Living For Tomorrow

CHAPTER 25

Grace

It's Sunday and I'm dreading that of two things; the fact that I have to go back to that god-forsaken school tomorrow and that I have yet another physical therapy session in a few.

I mean not gonna lie, a part of me is excited for my session because I get to see Koda again, and I know what you're thinking but no I don't see him that way I've only met him once..... to be honest that's not much of a good excuse because people meet someone once and start fantasizing about their futures together so technically-, you know what  I'm rambling.

The point is I'm excited to be Riley, the girl that I like to believe is who I am now, at least until I remember who I was, who Grace Jones was.

"Grace honey are you ready to go?" I hear Iyana "my mother" calling from downstairs. I'm about to reach for my phone but I quickly decide it's useless anyway.

"Do you have everything you need?" Iyana ensures and I simply nod my head in response.

The drive to the hospital is just as awkward as I expected. When I actually try to think about how I feel in all this, all I get is that these people are strangers to me and it's ironic because they're supposed to be the most essential part of my life and I don't even trust them.

Iynana breaks the awkward silence and attempts to consult with me "I don't want things between us to be distant Grace, you may not remember every moment of being my daughter but that doesn't make it nonexistent."

I remain silent my mind completely blank on how I should respond, "Would you atleast try to talk me, since you've been "back" all you do is stay in your room the entire day and even when there are small instances when you're with both your father and I you blatantly avoid us!"

Silence.

"Grace I am your MOTHER-"

"And yet! you have no issues with lying straight to my face, every single day." I state my head snapping in her direction. "All you have done is keep the truth away from me. I can tell that something is wrong, and how am I supposed to confide in someone that claims I am their daughter but is treating me like if nothing happened."

She tries to interject but I continue. "No you're going to listen. Give me a break, I am not who you all know me as and I might never be, I have no idea what anything means anymore and I cannot figure that out if you're chosing to keep me in the dark." I try my hardest to keep my tears from escaping but unfortunately one slips out and I swiftly turn my head towards the window to ensure that Iyana doesn't see. "I am not being distant on purpose, but for a second,imagine the expectation of remembering 17 years of your life, especially when you're forced to face a reality that everyone in your life wants the old you but I can't give anyone that, even if  I wanted to."

"Grace, don't ever think like that, we all love you dearly and we're trying to do what is best." She responds as we arrive in the hospital's parking lot.

Before leaving I take one look at her before saying, "You loved the daughter you had before the coma, but you don't love who she is now."

~
Jahrae

I have a physical therapy session today and I intend on apologising to Koda for the way I reacted the last time we spoke.

"Hey, where's Koda?" I ask June,the secretary that works on this level.

"Oh-, Good day Jahrae, aren't you a bit early, your session isn't in for atleast another hour."

"Yeah I know, I came early to talk to Koda about something." I reply to which she says "Well he's in room 4. Please be quick, he has a patient soon and I don't want to have to keep her waiting." June warns with a pleasant smile on her face.

I jog towards room 4 and knock on the  door before opening,"Riley you can come in." Koda voices echos.

I enter the room and announce my presence to him, "Who's Riley?" I ask my voice making him jump.

"What are you doing here, did I mix up the appointed times?"

"No, you didn't. I'm here to apologize" I express hesitantly.

"Jahrae whatever it is you need to say to me, you can tell me in our session but as of right now I have to attend to somone else."

"Well I don't see anyone here as yet so you're going to listen to me. Koda I really am sorry for lashing out on you, it was a touchy subject and I reacted in a way that was unfair to you and I realize now that you didn't deserve that."

"Jahrae I get it, but you really need to leave, we can discuss more about this after, now get out" he demands reminding me that he's actually a employee and not just my cousin.

"Right, sorry I'll leave."  I open the door to depart but immediately step back when I see the person in front of me,

"Grace?!"

Holy fuck.

~
Grace

The boy in front of me is staring at me wide eyed like he's just seen a ghost.

Straight away I was startled by the certainty in which he said my "real" name. "Um, do I know you?" I inquire just as confused as he looks.

He's about to say something but stops himself and instead replies "Sorry I ah-, I thought you were someone else."

"Well, sorry to disappoint but I'm Riley." I greet, feeling the strangest need to introduce myself after witnessing him addressing me as Grace. In reality, I prefer not to deal with the past burdens of whoever I was, especially not here or right now.

He smiles at me before saying, "I'm Jahrae, uh- Koda's cousin."

"Nice to meet you Jahrae." I respond returning his smile, still not very convinced.

For a second we both just stand there awkwardly smiling at each other, before he bids Koda and I goodbye and excuses himself.

I don't know what the heck he was staring at, but me? I was definitely gazing into his sky blue eyes.

"You ready to start?" Koda's question takes me out of my daze.

"Yeah, let's get this over with." I laugh before taking a seat and beginning the session.

~

A/N
YAY!!, I'm so excited that they finally met eachother because I can't wait to start writing about their story!!

Hope you're enjoying the book so far
Xoxo