1 SILENCE

"Oh my god, you did not," Isla says. I can almost imagine her eyes growing wide and her head shaking in a 'no.'

Mom must be telling Isla one of her wild and 'that is not possible' stories from when she was in high school.

"We should wait for Aria she is going to love this story" Isla's leather pants make a fart sound as she adjusts herself on the couch in the living room.

"No, the best part is coming, and then..." mom's voice fades.

I dangle my legs and look around the kitchen. A glass kept beside the sink catches my eye.

'Don't do it,' I say to my mind and hold the edge of the kitchen countertop tightly.

'Nope, I want to listen to the story, and you'll see she is going to care this time' it replies and before I can oppose, I pick up the glass and drop it on the floor. A 'thuck' sound irritates my ears. I inhale deeply and wait, one, two, three, four, five, I stop when Isla shouts, "What happened, are you okay?" I press my lips together and drop my head. "Aria?" Isla calls again.

"Yeah, just knocked over a glass," I exhale. Maybe mom told Isla to ask because she was eating something.

'There is nothing to eat out there,' my mind says.

'Maybe she was drinking,' I reply.

'No, she wasn't.'

'You are wrong,' I reply.

'I am not wrong, and I am sorry for giving you hope' it says.

'Go away, I don't want to talk to you anymore,' I drop my head.

'I am just being honest' it replies.

'Then don't be' I clench my jaw.

'I have to because what you want me to say is not a little white lie.'

'Yes, it is it is it is...' I hop from the countertop and turn on the tap. I place my mouth under the stream of water and gulp desperately. The water flows down my chin and wets my sweater and my bra, but I don't stop.

Mom enters the kitchen, and I can feel her shaking her head at me. I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand and tuck my hair behind my ears. I turn towards her and cross my arms close to my chest, so she doesn't see I am wiping my hands on the back of my sweater.

"That's no way to drink water" she picks up the glass from the floor.

"Sorry I was just going to pick it up" I try to meet her gaze, but she looks away and keeps the glass in the sink. "Mom," I say, but all I get from her is, silence. I let out a heavy breath as the sinking sensation, and the void in my stomach take over me. I divert my eyes and rest them on the drawer she has opened; a frown has appeared on her forehead, and her fingers are urgently studying all the items in that drawer. "Is something wrong?" I try again.

She skims her index finger across the drawer before answering, "I can't find vanilla essence."

"But the chocolate cake is ready" I point at the cake in the oven.

"Red velvet" she turns her back towards me.

"I really want to try a new recipe," a sweet voice fills the kitchen. My cheeks lift into a smile as I watch Isla enter the kitchen.

"Something missing Mrs. Black?" she looks at mom.

"Alice, how many times do I have to tell you?" mom crosses her arms close to her chest.

"I know" Isla winks and kisses mom's cheek.

Mom shakes her head and ruffles Isla's hair. "And to answer your question, vanilla essence is missing, sorry" dejection is clear in her voice.

Isla looks at me and pushes her lower lip out while tilting her head to the left. "I'll get it" I roll my eyes but can't help but smile when she gives me her brightest smile. "Anyway I need to get some fresh air, I am way too bored with you two's company" I chuckle when Isla frowns and pushes out her lower lip again.

I walk toward the door while lightly shaking my arms to ease the wrinkles on the sleeves of the jacket I have put on. I touch the doorknob but turn around when Isla smacks my butt from behind.

"Isla," I frown.

"What, this was my way of saying thank you" she winks at me.

"God forbid if I ever save your life or something."

"Oh then you are definitely getting laid," she chuckles.

"You know I don't see that happening...ever" I emphasize on 'ever.'

"Hurt...truly hurt" she keeps her hand on her chest.

I chuckle and shake my head, "you have a boyfriend Isla, and you love him."

"Yeah, you have a boyfriend too, and you...do you love him?" she scrutinizes my face.

"Yeah" I shrug and continue, "anyway I should go, the store closes soon" I reply.

"Bye, be safe okay" she smiles at me and runs towards the kitchen.

"Need any help?" she stands beside mom and carefully examines whatever she must be doing.

Mom looks at her and smiles widely; mom smiles. I too break into a smile and look down while I tuck my hair behind my ears. I look up when I hear the sound of mom's sweet laughter fill the house. A silent laugh escapes my mouth.

'Her laughter is magical, isn't it' my mind says.

'Yeah, it's a shame that it's rare' I reply.