Jasmine

She kicked a pebble as she strolled down the pathway with Trevor by her side. Her mind wandered back to Uriah, recalling the conversation they had and now that she thought about it, she still knew nothing about him except for his name, age, and some really basic info. They had only talked about everything else but themselves.

The wind howled and a small lightning flashed. Jasmine glanced at the sky, seeing dark clouds forming overhead. It was going to rain soon. Her gaze flickered to her left, at the field as something blue caught her attention.

Jasmine felt the cold wind hit her face as she stopped in her tracks and turned left. She walked down the gentle slope and strode with large steps, eyes focusing on what was in front of her, not noticing that Trevor followed behind.

She crouched down and stared at the Forget-Me-Not, swaying in the wind. It lost a petal and appeared more battered than the morning when she had found it.

"A Forget-Me-Not?" Trevor raised an eyebrow at her.

She hummed, eyes still on the flower. A storm was coming, and the fragile flower wouldn't survive it.

Hours ago -- when it was still full of life -- it never would had thought that everything would end so abruptly, right?

"Why do you know?" She asked.

"I do know a little about flowers, and it just happen to be my favourite, so why can't I?"

"Because it just turned my favourite." Jasmine stood up as a drop of rain hit her arm. "Let's go."

Trevor gave her a weird look before picking up his pace and jogged. With his long legs, it didn't take too long to overtake Jasmine.

"Hurry up. Mom and dad are going to give us one hell of a nagging if we are home late and soaking wet." Trevor held out his hand to her. "Shall we hold hands? For old times' sake."

Facing her elder brother's huge grin, she felt her cheeks heat up from embarrassment as she recalled memories when they had held hands everywhere they went years ago because she couldn't walk very fast or far.

"No."

"C'mon, Jas,"

"It's embarrassing. We are not kids anymore."

"Literally no one's here. And no one we know of anyway."

She pursed her lips together. "Well, yeah..."

"So." He took a step closer as his grin widen.

Jasmine zoomed past him, leaving him in a frozen state.

"If you can catch me before we get home, I'll let you!" She called out to him without turning back as she sprinted ahead.

Trevor huffed. "It's on!"

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"Jas, can you help out in the store tomorrow?"

Jasmine looked up from her plate of Mac n' cheese to her mom. "Tomorrow?"

"Yeah, grandma isn't feeling too well today, and she might need some help. You've got nothing going on anyway, right?"

She stabbed the macaroni with her fork and pushed it around her plate. That meant she wasn't going to Astilbe tomorrow and breaking a promise as well. She didn't have the permission from her parents to keep on going out everyday after all, so despite the feeling of disappointment sinking in her stomach, Jasmine had to agree. She mumbled, "Right..."

"That's great. Be sure to look out for grandma as well. And--"

"Hey, mom," Trevor's silvery voice cut into the conversation smoothly and everyone's eyes were on him the next second.

"Yes, dear?"

"Can I help out tomorrow instead? I need a breather from all the studying, and I haven't seen grandma for a long time. I bet she would be happy to spend some time with me."

"Hmm, well."

Jasmine and Trevor watched as their parents exchanged glances.

"Trevor, your exams are right around the corner. I understand that you might want to help out but still..." Mom trailed off and gave him a stern look. The four of them knew exactly what she would had said anyway.

"I'll bring along my books, you don't have to worry. I'll definitely pass the exams." He answered with eyes just as hard as her and the usual cheerfulness in his voice had disappeared without a trace. An air of maturity surrounded him as he squared his shoulders. "I always pass and I will again. Just as usual."

If Jasmine wasn't used to seeing all these bickering among her family member, she would think Trevor was being arrogant. But no, he did pass every exams with flying colours. He always did better than he was expected to, but that only increased the expectations given to him.

Jasmine shifted uncomfortably in her seat while stealing glances at Trevor who was looking back and forth between her and their mom. His gaze was still hard and unyielding, and Jasmine felt like cowering under that look of his, even though it wasn't directed to her.

"Fine," she replied briefly, but didn't looked very happy. "I'll just leave it to you then."

"Thanks, mom."

Like wiping the stain off the table with a wet tissue, the cold and serious look was wiped off of Trevor's face as he let a small grin grace his face. Jasmine smiled back weakly at him and they broke off contact.

He was pushing himself for her again.

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Jasmine peered into the room through the small gap. She heard scratching sound resonating throughout the room, like pencil against paper. Her hand lightly pushed the door open as it let out a small creaking sound. She cringed. Trevor sat in front of his table, focusing on what Jasmine had identified as a stack of paper.

He was going to be taking his entrance exams soon – in a few months – so he was almost always studying unless it was meal time. Their parents must had been worried enough to had sent him out to get her this evening.

"Trev?" Jasmine called out softly.

Trevor snapped his head at her direction, looking a little disarrayed, exhausted but alarmed. Like a hiding prey that had been found by its predator. After he saw that it was her, his expression softened. Trevor pulled open the drawer and kept all the papers away before turning towards her.

"What's up?"

"Nothing much," She slowly entered the room, making her way towards his bed, "Just,"

"Yeah?"

She plopped down the soft bed and looked anywhere but at him. "Thanks for earlier." After a brief silence, she continued, "But you probably have enough on your hands with studies and all. So, if you are regretting it, I can still tell mom I'll help out instead. It's not that important anyway."

