[Audio clicks on]

Well, it's been...a while. I don't even care to do the math for how long. Over a month.

Gramps is finally letting me and Niki off from being grounded.

...Okay, no, he's not really. I think he forgot he even grounded us to begin with. He hasn't talked to us since the big argument. So I'm taking it into my own hands and letting us off myself. We've never been grounded for more than a month at a time anyway.

Niki's gotten super into VR recently. He's always in his room, playing one of those little games, and whenever he does come out, it's the only thing he talks about. Sometimes he doesn't come out for over a day and I have to bring him food to make sure he's fed.

But hey, at least he's happy.

As for me...

[Fabric rustles as Jordyn shifts her position slight]

I'm getting sick of canned food. I'm really starting to wish I knew how to grow a garden, because fresh food would be awesome. I've been learning how to bake with the flour and yeast Gramps had put away, but it hasn't gone great. Lights, what I wouldn't give for a fresh apple slice or a tomato right now.

I've also started painting little things on my walls. Gramps isn't going to get on my case for it; he never comes in my room anymore. There's a little cluster of planets beside the mirror, and a tiny nebula right over the head of my bed.

Kinda wish I had more hobbies. I could learn to crochet or knit or something. Sew, maybe?Nothing that has to do with clay, for sure; I hate the texture.

[There's a short pause]

What other updates do I have...?

Oh yeah! Niki's birthday is coming up soon. He's gonna be nineteen. I'm going to plan him a big surprise...party? Can it be called a party when it's just going to be us?

I dunno. Either way, I'll do something super special and make him extra happy. I can make him a cool painting and find something to bake and do something special with whatever canned food we have. We can make popcorn and watch his favourite movie.

It'll be fun!

[Jordyn sighs lightly]

I think that's what we all need right now. A little bit of fun. Something to remind us we don't have to be stuck living this stupid cycle of sameness over and over again, even if we're alone.

Well, anyway, I'm gonna go. I have a lot to do tomorrow now I'm not stuck in this stupid apartment.

[End of audio]