The Sound of the Orchid

Prologue
Whispers filled the quiet of of the house. After her guardian had died about a month ago Jean had moved to her aunt Natalie's house with Zia. It wasn't her choice, Natalie had decided staying with her would be best than if she stayed at camp. Plus she would see Zia.

Jean didn't see it at something that was fun. In the evening Natalie retreated to her bedroom to work and Zia went to bed way too early to be any fun. "Their personalities clashed too much," Zia had stated a few weeks ago. "And you're no fun with your whole 'dark and mopey' attitude."

Jean hadn't replied to that. Her guardian never minded to much about her attitude. She acted more like her guardian anyway, as Zia did with aunt Natalie. They spent most of their time with each other, playing Scrabble or some game that involved thinking, than with Jean.

She was actually okay with that, and even though aunt Natalie always asked if she wanted to join she always politely answered no.

Like Zia had said, their personalities clashed too much. And Zia was usually always right.

"Jean?" aunt Natalie asked. "Are you alright?" Her voice was tired yet also worried. Jean whirled around and stared at her aunt. She was beautiful, with her brown hair that fell neatly to her shoulders and her calculating gray eyes, It was startling how much her aunt and father looked so different.

"No, I'm fine." Jean replied. Her voice had a slight edge to it without her approval.

"Are you though? I'm worried that you're dwelling too much on...past events." Her voice was more motherly, concerned now. Jean actually appreciated how she felt. Her guardian was almost awkward when it came to talking about personal things. Like her parents, for example. Jean had sworn that "aunt" Ava had always been a child at heart.

"I'm fine, aunt Natalie. I was just walking around. This house is too quiet for my taste." Jean finally admitted. It truly was in her eyes. Her aunt simply smiled and nodded as if she understood. "I'm always here, just remember that." she told Jean then started up the staircase that led to the second floor.

It was startling, how much guardians could be so different even though they had been friends for years.