Interlinked- Kyra Cooney-Cross

*FIVE*

The bus jolted me awake as we parked outside the Arsenal football ground. Rubbing my eyes tiredly, I suddenly came to my senses that I was on someone's shoulder. Not just anyone's shoulder. It was Kyra.

"Wakey wakey." Katie yelled, clapping her hands in front of my face annoyingly, "We got some cute pictures don't you mind."

This made my eyes open completely, every ounce of exhaustion drained from my brain. Sheepishly, I retracted my head from the unusually comfy premise of Kyra's shoulder and straightened up, smoothing my messed up hair. Katie sniggered at me before brandishing her phone, revealing a, I must say, adorable picture of me sound asleep on her shoulder. My heart pounded when I glanced at Kyra who was pictured gazing down at me in what looked like admiration. 

"Quite the cute couple." Beth piped in, appearing from behind Katie's grey jumper, "Atleast that's what the viewers of my Insta story think."

"You didn't." I said unbelieving, scrambling for my phone in my jogger pocket and opening up Instagram. Sure enough, there it was. As I looked up, I felt everyone was just staring at me....and Kyra, who remained concerningly quiet.

After the commotion, we all trailed out the bus, giving me and Kyra a chance to speak.

"It's just a joke." I explain, waving my hands, "They're just messing, don't worry."

Kyra offered a compassionate smile, "I know don't worry, you have a girlfriend anyway."

I raised my eyebrows, "Girlfriend?"

The Australian rolled her eyes as she clutched at her backpack harder, "The girl who picks you up and drops you off here, Christie was it?"

I giggled loudly and placed my hand on her shoulder, "NO, she's my...mum."

I stumbled on the last bit. For some reason,. I didn't want to tell her about the whole abusive dad, adopted storyline of mine. I knew she wouldn't judge me, never. It was just complicated and that small bit of me was desperately screaming for me not to do anything to deter her.

Kyra joined in laughing, "Oh shit, my bad."

I shook my head, mockingly as we found ourselves standing alone in the car park. Just us, illuminated by the street lights, twinkling in the moon light.

"I forgot to text her actually to pick me up, guess I have no ride." I smiled, kicking the gravel with my Nikes.

"I can drive you home if you want." Kyra offered, her face lighting up as she presented this to me.

"It's fine really, I'll just wait." I quickly respond, "I don't want to be a pain."

Grabbing my hand, Kyra's hazel eyes burned into mine, sending a rush of tingles up and down my body. She was addictive. I wanted to touch her more.

"I want to." She finally spoke, her voice a little hoarse.

Gulping, I was speechless and so intoxicated that all I could do was giving an obliging nod.

She led me to a rather high-class BMW (putting Christie's car to shame) and even opened the passenger door for me. How cute.

As I slipped into the leather passenger seat, I shot my adoptive mother a quick text, letting her know where I was. I felt my fingers slowly trace the LED blue lights along the door, taking in the scent, It smelt fairly new.

"This must of cost you a lot." I finally say, as Kyra strapped herself in.

"Oh we got a discount, our family friend works at the dealership." she explained humbly.

I nodded as Kyra began to grip the steering wheel and the low rumbling of the engine sounded. I couldn't help but glance at her hands, they way she handled the wheel with such confidence, I found really attractive. My eyes lingered up her arms, so muscular and strong. I wonder what she could do with them. At this thought, I mentally slapped myself, don't be disgusting.

"You can put what music you want on." she said, the accent disguised by the noise of speeding cars.

"No it's okay." I laughed, leaning my head back on the headrest, "I kind of want to see what you're into."

The headlights of oncoming cars revealed her blush and quick smile, "It's just generic pop, I'm a bit simple."

I spun the knob on the radio, adjusting the sound, "Sometimes simple is better."

A song by One Direction started blaring, and I couldn't help but attempt to stifle a laugh.

She took her eyes off the road to smirk at me, "Okay yes, that's embarrassing."

Instinctively, I reached over to pat her thigh, her whole body went rigid, "No to be fair, they have some legendary throwback songs."

My fingers started tracing circles on her upper thigh and her deep breaths echoed around the car. As I began to ignite a gentle stroke my tummy rumbled.

Kyra looked relieved at this little distraction, questioning, "Hungry?"

I crossed my arms, picking at the seams of my chair, "Yeah sorry."

In return, she placed her hand on my upper thigh, drawing shapes, "Don't apologize, let's just stop at a service station for a snack."

She kept her hand there the whole way until we pulled up alongside a roadside Starbucks.

I chose my usual, caramel Frappuccino as I despised coffee and Kyra chose a simple iced latte. Sipping our drinks, we left through the double doors and found an old brick wall, overlooking the shadows of trees in fields.

We sat in peaceful silence for a while, enjoying our drinks and company. I could feel Kyra's constant glare and I looked down, blushing, pretending not to notice. Finally she spoke.

"You played well today." She commented, biting her straw.

"Thanks, If it wasn't for you though..." I trail off, scratching the back of my neck.

"I thought you said you think it was because you have matured." Kyra replied a slight smile playing on her lips.

"No way." I built up the confidence to say, "It was you totally....you're different."

The beautiful girl let out a small chuckle, "In what way?"

I shook my head but I clearly enjoyed her interest, "A good one definitely."

I felt Kyra shuffle a little closer, our hands barely touching, "Elaborate?"

Locking eyes with her I licked my lips and noticed her slight glance towards mine. We were so close to kissing, I could feel the tension. Just then my whole body was shaken by my vibrating phone.

Breaking out of our trance I jumped back and fiddled with it, "Shit, sorry, It's Christine, I've got to go."

Kyra nodded sincerely, her twinkle gone within her luscious eyes, "Sure, let's go now then."

We drove the rest of the way back in awkward silence. But inside, my heart was throbbing at the prospect of what just happened. Was she going to kiss me? Did she feel this same romantic tension with us?

"We're here." Kyra prodded my shoulder and I opened my eyes at my humble abode.

"Thanks for the ride." I smile, grabbing my kitbag and swinging the strap over my shoulder.

Kyra looked like she was hesitantly waiting to say or do something else but decided against it. She leant back in her seat and with a small wave, she took off.

As I watched her leave, I felt empty. I wish I had kissed her, or did something to reassure her, like a cute little wink. Whatever was going on was complicated. But that's what you get for liking a certain Australian midfielder called Kyra Cooney-Cross.