Burning both ends
883 Words
The sun had barely started its descent when Cynthia walked Athena home. The usually lively girl was now silent, her face streaked with tears. Mrs. Caroline stood at the doorstep, her heart dropping the moment she laid eyes on her daughter.
"Athena? What happened?" she rushed to them, her voice trembling.
Athena opened her mouth, but only sobs escaped. She clung to her mother like a frightened child. Cynthia stepped in gently.
"She... lost her phone, ma. The one with the advance payment for your medicine."
Mrs. Caroline's hands went to her mouth. "Oh no... my child."
They helped Athena inside. The cottage, usually warm and comforting, felt unusually quiet. Mrs. Caroline sat beside her daughter, brushing her hair softly, whispering reassuring words.
"It’s not the end of the world. The God who provided this one will provide another, okay?"
Athena nodded silently, her eyes swollen, her throat sore from crying.
Cynthia excused herself shortly after. "She’ll be okay," she assured gently, then stepped into the fading light.
---
Back at her home, Cynthia entered quietly, her usual spark dimmed. She greeted her mom faintly and trudged upstairs. A message pinged on her phone just as she entered her room.
Mira: Party starts at 8! You coming or nah?
Cynthia sighed. She’d almost forgotten about Mira’s birthday. And the assessment was tomorrow.
"Ugh," she muttered, tugging at her hair.
She descended to the kitchen, helping her mother with dinner, chatting sweetly. Eventually, she slipped in her request.
"Mom, Mira’s birthday is tonight. Just a small house party. Can I go?"
Her mother hesitated. "Only because it’s Mira. Be back before 10."
"Promise!" Cynthia grinned.
Later, she dressed in a sleek black dress, sprayed her best perfume, and strutted downstairs. Her little sister Keren teased, "Can I come too?"
"It's not for kids," Cynthia smirked.
"Kidding, sheesh."
Her mother called out, "Home by 10!"
"Sure, mom!" she sang as the door shut.
---
Mira's house pulsed with music and laughter. Students filled the rooms, drinks flowed like water. Cynthia nursed a glass of red wine, chatting with a boy until her eyes drifted.
Jake.
He stood across the room, leaning against a wall like he owned it. Their eyes met. He smiled. She winked.
The boy beside her handed her something - a small, wrapped object. Cynthia accepted it without much thought, tucking it into her purse before walking toward Jake.
They clinked glasses, his cologne intoxicating. As they talked, Cynthia found herself laughing more than usual. The drinks made everything feel lighter, fuzzier, exciting.
Jake leaned in closer, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek.
"You always look like you’re thinking about trouble," he said.
"Maybe I am trouble," she teased.
His smirk deepened. Their knees touched. His hand slid along her thigh, not rushed, but with intention. The tension between them ignited like gasoline to a flame.
Then their lips collided.
It wasn’t a hesitant kiss. It was raw, heated, electric. Cynthia responded instinctively, her hands tangled in his shirt. He pulled her in closer, his grip firm, his mouth demanding. The world fell away as breath tangled and time stopped.
When they finally pulled apart, she was breathless. He looked at her like she was a secret he wanted to keep.
Just then, her phone buzzed .
Keren: Cyn it’s past midnight. You said 10pm.
Cynthia hissed. "Ugh. Gotta run."
Jake offered, "Let me drive you."
Who could say no to Jake?
They bid Mira goodbye with quick hugs and laughter, then exited the house into the warm night.
Jake's car gleamed under the streetlights. The drive was smooth and quiet, tension still hanging in the air between them.
At Cynthia's gate, they paused.
Jake winked. "See you around, trouble."
Cynthia, tipsy and impulsive, leaned in and kissed him again. This time deeper. Hotter.
He pulled her closer, hands exploring, breath stolen.
When she finally pulled away, her lipstick smudged, she was smiling. She fixed her bra and stepped out of the car.
Keren saw it all from her upstairs window.
---
She was the one who opened the door.
"I wonder how that guy kissed you smelling like a brewery," Keren muttered.
"What did you say?"
"I said come in before Mom wakes up. I told her an hour ago you were already back. She fell asleep."
Cynthia smirked. "Good girl."
She slumped into bed like a rock, dress still on.
---
Morning brought a wicked hangover.
Cynthia cursed. School. Test.
Meanwhile, at the cottage, Athena felt a little better. Her mom had helped her prepare for school, packing a small snack and giving her a tight hug.
At school, Athena arrived first. Cynthia stumbled in minutes later.
"You okay?" Athena asked.
"Just a headache."
Athena gave her a look but didn’t press. Cynthia wasn’t the type to talk about parties anyway.
Jake walked in. Heads turned. Cynthia blushed.
Athena noticed. "You're red."
Cynthia laughed nervously. "The guy behind him... he’s cute."
Athena raised a brow. "Guilty much? I didn’t even say anything."
The teacher entered, announcing the test. Groans echoed.
Thirty minutes. No mercy
Athena wrote calmly. Cynthia? Stressed. Blank.
She peeked at Athena’s sheet. Too far.
She scribbled nonsense. Scratched it. Stared.
Athena stood, submitted her paper, and exited.
Cynthia dropped her head. Everything was falling apart.
- Writer
