𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐭~ 𝐉𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐚

𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙊𝙣𝙚: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣

He cradled her body with her head resting on his chest. They laid in the hammock taking in the tangerine skies and cool blue waters. The wind rocked them gracefully putting them almost to a quiet slumber.

Kiara looked up seeing his messily scattered hair and calming eyes. As if they weren't already, she moved her leg between his having them intertwine comfortably. She raised her hand, took one side of his face, and guided him to her eyes. It finally felt normal. Seeing him and having him with her again.

Everything she wanted she got.

JJ closed his eyes, parting his lips inching closer and closer.

Until finally....

BEEP.BEEP.BEEP.

She opened her eyes quickly sitting up. Her heart was racing as she frantically searched for the clock that was nowhere else except her night stand. She turned it off before dropping back into her pillow and plopping another on her face.

"Morning sleepyhead," Her roommate, Alyssa greeted.

Kiara and Alyssa became close friends over the years. Since Kiara came in late she was one of the few girls that took her in and befriended her. Also lending her the nearest phone they had at the time. From then they became inseparable.

Today is Kiara's last day at Blue Ridge and she couldn't be any more excited about it. She'll get to chill on the hms pogue, soak up the sun, surf on her board with her friends and then eventually travel the world with him. After two years of being cooped up in their dreams, freedom is all she expects.

"Seems like you had a good dream," Alyssa said, putting most of her things in boxes.

Kiara took the pillow off her face, " I did."

"Was it about your lover?"

She started to smile, "Yeah."

"Excited to see him aren't you."

"All of them really, but him? More than anything."

Blue ridge doesn't allow technology that they don't provide. Kiara couldn't have or bring her cellphone and her parents knew that. They wanted her mind to be clear of all negativity including her electronics. But they do allow letters, unfortunately they are monthly.

It was torture unable to contact them. Tell them how much she missed them and how much she loved him. Hear their voices again. The circle of leaves dropping and sun shining felt endless as the deep void of her needs became unmatched. The resentment for the people that gave her life but also pain didn't fail to grow.

If she took his plan literally her world could look so much more different.

"Well, stay in that bed any longer you'll be late."

"I know, I know."

Kiara sat up looking at their half packed dorm. Bags and suitcases were unzipped while boxes were closed and stacked. As silly as it sounds Kiara had quite a time. Learned new styles and even changed hers up a bit. Having blonde highlights, a couple more ear piercings, and a secret tattoo of waves behind her left ear.

But it was time to go back to where her heart truly lived.

Grabbing the remainder of her clothes, she packed them away in her suitcase leaving out an outfit to wear.

"So who's picking you up?" Alyssa wondered, fixing her curls.

"Um, no one probably."

"Do your parents know you're coming home?"

"I have no idea," she shrugged, "But I have enough money to get back on my own."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, I've been saving."

She looked skeptical, "Okay."

"Oh don't worry so much, didn't you tell me that it gets you nowhere but a sick mind and pounding heart," she said, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.

"This is different."

"Maybe it is, but I'll be fine. I'll miss you."

Alyssa's worried eyes later rested themselves into content ones. "I'll miss you too ."

Kiara wasn't sure if her parents even cared. They've hardly spoken to each other since they dropped her off and ditched. It wasn't a surprise that her mom would ignore her but her dad? She thought out of all people it would be him. The glimpse of regret and the need to fix it in his eyes was there. She doesn't understand what happened and maybe she'll ever get to.

The day was long and her heart was on its way back to her love. But she couldn't leave without saying a farewell to the person who made her stay worthwhile.

"It was nice having you here honey." Her grandmother spoke, squeezing all the sense out of her.

"You too Nani."

They pulled away as Nani went to her glass antique cabinet, "I wasn't sure when I was going to give you this but today I thought it was perfect."

In her hand is a necklace. The pendant is a silver oval with an engraved C in cursive. Kiara gasped slightly, stunned by the piece of jewelry.

"It's beautiful, thank you," She leaned in for another embrace.

"Oh you're so welcome my dear," she sighed, "I'm gonna have a serious talk with your father."

"You and me both."

"But," she pulled away, "I love you and that's all that matters."

She grinned, nodding at her, "love you too."

Nani was the only adult she could trust that didn't ridicule her from something silly. She didn't push her away to avoid a problem that was never serious.

Nani took her hand and placed the necklace in her palm, setting the other on top of it.

"Now you must get goin' don't want to miss the plane."

~
Wheels rolled down the tan path. Heat instantly struck her skin the minute she stepped out. All the memories swarmed back in her head feeling a nostalgic presence between her rib cage. It wasn't no surprise that her parents weren't anywhere in sight. She couldn't contact the pogues as it would ruin the surprise but also her phone bill hasn't been paid in months. Not by her hand anyway.

So doing the one thing she always did, she walked. She doesn't know where they would be or if they're here at all but hopefully her prayers are on her side. Be a shame if they've never been heard.

It's been an hour and a half. Her hands were getting clammy as her legs felt like weights weighing a ton. Kiara finally reached the place everyone goes, The Wreck. The building still looked the same, it's always been just thriving with no care in the world. Her eyes scanned the parking lot and she saw it. Ms. Twinkie herself. She's missed that piece of junk so much. The amount of getaways they've had is not even conceivable.

Grinning like a Cheshire Cat, she walked up the pavement. Butterflies flew chaotically in her stomach, and couldn't wait any longer. Once she reached the window, her heart softened. He looked older, more mature, and more handsome. They all looked that way. However, something was different. Someone else was in the picture. She's a redhead with brown eyes. Her skin was a shade lighter than Cleo's but darker than Kiara's. She's sitting next to JJ. Awfully close too. Her hand rested on his shoulder as she whispered something in his ear. Kiara could see him laugh at whatever she said. They looked happy.

Her grin fell into a frown as her fluffy heart melted into a puddle of broken glass. She stepped back, turned around, and left the restaurant.

Unseen, unheard but not unscathed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My apologies it took so long but tabaaaa
Until next time,

Sincerely, Nicole♥️