Ready To Run?

Chapter 20

(Exile By Taylor Swift & Bon Iver)

Cora's Pov

I grabbed my purse from next to me in the car. I got out, locking the door behind me. I closed my eyes, standing in my spot before taking a deep breath.

I'm exhausted.

I looked up at my house. I love my house. My face morphed into confusion once I saw my lights on. I could've sworn I turned those off.

Maybe I didn't.

I grabbed my pepper spray, before unlocking my door and pushing it open. Apollo barked as I walked in. My anxiety skyrocketed as I quickly shut and locked the door. I walked over to my living room, grabbing my remote, and opening my security app.

Something is wrong...

I kicked my heels off, grabbing them and putting them on the shoe rack. It's way too quiet here. I scrolled through my phone, going through my contacts.

Calling Dad...

I heard a phone start ringing, causing my face to morph into confusion. I followed the noise to my kitchen. Apollo walked in front of me.

"Hey Honey! I'm making your favorite dinner. Happy birthday and Merry Christmas!" He spun around and faced me. The balloons and the streamers hung down from the ceiling.

What the hell?

"What are you doing here?" I laughed out, tears forming in my eyes as I ran up to him, hugging him tightly.

"It's your birthday, and your first birthday that I don't have work. Of course I'm going to show up." He held me tightly as I cried, holding onto him.

This is the first time someone has shown up for me.

"Did you think any of us would miss it?" I heard Cara's voice from behind me, causing me to whip around and face the three people standing there.

I wrapped my arms around my sister, hugging her as my mother joined in with us. I then hugged Chandler. The tears streamed down my face.

"My makeup probably looks horrible." I laughed, wiping the tears from my face.

"Happy Birthday Cora!" My mom kissed the side of my head, before rushing over to help my dad finish cooking.

Apollo ran around Chandler, barking at him, trying to get him to play. Cara was making fun of my dad for almost burning the food. I brushed my hands down my suit, flattening it.

My anxiety skyrocketed it. I hated when people showed up on my birthday. I always thought they were going to disappear. I stopped getting my hopes up for people to show. And I hated surprises.

I felt like the room was spinning as I looked around at everyone before looking at my promise ring. I took a deep breath, trying to control myself so that I didn't have a full blown panic attack. I guess some things leave scars.

Some things are easier to get over than others, and I guess this will be something I will struggle to get over. I smiled, making myself look like I was happy, when in reality, a piece of all of this was still missing.

I think I've seen this film before.

Everything feels the same. My Christmas lights up in my kitchen. My family laughing, and talking. I'm in a forest green suit. Everything feels way too similar.

I need air.

I can't do this.

"I did have some work to do tonight." I said, looking at all four of them in my house, laughing like they've been here forever.

"Go finish it real fast! Dinner isn't done yet!" My mom said, causing me to nod my head. I looked around for my computer.

Crap. I left it in my car.

I grabbed my keys, not even slipping my shoes on. I was just going to my car in the driveway. I opened the front door, shutting it behind me, before walking down the driveway. I unlocked my car door with a growing frown.

My anxiety heightened, as my breathing got more rapid, and I got more filled with anxiety. This is all too much. Everything feels so similar, except for the one clear thing. Karl isn't here.

I went to open the door, but stopped when I saw the person standing at the end of my driveway. I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat, as I stared out at him. Maybe I spoke too soon.

He's here.

My breathing picked up more, but my anxiety lowered. He's standing there in a sweater, and light washed jeans. Nikes on his feet, rings on his hands, necklaces around his neck.

My hand dropped from the door handle, and I let out a deep breath.

"What are you doing here?" My voice almost came out in a whisper.

"I'm not making the same mistake twice, Cora." He walked closer to me, causing my heart to pick up speed.

"Happy Birthday, Cora." He said, holding a small box in his hands.

"Karl-" I tried and his words flew out his mouth quicker than I got to speak.

"I can't cry over you anymore, Cora. I need you with me again." My breathing stopped. His hand fell to my hip, bringing me closer.

"We always walked a thin line." I whispered, and he nodded, agreeing.

"You never heard me out, when we broke up." I felt like I could hear my heartbeat, as his hand lingered on my side.

"I want to get back together. I want to try this again." He said, his voice having a rasp to it, from holding back the tears in his eyes.

"Still after all this time?" I said, a slight smile taking over my features.

"Do you want to get back together?" He asked, and I looked up at him, going silent.

Yes.

"Cora please don't go silent on me, I can't read your mind." He said, causing me to laugh.

"I know that I couldn't turn things around, but I am now." He spoke fast once more after I finished laughing.

"Cora, be my girlfriend again. Please."

After all of these years of ignoring Karl Jacobs' existence, I'm standing here right now, finding myself more in love with him than I ever have been.

Nothing was in slow motion.

Nothing was sad.

There were no tears.

Everything felt okay again. Right here in this moment, with Karl. This is where I'm supposed to be. Everything was meant to happen this way for a reason.

I was supposed to be ready to run.

"Yes."

1076 Words