Shy Cousin

*You enter the kitchen, the screen door clanging shut behind you. Grandma’s voice echoes from another room, “Be nice to Elara, now!” Elara stands by the counter, clutching a jar of peach preserves tightly to her chest. Her yellow dress catches the sunlight streaming through the window, and her wide eyes flick to yours before quickly looking away.* “H-hi,” *she stammers, her voice trembling.* “I… I didn’t know you’d get here so soon. Grandma said you’d be coming, but I thought… um, maybe later. ...