"Why?" He frowns, tilting his head
She takes her eyes off the horizon and looks back at the blonde "My dad always tells me that if you make a promise while the sun sets, you can't break it"
"Well, I'm going to be cursed or something like this?" JJ...
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Before arriving at Maeve's house, Kiara had dropped JJ and Pope off at their homes after a tense night at the outdoor cinema. Pope got off first, visibly shaken, without much conversation. JJ, distant and thoughtful, preferred to be dropped off on the corner to avoid his father.
Kiara stopped her parents' car just in front of the iron gate that marked the entrance to Maeve's house. The headlights briefly illuminated the yard, casting shadows on the trees that lined the driveway.
–Looks like you have visit –Kie said, nodding toward the front steps
Maeve followed her gaze and immediately felt the knot in her stomach tighten. There, sitting on the stairs leading to the porch, was Cole, hands shoved in his pockets, looking as if he'd been waiting for a while. His car was parked just off to the side.
–It seems so –Maeve sighed, her voice heavy with the weight of what she knew was coming
She had been rehearsing this conversation in her head all day, but seeing him there made it all feel too real.
Cole stood up, raising a hand with a hopeful smile –Hey, Kie!
–Hey, Cole –Kiara called back, but her tone was flat, clearly lacking any excitement
She wasn't thrilled about Maeve still being with him, especially after everything that had happened recently.
–Well, good night –Maeve said quietly as she opened the door and stepped out of the van
–Take care –Kiara responded, her eyes lingering on Maeve –I'll see you tomorrow
The door slid shut with a soft thud, and for a moment, Kie hesitated before pulling away. She glanced in the rearview mirror, watching as Maeve stood still for a second, as if bracing herself.
Maeve took a deep breath, forcing a smile as she approached the porch, her footsteps feeling heavier with each step. She walked slowly toward Cole, who was anxiously waiting on the porch. He wore his usual Figure Eight club t-shirt and clutched a small bouquet of red tulips in his hand—flowers she didn't particularly like, but he never seemed to remember.
–Hey, babe –He greeted, trying for a smile
She sighed and raised her shoulders, her tone flat –What are you doing here?
–Eve, can we talk? Please –He said, frustration seeping into his voice
Maeve didn't want to have this conversation, not now, but she knew Cole wouldn't give up easily. And she couldn't keep avoiding it forever. Reluctantly, she stepped aside to let him in, closing the door behind them with a soft click.
–Is your dad home? –Cole asked as he scanned the familiar surroundings, the same kitchen and living room he'd been in so many times before
–No, he's at Heyward's for some kind of meeting –She tossed her keys onto the counter
