Fated Hearts

Chapter 5 ~ Sweet Peach ~

That night at Dinner, Kendra and her aunt Paula, ate silently as usual. Her aunt spoke first.
"How was school today?"

"Same" Kendra answered,not even sparing a glance at her aunt.

Paula sighed. She really tried her best to work on her relationship with Kendra her niece. But as Kendra grew older, they grew further apart.
"Kendra, you can't continue like this..
You need friends, you need to live for real!
You're a teenager, and it's only ideal you enjoy this time of your life.."

Kendra fired back.
"What's it to you?
Stop acting like you care, cause you don't!"

Paula shook her head as tears made their way down her cheeks. It hurt her to see Kendra so angry, and consumed in hate.
"That's not true Kendra, you know i care about you... All i do is for you
I just want you to be happy my dear."

Kendra chuckled in mockery
"Happy? If you want that, then you should leave me the hell alone!"

"No Kendra, no!
You need friends, you can't live out your youth in solitary!"

Kendra rose from her seat. Her face red with anger.
"Seriously, you want me to make friends?
And what happens when we move again..
I'll leave them behind and make new ones?
Living my life in circles?
You call that living?"

Paula opened her mouth to say something, but Kendra beat her to it.
"Just stop..
Stop being pathetic!"

Kendra stormed out the dinning area, and ran up the stairs to her room.
Paula sat mortified at the table, tears free falling down her eyes. Kendra was her only family, and she would give her all just to protect her. But this hate, coming from the one she loved the most was something she wasn't sure she could keep up with any longer.

She heard a knock on the door. Brushing it off as the usual knock from Mrs Meyer, their new neighbor who was always short on groceries. She probably came for milk this time around. Paula ignored, the pain in her chest grew and she sobbed louder.
Seeing there was no response from inside, the guest let himself in. Paula's eyes widened as she saw the door open from outside, but she relaxed when she saw who it was.

Maverick and Paula go way back. He's been a family friend, a pillar for Paula, and a father figure to Kendra. He was always involved in Kendra's moving process, helping them look for new cities to move into. Even supporting financially when the need arised.
He took in the sight of the dining area.Plates of food left untouched, a sobbing mess of a person, of course Paula. Still sitting in front of her food, crying out her eyes.
He sighed. Nights like these were far too familiar for him.
He walked straight to Paula.Rubbing her back, trying to soothe her.
"Fought again?"
Paula opened her mouth to speak, but she was a stuttering mess. The tears flowing out her eyes spoke for her.
"Hush now, don't cry..
We'll take this slow, okay?
I'll go talk to her."
Paula nodded.

Maverick could always communicate with Kendra in ways she couldn't. In times like these, he knew the exact words to say to Kendra.

He climbed upstairs, and made a turn for Kendra's bedroom.
Again, he let himself in without knocking.
Kendra had gone to wash her face when she heard her door open.
She was surprised to see Marverick sitting on her bed.
"Uncle Marv?"

He gave her a cheeky smile.
"Surprised to see me, sweet peach?" He winked.

Kendra returned his smile, letting out her pearly white teeth on display.
"I'm turning seventeen, and you still call me sweet peach?
That's cheesy"

Marv chuckled.
"Well guess what, you'll still be my sweet peach till you're eighty! And what's cheesy, is you smiling back at me. Really you should do this often."

Kendra rolled her eyes
"Puh-lease.
I'll be damned if you're still alive by the time i turn eighty."

He laughed heartily at her joke. Family or not, Marv had always been the only one who could bring out the humorous side of Kendra.

"Well, no hugs?
You're just gonna stare at me from across the room?"

Kendra lunged at him, giving him the warmest embrace.
"Thought you'd never ask... When did you come back?"

"Well, i got in this night..
Just thought I'd see you and your aunt first."
At the mention of her aunt, Kendra's mood dampened.
"Not so happy to hear about your aunt huh?
C'mon, what are you both? Love rivals? Why do y'all fight all the time?"

Kendra shrugged, like she didn't care.
"Same old argument, nothing new..
She wants me to make friends, But it's no use.
Who knows, I might be moving tomorrow."

She lay on the bed, resting her heads on Maverick's legs.
"How about you sing me a lullaby?
Something to ease out the stress."

Marv chuckled.
"You want that?"

"Yup, i do!
C'mon start now."

"Right away your majesty.."

Marverick sang in his deep tenor voice, bringing Kendra closer to sleeps doorstep. Not long, she drifted off to sleep.
Marverick steadily dropped her, a small frown on her face at the lack of their body contact. He surrounded her with her puffy pillows, just the way she liked it.
Smiling down at her, he kissed her goodnight on her forehead. Turning off the lights, before he left the room.

A/N:Who do you blame for Kendra's strained relationship with her aunt?
Kendra, or her aunt Paula?
Let me know your thoughts in the comment section 😉
Sorry for the late update, I'm currently working on my update schedule..
Just hang in there 🤗