The New Girl

Everything is changing

My palms shook as I stood at the entrance of the home I hadn't seen in years.

Was I nervous? Slightly

Why? Honestly, I couldn't answer that question even if I wanted to.

Maybe it was the fear of seeing Reign again. We hadn't exactly left off on good terms.

Or, maybe it was the fact that this place was like a constant reminder that now both me and Reign were the only child our parents had. She no longer had to be jealous of me having an older brother because I no longer had one.

When our parents were busy, worrying about their jobs and barely acknowledging the fact that they had kids. Me, Reign and Shawn would play this game where we lived in a world where all of us had parents who loved us, who cared about us and were actually there for us.

I don't think the game did us any good now that I look back on it.

When Jesus twisted the doorknob of his home, my nostrils were instantly filled with a scent so heavenly it smelled like something God had made himself.

"Maria!, Ray! You guys are not going to believe who I brought home !" Jesus boasts loud enough for the whole house to hear as he shut the door behind him.

I could hear the faint sound of laughter in the background but I couldn't pin my finger on where it was coming from or who it was.

As Jesus took off his baseball cap and jacket, I searched my surroundings for any trace of familiarity. There was none. The house looked completely different than how I remembered it. I guess I can only blame that on the fact that it had been so long since I had been here.

"Is that who I think it is? "Maria said, her voice full of amusement as she walked into the living room.

Our eyes met and hers were filled with nothing but love and admiration towards me. 

A smile formed on both of our faces.

I missed her and I didn't really realize how much until we were face to face.

Maria pulled my body close to hers and wrapped me in her embrace. I think I missed her hugs the most. They were the kind of hugs people needed on bad days. The kind of hugs that made you feel better.

When she pulled my body away from hers, she studied my face with nothing but love in her eyes. "Wow. You've grown up so much pretty girl," Maria gushed and I couldn't do anything but smile at her.

I wasn't ready to let her go yet, so I pulled her body closer to mine once more"I've missed you so much,"

Maria rubbed my back and pulled me closer to her " I've missed you too honey" 

Just being there with her was comforting. When I was younger, Maria was the closest thing to a mother figure I had. Mine was always too busy with work or trying to chase my father down. Neither one of my parents paid much attention to their children when we were growing up, which is why Jesus's family had become like my own.

" Zion!"  Reign yelled and in a matter of seconds, I had been passed over from Maria's arms to Reign's. She hugged me tight and hard as if it was the last time she'd be able to and I hugged her back. 

When she pulled away, it was like she couldn't believe her eyes. It had been so long since we last saw each other. 

All the nerves I had earlier about seeing her were gone and I was just happy to be around her again. I missed her.

"Holy shit girl you look good!" Reign said and I couldn't help the laughter that escaped my lips.

"Reigna! What have I told you about using that kind of language in my house!" Jesus grumbled.