Not My Life | gxg

Chapter Twenty-Five

Kita's hair had grown a little and was twisted out of her face with two clasps. Her skin had a golden tinge to it that hadn't been there when she'd left, and she looked pretty in denim shorts and a loose white t-shirt.

'That early start was worth it to see your face,' Kita said.

'What the actual fuck?' Bethany asked, and Kita snorted.

'Bethany, language,' Kelly sighed, but not like she was annoyed.

'Thought you were going to catch me in the living room,' Kita said in amusement.

'That was you,' Bethany breathed.

'Debating whether hiding behind the curtain or the big plant near the sofa was my best bet when I heard you come in here, thank God.'

'But... my job, I can't just leave,' Bethany realised.

'Do you actually care about that job?' Kita asked.

'Well, no.'

'It's all sorted, anyway,' Kelly said. 'I put in a holiday for you, saying it was a surprise. You can just email them your notice. I knew it would bother you to let them down. Anyway, I'll let you two catch up.'

Kelly left the room, and Bethany stood up clumsily, the chair shrieking across the floor. Kita crossed the distance between them. She smelled faintly of perfume, of the outside, and coffee, which she also tasted of when she kissed Bethany.

'How are you here?' Bethany whispered.

'I came back for you, obviously.'

Bethany leaned back. 'I really don't understand.'

Kita laughed and slipped her hand into Bethany's. 'Come on, I'll fill you in while we pack. But first,' she slapped Bethany lightly across the back of the head, 'that's for thinking I wouldn't want you to come to Cornwall. Are you high?'

Bethany made a face at her as they climbed the stairs. 'You just seemed so happy to be away, like it really didn't bother you.'

'It did, even though I knew I'd be coming to get you shortly. It's been a long two months.'

'Eh?'

'Let me start at the beginning.' They'd reached Bethany's room and she shut the door behind them. 'Kelly phoned my house after Ben basically manhandled you out the closet and explained that you'd told her everything. This was, of course, after she'd told my parents we were in a relationship. She apologised for that but said she couldn't keep it a secret in good conscience. Anyway, she told me you'd mentioned Cornwall and that you wouldn't be leaving, but she said you'd be coming with me despite anything you said to the contrary. She came up with everything, said she was going to sort it, although it probably wouldn't happen by the time I had to leave. It's why I seemed to be so okay with going without you. I knew I'd be back.'

Kelly had done all of that for her? Tears prickled behind Bethany's eyes, so she turned toward her wardrobe and yanked out the suitcase she used to pack her holiday clothes into, back when they had family holidays.

'Why didn't you both just tell me?' Bethany asked.

'Kelly thought you'd make a big fuss about her saving for you. Plus, I suspect she has a flair for the dramatic. It was her idea for me to arrive early and hide.'

Bethany laughed, and Kita started helping pack the clothes Bethany pulled out of her wardrobe and drawers. She felt in a daze—she couldn't believe this was happening; she'd had no time to prepare, but it felt right. This had been the plan all along; the timeline had just been moved up, but she still wondered why she wasn't panicking. Her hands were shaking when she started gathering her belongings together, but that was definitely more from excitement than nerves. Figuring out what she wanted to take with her from a bedroom filled with her childhood proved more difficult than she thought it would be. Even though she didn't need it all, it was hard to leave it behind.