“Can we listen to music?” he asked after a moment, his eyes lighting up.
“Sure thing,” Juniper replied, grateful for the change in topic. She turned up the volume, and the car
As they drove, Juniper’s thoughts drifted. The conversation with her mother lingered in her mind. Evelyn’s subtle hints about Amanda hadn’t gone unnoticed. The memory of that friendship… its abrupt end… still stung like a fresh wound. Moving away had been as much about escaping as it was about seeking new opportunities.
She glanced at Jacob, who was now singing along, carefree and joyful, his voice carrying the tune slightly off-key. “More than you would ever know…” he sang, his enthusiasm infectious.
His simple happiness was a balm to her restless spirit. Maybe that’s what she was missing… a sense of uncomplicated contentment, the ability to find joy in the small moments.
Back at her apartment, Juniper sank onto her couch, the silence of the space pressing in on her like an unbalanced weight. The city lights flickered through the large windows, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the minimalist decor. The distant sounds of traffic and urban life were a constant buzz in the background… such a contrast to the quiet serenity of her childhood home.