Across the Ocean - Kyra Cooney-Cross

Chapter Thirty One - With you? Always

I didn't know what to say, so I rushed over to her, wrapping myself around her so tightly it felt as if we were merging into one. I could feel her chest giggle against me. The words 'You do have something left, you have me' singing in my ears, twisting and twirling around ever nerve on my body. 

 As I pulled away, she brought her hands up to my face, and I still clung around her torso not wanting to let go.

"You have me," she said softly. "There wasn't a second that you didn't."

Her words washed over me, a balm to the wounds I had carried for so long. I felt a sob rise in my throat, but it was one of relief, not despair. I pressed my forehead to hers, closing my eyes to hold back the tears.

"I'm so sorry" I whispered.

"I know," she replied, her voice steady and soothing. "It's okay, it always was okay"

The sincerity in her words made something inside me click into place. This wasn't a final goodbye. This was a new beginning, fragile and uncertain, but real. We stood there, wrapped in each other, as the morning light grew brighter.

"I love you, okay?" she murmured, her smile unable to be broken.

"I love you too, so much it hurts" I immediately replied, her lips brushing against mine in a loving sweet kiss.

We stayed like that for a while, just holding each other, letting the reality of the moment sink in. Eventually, we pulled away, smiling through our tears.

"Only thing is" Kyra broke the silence after a while, her eyes softened with a mix of sadness and guilt. "I have to be packed and downstairs to go to the airport in like" she looked to the clock on the bedside table, and took her hand in mine. "5 no definitely 4 minutes"

My face instantly dropped, not because she was leaving me but because she always did this. She was always so last minute.

We immediately ripped around the room, stuffing her clothes into her bags and getting changed, and with almost 30 seconds to spare we were done. 

As we left the hotel room, I felt a newfound sense of peace but sadness to be leaving the place that brought us back together. 

8 days, just one whole week and my life had already taken such a turn. I got home from the hotel with Kyra and I was bombarded with questions from Zoe and Laura, all curious as to where I'd been. Zoe ended up scolding me, I knew they would have thought the worst. 

But now the four of us were standing in the airport back to the city we needed to run from, this time we were scared. Zoe had organised for us to got to the Matilda's farewell game in Sydney for the Olympics against China PR. 

Kyra had already begged me to go, offering to pay for my flights, hotel, basically everything just so I could be there. But when I said no she immediately went to Bec and Zoe. 

Zoe, Laura, Lillie, and I were settled into the plush seats of business class on our quick flight from Melbourne to Sydney. My anxiety wasn't about seeing Kyra, I was thrilled for that ,it was the anticipation of what the future held for us after her game.

When we arrived in Sydney, Zoe had arranged for us to stay in a Presidential Suite at one of the best hotels in Australia. Coincidentally, or perhaps not, it was the same hotel where Kyra and her team were staying. 

The suite was magnificent, with sprawling views of the city and every amenity imaginable. Despite the luxurious surroundings, I tossed and turned all night, unable to find peace. My mind raced with thoughts of the days ahead. 

Kyra had plans  to visit her dad in Queensland where he was just visiting and then head down to Torquay in Victoria to see her mom. I knew she expected me to join her, but beyond that, the future was so uncertain.