𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐭~ 𝐉𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐚

𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙞𝙭: 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣

Midsummers. An event many look forward to and others dread. Kiara has been gone for two years and that was the one thing she did not miss. It felt like a silly excuse to throw a meaningless fundraiser for the poor side of town because they 'care'. Also because none of her friends were ever invited.

The brunette stood in front of the small wall mirror, making sure she looked okay. Her pearl grey silk dress hugged her body as it flowed out at the bottom. Her hair is up in one of those formal 'messy' buns. Curly pieces hang down, framing her face. As she's smoothing her dress, two raps were made at the door. She looked to see JJ standing there. His black tuxedo made him appear slimmer than he already was. His hair still looked disheveled as it normally did which was always a good look on him.

She sensed his eyes longing at her which made her cheeks hot. Looking at her was all he did when she got back. She looked the same to him, just more beautiful. He kissed and hugged her so much that eventually he had to contain himself before it led further. She's not ready for that and neither is he if she's not.

"What?" she knitted her brows, staring down, "Do I look bad?"

His attention was finally caught, "No. No, of course not. You... look smoking."

She rolled her eyes, staring back at the mirror, "Thanks, I guess."

He walked over behind her. He snaked his hands around her waist and placed his chin on her shoulder, "What I meant was that you look beautiful," he trailed off, "Gorgeous. Stunning. Ethereal."

She twisted up her face in confusion, "Ethereal?"

"Yeah, saw it in a book somewhere."

She nodded, "You don't look too bad yourself."

The air grew silent. Not awkward or uncomfortable, just content. JJ swung them side to side as she caressed his hands that rested on her stomach.

"We don't have to go y'know, we could spend the day together. Like a fancy date or something. Or go to our little secret hut."

She smiled looking down, "As tempting as it sounds, we can't. This is important to Sarah and considering I missed two midsummers already, I think my card of passes have been all used up."

He agreed, "Right."

"But," she turned to look at his face, "We can pretend like this is a fancy date. We're already dressed pretty, so step one is complete."

"You think I'm pretty?"

She laughed," No, sorry.," she began to fix his hair, raking through it, "But wow you are."

He looked past her, seeing himself, "Good to know someone has my back."

She set her hands on the nape of his neck, "Always."

Kiara pulled him down and connected their lips.They kissed softly as he rubbed along her back. Breaking them away was the sound of a throat clearing. They looked at the door still holding each other. It was Cleo. She wore an off the shoulder emerald green dress. She leaned against the doorframe staring at them. They gradually took their hands off, pulling away.

"Oh, don't stop on my account. Just know that we're ready once you two are done...intertwinin,"she giggled quietly leaving them be.

They looked at each other all blushed in the face.

~

The gang arrived at the familiar White House and fairy lights. People walked on the grass while others were on the patio. They stepped out of the van fixing themselves. Sarah isn't with them since she had to be there earlier. They walked up to the pavement with JJ and Kiara trailing behind. Kiara held his hand looking around. Her stomach started to sink. She hasn't spoken to her parents in weeks. She knows they have to be here. Anna wouldn't miss something like this and it makes Kiara even more convinced that she should've.