fractured memories

A Time for us

"...CHAPTER 1 TITLE: "Fractured Memories

The world around me seemed to stop.

"Why... Why just run, Sao? Just run!" My voice echoed in my mind.

"Ahhh... Oh, what was that?"

My uncle's gentle voice broke the spell.

"Oh, little girl, did you have another nightmare?"

"Yes, uncle..." I trailed off, "but I don't remember anything after waking up... Sao..."

My uncle's expression turned curious. "Hmm, Sao, indeed. Be ready today, we have to go somewhere. Go get ready, Sao."

"Okay, but... where are we going? Are we going to someone?"

My uncle smiled vaguely. "Yes, I guess you could say that. Come on, Sao! We're leaving soon! You're going to be late!"

"Coming... 2 minutes!"

**CHAPTER 1 CONTINUES WITH NEW SECTION TITLE:** "Arrival and Defiance"

"I'm here now, let's go, uncle!" I said, falling into step beside him.

"Sao, please behave yourself, okay?" uncle reminded me – again.

"Ahh, uncle..." I rolled my eyes good-naturedly. "I know how many times you've told me that. Now I'm a sixteen-year-old girl, I know how to behave! You just take care of yourself and your health, okay?"

Uncle chuckled, throwing up his hands. "Stop, Sao! I concede defeat – I couldn't win against you even when you were little!"

"Ahh, you finally admitted it – I'm the winner, little girl no more!" I teased.

Uncle smiled warmly. "Now we're here..."

**CHAPTER 1 CONTINUES WITH NEW SECTION TITLE:** "Reunion and Revelations"

"Dear, come out of the car – don't be shy," uncle coaxed.

"Why didn't you tell me we're meeting someone?" I asked, eyes widening at the grand estate. "And whose house is this? It's so big and beautiful! Oh my goodness!"

Mr. Jasper greeted us warmly. "Hi, Mr. Jasper – please come this way, everyone's waiting."

Uncle nudged me forward. "Sao, be quiet and come..."

We entered to find more familiar faces:

"Miss Sharlin and Mr. Smith are here!" uncle announced.

My jaw dropped. "Ohh my gosh, Sharlin – you've changed a little bit!"

Jasper Smith chuckled. "I also think so, cause we meet again after years..."

Uncle filled in the gaps. "Sao, yes – I knew them. She's your aunt, Sharlin... and he's Smith, but for you, just call him uncle, same as you call me."

Sharlin opened her arms warmly. "Hello dear Sao, I'm Sharlin – call me Aunt Sharlin. And this is Smith, call him uncle, okay?"

"I'm Sao," I said softly, still processing. "Nice to meet you…"

Chapter 1 Final Version

"...nice to meet you," I said softly to Aunt Sharlin and Uncle Smith.

Aunt Sharlin smiled warmly. "We've missed you so much, Sao. Come, let's catch up – everyone's waiting in the living room."

Uncle Smith nodded. "Yes, and there's someone special waiting to meet you, Sao."

My heart skipped a beat – who could that be?

Aunt Sharlin smiled mischievously. "Shall we introduce you to our guest, Sao?"

I nodded eagerly. Aunt Sharlin led me into the living room.

And that's when I saw HIM – leaning against the window frame, looking utterly bored.

"Everyone, this is Sao," Aunt Sharlin announced. "Sao, this is Thyme – my son.

Thyme pushed off from the window, his eyes locking onto mine. "Finally, the famous Sao. I've heard stories... mostly about your ability to sleep through alarms."

My jaw dropped. "Hey, those alarms were faulty!"

Thyme chuckled. "Save it, Sao. Mom still has the video of you sleeping through a fire drill."

Aunt Sharlin smiled. "Thyme, behave. Sao is our guest – Sharlin's niece."

Thyme grinned mischievously. "So, Sao's the kid Mom been talking about nonstop."

I raised an eyebrow, sass mode activated.

"Oh hello, Thyme. I'm Sao – the **16-year-old NOT a kid**, thanks for clarification."

Thyme burst out laughing. "Burn! Aunt Sharlin, she's feisty – I like it."

Momo and Kavin chuckled, exchanging amused glances. Aunt Sharlin smiled proudly. "Indeed she is, Thyme. Indeed she is."

Aunt Sharlin smiled warmly. "Okay guys, from now Sao will live with us, so don't try to tease her..."

Momo exclaimed, "Oh no way! From now she's like my sister, right Sao?"

I nodded slowly, still processing – "Ahh, ahh, hmm... right..."

THEN Aunt Sharlin dropped the bombshell:

"Wait, wait, WAIT – why do I have to live HERE?!" I turned to my uncle, panic rising.

"UNCLE! Screaming uncle alert – WHAT IS GOING ON?!"

