Her

Rolf's POV:

"Jessie."

My voice comes out in a whisper and the light seems too strong as she walks in. Her hair is just the way it looked the last time I saw her. Soft brown curls.

Those eyes look back at me and they're honey brown. They're apologetic and familiar as she sits close to me. I don't know what to say. I can smell her scent and it's the way her skin used to taste. Silky sweet, like natural honey. I fought my mind bombarding me with memories of our naked bodies and sleepless nights.

"Hi Rolf."
My fingers grip my knees to stop them from touching her in some way. God, why was this so hard? How could she still affect me so? Not when another has my heart. Fahmeen. I blink away Jessie's inquisitive eyes melting into me and remember my love. So I clear my throat and get back to business. I had to know why she left me like that. Led me on. Friends didn't do that.

"Why did you leave me?" I hated how weak I sound, especially with Jasper close by but I needed answers.
"I loved him, Rolf. I had to go where he was. I'm so sorry." Her eyes are growing red and I'm struggling to stop it from affecting my heart.
"And the baby? How could you lie to me about that?"
Jessie looks away from my eyes. Her hands take mine into hers and it's so warm. Like she used to be.

"I was young and... stupid. You were so happy when we found out. I was in two halves. Happy I was having Jasper's baby but devastated things worked out the way it did. That I couldn't love you like you loved me. I couldn't give you what you wanted. So like a coward I slipped away. I hoped you'd moved on, never having to have seen him."
My ears perked up.
"Him?"

"Yeah, our boy. We had a son, Rolf." Jasper speaks up, and Jessie takes her hands away from mine as he looks at the contact.
This was a lot. In some ways I was glad it wasn't mine, I could begin to move on knowing I missed out on nothing. But a part of me, a small part longed for that life. Where I had that perfect family. Jessie and our baby.

"You'll meet him soon. But it's a school night. He's asleep." Jasper stands and I get it it's my cue to leave.
"Thank you for letting us explain, Rolf. You were always the rational one."
"Yeah the soft one." Jasper cuts in.
"Come on, it's late I'll walk you out." I nod at him and follow his quick steps. I catch her smile at me as I leave. *Melancholy*.

...

Jasper stops me at the door and I'm confused as to why he has his hand on my shoulder. I look back and meet his suspicious eyes, they're assessing me and I can't help but quickly do the same. I notice he's changed. Not only physically but there's a darkness in his stare, they no longer regard me as a friend. As a brother. It is then I realise I lost my best friend years ago.

"I'll see you at work." I say, refuting his attempt at hostility. Jasper doesn't respond immediately. I step outside the house and he has a hand on the door, ready to shut it behind me.
"Don't think about Jessie anymore. She never loved you."
I hide my surprise at his change in mood well. So, all that before was an act? To please Jessie? I narrow my eyes as he stands taller, puffing out his chest. I dismiss his futile efforts at a threat and fold my arms across my chest. He continues.
"So don't get any ideas."

*Bang*
The door shuts.
"Fucker." I say underneath my breath and I walk back to my car, a part of my past life chipping away with each step.

...

My mind has been occupied since I've walked into work. I even forgot to text Fahmeen. It feels like forever since I've seen her. We don't share a class today so I'll make sure to invite myself over for one of our lessons at her place and finally meet her father properly. I'd be lying if I said Jessie didn't keep me up most of the night. She even texted me goodnight. Jessie gave me her number before I left, without Jasper's knowledge of course.
I didn't get their relationship. It looked like their flame went out years ago and all they had left was their child as a reminder. Not that it was my problem but it would be hard dismissing all those memories I shared with the both of them. Jasper clearly wanted me out of the picture once again.

...

Fahmeen's POV:

Rolf is driving us home. I'm nervous because he keeps going on about having the chance to speak to my father. And I've yet to tell him about the baby.
"There's something big I need to tell you, baby." He says, gripping the steering wheel tighter. He fidgets on his seat and keeps his eyes away.
"What is it?"
"It'll have to wait till after, okay?" He softly says, parking up. I'm okay with that because I'd prefer to share first but again, not now. After this.

We find mum in the living room. She stands up, a smile truly pleased to see Rolf again. He goes to hug her and I see the way she grips him. I have to stop tears, she was so strong but certain things/people broke that. We hated seeing it.
"How you doing, Susan?" His voice is soft and low, soothing to my ears and muffled as they still hug.
"I've been better." She replies and they come apart.
"Come, I want to show you guys something."

We join her on the sofa, she sits between us. Mum then brings out a thick photo album, there's dust collected on the cover. I blow it away and my mother chuckles. I meet Rolf's eyes as he grins at me. We loved hearing her laugh.
"What's this, mum?" I'm scared she's going to reveal embarrassing pictures of me so I had to know beforehand.
"Oh, just some old pictures." She says nonchalantly, and I catch her wink at Rolf. I wince slightly as she opens up to the first image. It's of me and my siblings, really young. I'm 3 maybe, my hair a short mop of black curls and pale yellow skin. I hear Rolf softly chuckle, eyes glued on the pictures, interested.
"Everyone used to call me Moonface." I smile, it was because of my big cheeks and small eyes.
"And now look at your cheeks!" My mother pats my face, stroking my cheekbones. I can feel Rolf watch our interaction. I look at him and he seems emotional. He tries to brush it away and I wish I could comfort him.

"Wow, is that you Susan!" Rolf has turned to a photo of mum dressed in a tweed jacket and retro glasses. He whistles and she smacks him playfully as he laughs. She was probably 18 then, ready to take on the world. Little did she know she'd be marrying my father only a year later.

...

"Okay, so what's triggered a trip down memory lane?" I can't help but ask, watching the two of them flicker through the album. Mum pauses and Rolf carries on. I see him stop at a photo of me as a toddler, I was in tights, drooling and he seems amused.
"Just life." She looks at me melancholic and I lean my head on her shoulder.
Rolf has found one of the most recent pictures in that album. It's at a family wedding and I see his fingers stroke my face. I remember that day. It was my cousin's wedding. It was one of the loneliest nights even though she was supposedly close to us. I sat with the elderly and ate food. I wore a black floral floor length dress and dark purple lipstick. People stared with their raised eyebrows but I didn't give a fuck.

My father walks in and he didn't expect company as he's uncomfortable seeing the three of us. Rolf immediately stands and clears his throat. His demeanour becomes professional and eyes say he's ready for anything.
"Mr.-
"Just George." My father says and I'm surprised he bothered to talk.
"George, good to meet you." Rolf gives his hand to shake and my father returns it. I settle, less anxious. My mother stays silent watching their interaction.
"I'm your daughter's teacher. We meet for extra lessons. Some here, like now." Rolf looks confident and self-assured speaking to my father. Daddy looks weak standing next to him. Not so powerful like he used to. I notice Rolf has changed his tone with him, keeping it direct and borderline rough.
"Great. I should leave you to it."
"I was hoping I'd get to know you a little? I figured it's important to understand my students and their backgrounds a little better." Rolf is challenging him to refuse. I know my father, he can't. He wants the chance to speak, show off. I decide it's best we give them space. But my mother beats me to it as she stands, expecting me to follow.