𝓕𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓕𝓵𝓪𝓶𝓮𝓼 ~ 𝓙𝓲𝓪𝓻𝓪

𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 25

The happiness spilled through their week. The birds and the sky beamed with joy. The monster of impeccable nightmares was banished from the land of their life. There's still ways to go but a step forward is the biggest step anyone can take.

JJ wanted to throw a celebration. Of course Mary thought there was no need but he didn't care. She deserved it. She deserved the biggest cake they could make and the prettiest rose petal pathway to a gorgeous oak tree with a swing attached to it.

He stood in line holding eight balloons in his hand. They were all sorts of colors as Mary didn't necessarily have a favorite.

"Okay so I got the table cloths and streamers. Anything else?" Pope asked, meeting beside him.

"No, that should be it."

JJ wanted today to be special. It's Mary's first day back. He's been wanting to ask Kiara about their party. However, he didn't tell Pope or John B about their little meetups. Coincidental of course. She's a kook and they would certainly lose their heads if they know he's friends with one. JJ hated them more than they did. It was his constant.

"Uh hey, is it okay if I invite someone?" He asked hesitantly as they moved up.

"Sure, I mean it's not my party. Who is it anyway?"

It was as if a cat got his tongue. He didn't say a word but a poorly concealed smile answered Pope's question.

"It's a girl isn't it?"

"Maybe."

They reached the cashier.

"Oh you're so telling me who it is."

JJ took out his wallet once the total came to ten ninety two. Part of him didn't know how Pope was going to react. The other part knew exactly what he was going to say. But that wasn't odd to him. In fact that was the least of his worries. The thing that caught his attention was he didn't care. He didn't care if they knew nor did he give a damn on what they would say. It almost terrified him that she didn't give him the irks.

They went out the door carrying the bags to the car.

"Are you and this mystery girl dating or something?"

"Oh absolutely not. We're just friends."

"Hm, so tell me-  is it someone we know?" He curiously wondered.

"Yeah."

"Let me guess, Veronica. She always had that crush on you."

"No, not Veronica."

"Brittney?"

"No"

"Casey?"

"No, Pope."

He started the car.

"Hold on, is it that girl who gave you her number a while back?"

He chuckled, "Haven't spoken to her since the party."

"Then who is it, don't tell me it's some tourist."

He looked at him getting tired of his continuous answers, "It's Carrera, okay."

His eyes almost bulged out of its socket in pure shock, "What!?"

JJ drove off not prepared for the amount mess he got himself into.

~

Kiara plopped right into Sarah's bed having her face shoved in the pillow.

"Maybe they're here to stay for good." Sarah tried to soothe with her hand on her back.

All she got was an agitated groan. Kiara hates the idea of her parents being back. The inner fear of abandonment from them is no stranger. Getting close to them is almost frightening if she can't depend on their presence. It's exhausting picking up the pieces for a family who isn't willing to be there.

Kiara turned over now facing the ceiling.

"I just can't have them thinking we're fine. Pretending everything is the way it used to be. Funny part is, I don't even know how it used to be. I know more about you and your family than my own."

"Then maybe you should tell them. I would do the job for you if you want me too."

She shook her head, "No, no I'll do it."

"Are you sure?"

"What makes you think I'm not?"

"You've just always pushed it off whenever I bring it up. Want to make sure it's not like last time."

"We'll it's not, matter of fact I'll call them right now and tell them."

Kiara didn't think twice about her decision. Only knowing that if she did then she'll change it just as quickly as she made it. So she sat up taking out her phone. Her fingers swiped their way through going to her contacts immediately tapping her mother's icon.

It began to ring. Her heart lapses around itself. Pounding to the moon and back. Something so simple shouldn't be so intricate, should it?

"Hello?"

"Mom, uh, is it okay if we have family dinner tonight?" She glanced over to Sarah giving her a thumbs up for encouragement.

"Tonight?"

"Yeah, it's something really important that I need to talk to y'all about."

The split second she heard silence she knew it was coming, "Kiara-"

Here it comes, "We would love that honestly, any food you have in mind?"

She couldn't form a word. It...it was a miracle.

"Um, your pick."

"Oh okay, see you at home."

They ended their conversation after that.

"So,  what she say?"

"She said they would love it."

"That's great!"

Sarah smiled, going in for a hug. For years she's watched Mike and Anna shut down numerous events for their work. At times it even got to a point when Kiara would spend her birthdays alone. She'd hear her sobs from the bathroom when she slept over for weeks on end. Sarah hates them for what they put her through. She prays this time they stick to their word.

Because this can't be the one thing that's too good to be true.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
First post for the new year!!!
I hope y'all had a great New Year's Eve. I wish a happy and successful life for all of you<3
Until next time,

Sincerely, Nicole🤎