Chapter 2: The New Normal

The air felt heavy as Faele stepped into her new home, a quaint but unfamiliar house that belonged to her half-sister, Cassandra Peterson. The walls were painted a soft beige, and the furniture was neatly arranged, but the warmth she once felt in her own home was conspicuously absent. It was a stark reminder of the life she had lost just days ago.

Cassandra stood in the living room, arms crossed and brow furrowed. Her dark hair fell in waves around her shoulders, framing a face that was both beautiful and intimidating. “You can put your things in the guest room,” she said curtly, avoiding eye contact.

“Thanks,” Faele replied softly, her voice barely above a whisper. She felt like an intruder in her own family, an unwelcome guest in a place that should have felt like home.

As Faele dragged her suitcase down the narrow hallway, she couldn’t shake off the feeling of tension that hung in the air like a storm cloud. The silence between them was palpable, filled with unspoken words and unresolved emotions. Cassandra had always been the sister she looked up to—strong, confident, and seemingly perfect—but now, there was an edge to her demeanor that made Faele uneasy.

Once in her new room, Faele dropped her suitcase on the bed and took a moment to breathe. The walls were adorned with posters of bands she didn’t recognize, and the faint scent of lavender lingered in the air. She sat down on the edge of the bed and closed her eyes, trying to block out the memories of her parents’ laughter that echoed in her mind.

A soft knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. “Faele?” Cassandra’s voice was hesitant, almost fragile. “Can we talk?”

“Sure,” Faele replied, forcing a smile as she opened the door.

Cassandra entered, her posture more relaxed than before. “I know this is hard for you,” she began, biting her lip. “But I want you to feel at home here.”

“Thanks,” Faele said again, unsure how to respond. “I just… I miss Mom and Dad.”

“I do too,” Cassandra admitted, her voice thick with emotion. “But we need to be strong for each other.”

Faele nodded but felt a pang of resentment simmering beneath the surface. While she appreciated Cassandra’s attempt at comfort, it felt hollow. They were both grieving but seemed worlds apart in their expressions of loss.

“I just don’t understand why you’re acting so distant,” Faele blurted out before she could think better of it. “It feels like you’re putting up walls.”

Cassandra’s eyes narrowed slightly. “I’m not putting up walls; I’m trying to hold everything together! You think this is easy for me? I lost my parents too!”

The words hung heavily between them, igniting a spark of anger in Faele’s chest. “But you still have me! I’m your sister!”

“Half-sister,” Cassandra corrected sharply. “And don’t forget that I’m also dealing with all of this alone.”

Faele felt stung by the reminder of their complicated family ties. She had always viewed Cassandra as family—her only remaining connection after their parents’ tragic deaths—but now it felt like an insurmountable barrier had been erected between them.

“I just want us to be close again,” Faele said softly, trying to bridge the growing chasm.

Cassandra sighed and ran a hand through her hair, visibly frustrated. “I need time to process everything,” she finally said. “We both do.”

With that, Cassandra turned and left the room, leaving Faele standing alone amidst a whirlwind of emotions—grief, anger, confusion—all swirling together like leaves caught in a storm.

As days turned into weeks, Faele settled into her new routine at Cassandra’s house. Mornings were quiet; breakfast consisted of cereal or toast eaten in silence while they avoided each other’s gaze. At school, Faele found herself drifting through classes like a ghost—unseen and unheard by friends who had once been so close.

Stella tried to reach out during lunch breaks but seemed unsure how to approach Faele now that everything had changed. “How are you holding up?” she asked one day as they sat at their usual table.

“I’m fine,” Faele lied through clenched teeth.

“You don’t look fine,” Stella pressed gently.

“It’s just… complicated,” Faele replied, glancing over at Cassandra who sat alone at another table with friends who didn’t know the pain they were both enduring.

Stella frowned but didn’t push further. Instead, they talked about mundane things—homework assignments and weekend plans—but Faele felt disconnected from it all. The vibrant world around her seemed muted; laughter sounded distant as if it belonged to another life entirely.

At home each evening, tensions simmered beneath the surface whenever Cassandra was around. They would share brief conversations about chores or schoolwork but never ventured into deeper territory—never spoke about their parents or their shared grief.

One night after dinner, as they washed dishes side by side in silence, Faele couldn’t contain herself any longer. “Why can’t we just talk about Mom and Dad?” she blurted out.

Cassandra paused mid-scrub and turned to face Faele fully for the first time in weeks. “Because it hurts too much!” Her voice trembled with raw emotion.

“But we need to grieve together!” Faele insisted desperately.

Cassandra dropped the dishcloth into the sink with a splash. “You think I don’t want that? You think I enjoy feeling this way? I’m trying my best here!”

Faele’s heart raced as frustration bubbled over inside her chest. “Your best isn’t good enough! You’re shutting me out!”

Cassandra glared at her for a moment before turning away again; silence enveloped them once more—a heavy blanket suffocating any hope for connection.

That night as Faele lay in bed staring at the ceiling above—thoughts racing through her mind—she realized how different life had become since moving in with Cassandra. What had once been an unbreakable bond now felt fragile and strained under pressure; two sisters navigating grief alone instead of together.

Days turned into weeks filled with unspoken words and unresolved feelings—a new normal settling over them like dust on forgotten memories—a reminder that nothing would ever be quite the same again.

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