Anything But Ordinary

Part 2

As we arrived at the house, Kenan gently woke Leo and helped him out of the car. He then carefully carried Kiera, who was still asleep, towards the house. Meanwhile, Arda walked beside me, his presence comforting and steady in the quiet night.

Once inside, Arda opened the front door and noticed my suitcases near the entrance. Kenan must have dropped them off earlier. "Let me get those for you," Arda said, effortlessly picking up my suitcases.

"I'll show you around quickly, though it's late," he offered with a warm smile.

I nodded, grateful for his help. He led me through the house, pointing out the living room, kitchen, and a small bathroom. The tour was brief, and I could tell he was trying to be efficient, but I appreciated the gesture.

"This is your room," Arda said, opening the door to a cosy guest room. He set my suitcases down by the bed. "And the bathroom is just down the hall. If you need anything, feel free to ask me," he added, a hint of warmth in his eyes.

"Thank you," I replied. "I'll unpack everything tomorrow. It's too late, and you all have practice early in the morning. We should get some sleep."

Arda nodded in agreement. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to come to me," he said, not even mentioning my brother.

"Goodnight," I said softly.

"Goodnight," he replied before leaving the room.

---

The next morning, I walked into the living room to find Kenan stirring on the sofa. He rubbed his eyes, looking a bit groggy. "Morning," he greeted, stifling a yawn.

"Morning, Kenan," I replied. "Did you sleep here all night?"

He nodded, stretching. "Yeah, I carried Kiera to my bedroom last night since she was asleep, and Leo took the other guest room. There wasn't anywhere else for me to sleep."

I felt a pang of guilt. "You should have woken me. I would have shared my room with Kiera."

Kenan shook his head, a smile on his lips. "No, it's fine. You needed your rest. Besides, the sofa's not that bad."

I smiled back, grateful for his kindness. "Well, thank you. But tonight, you'll sleep in your bed, okay?"

"Deal," he said, standing up. "Now, how about some breakfast before we head to practice?"

"Sounds perfect," I replied, feeling a sense of warmth and belonging. Despite the challenges and the rules, I was excited about the days ahead and the connections forming around me.

Kenan and I walked to breakfast together, the smell of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the house. As we entered the kitchen, we found Arda and Leo already up, chatting animatedly. Kiera was still asleep, missing from the lively scene.

"Should we wake her up?" I asked, glancing at Kenan.

Kenan shook his head immediately, his protective instincts kicking in. "No, we shouldn't."

Leo, Arda, and I all smirked and exchanged knowing glances. "Why are you being so protective about your sister's best friend?" Leo teased, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Kenan's face turned a light shade of pink as he tried to deny it. "I'm just looking out for her, that's all."

"Oh, sure," I said, giggling. "That's definitely it."

Arda chuckled, joining in on the fun. "Yeah, definitely nothing else going on there."

Despite Kenan's protests, he couldn't hide the simple smile that crept onto his face once the teasing had died down.

As we continued breakfast, I couldn't help but enjoy the warmth and camaraderie in the room. It was a perfect start to the day.

-

At the training grounds, the team was already warming up. Kenan introduced me to the coach, who welcomed me warmly but reiterated the no-dating rule within the team. I assured him I understood, though my thoughts were already wandering to Arda.

Watching the practice was exhilarating. Kenan was in his element, his skills and leadership on full display. Arda, too, was impressive, his movements precise and fluid. I found myself captivated by the intensity and camaraderie of the team.

During a break, Arda jogged over to where I was standing. "Enjoying the practice?" he asked, his breath slightly labored from the exertion.

"Very much," I replied, smiling. "You guys are amazing."

He grinned. "Thanks. Maybe we can show you around the city later, if you're up for it."

"I'd like that," I said, feeling a warm flutter in my chest.

Kenan approached us then, his expression serious. "Arda, we need to discuss the next drill."

Arda nodded, giving me a quick smile before heading back to the field with Kenan. I watched them go, my mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead.

As the day wore on, we all headed back to the house. Kenan suggested a movie night, and soon we were all settled in the living room. By the time I arrived, all the seats had been taken. Leo, Kenan, and Kiera sat on the sofa, with Kenan and Kiera sitting next to each other. Only spots on the floor next to Arda were left, so I settled down beside him.

The movie played, but my attention was divided between the screen and the presence of Arda beside me. At one point, our hands brushed as we reached for the popcorn simultaneously. I felt a jolt of electricity at the contact, and when I looked at him, his eyes were already on me, filled with an unspoken understanding.

Partway through the movie, Kiera had fallen asleep on Kenan's shoulder. Kenan kept stroking her hair gently to keep her asleep, a soft and tender look of admiration on his face. Despite his earlier denials, it was clear how much he cared for her.

As the movie drew to a close and the credits began to roll, Kenan carefully picked Kiera up in his arms. "I'll put her in my room to sleep," he said, heading towards the stairs.

"Kenan, you don't have to sleep on the sofa," I protested. "She can sleep in my room with me."

But Kenan wouldn't take that suggestion. "It's fine. I'll be comfortable enough on the sofa," he insisted, his protective nature evident.

Reluctantly, I let it go. Arda lingered in the hallway as Kenan carried Kiera upstairs, and we shared a quiet moment together.

"Goodnight," he said softly, his gaze intense.

"Goodnight," I replied, my heart pounding.

As I closed my door, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held. Despite the obstacles, I felt a sense of excitement and hope. This was just the beginning, and I was ready to see where this journey would take me.