The air in the apartment felt charged, heavy with the tension that had become all too familiar between Savvy and me. I’d barely had time to speak before she took it upon herself to open MY package to take a look at what was inside.
“What’s this?” she asked, practically bouncing on her feet.
I watched as she opened the box wider, revealing the glimmering piece of jewelry nestled inside, and watched as Savvy’s gaze zeroed in on it. The deep green stone, a perfect oval of jade, seemed to catch the light in just the right way, sparkling like a whisper of hope. I could feel a protective instinct rising within me, the need to keep it safe.
“It's called Hope Jade,” I replied, my voice softer than I intended. “It belonged to my father.”
Her fingers twitched with excitement as she leaned in closer. “Can I try it on?” she asked, a pleading look in her eyes.
I hesitated. “Savvy, I really don’t think that’s a good idea. It’s—”
“Please!” she interrupted, her voice almost whiny, the familiar stubbornness creeping in. “Just for a minute?”
I felt the tug-of-war between wanting to indulge her and the protective instinct that flared to life. “No, it’s not just a piece of jewelry. It’s special to me.”
But her persistence only grew stronger. “Come on, Sabrina. Just let me see how it looks! It can’t hurt anything.”
Before I could react, she reached for the box, and I instinctively pulled it back. “Savvy!” I exclaimed, trying to keep my grip on the box. “Stop!”
In the struggle, the box tipped, and the Hope Jade slipped through my fingers. I watched in slow motion as it hit the floor, the sound echoing in the silence like a gunshot. The clasp broke upon impact, and the jade rolled away from us, its shine dulled by the difference with the floor.
Savvy gasped, eyes wide, and the sudden stillness that followed felt suffocating.
“Why would you do that?” she cried, falling to her knees to pick up the broken pieces. “You’re so mean, Sabrina!”
“Me? You were the one trying to take it without asking!” I shot back, fury burning in my chest.
But it was too late. Harvey and Nicolas appeared almost immediately, concern etched across their faces as they rushed to Savvy’s side.
“What happened?” Harvey asked, glancing between us. “Sabrina, what did you do?”
“Nothing! I was just—”
Savvy cut me off, her voice quivering. “She broke it! She doesn’t care about me or my feelings!”
Nicolas knelt down next to Savvy, taking the jade in his hands as if it were something fragile and delicate. “Sabrina,” he said, a disappointed edge creeping into his tone, “this was an inexpensive piece of jewelry. You didn’t need to be so harsh.”
“Not just a piece!” I yelled, the anger bubbling over. “Nor do I care if it is inexpensive jewelry. It was meant to be worn on my wedding day!”
“Exactly, your groom can always get you another one.” Harvey interjected, his brow furrowing in concern for Savvy.
I caught the use of your groom rather than me and Nicolas. I swallowed at that.
“As the elder cousin, you should know better. Just let it go.” Harvey added.
Savvy sniffed, her voice rising as she continued to play the victim. “I can’t believe you would hurt me over something so trivial! You’re just mean, Sabrina! Even to Lovely, my friend!”
That hit me like a punch to the gut. Lovely was one of Savvy’s friends, but I didn’t even know her well enough to have an opinion.
“Savvy,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady, “this isn’t about that—”
“Just apologize,” Nicolas demanded, cutting me off, not even glancing at the small cut on my palm where the broken clasp had sliced through my skin.
“I’m not going to apologize for wanting to keep something that is important to me.” I snapped back as calmly as I could, feeling the heat rush to my cheeks.
“God, Sabrina!” Harvey exclaimed, exasperated. “Why can’t you just be the bigger person for once?”
I felt rage and pain coiling tightly in my chest, a dark storm building, but yet I tried to find the strength to bury it deep within me. Why was I the one who always had to take the high road?
How many times had I played nice when they laughed off the taunts back at school? The ones who called me a puppy for Harvey and Nicolas, or worse, the ones who branded me as a slut for being “so love-struck” with them? The thinness of my frame had made me an easy target. All those times they laughed it off, never realizing how it hurt.
“You don’t get it,” I said, my voice quivering now, the pain clawing at my throat. “You never have. This isn’t just about the jewelry.”
Harvey stepped closer, his eyes softer now, but still firm. “Then what is it? Why are you being so stubborn?”
The truth hung heavy in the air, something I was terrified to say out loud. “Because it’s not just a piece of jewelry. It’s part of my future, of my history. It’s… It's important.”
Was the last thing I could make out. At the end of the sentence I felt deflated and exhausted, unsure what were the right words to say anymore.
The room fell silent, the heaviness of my words sinking in. Savvy wiped her eyes, and Nicolas shifted uncomfortably, while Harvey’s expression softened, realizing he had pushed too far.
“I didn’t mean to—” I started, but the moment was broken by my phone ringing again, shattering the tension like glass.
I glanced down and saw my mother’s name flash on the screen. “Excuse me,” I muttered, stepping away from the gathering storm of emotions in the room.
“Mom?” I answered, my heart racing as I felt the need for her familiar presence.
“Sabrina,” she said, her voice warm yet weary. “Have you booked your flight yet? I really want to see you soon.”
I felt my stomach drop, the reminder of the impending visit hitting me. “I’m looking into it, Mom,” I replied, forcing a calmness into my tone. “I promise I’ll arrange something soon.”
Harvey and Nicolas exchanged glances, curiosity in their eyes. “What’s going on?” Nicolas asked, stepping closer, trying to catch a glimpse of my conversation.
“It’s nothing,” I shot back, hoping to keep my mother’s worries private. But their interest only grew, and I felt their presence pressing down on me.
“Are you sure?” Harvey pushed, a hint of concern lacing his tone. “Is something wrong?”
I glanced back at Savvy, who was still sitting on the floor, clutching the broken clasp. The room felt too small, the walls closing in, and I knew I had to keep this together.
“It’s just about my mom. It's not really anything important,” I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.
They nodded, but the tension in the air remained thick, unresolved. I hung up and turned to them, ready to deflect their questions, but the truth was heavy on my heart. I had so much to sort through, and at that moment, I didn’t know if I could bear it all.
Of course it was Savvy that had to speak. “It didn't sound like nothing, Brina, you even seem flustered.”