My uncle looked sheepish, avoiding eye contact.

"Uh, Sao, we discussed this... Aunt Sharlin and Uncle Smith offered to take care of you while I, uh, attend to some business abroad."

Thyme raised an eyebrow. "Business abroad – code for 'avoiding Sao's teenage drama'?"

I glared at Thyme, then back at my uncle. "NO. EXPLANATION. NEEDED. NOW."

Momo and Kavin burst out laughing – even Aunt Sharlin chuckled!

Momo and Kavin were still laughing, holding their bellies in pain.

Thyme grinned mischievously. "This is epic – Sao's face is priceless!"

He walked closer, voice low and teasing. "Aww, little Sao's uncle is abandoning her – what will she do without her bedtime storyteller?"

I rolled my eyes dramatically. "Oh please, Thyme – my uncle's stories put ME to sleep, not the other way around!"

Thyme chuckled loudly. "Burn again – Sao's got claws! Uncle's really leaving a fierce one behind."

My uncle cleared his throat, trying to regain seriousness. "Thyme, stop – Sao, listen..."

But Thyme continued teasing, pulling up a chair beside me. "No, no, Uncle – let me help explain. Sao, you're stuck with us – my amazing cooking, Momo's fashion advice, and Kavin's... unique singing."

Momo and Kavin laughed again – even Aunt Sharlin giggled!

Uncle Smith cleared his throat, amused. "It seems like everyone forgot about me and Sao... I think you're lucky, Sao, cause everyone's giving you attention – but it seems your aunt forgot me in no time's!"

Aunt Sharlin laughed warmly, rushing to his side. "Oh uncle, don't worry – how could I forget? You're the reason we're all gathered here tonight!"

"Enough chatter – dinner is ready! Thyme, stop teasing Sao for now. Momo, Kavin, help me bring in the food. Sao, Uncle – shall we?"

As we walked into the dining room:

Thyme caught my eye, whispering "truce temporary – teasing resumes later"

Momo and Kavin carried in massive dishes – aroma of roasted chicken and herbs filled the air

*Aunt Sharlin gestured for us to sit – Uncle Smith at head, her beside him, then me between Thyme and Kavin and momo .

Why am I feeling shy around him? He thinks he's God's gift handsome and tall, big deal!

Then, Thyme caught me staring at him – again

raising an eyebrow. Hey kid, why are staring at me? Do you like me?

Thyme's smile grew wider. Maybe. What if I do? You like me back?

MY. FACE. BURNED.

Me like you? No way!

Just then, Kavin chimed in behind Thyme, teasingly

Brother, rejected already Sao doesn't suffer handsome fools gladly apparently.

Thyme playfully elbowed Kavin. Shut up Kavin. Sao was just playing hard to get.

I rolled my eyes dramatically. In your dreams, Thyme!

Table ERUPTED in laughter again – Aunt Sharlin laughing so hard she snorted . After dinner

I start walking around and aunt sharlin and Momo come to me and

Aunt Sharlin nodded to Momo. Show Sao to her room, dear she needs rest.

Momo smiled. "Coming, Sao! Mom wants Mary to move your stuff in while we chat

We walked upstairs cozy hallway with soft carpet and warm lighting.

Momo opened a door. This is your room,Sao

I gasped beautiful space with

- Soft pink walls

- White furniture

- Plush area rug

- Large window with curtains matching my favorite color

Wow, Momo this is beautiful Thank you

Momo grinned. Glad you like it! And

She pointed to the adjacent door.

the next room is

My eyes widened as I finished her sentence

THYME'S ROOM Oh no, no, no this is Demon Room' alert

Momo burst out laughing exactly what Thyme would say Sao's moved in next door, my sanity is doomed

*I laughed too imagining Thyme's face*

Suddenly heard from the other side of the wall

Hey Sao walls are thin no need to announce my room's nickname

THYME CAUGHT SAO TALKING TRASH ABOUT HIM AGAIN!

Momo intervened just in time

Okay stop now both of you! Sao sleep now tomorrow you have school . Good night, Sao!

I grinned mischievously and said

Good night, sis Momo and Good night Shorty

Thyme's voice rose in mock offense

REALLY – 'Shorty'?! I'll have you know, I'm 6 feet tall – above average, Sao!

I slammed my door shut in front of Momo's giggling face – then heard:

Thyme yelling through the door

You little reckless don't try to get on my nerves Sao

My response equally loud through the door

Hmm, okay – but you're already on MY last nerve TALL DEMON!

Silence for a moment... then Thyme's low laughter carried through the door

This is war Sao... sweet dreams!

THYME JUST DECLARED WAR SAO'S HEART SKIPPED A BEAT WHY?