{Banana Smoothie} ✔️

Chapter 74 (Ivy's POV)

January 29th

Grayson- 41 weeks

Ivy's POV

I had separated from my sister and her girlfriend. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be. Iris was too busy being flustered by the shorter blonde to notice me slipping away.

We still had a bit till school actually started, thanks to my mother getting us up extremely early... he thought it was hilarious the rest of us not so much.  I was looking for a certain someone, but at the same time, I didn't want to find them.

I had done the one thing I told myself not to do. I fell for Kiara Granger. The girl that I wanted to strangle yet hold at the same time. I couldn't help it. About 2 months ago while leaving my class; to find my twin. I came across the younger girl crying to herself in a corner.

I at first felt a sense of joy and walked past my head held high, the bitch was crying and I wasn't. I only got a few steps past and sighed realizing I couldn't just leave her there. Walking backwards I slid down the wall sitting next to the girl.

At first, she looked at me terrified but then sobbed into my arms. The more we talked the more open I thought she would become, but she couldn't tell me anything. She had tried countless times but each time led her to cry again.

I know something isn't right with her family... I actually want to help her. She seemed so confident the first time we met, but I haven't seen that from her since. I sigh shaking myself out of my thoughts.

It was just in time for me to bump into the curly-haired girl.  "Hello," she whispers looking around to check for others. "Hi" I smiled down at her and she quickly hugs me, realizing nobody else was around.

"You know we don't need to be a secret, I don't mind" I reassure her as she continues to hug me. The girl definitely enjoyed being touched, she enjoyed the comfort from it. I thought going as her date for the Yule Ball would put us out there.

Not many seemed to notice and those that did thought I was pranking or getting revenge on her because I have 'Weasley' in my blood. As voices get closer Kiara pulls away, looking around in panic. 

"Can we go somewhere private?" She asks frantically. I look down at her nodding. "Follow me"  I mumble turning to walk away.  I hear her follow behind me as I lead her around the school, carefully taking the stairs up to the astronomy tower. It had been closed to keep the warmth in and was now suited for kids to study peacefully.

Flopping down into a group of cushions, Kiara hesitantly follows sitting next to me. "Am I allowed to hug you again?" She asks staring up at me blankly.  "Come here" I laugh not understanding how I like such a deadbeat person.

She crawls into my embrace as I put my chin onto her head wrapping my arms around her tightly.  "So what's going on?" I question, her breathing coming to a stop.  "I can't tell... my parents they want me to do things, but I can't do them" She whispers her voice cracking meaning she was going to start crying soon.

"Well I'm sure they won't get upset, you're trying your best" I reassure her.  She shakes her head looking the other way.  "They aren't like that... mother she's just so harsh on me and her temper changes every second... father... he hates me" she choked out moving her hands to cover her mouth.

"I'm sure that's not true" I whisper moving a strand of hair out of her face. She looks away with a sigh. "Yeah... you're right... I'm over exaggerating" she chuckles like she had heard it all before.

"Wait- forget what I said... you aren't exaggerating" Kiara finally looks back at me the hope back in her eyes. She was a smart girl and could go far. Yet she only did what she was told. If she's told to stay quiet she won't peep a word until spoken to... I hated it.

One of the reasons I'm so attached to her is because I want to fix her or at least help her with the process. "Let me tell my family" I beg. Pressing my forehead against hers. Her eyes are gleaming as she tries to reply cutting herself off. "No" Kiara answers bluntly.

"Why!" My voice was growing louder as I didn't understand why she wouldn't let me help, I knew I was probably being dumb but I didn't care. She was suffering, the next task was next month and she struggled enough during the first one. "I can't, I was given orders, not to-" she yells putting her hands over her head.

"Orders?" I asked cocking my head to the side. She freezes letting her hands fall. "My parents... I must listen to what they say... I need to be the perfect daughter" she quickly wipes her tears and forced a smile onto her face.

I could easily tell it was fake... I grew up with Asher. "You need to be happy" I whisper pulling her back into my embrace. She sits between my legs and I wrap my arms tightly around her torso. Her soft hands resting gently on my arms.

"I can only do one" she whispers looking harshly at the wall in front of her. "What do you mean?" I chuckle squeezing her a bit. "I can't be happy and a perfect daughter" she mumbles laying her head back on my chest.

"Well... don't be the perfect daughter... if your parents can't even keep you happy... they don't deserve a 'perfect' daughter- they don't even deserve a daughter" I emphasized on the word perfect. Like what the fuck have they told this girl. It's like she's programmed or something.

"I- they will get mad at me" she cries squeezing my hand. "Listen to yourself! You're saying that your parents are going to get mad at you for being happy!" The anger in my voice was more evident, my blood was at the point of boiling.

"That's not... I didn't mean it like that" she groans her fingers tapping an anxious beat on my arm. "Kiara... I want to help you... you just need to tell me you need help" I plead with her.

She freezes slowly turning back to look at me. Her mouth hung open as she wanted to say something, yet it wouldn't come out. "Kiara please" I beg the poor girl.  "I'm okay... I promise I don't need help" she smiles up at me. 

I let my head hang back with a groan. "You're killing me, good thing I'm bad at listening though" I look back at her, getting a small giggle in response. "I promise" she repeats as I face the other way. "Not listening" I sing. This time it's her turn to groan at my ignorance.

"Ivy" she tilts her head back laying it on my shoulder to look at me. "Yes?" I answer getting a smile in return. "You don't need to accept my feelings, but I think I love you" she confesses making my heart race.

"You think?" I tease, her eyes wide waiting for my response. She gulps before replying. "I know- I don't want to be but I am" she sounds almost out of breath as I pretend to be hurt. "I don't know if I should be insulted or not" I hold in a laugh, she didn't budge wanting an answer.

"I think I love you too" I end her waiting. I knew I loved her, I didn't just think it.  "Really!?" She chokes out turning around in my arms. She sat on her knees the biggest smile on her face. My arms resting on her back now.

"Really" I confirm it making her go red. Without a second of hesitation, I lean forward resting my lips onto hers. It was a soft sweet peck leaving her absolutely flustered.

"Let me tell my family about you... my parents, siblings, everyone... let me tell them about us" I plead taking her hand in both of mine.  Her face softens as she brings her other hand to touch her pink lips.

"A-about us" she stutters her face dropping. "I can't go home!" She starts to tremble in my arms. "Kiara, what do you mean?" I ask trying to calm her. "We kissed- I'm such a... I'm so selfish" she shakes. Standing she hugged herself keeping a good distance away from me.

"Kiara wait please!" I beg reaching for her. She backs away shaking her head. "I'm so sorry... I have to go" she bows before turning for the stairs. Standing I try to go after her "please I can help you!" I shout again trying to grab her.

She turns and takes one last look at me. Resting her hand on the wall she bites her lip. "I'm sorry" was the last thing she whispered before running down the stairs. Slamming my fist on the wall I let out a growl.

"Damn it!"