||6x Featured|| Mirna Conlins has a confession: She likes being a runaway. And now, given the chance, Mirna wants to disappear. She just needs some cash before she goes. Watch how her plan unravels as the new boys in town get tangled in her web of l...
Deb pulls the car into Kaden's driveway, and we all pile out. "I'm so glad you came," Deb says. She goes up and gives Kaden a hug. Jeez, how embarrassing! "I know it will get better for you," she tells him, which ticks me off big time. You can't promise something like that Deb! It'll hurt too much if things stay the same for him!
Deb pulls away and gives him a big smile. She goes on to hug Logan. He hugs her back, just as awkwardly as Kaden hugged her. She just met them! Why is she being so clingy. Ugh!
I brush off my annoyance and tilt my head at Kaden. He stares straight into my eyes, and I wonder what color they are right now. I take the plunge and hug him before I can second guess myself. "You're gonna make it," I tell him, following Deb's poor example. Broken promises hurt, but maybe, just maybe, he'll listen to my suggestions and it'll actually help him. I sure do hope so! Kaden's heart pounds so hard I can feel it as we hug.
I let him go and switch to hug Logan, to keep it fair, just like Deb did. Man, I need to pick a twin, like, I should have decided yesterday. Ugh, I need to stop it! I'm leaving. I can't pick either of them!
Nessa jumps out of the car, still following Kaden around. She's been treating him like her new owner. It makes me feel so many mixed feelings, and so many thoughts run through my head.
What if I didn't sell Nessa? What if I gave her to Kaden instead? He could definitely use her, that's for sure. And it would be nice if Nessa didn't have to go to a complete stranger.
But I need the money. And besides, Kaden's family is obviously loaded. Just look at their house! I should just suggest he try to get his own seizure dog. Let them pay for their own dog, the way it should be!
But the waiting list for service animals could take a year! Maybe... I could sell Nessa to them? Well, that is a dumb idea! I'd never get the money. Deb would get the money. Even though Nessa is technically my dog. I bet she'd put the money in an account for my college education or some stupid idea like that. I roll my eyes.
Kaden kneels and runs his hands over Nessa's ears.
Deb and I get back in the car. Kaden stands and comes up. Like a pro, he points at the car and says, "In." Nessa jumps right into the back seat, and he even shuts the door for us.
"Thanks Kaden," I tell him. "See you tomorrow." I wave and then Deb backs the car out of the driveway, and just like that, we head down the street.
I wish we could have actually hung out, but I'm glad he came to group with us. I hope it helps. I'm glad I was able to do something to give him a chance at taking back his life from his epilepsy.
I just wish I could stick around long enough to see if it makes a difference. The thought makes me second guess my plan.
But I've made my plan for a good reason. I can't change my mind now, especially not now that Kaden and Logan are here. I need to keep them safe, and the best way to do that is to leave.
"Can we talk?" Deb asks.
Oh boy, here it comes. She's about to boss me around in that annoying way she has where she thinks she's my mom so she can force me to do things. I roll my eyes and ignore her question.
"I saw you, with Kaden. I can tell that you like each other."
I play with the window, pushing the button to open it an inch and then put it back up, over and over.
"...Mirna, are you listening to me?"
I huff a breath and turn to look at her. "What?"
"I know you don't need me to spell it out for you. There's two boys, Mirna. You can't date them both. If you pick the wrong one, you'll break the other one's heart."
"I'm not going to date either one of them, Deb, so stop trying to boss me around like you're my mom!"
Her face caves in, and I know I hurt her with my harsh words. But I don't care. She can't meddle in my life!
"I'm just trying to help Kaden. He needs help to take his life back, obviously. So what's the problem with that?" I snap at her.
"I suppose the problem is that he likes you. So, you'll have to deal with that when he tries to make advances."
"He's not going to make advances, Deb!" I roll my eyes. Ugh, she's so... Ugh!
"He certainly will, so you need a plan. You need to rehearse a speech you can give him, to let him down easy and explain that you don't think you should date him."
"Stop telling me what to do!"
"Fine!" She turns the car into our driveway rather suddenly, and I grab the dashboard as the car jostles its way across the gutter. As soon as the car is parked, I get out and slam the car door as hard as I can. Then I retreat up to my bedroom and collapse on my bed.
Deb doesn't know what she's talking about. I'm going to be long gone before Kaden makes advances! So I don't need a stupid speech. I just need to stay away from him all week. I can handle that. Can't I?
But the thought puts a deep frown on my face, and for like the hundredth time, I wish I didn't have to run away. It's like my brain is unconsciously drawing me closer to Kaden. He's poking me, like a gentle tap on the shoulder, and I can't help but turn toward him, no matter how hard I try to pull away. Or push him away. Or slap him to make him hate me so he'd leave me alone.
Ugh!
I'd have to get seriously creative if I want to see him again without giving him hope that he's the guy for me. But I need to see him again. I can't handle the idea that I'd never see him again.
I lean over and dig out his picture from under my bed. The drawing I made of him last week. In its surreal style, the drawing is really something to be proud of. At least I have this little piece of him I can take with me when I leave. I should finish the drawing eventually, but not right now.
I sigh all melodramatically as I hold the drawing against my heart. Then I push my pillow against my face. I let out a scream into my pillow, so hard that I'm sure Deb still hears me. She taught me that move. It's pretty pathetic. I've learned so much from her. Like everything I taught the members at the meeting today. It all came from her. And it helped me take my life back from my epilepsy. After everything she's done to help me, I'm just going to disappear on her. It's just not fair to her.
But I need to leave.
I wipe the tears off my face and go to the bathroomto take a shower, so that I can let myself cry, and she'll never know.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Here's a fun announcement! In My Head second edition is coming to Kindle Unlimited on November 30th in honor of National Epilepsy Awareness Month! You can preorder it now, with the link in my bio. The second edition has only three points of view, and I added scenes to the book. Plus I changed stuff based off feedback from a reader with epilepsy. So check it out if you have enjoyed this series. Thanks for the support!
With this chapter, I will mark this book complete. Miri's story will continue in a sequel which you will be able to get for free if you purchase In My Hands second edition, and sign up for my newsletter using the QR Code at the end of that book! My release date is March 26th, 2025, which is National Epilepsy Awareness Day.
How badly do you want to know why Mirna wants to leave? Do you want to read the next book to see if the twins can change her mind and convince her to stay?
