In your shadows || Sierra six

CHAPTER 6

I was woken up by the bright sun streaming through the window, its rays hitting my face and rousing me from sleep. I glanced at the clock on the nightstand—8:30 a.m. It was earlier than I usually got up, but today was different. Donald was going to be gone all day, and I wanted to make the most of my time with Claire. This was my chance to bond with her, to start building the kind of relationship I hoped we could have. Claire seemed like a smart girl, easy to get along with, and I was eager to get to know her better.

I changed out of my comfy shorts and oversized shirt, opting for a more put-together look. I slipped into a pair of flared blue jeans, a tight black long-sleeve shirt, and my basic black Converse. I tied my hair up in a ponytail and applied sunscreen to my face, a habit I'd picked up over the years.

With my mind set on making a good impression, I headed down to the kitchen. I decided on a classic breakfast—pancakes with a side of eggs and some fresh fruit to add a little variety. I wanted to make something special, something that would show Claire I cared. As I worked, the kitchen filled with the comforting aroma of cooking pancakes and sizzling eggs. After about 30 minutes, breakfast was ready, and I made my way to Claire's room to wake her up.Knock knock.

"Hey, Claire, are you awake? I made you breakfast," I called gently through the door.

A moment later, I heard her cheerful voice. "Hi, Kat! I'll be there in just a second."I smiled, feeling a small surge of relief. I really hoped she'd like what I'd made. Even though my past was filled with darkness, I was determined to move forward. Taking care of Claire felt like a step in the right direction, a chance to protect and care for someone in a way I hadn't been able to before. I couldn't help but wonder how the new bodyguard, who was supposed to arrive in a couple of days, would fit into all of this. I didn't want him to get in the way of what I was trying to build here.

As I waited for Claire, my thoughts drifted to Yelena. The memories of her were still raw, a constant presence in the back of my mind. She had been my platonic soulmate, someone I loved deeply, and the pain of losing her was something I hadn't fully dealt with. But as much as it hurt, I knew I had to let her go. I couldn't keep holding on to the past if I wanted to move forward. I had to find a way to live in the present, to create a new life where I could be happy again.

I shook off the lingering sadness and returned to the kitchen to finish up. I flipped the pancakes, making sure they were the perfect shade of golden brown. I poured a glass of orange juice for each of us and carefully assembled the plates.

Just as I was setting everything on the table, Claire walked in, her eyes lighting up as she took in the spread.

"Mmhm, Kat, it smells delicious. Thank you!" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious.

"My pleasure, Claire," I replied, smiling as I watched her sit down. "So, what do you want to do today?"

"What do you mean?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Well, your uncle is gone, and it's just the two of us," I explained, hoping she'd be open to the idea. "I thought it would be nice to do something together, some kind of bonding since I'm going to be taking care of you and all."

Claire's face lit up with excitement. "Ok! Can we go to the vinyl shop? And then we can go to my favorite restaurant that's across from it."

"Yeah! Sounds great!" I agreed, glad she was as eager as I was to spend the day together.

We settled into a comfortable silence as we ate, the kind of silence that didn't need to be filled with words. It wasn't awkward; it was peaceful, a shared moment of contentment. I couldn't help but feel a sense of hope, a belief that maybe, just maybe, this new life could work out.