The Journey Home

Jena stood in front of her bedroom mirror, carefully smoothing down her dress. She adjusted the edges of the gown, still not quite used to the way it looked on her. Her reflection showed a young woman with big, nervous eyes and a hesitant smile—a girl who still wasn’t quite sure about the world but had her family to guide her.

“Hold still, Jena! I want to make sure it’s just right,” said her mother, Bea, as she bustled around her, adjusting the fabric at the shoulders. Tall and bursting with an eccentric energy, Bea was double-checking every detail of Jena’s look, as though it were her own graduation.

“Mom, it’s just a ceremony,” Jena murmured, biting her lip.

“Just a ceremony?” Bea threw her hands up, her eyes wide. “Graduating is a major milestone, Jena! It’s a moment to remember forever. Oscar, can you hand me that necklace? The one with the little crystal—yes, that one.”

Oscar, short and calm, picked up the necklace with a shrug. “Here you go,” he said, handing it over to Bea. He didn’t seem fazed by her frantic energy; years of being married to Bea had made him more or less immune to her intensity.

Bea clasped the necklace around Jena’s neck, stepping back to admire her. “There! You look lovely, my dear. Doesn’t she, Candy?”

“Absolutely! And here, I’ll add a little blush,” said Candy, Jena’s older sister, who was busy with her makeup kit. Short but sparkling with energy, Candy loved any excuse to add glamour to an occasion. “You’ll be the prettiest girl up there, sis. Turn a bit, let me get your other cheek.”

Jena laughed, cheeks flushing under the blush. “I think you’re putting on way too much, Candy.”

“Nonsense! There’s no such thing as too much for a big day like this,” Candy replied, eyes alight with excitement. “Just wait till they see you!”

“Mom, are you sure you want to rush everything?” Victor, her younger brother, chimed in from the doorway. He was tall, a little taller than Jena herself, with a big grin and a cheerful, intelligent air. “We still have some time. There’s no need to get everyone stressed.”

Bea waved her hands dismissively. “We’re not rushing, we’re preparing! A little energy never hurt anyone, right, Jena?”

Jena glanced back at Victor, who gave her an exaggerated wink. She smiled, feeling a little more at ease.

“Well, if we’re all ready, let’s get moving. Don’t want to keep the graduating star waiting,” Oscar said, giving Jena a small, reassuring smile.

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Jena said softly, looking around at her family. They had all done so much to make the day special, and seeing them bustling around her filled her with gratitude.

As they piled into the car and made their way to Kayan Senior High, Jena felt a wave of excitement mingling with her nervousness. Her family’s laughter and chatter filled the car, their voices a gentle reminder that she wasn’t alone on this big day. The school building loomed ahead, but with her family by her side, Jena felt ready to face it.

After the ceremony, Jena clutched her diploma tightly as her family gathered around her. Candy, her older sister, pulled out her phone and angled it for a group shot.

“Alright, everyone say ‘Graduate!’” Candy said, holding the phone high and grinning as they squeezed together.

“Graduate!” they chorused, laughter breaking out as the camera clicked. Jena looked at the picture; the joy and pride in their faces made her heart swell.

“Perfect!” Candy declared, looking at the photo approvingly. “Now, who’s ready for some celebratory burgers and fries?”

The family made their way to a fast-food place nearby. Settling into a booth, they passed around trays of burgers, fries, and drinks. Jena couldn’t help but grin as she bit into her burger, the excitement of the day still buzzing inside her.

“So, Jena,” Candy said, leaning forward with a playful smile, “what’s next for our big graduate?”

“Well…” Jena hesitated, glancing at her parents. “I actually can’t wait to go back to Tiga for vacation. I miss it so much.”

Bea, her mother, nodded, a gentle smile on her face. “I know, dear. Moving to Kayan was a big change for all of us. But you and Victor needed the better schools here.”

“True,” Victor said, nibbling on a fry. “But Tiga will always feel like home, won’t it, Jena?”

Jena nodded. “Definitely. I miss the smell of the forest, the sound of the river… and all our old neighbors. Plus,” she added with a laugh, “Tiga’s way less crowded than here.”

