ethereal (k.l.)

•FOURTY ONE•

hiiii i wanna communicate with you guy more so if you have any questions for me, comment them and i'll answer!

•••

It's been a few days since Kian and I came home. I haven't spoken to Rachel at all, I've pretty much just been hanging out with Kian and our friends. No one talks about prom night, which I'm grateful for. I've tried my best not to think about it.

"Are you coming to my house tonight?" Kian asked me as we climbed into his car. School had just ended and most of the time I go to his home so I can avoid my own, but tonight I wanted to be with my mom and finally get back into routine.

I shook my head, "No, I'm gonna have dinner with my mom tonight." I said and he nodded. He started driving me home like he always does as I sang along to the song on the radio. His hand was wrapped up in mine while the other was resting on the steering wheel. I turned my head and kept my eyes locked on his face so I could gaze over every feature. I've done this more times than I can count, but it never gets old.

I could've lost Kian that night when I ran away. I yelled and pushed him out, he could've easily decided to let me be and handle his own problems. He would never do that, but he's had the choice plenty of times. He always chooses me, and I never really know why. Why am I worth it to him?

"Where's your dad?" I randomly broke the silence. It was just Kian and his mom at their house, and I've never really wondered if his dad was in the picture. He knows everything about me but I never seem to ask about him.

"Um," He started, obviously taken off guard from the question. "He lives in Bakersfield. Why do you ask?"

"Sorry, I've just never seen him around. I was curious." I shyly glanced down at my feet while quickly realizing how personal and insensitive the question was. "I just wanted to ask since I don't know much about your family and you just spent three days with my dead beat dad." I chuckled nervously.

Kian lifted my chin up and sent me a smile. "No, it's okay. My mom and dad got a divorce when I was five and I only see him from time to time. If you wanna meet him, we can do that."

"Only if you want me to." I said, then looked out the window while he pulled into my driveway to see my mom standing in front of the door. I turned back to Kian and kissed his cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow, I love you."

"I love you, too." He smiled as I got out of his car. He drove away once I walked inside.

My mom welcomed me with a short lived hug before we walked into the kitchen. "So, you and Kian are pretty serious, huh?" She looked at me for a second before beginning to set the table. "Like, are you guys in love?"

I sense a weird and awkward conversation coming on. "Um, yeah. Why do you ask?"

She shrugged, "No reason. I just like seeing you happy."

I smiled at her words. My mom has been very good at being a mom lately, and I've been really happy about how our relationship was growing. I wasn't mad about the letter anymore or her not letting me see Kian all those months ago. It was water under the bridge for both of us. But there was still someone in this family that will be very hard for me to forgive.

Speak of the devil, Rachel walked into the kitchen with her head hung low and her natural curls tied up in a messy bun. I avoided looking at her and began setting the food on the table. We all sat down as an uncomfortable silence swallowed the air. I just minded my business and ate my dinner since I didn't have any intentions of speaking to her just yet.

•••

The next day, Kian and I made plans to go see a movie after school. He had to bring his mom lunch so I got a ride home from Selena. When she parked in my driveway, she turned to me. "So, did you and Kian have some fun in Virginia?" She asked while wiggling her brows.