The Girl in Cleats

⚽️Chapter 38⚽️

{Asher POV}
I find myself in complete darkness, and the cold nips at my bare skin. I can't see anything, so I stretch my hands out in front of me, grasping for something, anything. I must look like a zombie.

"Asher?! Asher!!!" I suddenly hear Kiera scream.

"Kiera? Where are you?" I desperately call back.

Her cries are full of terror and my heart aches to be with her. I run blindly through the darkness, trying to reach her. But the farther I run, the quieter her screams become.

I must be going in the wrong direction. But, where is the right direction?

I shut my eyes, not much of a difference, but I try to focus on where the cries are coming from.

It's torture for me to not be with her. The screams are coming from all around me.

"Kiera!! Try to come to me!" I shout into the black abyss.

"Asher!!" She calls again.

"Kiera please!" I choke out.

"Asher!" Something grabs me. I react in self defense and punch someone, or something, in the face. It's skin-on-skin contact and a feminine cry of pain startles me out of the darkness.

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{Kiera POV}
"Dad, we need to talk." I say in the most commanding yet respectful voice I can.

"Ok, well that was better..." Dustin says with a wince.

Nope, not better.

We're practicing what I'm going to say to my dad, but it's clearly not going well.

"Look, Kiera, I think it would just be easier if you confronted your dad without practicing." Alexis pipes in.

"Yea I think she's right." Cameron says with a frown.

"I know she's right." I murmur sadly.

"Hey it's gonna be alright." Cameron smiles at me and wraps me in a hug.

Ah, dude smell.

Wait. Did I say that out loud?

"Thanks..." he says, blushing.

I said it out loud.

Alexis and Dustin are trying not to laugh, but they are failing miserably. I finally give in and laugh at my silliness with them. It feels good.

"Alright kiddo, go in there and show him who's boss! Respectfully, of course." Dustin says with a grin.

"Ok, group hug?" I ask.

"Of course, there's plenty of dude smell to go around." Cameron smirks.

I roll my eyes at him but give all of them a hug. As I open the door, I look back and they all simultaneously give me a thumbs up. This makes all of us laugh, and  some weight eases off of my shoulders.

We decided that I'll start with the subject of Julia, so I can slowly wade into the treacherous waters of his drinking problem.

Let's see how this goes, shall we?

It's gonna be fine.

Alright, just like last time.

Shut up.

I'm in your head, you can't shut me up.

Right.

Stupid girl.

Yea. Stupid.

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SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG EVEN THOUGH I'M ON BREAK.... I have no excuse other than I was lazy😂

Again, short chapter, but I'm taking things slow. Is that ok with you guys?

I actually cut that one short because I need to go get my dumb chickens out of the woods. So uh, bye! :)

-KD Montague