Message in a Bottle

Storms (27)

Chapter 27

*Ciara's POV*

At around 2 o'clock the next afternoon, I go out to take a jog. The woods behind Jordan's house are thick and consuming, it provides me shade as I run through the quiet pathway. I hear nothing but my feet pounding against the gravel and my heart beating loudly in my chest. I breathe quickly and sharply, starting to feel my throat become dry.

I used to always go for runs, the time I spent with Louis and Harry sort of stopped that for a bit. But now it feels good to get back into the swing of things. When I run I get past a point of exhaustion and it's usually my best time to think. My thinking abilities are crisp whenever I run, when I'm not they're jumbled and disordered.

Spending the night with the Renolds was fine. More than fine, actually. Even if I had any complaints though, I would have to suck them up considering I'm stuck there with no where else to go. It's pitiful to imagine, living with anyone who lets you because you're that desperate. I never thought I would reach a point like this in my life, but things could be much worse.

For starters, I could have died that night with Mike. Being with him made me discover an emotion I had never felt besides when I witnessed my parents fight. It was a numb, worthless feeling that filled my soul. I was nothing but body with him.

Now, I feel I have found my "soul." I think my soul is the people that bring out the best in me. Like Mason, Jordan, even Harry. I know I barely know Harry, to be honest, I don't know anything about him. I don't know if he prefers coffee over tea, summer versus winter or anything close to that. I only know he was there for me when I needed somebody, whether he had a choice or not. He saved me and my son that night with Mike, and a life time to thank him will never be enough.

"I've never seen you here before," a women's voice says from behind me. I jolt around, stopping my motions and staring at a tall, skinny brunette. She was wearing black Nike shorts and a pink sports bra. I stare at her in confusion, catching myself from screaming.

"This is private property, what are you doing here?" I ask, my voice in a shriek. She, the

mysterious stranger, did nothing but only smile at me. Not with her lips, but her eyes.

"I come back here all the time," she waves it off like it's no big deal. "The nature's beautiful, I love it. The owner's can't have all the good stuff," she winks as she maintains a steady walk. I follow, her now walking in front of me. I'm still in shock, how long was she behind me for? My legs feel like noodles, I can barely walk without them wobbling. "Anyways, I'm Emma."

I catch up next to her, savoring the slight breeze. "I'm Ciara," I reply quietly.

"Nice to meet you. So how come I have never seen you back here before?" Emma asks as she looks around at the trees. It seems like everything interested her, I found her looking curiously at a tree branch before responding.

"I kind of moved in with my friend," I answer, trying to not make the answer any more complicated. She shrugs, kicking at a stone on the ground.

"What's your friend's name?"

"Jordan."

"That's my favorite name. Do you have a favorite name?"

I think for a bit, wondering what I would name my daughter if I had one. "Probably Kira," I decide after racing through a bunch of my favorite names.

"That's cute, too. What about for a boy?"

"Mason." I say without thinking. "That's my son's name."

She nods, "mine would have to be Daniel." Emma continues kicking at the rock. I can't believe it, her expression didn't change a bit when I told her about Mason. Normally, people would judge me and ask me more questions but it seems like she almost knew that I hate that sort of judgement.