True Love's Cry

Chapter 9

In the morning, I wake up. I finally have my full vision back, so now I can get around. I look around and can tell I am alone in the tent. I slowly get up and walk out of the tent. I get over to the living area after nearly falling on my face and enter the tent. I find my dad speaking to others in my colony. As soon as I enter, everyone immediately stops talking, like they are discussing something secret.

 My dad comes over to me and says, “Hey. What are you doing today?”

 Surprised I say, “I do not know. Why?”

 “No reason. Just wondering if you would be around.”

 “I feel like you do not want me around today. I mean I am okay with that, but now I just feel unwanted.”

 My dad says, “You are not unwanted.”

 Confused I just turn and walk back over to my tent. This is a lot smoother than going to the living area. I then decide to go to the river and attempt to take a bath. I walk down past the tents to where I see the river. I am down by the river bank when I look up and see Cole coming towards me. That seems normal, for him anyways; normal people do not just show up at the river randomly every time I want to bathe.

 Cole asks, “What are you doing?”

 I reply, “What am I normally doing by the river?”

 Cole smiles. “When you are by the river you talk to babies and it is very creepy.”

 “Seriously.” I look at Cole like what is wrong with you.

 “Fine. You usually want to take a bath or something like that in the freezing cold water.”

 Under my breath I mutter, “You don't.” Then I look up at Cole saying, “That is correct now please leave.”

 Cole says, “Why do you want to take a bath in the lake with the cold water?”

 “I don't know. Maybe because there is not another option.”

 “I mean I guess you could use my bathroom where well there is warm water and soap.”

 I say, “I don't know. Maybe you should leave and I will meet you later.”

 “Alright. I'll see you later.”

 Then Cole walks away. Once he is out of sight and I know he will not come back, I undress myself. Then I get into the lake and take a bath. It is not as cold as usual, which is good. I take a deep breath and go under the water to at least wet my hair. When I reach the surface again, I finish up and climb onto the bank. I quickly get dressed and run off towards the town.

 I take the path down the river so as to avoid the colony I am not wanted at. Soon, I reach the town which is a little crowded, though I am not sure why. I find Cole and go over to him.

“Cole, what is going on? Why are there so many people?” I ask Cole with a confused look.

 “I don’t know any more than you do, Kierra.”

 Cole and I push through the huge crowd. When we get closer to the front of this neverending crowd, I spot Nakayla with someone, but he has his back turned away from the crowd talking to someone. There is a ton of newspaper reporters and paparazzi.

“I see Nakayla but there is also someone else. They must be famous considering all the reporters and paparazzi.” I tell Cole over the screams and yells of the crowd.

Then the mysterious man turns around. I gasp when I figure out that it is Parker. Cole and I both look at each other immediately.
“Kierra, I can explain.”