Hookup ✓ [MikhAiah] [Book #3]

45 | Finale

—🐶—

It finally makes sense now. Slowly, the pieces fall into place, and the fragments of my dreams align. Miki has always been there for me... she was that kid.

The memory flashes before me, clearer than ever this time. The familiar scene unfolds. I'm sitting on the red swing, small legs barely touching the ground. The air feels warm and heavy with nostalgia.

A voice calls out in the distance. "Aria!"

I look up and see a little kid running toward me, her short hair bouncing with each step. "Hi, Miki!"

"Are you alone?" she asks, breathless but grinning.

I nod, holding tightly to the chains of the swing. "Mhm."

Miki hops onto the swing next to mine, her school backpack still slung across her shoulders. "Where's Chase?"

"She had to go home early," she says casually, kicking her feet against the ground to start swinging.

I turn to face her. "Oh, you guys just got home from school?"

Miki nods. "Yeah. I mean, I wouldn't be here with a backpack on if we didn't," she replies with a hint of sarcasm.

I chuckle, shaking my head. "Blunt as always," I say as I hop off the swing.

Miki follows my lead. "What about you? Don't you have school?"

I shrug. "I have a teacher at home," I reply.

"Damn," Miki says with wide eyes. "That must be fun. Not going to school and just staying at home."