soul ties - jiara

Chapter 23

Kiara's POV

I didn't even write a note when I left this morning. When David called me I immediately declined. Sarah was in the middle of a nervous breakdown and trying to talk (or rather scream) some sense into JJ. But I knew I had to get home and deal with the storm I knew was coming. The whole car ride back my leg shook anxiously preparing for the tantrum that I knew for a fact David was going to throw. Also, I couldn't stop thinking about how I almost kissed JJ. My whole life felt like a mess. My anxiety had reached extreme levels. I found out that JJ was consuming drugs, and had already done it in the past and I had, at least, a daily fight session with my boyfriend who hated my ex, even though he didn't know that JJ was my ex. I park in front of my parents' house, wishing that the distance has been longer so I could have more time to prepare for the way David would behave. I breathe deep in and out, slowly. Just like my therapist taught me how to do when the panic built inside me. I finally make my way in, entering by the kitchen door which is usually open. I spot David near the fridge. He picks up some kind of yogurt that he once mentioned he loved, so my mum bought an immense amount of those. Back when me and JJ used to date she would never do this. It was rare for him to even have dinner since he wouldn't feel welcomed, nor would my parents make him feel that way. That's why we spent most of our time in his apartment. Which was basically our apartment. I breathe deeply, again. I open the door.

"Hey..." I whisper almost wishing he wouldn't hear me or even be aware that I was there.

"Good morning." he replied in a dry tone. But not mad. Not aggressive. I frown my brows surprised by his behavior.

"Hey...uhm... I went and helped JJ to teach his surf class. I'm sorry I didn't leave a note I was just running late and I had to hurry." I start to explain myself. I always feel the need to owning explanations to him.

"I don't care." he replies, unbothered. Again. Dryly. This doesn't even feel real. I just told David I spent the morning with JJ, and he responded that he didn't care. This is very strange. Especially coming from him. "Your parents are back. They went to the grocery shop and I'm going fishing with your dad this afternoon." he informs just like he is reading of a to-do list.

" Okay, sure. That..." I begin to tell him when he interrupts me.

"I called you just to let you know this." he adds. "If you would have picked up you would know you wouldn't have to come back to the house." He comments. A snarky comment. Here it is. The start of the fight, I thought. But no. "I assume we have to be at Sarah's house at 7 as usual, right?" he asks me instead of starting a heated discussion.

"Yeah, that's right." I reassure him. He storms off and goes to the bedroom without telling me anything else.

He adopts the silent treatment for the rest of the day. When we have lunch with my parents he asks loads of questions about vacation to my parents which they happily reply to. But he doesn't acknowledge me. He doesn't talk to me when he leaves for his fishing "trip" with my dad. This isn't normal for him. He always begins a fight. Just like he did yesterday night. But not today. This makes me scared for what is coming. I feel like he's just building his anger toward me. And when it explodes I don't think it will be pretty. It could be the breaking point for us.

I end up spending the whole afternoon alone since my mum had to go to the restaurant to see how things were doing. I call Patricia, the teacher guiding my internship in California to see how she and the animals were doing. She has become a really close friend. She tells me that they were all doing fine and that all of the species missed me. She also surprised me with good news. We could get the funding to extend the space and do more research especiafficaly on the western pond turtle, which was California's only native freshwater turtle. I was thrilled to hear this. All of the work she had so determined to develop, could finally have its happy and well-deserved return. She told me we both deserved it, making me feel like I had a purpose. I felt happy that, at least, a part of my life was still solid and stable. I was watching some sort of documentary about the start of surfing. JJ would like this, I thought. I had to recommend it to him or maybe even watch it with him. Suddenly near 6 pm, I could hear my dad's and David's laugh while entering the living room. My Dad kisses me on the forehead, and I smile too. Then I direct my smile to David but he doesn't even acknowledge me. I see that the silent treatment is going strong. Not even a single word. He goes off and I can see him entering my bedroom. A few minutes after, I can listen to water running down which means he is taking a shower. Then he comes in near me and finally directs his words to me.

