Thirteen Summers

forty-nine

THIRTEEN SUMMERS

Josie and Kiara sat in a small hidden corner in the school library, surrounded by the quiet hum of students studying and the faint rustling of pages. It was a sharp contrast to the chaos of the cafeteria, and Josie had come here seeking peace.

She was becoming used to eating lunch alone, escaping the noise and the clatter to steal a few moments of solitude, divulging in her secret habit. But today, Kiara had insisted on joining her.

"You know." Kiara said between bites of her sandwich, her voice louder than necessary in the silence of the library, "I think I might be the only person, other than you, who doesn't dread this place. Everyone else treats it like a dungeon, but it's actually kinda cosy."

Josie smiled faintly, watching Kiara as she chewed, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

Kiara's energy was always infectious, even in a place as quiet as the library.

There was a contrast to Kiara's brash, bold nature and Josie's soft, introverted demeanor, but they balanced each other out in a way Josie couldn't quite explain.

She admired Kiara more than she cared to admit.

Kiara noticed Josie's gaze and grinned. "What? Got something on your mind, Josie?"

Josie quickly blinked, feeling her cheeks heat up.

She looked down at her salad, pretending to study the sad lettuce. "Uh, nothing."

Kiara raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Right. So, what's the deal with you and Aiden? You guys were very chatty in class earlier."

Josie's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Aiden. She hadn't expected Kiara to bring him up, especially not now.

Aiden was Josie's good friend, the one person who had made her feel at home when she first moved to this place.

The thought of anyone, especially someone like Jade, getting closer to him made a knot tighten in her chest. But she didn't want to seem jealous, she wasn't jealous, right?

"Nothing," Josie replied, a little too quickly. "He's just my friend and anyway, Jade likes him. I'm still surprised about that."

Kiara smirked, clearly catching the edge in Josie's voice. "I see, you never thought she'd go for him?"

Josie fiddled with her fork, her throat suddenly dry. "I guess I didn't think about it but it's fine."

Kiara leaned in a little closer, her green eyes gleaming. "Uh-huh. Sure you're not upset about it?"

Josie's heart thudded louder in her chest.

Aiden.

Josie's good friend since she moved here.

The one person she could always talk to without fear, the one person who made her feel... well, normal.

The thought of Jade liking him didn't sit right with Josie, but she didn't know why. She was supposed to be okay with it. After all, Aiden was just her friend. Right?

Kiara studied Josie, her expression turning more curious. "You okay?" she asked, tilting her head.

Josie quickly nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, of course."

Kiara didn't seem convinced, but she dropped the subject, leaning back in her chair and stretching her arms above her head. "So, you know what I'm relieved about?"

Josie glanced at her, trying to hide her nervous energy. "What?"

"I'm relieved that you don't like Aiden." Kiara said bluntly, watching her with a faint grin. "It would've been way too awkward for me if you did."