Candy smiled warmly. “I’m so glad you’ll be coming back! We’ll have a great time together. I was worried you’d feel like a stranger after being in Kayan for so long.”

“Oh, come on,” Jena said, rolling her eyes. “Tiga will always feel like home to me. Besides, you’re there! How could I feel like a stranger?”

Oscar, her father, smiled as he stirred his soda with his straw. “And the quiet will be good for you, too, Jena. You’ve been working hard these last few years; it’s good to relax for a bit.”

“Exactly!” Candy said, beaming. “We’ll do all the things we used to. I already made a list—hiking, the lake, and maybe we can try a few new places I discovered.”

Victor laughed, shaking his head. “You’re really ready to drag her around all of Tiga, huh, Candy?”

“Of course!” Candy replied, grinning. “I’ve been saving up the best spots for her. Plus, a little adventure never hurt anyone, right?”

Jena’s smile softened as she looked around the table. “I’ve missed this… all of us together. It’s not the same without you guys around.”

Bea reached over and squeezed her hand. “We’re proud of you, Jena. And just think, now you’ve got the whole summer to relax and enjoy Tiga before the next chapter.”

Oscar nodded. “And don’t forget, Kayan will still be here when you’re ready for it again.”

Jena took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her diploma and the promise of a summer full of family, laughter, and all the things she loved about her hometown. “Thanks, everyone,” she said quietly. “I think this is exactly what I need.”

As they continued talking, swapping stories and making plans, Jena felt her excitement for Tiga grow. The simple warmth of being with her family made her feel more ready than ever to dive into the summer ahead.

After a lively lunch filled with laughter and celebration, the Salvador family returned to their apartment to pack for their month-long vacation in Tiga. Jena, her heart still fluttering from her graduation, busily folded clothes while her mother, Bea, flitted around, gathering snacks and making sure everyone had what they needed.

As they packed, the anticipation in the air was palpable. Soon, they were loaded into their family car, the trunk filled to the brim with bags and supplies. Oscar, Jena’s father, slid into the driver’s seat and adjusting his glasses. “Ready for the open road?” he asked, turning back to his family.

“Absolutely!” Candy, Jena’s older sister, exclaimed, her bubbly energy infectious.

As they drove, the landscape gradually shifted from the bustling city to lush greenery, with rolling hills that beckoned. Jena leaned against the window, watching the scenery blur by, feeling a sense of freedom. It wasn’t long before the familiar scent of the countryside filled the car, bringing back memories of summer days spent in Tiga.

Suddenly, the sky lit up with an intense flash, drawing their attention. Everyone turned to look out the window as a strange glowing object streaked across the sky, leaving a shimmering trail behind.

“Whoa, did you see that?” Victor exclaimed, eyes wide with wonder. “What was that?”

“I have no idea!” Jena gasped, heart racing. “It looked like a shooting star.”

But as they watched, the object began to descend rapidly, heading toward a secluded field just off the highway. The family exchanged glances, curiosity igniting their senses.

“Should we check it out?” Candy asked, excitement evident in her voice.

“Absolutely!” Bea replied without hesitation, her adventurous spirit bubbling to the surface. “We can’t just ignore it. It could be something amazing!”

Oscar nodded, taking a deep breath. “Alright, but let’s be cautious. We don’t know what it is.”

He pulled over to the side of the road, and the family spilled out of the car, adrenaline surging through them. They hurried across the field, the grass brushing against their legs as they approached the area where the object had landed.

“There it is!” Jena pointed, her heart pounding. In the clearing, a large glowing, crystalline shape shimmered on the ground, pulsating with a radiant light that seemed to call out to them. It was beautiful and mesmerizing, a stark contrast against the green field.

“What do you think it is?” Victor asked, eyes wide with wonder.

“I don’t know,” Jena replied, taking a step closer. “But it looks like it could be something special. We have to find out.”

As they gathered around the crystal, a mix of excitement and apprehension filled the air. Little did they know, their lives were about to change forever.

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