They Are There For Me (book 3 of Running Towards Home series)

CHAPTER 17

KIRA'S POV:

It's been a week since I caught Soda kissing Sandy. I haven't talked to him or the rest of the gang. I have a shift at the DX today. I'm going to quit, but if I want to get this month's pay, I have to finish off the month. This will be my last shift. I put on my work uniform, say goodbye to Dally, and walk over. I'm nervous. I hope Soda doesn't try to talk to me. I walk in. I see him already working on a car. Steve is nowhere to be seen. I walk into the store and start setting up for the day. Then Soda comes in. Shit.

"Kira, we need to talk." He tells me. I shake my head. I can already feel tears pricking at my eyes, threatening to spill down my cheeks. "There's nothing to talk about. You broke my heart." I tell him. I don't look at him again. "Kira, it was a dumb mistake. I didn't mean for it to happen. I didn't feel the fireworks with Sandy like I do with you. You are the first thing I think of in the morning and the last thing I think about before bed. You are the other half of me, my soulmate. I know you might not ever forgive me, but I love you, Kira Winston. " He says. A tear escapes my eye. He brushes it away. He looks in my eyes, and I see he's being truthful. I shouldn't forgive him, but I can't help myself. I love Soda, even if he hurt me.

I kiss him, and he kisses back. Something clicks back into place. I feel whole again. I pull away, and I smile weakly at him. "I promise, I will never hurt you like that again." He says. I believe him. I trust him, against my better judgement.

SODA'S POV:

That night, after I apologized, we had dinner with the whole gang. Kira and I sat next to each other. Everyone kept shooting us confused glances. "So, you two are back together?" Two-Bit asks. "Yeah." Kira says, smiling at me softly. Dally's eyes go wide. "What do you mean you two are back together? He cheated on you!" Dally shouts. "I apologized to her. I made a mistake, and I don't love Sandy. I love Kira." I tell him. Kira squeezes my hand.

Dally grunts. "Dal, you know Soda. He's a good guy." Kira says, smiling at me. Dally frowns. "If you ever hurt her again, I will kill you, ya hear?" He tells me. We all know he ain't joking around. The bruise on my face proves it.I sigh in relief. I thought he wouldn't be okay with us for sure. The rest of the dinner passes like normal.

I walk with Kira outside, and we sit on the stoop. "Thank you for forgiving me." I tell her. She turns to me. "I forgive you, but I won't lie. You hurt me. I'm giving you another chance, but one chance is all you'll get." She tells me. "Got it."I say, smiling. She leans her head on my shoulder and I put my arm around her. How did I get a girl like her? She's perfect.

DALLY'S POV:

I'm not happy about this, I won't lie. But I saw the way Soda looked at her during dinner. He has feelings for her. Soda is my friend, just like the rest of the gang. I care about him. Not that I would ever tell him that. I have a reputation to uphold. I just don't want him hurting Kira again. Soda better not hurt her again if he knows what's good for him. I look around for Kira, and see the front door open a bit. I peek through, and I see her with her head on Soda's shoulder. These two are cute together, I'll give them that. If Kira had to date someone, I'm glad it's Soda. He's not perfect, but he clearly loves her. I would hate to have to punch him if he breaks her heart again.