Welcome to Serenity

Something To Look Forward To

Annie's POV:
I text with Kyle as I walk home, laughing as he says that Katie won't give him any chocolate she found in the kitchen.

Suddenly his number illuminates on my phone as I accept the call.

"I have huge news! Where are you?" Kyle basically yells into the phone, as I turn around and see his street only a block away.

"Not too far from you. Wanna meet at the park?" I ask as I hear him tugging on his shoes.

"Meet you there in two minutes." He hangs up as I turn on my heels and head for the decrepit sad playground that is only a short jog to the edge of the town.

Serenity recently redid a bigger park that is in the center of town, leaving this poor one in the dust.

"Cal is gonna propose to Mum!" Kyle states as soon as I get within five feet of him.

"Oh my god. That's great!" My jaw drops as we sit down on the old squeaky swing set.

"How did... he take it?" I ask hesitantly as Kyle's face brightens.

"Really well actually. He was very calm and supportive. And he went to therapy for the first time today, for his anger. Mum set it up maybe a month ago, probably a week before you guys-" Kyle starts to say.

"Yeah I know what happened a month ago." I interrupt, and then apologise for being rude.

"Dad left last week, Mum finally convinced him to go through with the divorce so she will be able to take out a loan for Sullivan's." I sigh as Kyle rubs my back.

"It's fine. It was bound to happen eventually. At least we now have something to look forward to." I smile as Kyle matches my enthusiasm.

"How's Noreen?" I ask as Kyle sighs.

"Gonna pop any day now. Mum's a little on edge cause of it, but she is happy for Katie, who is very excited about having a baby sibling." Kyle explains as we swing loudly on the swings.

"You are gonna be a big brother again. I feel like so much has happened this year." I sigh as I sway in the wind.

"Yeah... definetly." Kyle trails off as I shoot him a small smile, reaching for his hand.

"Ty misses you, you know." Kyle admits as I let out a sigh.

"Do you think you guys will ever get back together?" He asks me as I ponder the question for a minute.

"Maybe. I have no clue. I think we just need some time apart. We both have a lot going on." I explain after a few minutes of silence.

"Do you still love him?" Kyle asks me as a small smile escapes my lip.

Memories of Tyler and I holding hands, kissing, and crying flash into my mind as a sense of warmth and comfort spreads throughout my body.

"I never stopped. I doubt I ever will. I love him with my whole heart. That's the problem." I tell Kyle who looks confused.

"Ty didn't start the kiss with Cece. That's fine. But then, he lied to me about the whole thing. And that broke my heart and my trust in him." My voice cracks and wavers as I regain my decorum.

"Only thing that can heal a broken heart is time, space, acceptance and ice cream." I state, adding in a joke to keep the conversation less awkward.

"Why do you need to know, writing my biography?" I ask as Kyle smiles.

"Creating a Wikipedia page as we speak." He replies as we both laugh and joke like young children, like nothing ever happened, that our innocence wasn't taken away by a near death experience.

* * *

My feet lead me back home as I see the lights on, and hear voices inside.

"I think its time she knows." I hear my Mum's voice say as I walk up the porch and slowly opening the unlocked door.

I see Mum standing at the kitchen sink, washing vegetables for dinner, while Isaac sits on one of the bar stools at the island.

"Hey Isaac. How are you?" I ask as I unlock my phone, only to be met with hesitant glances.

"What's going on?" I ask cautiously as Mum turns to me, before taking a big breath.

"You may want to sit down." She instructs me as I haul my feet over to the bench, feeling like my feet are drowning in quicksand.

* * *

"Did you forget to tell me I have a sibling? Cause I don't know why else you would not tell me, you've had sixteen years to!" I yell as I glare at my Mum.

"Sixteen years! All you had to do was have a two minute talk. Who's the father anyway, huh?" I demand to know.

"That's not important information. You are siblings, and I am so sorry that I didn't tell you sooner." Mum apologises as she holds mine and Isaac's hands, but I pull my hand away, run to my room and pack a bag.

"Please don't leave Annie. We're having a discussion." Mum calls out as I open the front door.

"Not anymore." I slam the door behind me and pull out my phone while crying.

"Dad, can you pick me up?" I tearfully ask as he instantly asks what's wrong and if I am okay.

"Stay at home and I'll come pick you up." He suggests as I shake my head, then realise he can't hear me.

"No. I'm not staying there." I refuse as I hear him sigh.

"Your Mum didn't mean to upset you, she wanted you to know." He tries to reason with me as I gasp.

"You knew?" I shout as I march down the street.

"Annie, calm down. Your Mum asked me not to tell you. I wanted to but I had to respect her wishes." Dad explains while cars drive past, lighting up the side walk.

"Don't worry about picking me up. You'll have to drive for ages and it's dark out." A tear trickles down my cheek.

"Can you promise me you'll be safe? After everything you've been though, it's not safe for you to-" Dad starts to say before I interupt.

"I'll be safe. Love you Dad." I promise as he tells me how he loves me too and that he can't wait for me to visit him soon.

After hanging up I wander around the block for a while before a car pulls up next to me.

"Annie? Your Mum has been trying to find you for ages. What are you doing out here?" I hear Maddie ask as she rolls down her car window.

"I don't want to go home." I exclaim as Maddie smiles lightly.

"Hop in, you can stay at our house." Maddie gets out and pulls me into a hug before opening the passenger side door.

"Come on, I've made way too much of my famous pumkin soup." She smiles sweetly as I climb into the passenger seat and close the door behind me.

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Hello!
This story is sadly nearing the end.
If you have any ideas for a character's ending please tell me in the comments!

I hope you are having a lovely day where ever you are in the world! 🧡