and also move slowly on the ice.
They both practiced for some time and after a few more trial, Jane decided to rest.
They sat together, staring at the river.
" You seem pretty good at it," said Jane breaking to the silence.
" Well my father taught me," he said with a faint smile, but his eyes showed sadness.
" You're her with your family? asked Jane.
" No I'm here with my grandmom and sister."
" How about your parents?"
" They're both. They died in a car accident so now my grandmom and sister are the only family I have."
She stares at him with eyes regrets for asking him and reopening old wounds.
" I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to get hurt." Apologized Jane, her voice laced with regrets.
" It's okay, I'm sure you didn't mean to."
" Of course not. I'm not that kind of person."
" How about you?" He asked, to change the topic.
" Me?" She asked with a confused expression.
" You said your father was teaching you so why did you stop?"
His question was followed by a long silence as her mind drifted back to the times she had spent with her father.
Back then her parents were still together and they all loved to hang out together by the river side. Most of the time for picnic.