Interlinked- Kyra Cooney-Cross

*NINE*

The couch felt bare, the air felt cold, blood rushing in my ears, heavy breathing at the realization of everything I had just ruined.

With just a simple white lie.

I was torn: my heart told me to go after her, confess my feelings however my head told me that maybe I should repress my sexuality and fit into social norms. Plus, it was raining heavily.

"She went that way." A quiet voice hummed in my ear.

Surprised, I turned beside me to see Vic, offering a sympathetic smile and knowing glance before adding on, "You should go after her."

Taking in her words, I realized she was right. Why would I let the most gorgeous girl slip through my fingers to please others?

Kyra was my world. The light in my life. The reason I woke up and went to sleep, a smile permanently marked on my face.

"Thank you." I replied frantically, getting up and weaving my way through the crowd of drunk teammates to the door.

My hand cupped the bronze doorknob, the smooth metal caressing my palm, the coldness sinking into my veins, the enormity of the situation finally penetrating my hard exterior. If I opened the door right now, to the freezing, wet weather, potentially it could open a new opportunity in my life where my life would be warm and bright no matter the weather.

Without a second thought, I swung the door open and stepped into the hammering rain, slowly soaking through Kyra's t-shirt I was wearing. But I didn't care.

I didn't care, when I began to run down the street, screaming her name.

I didn't care, when I could see people's judging stares.

I didn't care when my ear filled with water, my hearing becoming distorted.

I only cared when my eyes finally met the back of her head.

"Kyra." I screamed out, desperate to have my voice heard over the pattering of rain on the path.

Abruptly, she turned, a look of confusion which twisted into anger when her eyes met mine.

"Please just listen." I plead, my hair sticking to my face, a mixture of sweat and rain.

I took the queue to step forward, closing the gap as she stood deathly still.

"What's his name?" She croaked out, her tear-filled voice catching me off-guard and breaking my heart.

"What?" I ask, not thinking straight.

"This boy you like." She took a while to say that, like the words didn't fit in her mouth properly.

"He doesn't exist." I answer exasperating, blinking water out of my eyes, "He never has."

It was her turn to look puzzled, scanning my eyes for a sign of comfort.

I bring a hand to my forehead and sigh, frustrated with myself, " It's just a mechanism...I guess, I'm not really fully confident with my sexuality yet?"

"You lied." She spoke with a slight sharpness in her voice.

I nodded guiltily, "But Kyra-"

The Australian interrupted me, her face dripping in what could be the rain or tears, "What the fuck Evie, did you just do that to hurt me?"

"No...please, listen." I try to reach for her hands but she pulls away coldly.

"You knew. You fucking knew I liked you." She snarls, turning away to wipe her face, "It was obvious to everyone, even Katie said."

"You like me?" I ask, my heart swelling, a lump in my throat growing.

"I did." Kyra commented, looking down at her trainers, "Then you ruined it."

"Kyra please." I beg her again, sounding desperate as I clung onto her shirt, attempting to stop her leaving.

"Get a taxi back, you can book it in my name and charge my card." She removed my hand from her shirt and pulled back, digging her hand into the depths of her pockets and lowering her head.

All I could do was watch. Watch her turn and leave, disappearing into the darkness.

"You're back early." Chris commented as I stumbled into my home.

I looked a sight, eyes puffy and soaking absolutely head to toe, worse than Brendon on a soggy rugby day.

"What happened?" She came out the kitchen, drying her hands on a worn tea towel as she caught my devastated expression in the moonlight.

I didn't answer, instead, I strode towards her, wrapping my arms around her and nestling my head in her neck, sobbing my heart out.

I expected her to flinch at my damp clothes, that didn't even belong to me, but Chris just hugged me tighter, her arms shielding me from this overwhelming pit of sadness.

Sniffling, I pulled away, pushing a strand of hair out of my eyes, "Is Brendon home?"

"No, he's out with friends." She softly responded, rubbing my hand soothingly, "Why?"

"I need too.... talk to you about something." I stumble, dragging her by the hand into the living room, sitting my wet joggers on the soft burgundy sofa.

Chris took a heavy seat beside me, panic expressed in her eyes, the twinkle of joy gone.

Taking a deep breath, I told her everything. All about Kyra, even all the embarrassing details, like my utter obsession.

"What I'm trying to say is..." I start, picking at my fingernails.

"You like Kyra in a more than friends way?" My adoptive mum spoke out, finishing my sentence.

"Yeah basically." I chuckle at the irony of the situation. Kyra didn't even want me anymore but here I was, coming out to my own family for her, "But I knew I liked girls before I met Kyra."

Beaming, Chris threw a hand around my shoulder bringing me in for a tight squeeze, "Oh Evie, you do scare me, I genuinely thought something was wrong."

"You're not angry?" I bite my lip, pulling away to scan her face.

"No of course not." She sighed, patting my knee, "Why would I be.... I'm so glad you feel like you can be yourself truly."

"Thanks mum." I gulped, the word slipping out accidentally. However, It felt right in the situation. My real mum wasn't there for my first game for Arsenal, or arranged for me to meet Kelly Smith in person, but Chris did. My mum wasn't here for me to share a personal fact that changed the entire trajectory of my life, but Chris was, and she still loved me just as much.

"I made chocolate chip cookies." Chris got up and dragged me up by my hand, "I'll let you have the first one, just don't tell Brendon."

I chuckled as I was led into the kitchen, the aroma of freshly baked goods almost helping my mind to ease.

I even forgot about Kyra.

For like two minutes.