"Let's go." he orders me rudely.

"Hey, chill out Don't talk to me like that." I warn him. I hated that tone, I hated the way he presented and behaved himself just because I went against him.

"I won't talk to you at all, don't worry." he tells me and Im shook. I can't take this anymore. Before I can talk, he gets the car keys and slams the door. Furious, I follow him but finally cave in and get into the passenger seat.

"We will talk about this later, David," I warn him trying to show how much I disliked his behavior.

"Whatever you say, "Kie". he says mocking my nickname. The nickname that everyone who was so special to me called me.

The car ride feels longer than it really is. The silence between us is filled with anger and exasperation. It was unbearable to be in this car. When we arrive he doesn't even wait for me to walk towards the door. Sarah opens the door for David and smiles at him but seems confused when she doesn't see him. I finally reach the door and greet her. She opens the door but instead of guiding me into the leaving room, she keeps me in the lobby.

"Is everything okay between you guys?" she asks me concerned.

"I can't even begin to tell you how frustrated I am with him." I admit to Sarah how annoyed I am at him.

"What happened?" she inquires.

"He is giving me the silent treatment. He is totally acting like a brat." I explain to her.

"Kie, I don't want to be intrusive but..." she holds my hands now "Are you happy with him?" the question lingers in the air. A million different thoughts fly through my head. My answer to this was always stability. He gives me the predictability that I need in my life. But right I keep thinking that all of his toxic behaviors aren't worth that.

"I..." I stutter and Sarah seems to look inside my soul as if she knew how unhappy this relationship has been making me feel. Suddenly JJ appears in the lobby with a smile spread across his face. I feel my chest tighten and butterflies feeling my stomach. He seems happy to see me and after last night's events seeing him content is enough to make my heart light.

"You coming or will you keep gossiping like teenage girls?" he playfully asks. I smile when he returns to the living room.

"I dont need an asnwer, Kie. I already got it." Sarah says and leaves alone in the lobby with my thoughts. The affirmation that I have been trying to suppress for so long comes into reality. No one would ever make me as euphoric as JJ does.

I try to ignore it by going to the living room. I try to ignore it by making jokes. I try to ignore it by hanging out with my friends. I try to ignore it by drinking lots of wine. I try to ignore them as much as David is ignoring me. But his sole presence is making me flustered. The thought of him and every single part that belongs to him, fills me up with thrill. The internal monologue that keeps running through my mind instantly is cut off by David's loud voice.

"So since we have been here you still haven't told me all about Kies teenage years." he tells my friends. Fuck, no. He has been ignoring me on purpose so I wouldn't dare to try and stop him. "I bet she was a saint and that's why you don't have any funny stories." I feel the condescending tone in his voice. My blood boils. I look at JJ and see that this type of behavior doesn't amuse him either. He seems to sense I am uncomfortable. He grips his glass of orange juice a little too tight and his ocean-blue eyes are filled with anger.

"No there's nothing to tell." JJ says trying to protect me from my visible worry.

"What are you kidding me, dude?" drunk Pope starts spilling. "You literally sneaked her out from boarding school by telling the receptionist that her unexisting cat died." he says. Tears fill my eyes and I feel both JJ's and David's eyes on me. One is concerned the other one is grinning being amused but getting what he wanted.

"Yeah, and she graffitied Ward's house with the word murderers." John B adds.

"Yeah, our girl was a rebellious badass back in the day." Cleo says.

David runs his eyes through me once again, gripping a glass of wine. He takes a big gulp out of it. "Guess you have a lot of secrets, babe." he smirks amused at me. I stare at him completely destroyed. Hurt fills my chest.

"I need to use the bathroom." I excuse myself and the moment my face turns from my friends the tears spill all over my face.

AN: Sorry for taking so long I just have been really busy since I am a high school senior. Also, I am so happy that Rudy and Madison won the best kiss at the MTV Movie Awards. Jiara nation riseeeeee!!!