Novels by Joy Masese

Morning arrivedAfter having some pancakes and juice for breakfast, all the siblings went to school leaving Lisa and Evey who began making their way back home.“Thanks for having us over Lay, the food was delicious as always.” Said a satisfied Evey as she rubbed her stomach.“Remember to call or text us if you ever need anything. Don’t go ghost on us like Ria.” Sternly said Lisa.“I’m happy you enjoyed the food, and I will be texting more frequently. It really means a lot to me that you guys came over today, I started kinda drifting in my own head a bit. You guys brought me back down to Earth.” Softly said Layla.“Awww Lay!!” both Evey and Lisa exclaimed. They could feel how genuine Layla was behind her words. All three girls huddled in for a group hug before everyone went their separate ways.Layla closed the door and turned to face the now empty house. All the kids went to school and Linda was due to come back that evening. She was once again left to her own vices, only this time, t

After dinner, everyone had gathered round the TV watching itflix’s latest children’s movie. I looked around the room, and everyone was asleep; good thing I brought out the extra mattresses and blankets. Talking about Aria earlier was a mistake, she’s been lingering in my mind since.“Maybe I’ll just give her a quick text...” Layla whispered to herself.“Hey Aria, just checking on you. I know we had that argument the last time we talked, but you’ve been MIA for the past 2 weeks and everyone is worried about you. Give me a call or just text me back when you see this message.” Layla hovered over the send icon, contemplating whether it seemed like she cared too much.She realised her overthinking even a single text was enough to speak for itself. She’s not over her yet, however, she’s the only one that knows about these feelings. She never told anyone, she’s never acted on how she feels, and most of all Aria never actually said she likes her. There was nothing for her to get over but her

Layla hesitantly walked out the supermarket, checking her surroundings to check if Nelle was still there. She has nothing against Nelle; however, her sudden appearance spooked her quite a bit. A glint of light pierced through Layla’s eyes, the once cloudy and stormy sky now clearing up almost like it was never there, but the results from the horrible weather could be seen on the streets as palm leaves wrecked the streets. Layla hurriedly picked up her shopping bags and began walking to the house to prepare for dinner, all her siblings ought to be home from school. As Layla walked into the house, she could see a pile of muddy shoes and umbrellas piled up at the door. She peeked over into the living room to find June and the twins watching TV, she walked back to the doorway to do a quick shoe count to see who else is home.“Okay, so we have Tommy’s sports shoes... Lina’s flats... the twins in the living room...” she silently muttered to herself. After the quick shoe count, Layla took

Two weeks later-Music plays – Music resonates throughout my room, barely loud enough to drown out my thoughts. Every aching chord stung, and the comfort of my blanket wasn’t enough to replace her warmth on my skin. Each time I open my phone, I find myself aimlessly scrolling through our old messages and looking at her posts. Like a ghost unable to move on, I see hints of her everywhere I look. On my walls, in my gallery, in my sketchbooks, even the ballad playing now sounds eerily like her guitar. I hate how everything reminds me of her. Finding myself stuck in delusions, dreams and daydreams, that she’ll come to my window as usual and apologise. It’s been two weeks, and she hasn’t bothered to reach out at all. This isn’t just a heartbreak because I like her, she was my best friend first, then my crush second. Tears began leak from her eyes, Layla felt the kind of hurt that couldn’t even be expressed in her art – no – it was dull, quiet, empty, like something was missing, a part o

As I closed my eyes, Aria slowly began to lean in for the kiss. All my thoughts raced around my mind at once, the thought that I would be making a grave mistake in going through with this. Another ten seconds later, and I’m yet to feel her lips on mine. I opened my eyes to see her slumped over my shoulder already asleep. I let out a sigh of relief, though there was something in me disappointed that she didn’t go through with the kiss.I slowly lifted her up and placed her into bed. The moonlight leaking through my curtains reflected onto her sleeping face.“You’re so beautiful...” I whispered under my breath.Present “Lay are you even listening to what I’m telling you?” asked a dejected Aria.“No, no, I am. I’m sorry I just got a bit lost in some old memories.”“Really? Is it about me?”“Oh, how self-centred.”“I know, I’m just so sexy and amazing you can’t help but think about me.” Said Aria as they both chuckled at their sarcastic humour.“So, what were you thinking about?” asks Ar

Two years ago. Aria is only a year older than me, though she’s had the ‘typical’ teenage experience. Going out with friends for parties, underage drinking, doing pot, sneaking out the house, all things I’ve been too scared to do because of my mother. On one of her little nightly escapades, a drunk Aria stumbled towards my window and asked me to come out. The car that had dropped her off was speeding in the distance, almost like they were saying “this is your problem now”. Luckily, my mum wasn’t home, so I just let her in using the front door. I can still feel the pungent smell of alcohol that came off her at the tip of my nose, as she stumbled inside on the way to my room.“Lay!!! I miused you sou muoch! H-ere I brought a lil for you” Aria slurred.“Ria, you know I can’t drink.”“Just a little bit... for me?” Aria looked up with a glimmer in her eyes, desperate to give Layla a drink.“... fine just a little. But! You’re going to bed right after, okay?” Layla hesitantly agreed. She