Unwritten Rules

Under the Influence

Kierra's POV

"Kierra?" he said, his voice a mix of confusion and worry. "What are you doing here?"

"I... I don't know," I stammered, my words slurring slightly. "I just needed to see you. I didn't know where else to go."

Mike's gaze softened, though he still looked troubled. He stepped aside, allowing me to come in without hesitation. I stumbled slightly as I entered the house, feeling both the warmth of the familiar surroundings and the weight of the situation I had found myself in.

The living room was dimly lit, and the quiet of the house seemed to amplify the tension. Mike guided me to the couch, his movements gentle and careful. He sat down beside me, his concern evident as he looked at me.

"What's going on?" he asked softly. "Why are you here like this?"

I tried to gather my thoughts, but the alcohol made it difficult to articulate what I was feeling. I felt a wave of vulnerability wash over me as I struggled to find the right words.

"I... I'm sorry," I said, my voice breaking. "I didn't mean to come here like this. I've just been... I've been going through so much, and after talking with Josh, I felt like I needed to see you. I didn't know how else to handle it."

Mike's expression softened further, though he still looked concerned. He reached out and gently touched my arm, his touch comforting. "Kierra, you don't have to apologize for coming here. But you need to take care of yourself. This isn't the way to handle things."

I nodded, tears welling in my eyes. "I know. I just... I don't know what to do. Everything feels so messed up right now. I miss us, Mike. I miss what we had, and I don't know how to fix it."

Mike took a deep breath, his eyes searching mine. "I miss what we had too. But we need to be honest with each other and with ourselves. Showing up like this isn't going to solve our problems."

I felt a lump form in my throat as I tried to hold back my tears. "I know. I just... I needed to be here, even if it was the wrong way to do it. I needed to see you and talk to you, even if I'm not thinking clearly right now."

Mike looked at me with a mixture of sadness and empathy. "We need to talk, Kierra. But we need to do it when we're both in a better place, when we can really focus on what we're saying and how we're feeling. This isn't the right time."

"When is the right time?"

"Kierra, I --"

"Kierra?" Mike's mother appeared from upstairs, looking so worried. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, feeling a deep sense of shame and regret.  I looked up at Mike "I'm sorry for showing up like this. I just... I needed to reach out, even if it was in the wrong way."

"I'll go home now, mom-- I mean Mrs. Albarez" I smiled warmly at his mom.

"Stay here, I can't let you go home looking like that" His mother worriedly said.

"It's okay Mrs. Albarez--" she cut in.

"It's still Mom for you" I looked at her surprised, my gaze looked upon Mike, him giving me a genuine smile.

"M-mom, I can manage going home, it's okay." I reassured her.

"I'll take care of her, Mom, don't worry" I saw him tapped him mom's arms.

Mike helped me to my feet, guiding me gently to the door. "Let's get you home, okay? You need to rest and take care of yourself. We can talk more when you're ready."