Across the Ocean - Kyra Cooney-Cross

Chapter Nine - Debut

I woke up to the sound of rain tapping against the window, a soothing rhythm that matched the chill in the air. My first electricity bill had come in, and I'd decided to turn off the heater at night to save some money. 

Now, my nose was cold to the touch, and I pulled the blankets tighter around me, trying to steal a few more minutes of warmth and sleep.

I had a few days off, a rare stretch of time to myself, but Kyra had a busy week with work. We hadn't seen much of each other recently, our schedules frustratingly out of sync. 

When Steph suggested I give Kyra a key to my flat, I pretended to mull it over, but in truth, I jumped at the idea and the next day I came home to the sight of Kyra sprawled out asleep on my couch, a vision that had greeted me twice now, made my heart swell with happiness.

However, that was three days ago, and since then, our communication had been sparse. I told myself it didn't bother me much, but a quiet loneliness had begun to settle in.

As the first light of dawn peeked through the curtains, I briefly woke, only to drift back into a comforting sleep and dream. 

In my dream, Kyra and I were in Hope Town, wandering through my childhood home. I showed her my old bedroom, and she laughed at the poster of Gflip on the wall. She took pictures of my little shrine of sharks, a collection I had started at fourteen when I was obsessed with the Basking Shark. But the dream ended abruptly, and I jolted awake.

Or was I actually awake? Kyra was standing over me, her hand hovering just above my shoulder. 

As I shot my eyes open, drowsily, I blurted out, "What happened?"

She burst into laughter and sat on the bed, caressing my arm. "Nothing you idiot it's me"

I groaned, the room too bright for my eyes. "Kyra, it's early."

In her most bubbly voice, she replied, "I know. I'm not telling you to get up."

I squeezed my eyes shut again, groaning. She nudged me slightly, indicating for me to move over. I complied, making space for her. Kyra slipped into my place as if it had always been meant for her. 

I instinctively lifted my head, allowing her arm to drape around my neck and my head to rest on her chest. The steady, sure rhythm of her heartbeat and the rise and fall of her chest, was a comforting sound.

I nestled closer, feeling her warmth seep into me, chasing away the cold. She brought her hand to my hair, playing with it gently between her fingers. The tension of the past few days begin to melt away.

We lay there in silence, the rain continuing its gentle patter against the window. I wanted to ask her about her week, to share my thoughts and worries, but the peace of the moment held me back. Instead, I focused on the simple joy of being in her presence, letting the steady rhythm of her heartbeat, the gentle rain and extra warmth seep into me.

"Kyra," I whispered, breaking the silence,

She kissed the top of my head, her lips soft and reassuring. "Yeah"

I looked up to meet her eyes, a pause in my thoughts "I-" Nothing came out and I didn't even know what was going to land from my brain to my lips, I looked back down embarrassed.

"What?" she queried, shifting her head back and I could feel her stare in the top of my head. 

"Nothing" I sheepishly replied, knowing she now wouldn't let it go. 

"There's something" she moved her hand from my hair to my chin tugging it towards her. 

"Only if it changes nothing" she nodded against my head.