Janie

Exhausted from another day at school, I rushed back home. My dad was sitting in the living room, on the black couch that I had dribbled writings on as a child. He said he wasn't going to get rid of it because he wanted a lasting memory. Cute. He had his eyes fixed on the TV, perhaps watching the ABC Entertainment channel he loved so much, with the remote in his hands.

He greeted me with a smile on his face the moment he realized I was at the door, and with that I quickly rushed over to where he sat and gave him a hug, a nice warm embrace.

"So, how was school today? Any trouble?" He asked, as we both pulled apart from the hug

"It was fine," I replied with a little smile on my face. I guess it wasn't that convincing because he decided to ask me again.

"Are you sure?" I could notice the hint of worry on his face.

"I'm being serious Dad. It's actually going well. The school's environment is unique, and blending in has really been good," I explained, but he still shot me a weird look.

"I just want you to be okay, Janie," he spoke, holding my hands softly.

"I am okay, Dad. I just miss home, and as the saying goes, there is no place like home.," We chuckled loudly after I had said that.

"Yes, there isn't. Welcome home, princess," he said, his smile brimming from ear to ear.

My dad was always an exciting and amazing person to meet, and I sure was lucky. We had just ended our little chitchat when I caught of whiff of the aroma of something cooking. It smelt like heaven, or maybe it was cause I had been stuck on college meals. Nevertheless, I wanted a piece of it.

"What is that beautiful aroma?" I asked.

"Don't you wanna go find out? The kitchen isn't so far," he joked.

"Hmmm" I hummed, after catching another sniff of it.

"Trust your mum to always make nice delicacies.," he wiggled his eyebrow as he spoke.

"I know, right? Anyway, I'll be right back," I said, pecking his cheek.

With this, I walked into the kitchen to find my mother standing next to the cooking gas, with a lot on fire and a little chopped veggies on the table.

"Mummy! " I screamed the moment I walked in. It was nice to see both my parents' faces after a long day, or maybe even days, at school. And I could tell they were as excited to see me as I was to see them.

"Janie!" she also screamed, as she spread her arms wide open for a hug. Disappointment on my part was never a deal, so I made sure we had a heartfelt hug as I rushed into her arms, caring less about the fact that she might have pepper or anything that might make my skin irritated at her.

"I've missed you, mum," I said while we hugged.

"I've missed you too, darling," she replied as we slowly pulled away from the hug.

"And, one more thing, I am proud of you Janie," she said, smiling.

"I'm glad you decided to take this path. You'd make a wonderful nurse. " His words were more than sufficient to make my smile widen in a few seconds.

"I owe it to you, mum. Thank you for being my inspiration," I praised her effort in making me what I now was.

"So whatcha making?" I asked.

"Pasta and sauce"

"Hmmmm" I hummed happily.

"But I'm done with the pasta, I am making the sauce"

"Oh my God, I've missed your sauce, your food," I said, faking a happy cry session while my mum just stood there, laughing. I couldn't hold my act for long, and I joined in the laughing experience of my own funny act.

"Okay, okay. Lucky for you, I made pancakes. You can munch those for now and rake some for your father," she said.

"That is why you're the best, mum," I whispered to her.

"I know," we both smiled heartily

"But don't tell dad I said that" and with these words we both burst into laughter for a while.

"I might take the whole thing," I joked, as she patted me on the back to quit and take some for my dad, too.

Walking over to the table, separate from the entire cooking unit, I spotted the pancakes on a fake gold plated plate. Apparently, I was the reason they got that plate, because I thought it was real gold as a child and they wanted to prove me wrong, which they did. I took the plate in my hands and walked back to the living room, where my dad was, and a shiver went down my spine. My dad wasn't in the living room. His remote was still there, but there was no need to panic. He had probably gone off to the bathroom. Before I could leave to tell my mum of his absence, I noticed a note in the spot where he had been sitting.

Curiosity led me to open it, and my mouth sat open for a while. The note read "you'll be fine without me Janie, I'm sorry". What was going on? I panicked after reading this, saying one word "no, no, no"

I ran into the kitchen to show my mother the note, but she had also disappeared. I searched the kitchen, calling out to her, but there was no response. Finally, I noticed a note on the table gas where she was cooking. Scared by all of this, I picked it up and opened it.

"I wish I could be with you forever, but it's unfortunate. You have to learn to live without me Janie," I read the words in my head, as I felt my heart beat increase after every word.

"No, no, no" my breath became intense, as I mumbled the words "this cannot be happening"

My head felt like a heavy load was placed in it, and my heart felt like it had been set on fire. Panicking even more, I laid on the kitchen floor, crying my eyes out. Moments after, my professor and mentor, Mr Luciano walked in.

"I'm here for you, Janie" he had a smile on his face

"They left me. They fucking left me," I cried even more than I spoke.

"I will never leave you," he assured me.

Those words sounded soothing and hopeful to the ears. Nonetheless, I wanted my parents. I needed my mom and Dad like my lungs needed oxygen at the moment.

"T-hey a-re gone." My voice cracked into tiny sobs as I repeated those words over and over again like I couldn't believe it myself.

"I know it hurts, Janie. Which is why I am here for you. I will never leave." He reassured me again.

Just as he was about to take a step forward, I heard a gunshot.

My heart skipped a beat and then I noticed him.

He fell slowly, as the blood was all over his chest and spreading through the fabric he wore. He was shot from behind. His horrified face, coupled with his astounded lips, fell open, as the blood kept spreading on his white shirt.

"No!" I shrieked, scrambling towards him.

"No, no, no, Luciano, stay with me, no," every word leaving my mouth with tears rushing out of my eyes.

Still pounding hard on his chest and pleading with him not to give up on me, I felt a large surge travel through me and then my eyes re-opened to a white ceiling.