Across the Ocean - Kyra Cooney-Cross

Chapter Seventeen - Courts in Session

The following morning, just like every other day, Kyra tried waking me, softly at first. When I didn't open my eyes, she huffed and got out of bed. 

I was awake, feeling jealous and angry, and being a little bit petty. She came in a few times to see if I was awake, but each time I would close my eyes and groan slightly if she tried to shake me. 

Around 10 a.m., she came in and shook me again.

"Babe, it's getting late," she said.

I squinted my eyes open. "I don't feel well."

She immediately got worried and asked me what I needed. I lied, "I just have a migraine. I just need quiet."

She immediately obliged. 

By midday, she kissed me on the forehead and told me she was just going to pop into her flat for a bit. 

As soon as I heard the front door shut, I was up and out of bed. I felt slightly guilty, but I also couldn't understand who Courtney was and what present Kyra would have sent her.

A few hours went by, and I just sat on the couch, buried in the TV, staring blankly. My phone buzzed and lit up the room with a message.

'Just finishing up at the gym. Did you need anything before I come home?'

I scoffed, shaking my head and immediately texted back.

'I think I just need a night by myself. I'll just be sleeping anyway.'

She questioned it immediately.

'Are you sure? I don't mind if you're asleep.'

I replied, being short.

'Yep, I'm all good.'

The rest of the afternoon was a haze of confusion and uncertainty. I kept replaying the moments from the past few days in my mind, trying to piece together why I was feeling this way. 

Kyra had always been honest with me, but this situation with Courtney irked me.

As the sun began to set, the loneliness started to creep in. I glanced around the living room, feeling the weight of my solitude. 

I had pushed Kyra away, but now I was left with my thoughts, which offered no comfort.

My phone buzzed again. I thought she was being relentless, but really she was just being Kyra.

'I'm worried about you. Please let me know if you need anything.'

I stared at the message, feeling a pang of guilt. I knew I had to confront her eventually, but I wasn't ready yet. I needed to sort out my own feelings first.

Hours passed, and the flat felt colder and more empty than usual. I tried to distract myself with a book, then with more TV, but nothing seemed to hold my attention. My mind kept drifting back to Kyra and the unanswered questions.

Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. I grabbed my phone and texted her.

'Can you come over?'

Almost immediately, she was typing and the message came through loud. 

'On my way.'

I was nervous, I didn't want to fight, but I also didn't want to ignore it. Something in my stomach told me to make it a big deal.

When she arrived, she waltzed in like nothing was wrong. She sat down next to me on the couch, and for a moment, we just looked at each other in silence.

"How you feeling?" she asked gently leaning down kissing my on the top of my head.

I took a deep breath. "Who is Courtney?"