CHAPTER 4

She opened the door to find her sister standing in the hallway, Jasmine looked slightly flustered but managed to smile, “Hey Jayla, can you go to the grocery store and pick up a few things?" "I'm in the middle of cooking Dad's soup and don't want to leave it unattended.” 

Jayla blinked, still tangled from where her thoughts had been. “Oh, sure, just give me the list,” she said, reaching for the list in Jasmine's hand.

She glanced briefly at the list, then looked down at her dress, smoothing it in front of the mirror.

As she adjusted her dress in front of her mirror, Jasmine's voice grew softer.  “You know, I'm worried about you.” Jayla turned, her gaze meeting Jasmine’s eyes in the mirror. “Worried about what?” 

Jasmine stepped closer, her face stern. “You seem different these days. You know, happier but also I don't know, a little distant.” Jayla's smile faltered slightly “It’s just I'm still getting to know him. But I like him, Jasmine, he's different.” 

Jasmine nodded thoughtfully.  “Just be careful, okay? and trust your instincts; sometimes, what seems perfect on the surface might have hidden layers. Jayla nodded appreciatively of her sister's concern.  “I will promise Jasmine.”

As Jayla walked out of the house,  her mind reeled with thoughts regarding Axel and her sister's words. 

Though she was not quite sure what she would find across this growing connection to him, she was determined to follow where it would lead. 

The café again was abuzz, this time with Brock and Jade talking. They sat in the coziest corner of the cafe amidst the soft light casting shadows on Brock's face, and she couldn’t help but feel a growing warmth in her chest. “So  what is your story, Jade?” Brock asked, as he steadily held her in his gaze. “I mean, what urges you toward art? What is your passion?” 

Jade took a deep breath, thinking about how to articulate the tangled mix of emotions and dreams inside her. "Art it's always one way for me to express what I can't put into words. 

While Growing up with my sisters, I was always the quiet one. Art was where I found my voice, where I could say things I was too afraid to speak out loud."

Brock nodded, his gaze never leaving hers. "I understand. Sometimes, it's the things we create that speak the loudest, even when we stay silent."

Jade smiled wistfully. "Exactly. Now, it is being here at Elysium Arts Gallery, and it seems I'm finally in line with the dream I've been painting. 

I want to create art that touches people, just like I did today from seeing 'Tempest.'"

Smiling, Brock leaned back in his chair, an introspective look crossing his face. "I think you're well on your way, Jade. And if today is any indication, you're going to do amazing things."

The sincerity in his voice touched her, and Jade couldn't help but speculate for a brief second how it would feel to have a man like Brock by her side through life and her dreams. 

As they continued their conversation, the café slowly began to empty around them, but neither one seemed to take notice. Jade felt that this bond they were creating might be the beginning of something wonderful, be it friendship or otherwise, only time could say.

"Would you like to come to another exhibit next week?" Brock asked, his voice just almost tentative. "There's this new artist I've been dying to see, and. I'd love for you to come with me."

Jade's heart fluttered; her smile spread wide. "I'd love that."

As the night stretched on longer, Jade had this nagging suspicion that this day at the Elysium Arts Gallery had been some sort of turning point, not just in the want of her artistic ambitions but of something deeper: a new friendship or maybe even deeper.

Jayla left the house with Jasmine's list in her hand, still thinking over her sister's advice. The late afternoon sun sat low in the sky, casting long shadows across the bustling streets as she made her way to the local market, lively chatter from the vendors and fresh smells of produce wafted through the air to create a familiar rhythm that helped to settle her wandering thoughts.

She weaved her way through the market, marking things off one after another-vegetables, spices, bread-trying to focus on the task at hand and not on the conversation with Jasmine or the feelings she had about Axel. She wasn't ready to face those yet. The market was busy, filled with people rushing to get their shopping done before nightfall.

Back inside the café, Jade wrapped her day. Smiling softly, she turned to Axel, who stood beside her, easing his features.

"I should get going home," she said, smiling softly. "It's getting late, and my sisters are going to wonder where I am."

Axel nodded, his eyes betraying a tinge of disappointment. "Alright, I understand. It was nice spending time with you today, Jade."

"You, too," Jade said. "We should do this again sometime." She waved her goodbyes and started on her way toward the market to pick up a few things before heading home.

As she was about to leave with bags in her hand, a figure near the entrance of the market became noticeable to her. Jayla blinked in surprise. It was Jade, her sister, who looked like she, too, was getting ready to head home. *What is Jade doing here?* Jayla wondered, for a split second confused, since Jade hadn't mentioned she would be at the market.

Jade stood beside one of the stalls, looking at some fruits and briefly talking to a vendor. Jayla watched as Jade gave a small smile, thanked the vendor, and turned to leave. For a moment, Jayla considered calling out to her; however, she held back. She stayed in her position, watching her sister make her way toward the exit.

With Jade simply walking away, Jayla felt something was missing; it was something she should know. Telescoping a few steps forward, her mind battled whether to follow her sister or to let it be. But with every move, a chill went down her spine, and she froze on what to do next.

Why was Jade here, and why hadn't she said so before? Jayla wondered, about to step forward until a thought crossed her mind. There was something Jade wasn't telling her.

As she took a step, her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she jumped. Looking down at the screen, her eyes had lit on the flash of Jasmine's name across the screen. She reached quickly to hit 'answer', her eyes still glued to the place where Jade had been just a second before.

Jayla? Are you still at the market?" Jasmine's voice was a little urgent. "I just realized I need one more thing-could you get some fresh herbs? Dad likes them in his soup."

Jayla nodded, though Jasmine couldn't see it. "Yeah, I'm still here. I'll grab them.

Her mind was reeling as she moved closer to the herb stall. Later, Jayla vowed she would bring it up with Jade about why she had been at the market and what she possibly might be keeping from her. Someway inside her knew any minute now, that would change everything.