I was alone too

Gianna smiled, brushing a stray strand of hair away from Aurora's face. "Really. We don't need math problems as an excuse. If you want to sit with me, talk, or do something fun, just tell me."

Aurora's lips trembled, and before Gianna could react, she lunged forward, wrapping her arms around her sister in a tight hug. "Thank you, sister."

Gianna hugged her back, resting her chin lightly on Aurora's head. "Anytime, sweetheart."

Aurora closed her eyes, relishing the warmth of her sister's embrace. A contented feeling settled in her chest—her sister was really the best.

She giggled, wiping at her eyes before nodding eagerly. "Okay!"

"I'll stay here until you fall asleep. What do you say?" Gianna proposed.

Aurora's face lit up instantly, her earlier shyness melting away. "Really? You mean it?"

Gianna chuckled, pulling the blanket over the girl. "Of course. I'll be right here till you sleep."

Aurora wiggled happily under the blanket, her small hands clutching the edge. "Then… can we talk for a little bit before I sleep?"

Gianna adjusted herself on the chair, propping her elbow on the bedside. "Sure. What do you want to talk about?"

Aurora hesitated for a moment before whispering, "Can you tell me a story? A real one? About... about anything? Like maybe when you were little?" She wanted to know more about her sister.

Gianna blinked, slightly caught off guard by the request. "When I was little… hmm?" She thought for a moment before a nostalgic smile tugged at her lips. "Alright, let's see… Oh, I know."

She leaned in a little closer, lowering her voice like she was about to share a secret. It was indeed a secret—one only her late grandmother probably knew. It had to do with a past she barely remembered. A past before she was taken in by the old woman.

"When I was about your age," she began, her eyes a little empty as she remembered the young frail and helpless her, "I was terrified of the dark. I used to imagine all sorts of monsters hiding under my bed or behind the curtains."

Aurora gasped, her eyes widening. "You? Afraid of the dark?"

Gianna laughed. "I know, right? Hard to believe. But it's true. And do you know what I used to do?"

Aurora shook her head, fully invested.

"I used to sneak into Mom's room and hide under the blankets. But she was always too busy, so she would get mad and send me back to my room." Gianna's smile turned bittersweet—except, in reality, she had slept with her grandmother instead, and no, her grandmother was always with her. She would sing her lullaby even though Brianne was eight already. She would gently soothe her back. She continued, "So, I started sleeping with a flashlight. Every time I got scared, I would turn it on and remind myself that the shadows weren't really monsters. And little by little, I stopped being afraid."

Aurora was quiet for a moment, her little fingers gripping the blanket. Then, in a soft voice filled with uncertainty, she murmured, "So… you were alone too?"

Gianna's heart ached at the question. She reached out, gently tapping Aurora's nose. "Maybe a little. But that's why I understand how you feel, okay? And that's why I want you to know that you're not alone—not anymore."

Aurora beamed, her earlier sadness fading. Her eyes shone like stars in a dark night sky, twinkling with hope. "Then… if I ever get scared, can I hold your hand instead of a flashlight?"

Gianna felt something tighten in her chest, a mix of love and protectiveness so strong it almost overwhelmed her. She smiled, squeezing Aurora's hand. "Always."

Aurora grinned, snuggling deeper into the covers. "Okay. Then… goodnight, sister."

"Goodnight, sweetheart."

Gianna stayed by her side, listening to the soft, steady breaths as Aurora slowly drifted into sleep.

She saw her younger self in the girl. And she swore to protect her.

Once she was sure Aurora was deeply asleep, she carefully left the room, shutting the door gently before making her way to her own room.

She didn't forget to plug her phone into the wall charger. She still couldn't get over the surprise of a fully charged battery suddenly dropping so low.

After plugging it in, the screen blinked to life, displaying 33% battery.

Gianna shook her head helplessly.

Checking the time, her eyes widened.

It was 11:44 PM—almost midnight.

Never in her life, not even when she was a star in her past life, had she stayed up so late.

The moment she slipped under the covers, she drifted off to sleep immediately. She was exhausted after a long day. From waking up in a new body after falling off a cliff, to making breakfast, preparing for the store, dealing with customers, visiting her grandma's house, meeting her brother-in-law, Sophia's shamelessness, and now... Aurora's situation.

She deserved a good night's sleep.