Right On Track

Chapter 22

Kiara blinked against the morning light that poured through her room.She slowly opened her eyes more with a yawn,trying to recall what had happened.
She heard the sound of someone breathing,slightly snoring.Then,the rememberance hit her.
She shifted a little to look up at Carlos's face.He was still asleep,his hair a mess.She bit back a smile as she recalled the previous night's events.In her own opinion,if there was one word to describe it all,she would say that it was unexpected.And it lasted longer than she thought it would.So much so that she didn't even hear her mother,Elijah and Alora come home.Thinking about them made Kiara feel a little shy,knowing that she would have to leave the room soon and sit down for breakfast casually.
Alora certainly wouldn't let this go.And poor Elijah must have been confused as to where Carlos was.
Kiara,her head still on Carlos's chest,shifted again and moved the arm he had around her.She moved up put her head on his shoulder,causing him to wake up a little bit.
Carlos blinked against the light that poured in.He soon looked down at Kiara and met her gaze,a smile faltering over his lips.He still looked sleepy,his hair a mess and his bare torso barely covered.She had to hold back a smile as he leaned his head against hers and muttered."How did you sleep,mi amor?"
She quietly replied."In a way,I liked it."
He chuckled,the sound causing her cheeks to heat as he pressed a kiss to her forehead."You never fail to surprise me."
A silence soon fell on the room.And Kiara just allowed it to pass through,as it was peaceful rather than uncomfortable.She thought about their conversation from last night,about the past weekend.It left her a little puzzled at first,but she tried not to think too hard on it.But she couldn't help but suddenly ask herself two things.Was the entire night before all just to let it out?Was it all just a mistake?She felt afraid to fine the answers to those questions.
"Are you okay?"Carlos asked.
"Yes,why?"She frowned,not sharing her thoughts.
"You are tensing up."He met her gaze,observing it to try and figure out the problem.
She held his gaze for that moment,but soon snapped it away as she didn't have the courage to actually ask him whether it was a mistake or not.
When she refused to meet his gaze,he said."You're having second thoughts."
She quickly shook her head,sitting up a little."What?No,Carlos-"
"Then why are you acting so hesitant all of a sudden?"Carlos sat up properly,his gaze slightly darkening.
"No,I'm not."She frowned,shaking her head.
He sighed and leaned back."Kiara,you can tell me if you're not fine with it."
"Carlos..."She said.
There was a knock at the door,a light one,which probably meant the person was trying not to cause a disturbance.
"What?"Kiara snapped,though immediately regretting the tone of her response.
"Umm,Kiara?"Elijah said.
Kiara softened the sound of her voice and replied."Everything alright,Elijah?"
"Aunty Lina says that you should hurry up because she already made breakfast and it's getting cold."He told her.
"I'll be down soon."Kiara said.
"Okay."He said.
She heard the light footsteps travel down the hallway,slowly going out of earshot.
Kiara turned to Carlos,studied his face for a moment,then said."Come on."She got out of the bed,the warmth leaving her as she did so.Carlos seemed as if he wanted to say something.But he held it back.She had the urge to ask,however she pushed the urge aside and walked across the room to fetch some clothing.
As she did so,she kept her back to him.And he never said anything else.It made her question herself even more.What if he grew dislike after what happened last night?
After a few minutes,she left the room and started to make her way downstairs,Carlos quietly following from behind.
Kiara sat down at the table,ignoring the look Alora have her as she did so.She sat down next to Elijah,leaving Carlos to sit on the other side of the little boy.
"So,you're leaving today?"Elijah looked up at Carlos.
Carlos gave him a weak smile,replying."Yes...Later today."
Kiara held back a sigh and poured herself a glass of water.
Great...She told herself sarcastically.She wouldn't even have the proper time to bring up the courage to talk properly to Carlos.She would only see him towards the end of the break.Or maybe even after.Other than that,she didn't really like the idea of texting or calling him about it.Talking in person was the aspect she favoured.Especially in a situation like this.
"Can't you just stay one more day?"Elijah asked,pleading a little.
Carlos put a hand on his shoulder,trying to seem assuring."I'm sorry,Elijah...I can't exactly do that..."
"But why?"Elijah pouted.
Before Carlos could reply,Kiara answered instead."Carlos wants to spend time with his family too.Just like how I'm here with you guys,he might want to be with his own family."
Elijah glanced her way."Does that mean it's your turn to go to his house?"He said,clearly misunderstanding the situation."Because Carlos was over here this weekend."
"No..."Kiara shook her head."We're not really taking turns.Carlos just came over to watch your race.Not really anything else."
"Oh."Elijah nodded,sounding a little sad as he realized that it would be a little while till he actually saw Carlos again.
Carlos leaned down and whispered to him."Don't worry.Before you know it,we'll see each other again."
Elijah sighed and went back to eating his cereal.
Kiara looked at Carlos for a moment.Then,she looked away,but met Alora's gaze instead.
Alora's expression said enough.She held back a laugh and Kiara immediately shook her head,giving a dismissive wave with her hand.

The trunk of the car shut after Carlos threw in his luggage.Kiara stood aside and watched,her hands in the pocket of the hoodie she wore.She watched as Carlos dragged a hand through his hair and loosed a sigh.He walked around the car to the driver's side,stopping before getting in.
Elijah quickly approached him.
Carlos crouched down and Elijah ran into his arms in a hug."See you next time,niño."
"I'll be watching the next grand prix."Elijah said.
Carlos smiled as they pulled back from each other.Elijah stepped back and observed.
Alora walked out of the house and moved to stand beside Kiara.She folded her arms,saying to Carlos through a short laugh."Try not to get lost on the way to the airport.Maybe you should take Kiara with just till you get there."
Carlos chuckled,shaking his head."Don't stress it.I'll be fine."However,he did not even meet Kiara's gaze while saying so,even though her name had been a part of the small talk.
"Travel safe."Alora added,then turned to walk back to the house."See you next race weekend."
"Adios."Carlos said,opening the car door.
"Adios."Elijah said with a grin,causing Carlos to laugh as he got into the car.
Kiara felt the sudden urge to say goodbye,wish him a good flight.She took a step closer and he clearly noticed it.But he didn't give her the chance to even say anything,shutting the door.And even as she tried to meet his gaze,he avoided it and pretended to not notice as he waved one last time to Elijah.And as he drove off,she closed her eyes for a moment,then quickly went back inside,going up to her room and slamming the door behind herself.