AS FAR AS THE MOON (english version)

XVIII - Ayla

Like the moon
Most of the time a part of me is hidden
Because I'm still learning to feel good about myself in order to be full,
And that doesn't make my light any less beautiful.
- Taylor Ashley

I clicked the lock on the front door, which opened with a loud squeak. I had to grab onto the handle to take a step forward, my right knee immobilised by the bandages.

"Hey, look who's here! How did it go?" Aidan greeted me from the sofa, on which he was sitting in the company of Niko, Kyran and Khai. It was now dark outside and they were settled in the living room with the TV on, intent on watching a movie.

I limped to the left shelf, barely closing the door behind me, "Not too well."

As soon as he realised the situation, he jumped up and came towards me with a worried expression. The boys also stood up alarmed.

"What the fuck happened?!" my brother grabbed me by the elbows for support, glancing down at my knee swollen with bandages.

"We went ice skating and I fell. It's nothing, just a bump."
Aidan guided me towards the couch, while Khai threw the popcorn scattered on the cushions to the floor and Niko rushed to get a blanket.

"Holy shit, Ayla!"
"It's nothing, really! I just have to keep it still for a few days..."
I grimaced in pain as Aidan and Khai helped me sit up, while Niko settled the blanket over my shoulders and the feeling of Kyran's eyes on me burned my skin. I ignored him—I was too focused on not showing the suffering I was really feeling. I didn't want to worry them, although the pulsing of the bruise made my leg joints vibrate.

"Guys, I'm fine, I swear."
"Try not to move it," my brother suggested, at the same time as Niko absentmindedly stroked my arm and Khai smiled reassuringly at me.

A wave of emotion surged through my chest. I immediately felt at ease among them, the exact opposite of how I had felt in the company of Blake, Caleb and Lia; however much guilt I felt at the thought of it. I enjoyed spending time with Thoran, but that didn't mean it had to be the same for his friends.

"Shall I get you a pillow?" I heard the blonde boy ask, and I shook my head with a smile.
"Don't worry, it's perfectly fine. Thank you, really."
Kyran cleared his throat. "I'll go get some ice."

His voice sent an unpleasant shiver down my spine, which Niko seemed to interpret as a cold shiver, as he adjusted the blanket over my shoulders, turning me into a spring roll.

"Khai, can you check the pot on the stove?" my brother turned to his friend, as I tried to relax my leg—the stinging pain was still there, too stubborn to ease. I bit my lip, frustrated.

"Here," Kyran returned with the bag of ice in his hand and made to wrap it in a cloth, before pressing it on my knee.

I shuddered as my skin came into contact with the chill of the fabric, at the same moment Kyran's eyes raced to meet mine. My bones froze the instant I was lost in the deep silver of his irises, forcing me to stab my palm with my nails. He clenched his jaw and my attention ran to his scar, a fine silver streak that somehow made his features even more hostile and angular. I saw him scan my face, frowning. I looked away.

Kyran made to leave the envelope in my brother's hands, who pressed lightly on the bandage. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched as he headed towards the kitchen, and for some strange reason, I felt Niko's steady gaze pricking at my temples.
I blushed immediately.

"I'm going to check that Khai doesn't set fire to the kitchen," he finally announced, making to get up and give me a snort on the nose, before disappearing into the other room.