Jasmine didn't notice when Trevor had stood up from his seat and sat down beside her. The corners of his lips curved up as he reached out and ruffled her hair, "Worrying doesn't suit you. It'll be fine. I'm just sick of being cooped up at home."

"Hey!" She shifted at his gesture, but didn't move away. Jasmine's hand reached out to mess up Trevor's hair as payback. They both laughed and wrestled with each other. After calming down from laughing too much, she looked at him sincerely and smiled. "Thanks."

She knew he was the one who spoiled her the most despite them being just a few years apart.

"I haven't seen you have this much fun these days anyway." He fiddled with his bangs before dropping them to stare at her. "So, how is this Uriah? Have you gotten to know him better?"

Jasmine pouted. "He's just a friend, seriously."

He chuckled. "And?"

"He's nineteen, the owner of the shop, yes, he does look a little hot to me but I just enjoy his company."

"Well, well." Trevor shot her an amused look.

"Gosh, Trev, why are you more concerned about this than me? You're not a high school girl that squeals when she hears juicy love stories. And no, don't give me that look, this isn't even one." She sighed. "Remember I had heat stroke the first day I went there? He carried me in and helped me. I really love the atmosphere there too."

"Just friends then?"

"Duh," she rolled her eyes. "Why are you looking disappointed?"

"I just want to be involved in my little sister's love life." He sighed dramatically.

Jasmine promptly ignored him and asked, "What were you doing?"

"Studying. Nothing much I can do, I guess."

Right then, Jasmine saw the exhaustion in his eyes, and the eye bags under them. "Don't push yourself too hard. You might collapse."

"I won't," he said. "Not yet."

"Hm?"

"Nothing," he assured her.

They sat side by side with their backs against the wall in silence. Jasmine thought it would be the right time to leave, after taking some of his precious time now that he was on tight schedule to study, but when she glanced at Trevor and saw his distant gaze, something within her stopped her from leaving. Staying a little longer wouldn't hurt anyone.

Trevor caught her staring and snapped out of his daze. "Say, Jas,"

"Yeah?"

"Do you have dreams?" he asked with a softer voice.

"Well, not really."

"'Not really' isn't exactly a 'no', isn't it?"

"You caught me." She laughed. "I guess I do have some ideas but I'm not sure. It's just random thoughts."

"I'm waiting," he grinned at her.

"Fine. You'll have to tell me yours later." She said, "I want to make people happy. It sounds weird, since it's not an ambition like normal people would have. I just want to see everyone living happily. I have no idea how am I going to do that, but well, it's just a thought. Maybe it will fade soon."

"It's not weird." Trevor turned to meet her gaze, and he didn't look away for a very long time. His gaze was sharp and intent, and he wasn't grinning or laughing. "It's great to have dreams. Dreams are what make life worth living. Dreams give life a meaning. It's not insignificant, whatever dreams you have. It's good enough to be able to dream."

"Hold on to it, Jas. I'm sure you can do it. You've brought a lot of joy to us already."

A tint of pink painted her cheeks. Trevor rarely got so serious, but that was also why she knew he was being completely sincere, and it embarrassed her a little.

Jasmine punched him lightly in the shoulder. Even though she came in feeling down, Trevor cheered her up completely.

"How about your dreams?" Jasmine asked, steering the focus away from herself.

He hummed. "What if I say I don't have any?" His grin was back again.

"Liar," she said, "You're avoiding my question. Not fair, Trev."

Trevor laughed, "Okay, okay. Don't be mad. I do have a dream. Two, now that I think about it."

She stayed silent, waiting for him to continue.

"I hope you'll achieve your dreams and live a contented life." Trevor said.

Jasmine opened her mouth, wanting to retort that it wasn't a valid dream if it was about her. But before she could, a large hand rested on her head as the warmth silenced her. She blinked, wondering why her brother was being so sentimental tonight. He wasn't one to express his feelings well, or maybe, he just never chose to.

She blinked at him, knowing full well that he was avoiding her question again, and that was fine because she wouldn't force it on him if he didn't wanted to tell her.

"Well then, what's the second dream?" She slowly removed Trevor's hand.

"That," his smile faltered for a second before it was back up on his face. "will depend on you."

"What?"

"Am I a good brother to you, Jas?"

She frowned. "What's with the question?"

"Am I?" He repeated, resting his head on his knees as he looked at her. His gaze pierced hers, and Jasmine saw the desperation in those eyes.

"You are." She replied without a hint of hesitation.

"Really?" He grinned at her proudly, like it was the happiest thing he had heard in his life. Then, he buried his face into his knees. "Thanks, Jas. You cheered me up."

Did I?

Shrugging, she patted him on his back.

"How about me?" she asked.

"What about you?"

"If given another chance, will you still be my brother? Aren't I too bothersome?"

Trevor sat up straight with a smirk and pinched her cheeks swiftly. "That's a secret for me to keep, and for you to find out!"

"You're always so unfair, Trev!"

"Yes," he smiled, "I guess I am."

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This is probably the last update for the month. I'm too busy to write anything so I won't be posting before I get back to writing again. Also, I didn't proofread this so if you find any mistakes,  it would be great if you can point it out!

This is my favourite chapter so far so I hope you enjoyed it! Tell me what you think about Trevor and Jasmine's relationship!

Thanks for reading~ :)