Definitions Of Love

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'I don't think our ideas of love align, Avron...'

'Don't leave me, Kara...'

'Good-bye, Avron. Maybe we'll meet in the future...'

My eyes water as I turn, graduation cap in my hand, gown rubbing together from the movement of my walking. I hear the words of the announcer through the speaker, and the yells of 250 new graduates. I feel his eyes on my back, staring like I'll turn around soon and run back.

But I can't, we aren't made to love each other like the other wants.

I open the car door, avoiding his gaze, and climb in before driving out of the parking lot, the back seat of my car filled with boxes labeled 'College'.

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      I'm focusing on my book while Terra plays on the playground, occasionally glancing up to watch her play with the other kids and make sure she's okay.

      The weather is nice; the sun bright and shining on a warm summer day, with barely a cloud in sight, laced with the smell of lake and yesterday's rainstorm. Puddles litter the ground, making a few muddy spots that are bordering dry.

      My eyes follow back to the pages, scanning the page for my spot before beginning to read again.

      'I can't live without you, sugar', Daniel spoke in his low, southern accent. 'I don't want to, either. You are the best thing that ever happened to me or this small town, Connie. You brought that old hotel back to life, and brought the life back to Parston. You are strong and kind. I wont let you leave without you knowing-

      I feel someone near me, the eyes of someone's stare following me. I look up, and someone stands to the right of the bench I'd taken a temporary residency on.

      His dark skin glows in the sun's bright glare. His hair is put in long locs that nearly reach his shoulders. His long legs are clothed with navy blue slacks, while his torso is covered with a business-like white dress shirt woth sleeves that hugs his strong arms. His mouth opens up to voice a single word. A question.

      "Kara?"

      My body freezes, recognizing the voice.

      "Avron?"

      His lips curve into a big grin, showing off bright, white teeth. I stand, putting my book down next to my backpack, my mouth open wide with shock. I run up to him and hug him, jumping up and wrapping my arms around his neck. His hands cross the middle of my back, holding me to him as his ear rests on my shoulder before we let go.

      "What have you been up to, Kara? Wow you look so... different. Has it really been a decade since I've seen you?" His chocolate eyes are the same as always, holding joy and humor in each moment when he smiles, though they're laced with laugh lines that have grown deeper than what I remember they used to be.

      "Heh, yeah it has. You've change so much, too! You finally got you dream hair," I laugh, chest shaking a bit. "I've just been working and living life with my family."

     "I'm glad you're still in touch with them. Are you married? Or just your blood family?"

      "No, I'm not married anymore, but not just my blood family. Terra!" I call, turning my head to the swings. My darling daughter turns to face me, before running up to me with a smile bigger than the world on her face.

      "Mama! What's up, do you need something? Do we hafta go? Who's he? Is he your boyfriend? Does he wanna kidnap you? Does he wanna kidnap me?" She pauses her questions for a dramatic gasp. "You're not gonna sell me to him, are you? Is that why you brought your backpack?"

      I wait until she finishes her questions, following the normal kid routine of questions off the wazoo.

      "Terra, this is Avron. He's an old friend from middle school and high school. Avron, this is my daughter Terra." I gesture between them and he crouches down to her height, holding out his hand for her to shake, holding a soft smile. Terra looks at me for approval and when I give her a small nod, she hesitantly shakes his hand. When it's over, he stands up again, and I look up at him.

      "She looks..." He hesitates, not wanting to be rude. "Nothing like you."

      "I'm adopted," Terra boasts proudly. "Mama and Mommy came and picked me up but now I'm with Mama 'cause Mommy and Mama broke up and now I hafta go over to Mommy's house next week 'cause Mommy hates Mama and Mama doesn't wanna see Mommy!"

     My face must show how appalled I am. "Terra! We don't tell people our business!" I squeak out, my voice high with embarrassment. "Especially not people you barely met!"

      "Oh...."

      Avron's face is shocked, eyes widened a bit at the unfiltered honestly of my child and her confession of our personal lives.

      "Well uhm... sorry about the divorce?" He voices awkwardly, looking down at me with a bit of fear and surprise. I can't help but laugh at the situation. My head drops and I laugh, my shoulders shaking forward as I shake my head at the absurdity.

      "Do you want to head over to my house? We can talk more there if you have time and want to, and we were about to leave anyways." I ask, and silently signal for Terra to grab my bag and book. She does and I crouch down and kiss her cheek, and thank her for grabbing them.

      "Sure, why not?" Avron smiles again. "Let's catch up more, I don't really have nothing better to do."

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Sooooo.... I'm starting to write a new book. This is entirely inspired by my Meladaptive Daydreaming Disorder and a little bit of real life (I likely won't elaborate further than that). I will be posting for this one occasionally, so be on the lookout 😉

- with much love, Skye

Words: 1005