Don't Let Him Get You

Chapter 12

The next day of the sleepover began around nine for all the other teens as they slowly awoke to the smell of waffles. Kiara, having only the half hour of sleep that night, was already in the kitchen helping Miranda set the table.

At first, when Alisson woke up, she thought Kiara left during the night after they fell asleep; however, she was surprised to find her mother allowing someone else in the kitchen, helping her make some Eggs Benedict. Alisson was quickly followed by the others who stumbled into the kitchen rubbing the sleep from their eyes.

"G'morning." Everyone mumbled in succession.

Despite the fatigue clouding her mind, Kiara smiled at her friends and let out a cheery, "morning!"

"How can you possibly be so happy on a Saturday morning?" Devon yawned loudly, stretching his arms before dropping one over Kiara's shoulders.

"Yeah! How long have you been up?" Alisson questioned. As she looked at her friend, she noticed the dark circles under Kiara's eyes.

"Just an hour or so." Kiara brushed off the questioning gazes with a smile. Miranda made eye contact with Kiara, knowing the girl barely slept all night.

"Is breakfast done though, cause I am starving!" Austin rubbed his stomach and leaned his forearms on the back of a chair.

Miranda walked to the dining table and put down the last plate piled high with waffles before letting everyone know it was alright to sit down. She walked into the hall and yelled for Derek to join them, returning to the table once she heard a grumbled reply.

Everyone hurried to sit around the table and began to fill their plates and pass around the food. They served one another, Devon pouring juice for those who wanted it, Michael pouring coffee, and Kiara pouring hot water for tea.

At first, the table was quiet as everyone enjoyed the food, but soon conversation began. They spent the next hour talking about their plans for the day and the school play. With each passing moment, Kiara forgot how tired she was and delved deeper into the feeling of joy that spread through her whenever she was around her friends.

After breakfast, all the kids quickly dressed and left to walk around town. They decided not to take a car in order to enjoy the fresh air and prevent having to split up the group. Alisson and Kat were skipping at the front of the group while Devon walked sluggishly at the very back, still feeling tired and stiff from sleeping on a beanbag for the night.

"Do you guys want to go anywhere specific while we're here?" Dani asked. She tugged slightly on her coat as a gust of wind blew past them with the speeding cars. She scowled after the car as some boys stuck their heads out and shouted to the group.

Austin and Michael immediately shrugged their shoulders to her question. Devon was too lost in his own thoughts, but he stepped closer to Kiara, leaning on her for support as Kat spoke up. "Why don't we go to the market in the park? Maybe there are some cool stalls set up."

With everyone's agreement, the group wandered towards the large park that sat between downtown and Kiara's home. The park was bustling with people. Children ran in front of their parents, chasing pets, bugs, leaves, toys, or each other. Couples walked hand in hand or sat on benches in front of the lake, whispering secrets to each other, oblivious to the rest of the world. There were a few people that Kiara recognized from school who smiled and said hello to the group of friends.

They walked closer to a large, open field that was now occupied by rows of colorful stalls. Kiara stared in awe as the stalls of all shapes and sizes caught the gleam of the sun, brightening the day in rainbow colors that contrasted the green grass they stood on.