Yesterday's Happiness ( Growing Up )

Not how i pictured it

Kayla began to feel nervous when Naana drove past the old church she'd used to go to with her parents as a child.

They were almost there.

Something in her wanted Naana to turn around and take her back to the airport.

She didn't think she could do this.

She buried her face between her knees.Her palms began to sweat as she was overcome with the uncertainty of what she was doing.

"Kayla!,we're here",Naana squealed with excitement.

Kayla's stomach clenched as a memory from when they'd left this place came floating on her thoughts.Her mom had squealed with similar excited.

But that day hadn't gone so well...

Kayla sighed,clearing the unwanted memory from her thoughts.

She slowly sat up straight but kept her head lowered,delaying her encounter with the house that held so much memories for her. .

She hesitated for a heartbeat,then got out of the car.

Naana was by her side in a second and wrapped her arms around her.

"Welcome home hon",Naana whispered as she wrapped Kayla in another tight embrace.

Home

Something about that word seemed to relax her nerves as as Kayla slowly raised her head and locked gazes with the big old beautiful country house that'd been in their family for ten generations.

It was still beautiful!.

She dared a look around and was captivated by her surroundings.The trees were as greener as she had remembered.The air smelled of red earth and she could hear the sound of running water.

She had forgotten all about the stream that flowed through their backyard.

Kayla smiled when she caught on to the most powerful of all the scents.

No,it wasn't the scent of home.

It was the sweet aroma of Naana's cooking .

She'd recognize it anywhere.

Her stomach growled in response.She hadn't eaten in twelve hours.

She walked,her arms linked into Naana's towards the house.

"Surprise!",came the chorused squeals as Naana opened the door.

To say she was surprised was an understatement.Kayla couldn't believe it.

The entire community was there.Atleast almost everyone.Even Fletcher who'd bullied her in Preschool was there.He hadn't changed one bit.He still had that ugly scar on his left ear.

Her eyes grew misty and she bit back the tears.

This was too much for her to handle.

Her heart swelled with emotion.She was overwhelmed.

In the next minute,she was going round the room saying hi to everybody.She didn't know most of them,or maybe she just remember them,but they all knew her.

Even old Pastor Dan had come.

She went upstairs and changed into a more comfortable dress to suit the occasion.

Blue jeans,white top,black boots.She even put on a cowboy hat to go with the look.

As she came down the stairs,the crowded room of loud room suddenly became silent and the only sound she could hear was her own heart beating so loudly it scared her.

Why was everyone staring at her?.

She looked over to Naana and her heart broke.Her grandmother looked next to tears.When their gazes met,the old woman gave her a smile that just didn't reach her eyes.

And just then,it seemed a fog had lifted.

Kayla took one more look at herself and realized why they were all staring at her.

They weren't looking because she was just like her ........

A feeling of longing pulled at her,making her feel suddenly weak.

Determined not to ruin her first day back here with that memory,she held her stomach and frowned

"Naana,i'm starving!",she exclaimed as her face broke into a wide grin that was in contrast with the pain in her eyes.

The whole room erupted into laughter and Kayla's face flushed with embarrassment.

They went to the backyard where they sat down to eat an early dinner.She between Naana and Mr. Harrison,the owner of the ice cream joint she'd gone to every Saturday with her parents when they still lived here.

Dad!.

A feeling of guilt passed over her as she stated at Naana's famous potato and chicken before.She'd called him when she'd gone upstairs to change

He had sounded sad.

She pushed the hurtful thought away.

Dad was strong.He'd be alright.But most importantly,he'd understand that she'd only been selfish about how he felt right now because even he knew there was nobody who could resist a plate of Naana's cooking.

Satisfied,she dug in almost too quickly immediately after Pastor Dan had finished saying grace that a few eyebrows shot up in amusement.

Kayla suppressed a giggle.

And that is how Kayla had spent her first day back to Evergreen,Texas,sitting at a table eating good home cooked food and listening to stories and jokes from everyone who effortlessly made her feel at home.Even Fletcher had been nice

He'd let her have the last cheese.

Kayla looked on in admiration as everyone chatted and laughed just like they'd always done when Naana had her famous Sunday lunches.It was just as she'd remembered.

This was good.It felt good.

And that night in her bedroom alone after Naana had left after they had a ten minute chat,she sent Jay a message.

Hey :) -- Kay

He replied almost immediately.

Hey back -- Jay

She rolled her eyes.Typical of Jay to act like this.He was probably sulking because she hadn't called him when she'd arrived like she'd promised she would.

I'm sorry :) -- Kay

Sorry you didn't call 😏 or sorry you had fun without me -- Jay

Guilty of both -- Kay

Yeah,yeah. Atleast I'm comforted by the fact that you probably acted like a lost puppy without me and totally embarrassed yourself :) -- Jay

*Rolling eyes*. If that's what'll make you sleep tonight then sure go ahead 😛😛 -- Kay

Whatever.How'd it go? -- Jay

Not how I pictured it -- Kay

In English pls :) -- Jay

Kayla smiled and suddenly realized how tired she was.Forcing herself to stay awake,she jumbled some words before sleep overcame her.

It went even better :) -- Kay