Knowing Kiara

4

Begging you again to leave some comments. I'm not after clout I just wanna know what or if people are enjoying 😫

Home is the last destination on my redemption tour today.

The thought of actually adressing anything to do with my mother head on is my idea of hell.

I've become too acquainted with the habit of hiding and burying my issues lately. So much so that it's getting harder and harder to even consider digging them up. Life is so much easier pretending that everything is okay. I've convinced myself that I am for so long that I believe it. Manifestation at its finest.

My father, my uncle, the Sierra's...they don't share the same mindset. If I step through those golden gates it'll be family therapy for the foreseeable future and that is something I did not wish for for my twenty first birthday.

It's a good job I had another stop planned out before I have to return to that pity parade.

My town's dog rescue centre.

Walking up to my second charity of the day shouldn't be as nerve wracking. But it is.

The croissant in my stomach threatens to make a reappearance as I park Jace's bike out front.

I hesitate, debating the chances of me getting away with this massive helmet a second time. For some reason I don't think the frightened dogs would appreciate some masked stranger being all up in their business.

With unbelievable reluctance, I remove the safety from my head and instantly cover majority of my hair with my hood, tightening the strings as tightly as they'll stretch.

Going from a creepy weirdo to just an average weirdo.

There's a woman seated at the front desk and when I enter her scrutinising stare lands on me.

"Hi, how can I help?" She eventually breaks the second too long silence.

Well I suppose that's what I'm here to ask her.

"I was actually hoping you'd need my help? In any way possible?" I reply, closing the gap between us.

Her face lightens with hope and a little excitement.

"Always. Whatever you're offering we'll take it. Brilliant timing too, the boss just arrived so i'll leave you in his hands and I'm sure he'll give you a run down of everything."

Like the flick of a switch she stands and rambles her enthusiasm, rushing to finish up some things at her desk in order to show me out back.

The sight of the caged dogs on our way yanks on my heart strings. There's no going back from this, I just know I'm going to be spending all the time I can in this place giving these babies the love they deserve.

The lady opens the back door to the garden area and my stomach flips.

I recognise his back profile instantly. After all, I did run away from him mere minutes ago.

It isn't too late to run, he hasn't seen me yet, I assure myself.

Turn and run, there's bound to be countless animal shelters in the area that he isn't managing.

Or maybe there isn't since mister charity man over here seems to be everywhere at once.

But of course he turns to greet us with that heart stopping smile of his the instant he hears the door. Then I'm trapped under his spell, embarrassment crawling up my skin.

Screw this. I'm not this shy, embarrassed person, so easily conquered by life's obstacles.

I'm the girl that everyone can trust will smile back at them in passing. I listen to my peers' stories and check up on their lives. If someone needs a friend to speak on their behalf, it's me.