Abigail - Love, Family and Friendship

road

g sky stretched outside the window. Abigail leaned her head against the cool glass,

iet for someone about to turn eighteen. Don'

le tugging at her lips. "I'm not old

ir dramatically. "Sounds serious. Should I prepa

"Let's save the speeches for when you turn

f her younger brother, Noah, waiting at the platform with her grandma.

owing his arms around h

uffling his hair. "Look at

aid, his voice muffl

nd eyes crinkling with a smile. "My Abigai

, the familiar scent of lavender and flour

lite smile. "Mrs. Grey, i

Grandma said warmly. "Now, come along, b

stepped into the house-apple pie, warm

to..." Abigail began, but

rthday without apple pie. Sit do

h Noah eager to show off his latest drawings. Abigail cou

isappeared into the kitchen, returning moment

r grandma said, her vo

hered around, Jane leading them in an ent

andma stepped closer, her eyes s

r. What did she want? To feel secure in who she was? To

wish, her heart whispering a secre

h clapping the loudest. "Did yo

m, ruffling his hair

ded, but Jane cut in, pulli

true if you say them out loud. E

in the faces of the people she loved mo

notes, the poems, the lingering mystery... somewhere out there, someone

ed her back. "Abigail, d

side. Tonight was for family, for love, fo

he mystery

the cozy warmth of her bed. She heard the soft hum of activity from the kitchen and t

t moving," Jane said, her sm

till yawning. "Morning, Ja

don't worry, you're not off the hook. We've got something planned for you later

uriosity piqued. "Something

"Terrified. Bu

r the day. She made her way to the kitch

grandma asked with a

y again after school," Abigail prom

her, Noah, a drawing pad she'd bought for h

ou're really good," Ab

so?" he ask

ng his hair. "And I want to see

tion. The ride back to school was filled with Jane teasing her about

campus was already abuzz with activity.

l!" one student called

her cheeks slightly p

lls, wishing her well. Even teachers smiled warmly a

h class, Tyler

e sneered as she walked by. "I guess you thi

cs. "You know, Tyler, if I wanted your opinion, I'd ask for it

lapping her hands dramatically. "And that, folks,

d nothing more, retre

e school chorus surprised her during lunch, serenading her with a heartfelt rendition of "Happy Birthday." Abig

s urged as Abigail leaned forwar

on the same wish she'd made the night before.

hering her books from her locker when

iga

nding there, his usual calm

she said, cau

said, holding out a small packa

apped the simple brown paper. Inside wa

autiful," she said

" he replied, a faint

awn to the border of the frame. It was lined with intricate symbols-ra

rder," she commented lightly,

hing I came up with. Anyway

ng her holding the drawing. For a moment, she stood there,

at her side,

than?" Jane asked, pe

Yeah. It's... tho

Jane exclaimed. "He likes you

g the drawing into her bag. "L

e couldn't help but replay the moment in h

hings to head home. Abigail felt the pleasant exhaustion of a day well-lived-surrounded by birthday wishes, cake, and su

the day felt incomplete, as if another pi

couldn't miss it, was another note. Her heart leapt as she glanced around, scanning the h

fingers, she un

precise, and unmistakably intimate. This time, ho

began

ig

is undeniable, but by something deeper. The way you carry yourself, the way your eyes

es your soul. I dream of feeling your warmth, of seeing your smile directed at me and knowing it's because of some

s, the softness of your touch, and the streng

hing you deserve-and more. You're a light in thi

to voice and save you the trouble of trying to fin

adm

ery

eath caught in her throat as

, flattery, confusion, and a tinge of nervous excitement. Who was he?

to herself, clutchi

he needed someone to talk to, someone

, wit

, flipping through a magazine, w

ieve this," Abigail said

hed it from Abigail's hand. "No

read

her mouth slowly curving into a grin. When she fin

gail. Someone is head

d at her lips. "I'm serious, Jane. This is

vated. "Okay, let's think this through. Who cou

y. "He's... definitely not the t

e you that drawing today. And those symbols arou

wouldn't he just walk to me". "What if this is just some

ng this heartfelt as a joke. Whoever this is, they'

they are?" Abigail asked, her

scared. Or maybe they think

ing back onto the bed.

"Welcome to the world of secret ad

sparking a new question, a new possibility. She didn't know who Mystery Lover was, but one thing

t Jane'

he soft light of the chandelier. Bouquets of roses and lilies adorned every surface, their sweet fragrance mingling with the mouthwatering aroma of pastries and roasted

he centre of the room, radiant with joy, her arms wide open. Beside her, Mrs

elf. "What's going on?" she murmured, her v

You'll see," she said, dragging her to the centre of th

bigail, her eyes shining with war

estled in rich velvet. Its body gleamed like polished mahogany, the curves flawless, the strin

in her throat. She looked up at Jane and her mother, her

"You've poured your heart into music with that old, ba

s. Applause erupted around them, a warm wave of affection that wrapped Abigail in its embrace. For the

her, seated near the fireplace with her younger brother by her side, beamed with pride

r place on the strings. The bow glided smoothly, drawing out a melody

tside. Abigail lowered the violin as headlights swept across the

murmured, the question spread

ust be Andrew!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with hope.

ment as Jane rushed to the door. Abigail

, framed by the soft glow of the porch light. He was young, his uniform ne

, her smile trembling as she st

pping it tightly in his hands. "Are you Mrs. Turner

ssion a mask of quiet dread. "I'm Mrs. Turner,

low murmur. "Ma'am, I regret to inform you that your son, Private Andrew Turner, was killed in actio

a guttural cry. Jane froze, her breath caught in her throat as if the world itse

d come home! He promised me!" Jane wa

e room, Abigail's grandmother clutched her brother to her side, whispering prayers through tre

he soldier, her voice raw with pain. "How... how do

hands clenched at his sides. "I'

g on the table. It glowed faintly under the lig

once before disappearing into the night,

ne. "I'm here," she murmured. "I

mid the shards of broken joy, Abigail found herself staring at the stars thro

at even in the face of life's cruelties,