Jayden Shiba

The sun rose up a little too early than I expected. Bloom's face from yesterday's night kept flashing in my eyes every time I tried to close it. I don't know if I did the right thing yesterday. Should I have stayed with her the entire night? Or atleast stayed with her till she fell asleep?

Being a big brother is tough. Being a team leader was one thing and being a little brother was another, but it suddenly feels like the roles and responsibilities of a big brother are more than those other things, and it has literally been half a day since I started this role. But, it is not just the role, I believe. Something in me feels like I've let Bloom down all these years and there's a sudden urge to compensate all that now. I love my little sister, I really do, but I failed in being a big brother then, I doubt I'll be a good one now.

Getting up from my bed, I went ahead and freshened up myself and went straight for the kitchen. Bloom is already up, sitting on the counter with cereal in hand. She looked groggy. Really really groggy. Her hair was in tangles and her chin rested on her hand, her eyes half drooping as she picked at her breakfast. I know she didn't have a good night's sleep and yet, I ask, "Did you have a nice sleep?"

She looked at me with a smile and nodded an yes. I know now she definitely didn't sleep. "I told you to call me if you couldn't sleep," I asked her a little sternly. "I didn't call you because I slept," she said adamantly, but her eyes gave her up. 

"I know your lying," I said looking straight in her eyes.

"How?" She asked innocently. 

"Your eyes just turned into a grayish green...," I said calmly. Her hands immediately flew to her eyes, her eyes closing in agony. "You mean sage," she said in hoarse voice. I forgot she was an artist. "Maybe," I just shrugged my shoulders. 

"I know every part of my power and yet, I forgot that you could see my eyes change colour according to my emotions," she said, sounding a little frustrated. 

"I am family, right?" I said as I slowly took a seat beside her and pulled her hands away from her eyes.

"And the people I was with for the past years wasn't," she sighed, adding, "biologically, that is."

Taking a deep breath, I said, "I know dealing with your powers are hard, especially when you are back in your roots. Though I may claim to understand, I never truly will. But just know that I am here for you at every step of your life."

She nodded with thought and my mind went blank. Was it some Shiba family trait to remain distant when things get tough? How can I help her if she doesn't tell me what's bothering her?

No... I'm taking it way over my head. She had just returned back home and she needs time to settle. She has been introduced to new relations just as much as I am. She needs time to adapt. Yes... she needs time to adapt. 

"When are we leaving?" She suddenly asked, startling me from my thoughts. I couldn't quite comprehend what she was talking about. 

"Shopping... you told you would take me, remember?" She said with her head tilted slightly, doubt evident in her eyes. I let out a relieved, breathy laugh. "Of course," I said smiling. "If you are done with your breakfast, we'll leave right now."

And when I saw her eyes turn golden yellow, only then did I realize that she was actually happy by the news. Immediately emptying her bowl, she ran out screaming, "five minutes is all I need!!!!"

I chuckled softly. Gotta admit, I was first unsure on whether or not she would like the idea. I really wanted to spend time with her and make her happy and the only thing that striked my mind was shopping, since that was what Mia and Emily did when they wanted to have fun. I wasn't sure if she would like it since I have also seen Lauren, but on the other hand, Lauren's idea of fun wasn't really, well, fun.

While she went ahead to get dressed, I grabbed a bowl for myself and filled it with cereal and milk, suddenly being reminded of how Kevin used to measure his share. Nostalgia hit me. And then I wonder how it must be for Bloom. Her whole life, she remembers each and every tiny detail and every time she comes in contact with something, she gets plunged into its most prominent memories. It must've been really hard having to remember everything about a thing you want to forget.

"Is everything alright?" Ji asked as he walked in with a basket filled with tomatoes. Looking over my shoulder, I said, "of course."

"Are you still going to go on the shopping spree?" He asked as he started to wash the tomatoes. "Yes," I simply replied. "Good for you," he said and went back to his silent state. Curiosity getting the better of me, I asked, "why'd you ask?"

He turned towards me, taking a deep breath, he said, "well, I was preparing myself to push you out with her if you had changed your mind. Guess it's not needed now."

"I really want her to feel at home Ji," I finally spoke up. "If shopping would make her comfortable and maybe happy, then that is what I would do." Ji has always been easy to talk to. I wish Bloom could feel the same way about me.

"I'm happy that you're trying," he said, ever the supportive mentor. "And I'm happy that you're finding things to do for fun."

"Oh, I don't think shopping is for me," I said laughing nervously. 

"I meant spending time with your sister," he said nonchalantly. "Casual outings can be fun."

"Oh," I said. "Yeah, of course."

Just on cue, Bloom dashed in and yelled, "ready!"

My eyes landed on the locket that was hanging on her neck. I remember that she was wearing it yesterday while sleeping too. A warm feeling spread across my chest.

"Did you choose the photos to add to your locket?" I asked as I took my last mouth of my cereal. "I did think of a few... well ideas of few actually. I think it would be better if we took new photos, but... I do have one in mind." It's been ages since I've seen her this excited. Probably because I hadn't seen her for ages, but, something tells me that she was really excited. 

"What's the photo?" I asked, curious. 

"This one," she said as she fished out her phone and handed it to me with a photo from her gallery. My heart leaped out. I had that photo too but, I never realized she carried it on her phone. The only picture where all our family members where present... well, almost...

Our mother was on a bed, her hair flowing freely, just like Bloom's. My dad sat at the edge, his arms securely draped across her shoulder. Lauren was standing in front of him, her one hand on my shoulder and the other wrapped below the fragile figure. And there I was, holding Bloom in my hands while sitting on the bed, my mom's hand making sure that I don't drop her baby. Ji was there too, standing beside us with a calm smile. It really was a day to remember...

I gave Bloom back her phone, unable to find a reply. 

"Also...," she said, hesitance evident in her voice. "Maybe this photo too." She handed me back her phone with a new photo on display, this one with her foster parents. Their love and affection for her was palpable in this picture. I smiled, feeling satisfied that she was loved and cared for. "We'll get these printed out today," I said. Her face lit up and that made me happy. Guess we are gonna go shopping now...

_________

Well, I guess Bloom wasn't much of a shopper like I thought she would be. She was mostly a window shopping person and bought only those that were absolutely necessary. Right now, we are at the front of an musical instruments store and she is gawking at the guitar that was on display. 

"Look at that colour! Those pattern! That is so awesome!" She gushed, only an inch between her and the glass. "Man! I wish I knew how to play guitar!" She stated.

"Ji does," I said calmly, smiling at her child like enthusiasm. "He taught me actually..."

"You own a guitar?!" She asked, looking a little offended. 

"Ji bought it for me after the battle," I said, watching as her eyes turned a greenish blue shade. "I know the basics... maybe I could teach you few chords."

"Yeah, that would be amazing!" She exclaimed, her eyes turning an yellowish orange shade. I should really learn about colours and their meaning...

"Come on," I said as I placed my hands on her shoulder and steered her away from the window. Her head kept turning towards the display, completely unaware of where we were headed. I still remember her doing this exact thing with the guitar locket when we were little. Dad took us shopping for family time but was a lot distracted by his responsibilities. Myself and Lauren had to peel her off of the display at the antic store before we followed our dad.

Only when we entered the door, her head snapped front. "Where are we going?" She asked. 

"To get you that guitar," I said as I approached the shopkeeper. 

"What?" She asked in disbelief. 

"Well," I said. "You would have a guitar to learn, don't you?" She giggled uncontrollably. From this day forth, the guitar would have a new home...

Next we went to the photo shop to get the pictures for the locket printed. The shopkeeper was kind enough to volunteer to stick the photos on the frames. "It is one of a kind locket. Keep it safe," he said. 

"I will, thanks," Bloom said as we headed out, the guitar now slung on her back.

Finally, we sat at the park, enjoying our ice cream. Ji was right. Spending time with my sister was awesome. Guess we should do it more often. 

"Do you think you need more clothes?" I asked as I noticed her peeking into one of the bags. "Yeah," she said. "These are more than enough."

"Remember that you'll have to wear these for school too," I said with determination. "If you want more, we can get it."

I saw her brooding at my sentence. Guess she isn't that thrilled about school. Considering that she is here at the middle of the semester, it is definitely going to be tough for her to pick up.

"Maybe just a few more," she finally said standing up. 

And then, our second round of shopping began.