Chapter 24: The Swim CompetitionKiaraPrunh! Prunh! Prunh!Another horn blared off and the swimmers dived in the water, their parents cheering for them while the coaches marked down the time, making sure which team was winning; Summer High or Winter High.“So, what will I get if I win the competition?” I looked beside me at Paul, who was just wearing his swimming trunks, his wet, muscled chest on display, and I could see some freshman ogling him.I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. “You will get nothing from me, Paul. You know I am with Ethan, then why are you so hell-bent on asking me out every single day?”He blinked and replied, “Because I was an asshole for taking Shaley to the ice cream truck instead of you, and I want to show you that I can treat you better than him. At least give me a chance, Kia.”I looked over his shoulder to see a tan back with little claw marks while he talked to his swim mates. And flickered my eyes back to Paul.“I’m sorry,” I said sincerely with a
Chapter 25: I StayedKiara“Where did you go?”I closed the door and leaned my head on the cold wood, taking a deep breath and hoping I could keep up with the small talk with my father.“Swim competition, remember?” I chuckled and turned to face him. “Oh, wait, why would you? You’re too busy delivering babies in the hospital and drowning your sorrows in work rather than talking to your daughter about it.”He was sitting at the dining table reading a book with his glasses on and the dim yellow light cast a shadow over his face. He looked tired and exhausted. I swallowed the lump in my throat and walked past him. “Good night, Dad.”“Kiara.” I stopped, clenching my hands in a fist. “Come back here and sit with me. I . . . I have made dinner for us.”I said without turning, “I don’t want to eat—”“I bought Gulab Jamun's for dessert.” I looked back at him and saw him close the book, remove his reading glasses, and look at me. His obsidian eyes were warm and glistening with unshed tears
Chapter 26: I am Too SpecialEthanI listened to the beeps of my heart monitor and how it got fast when I thought about Kiara and her hurt stricken face when I said those things to her. I had never hated myself more than I did at that moment, lying to her and seeing a tear slide down her cheek just because I was being an asshole.I wanted to see her and apologize to her as soon as I said that, but I was so mad and angry. Even Liam scolded me for saying that to her when she left us. And I took all that anger out by fighting with some guys who were teasing Rio with harsh words just because of his sexuality. I couldn’t take it anymore and I snapped at them.My mothers scolded me when I came out of the unconsciousness, and I hated hurting them, seeing them sad because I couldn’t control my anger. So, when they said Kiara and everyone was waiting patiently to talk to me, I bailed. I told them I didn’t want to talk to anyone and wanted to be alone.I didn’t want Kiara to see me like this. S
Chapter 27: LoveKiaraAfter three days, we celebrated Ethan's birthday in his hospital room. By we I mean me, Rio, Volt, and Katherine, with his mothers’ permission that we wouldn't make much noise and wouldn't let him eat any sugary sweets. Katherine made sure that after some time, they would leave us alone so I could give him my own present.His present was the sketch I had earlier made for him and a blow job. We didn't have much time, but we both managed it and I was grinning widely at him when he came in my mouth, the heart monitor beeping loudly as he panted with the release.“I love you so fucking much, Kiara,” he had rasped, his voice hoarse. “Come here.” Ethan had pulled me on his lap, kissing me.I was staying with him and when the night ended, we were cuddling and talking about everything and nothing. I kissed him when he said it was his best birthday ever; minus the part when he wanted to have sex. I had turned him down. Nonetheless, we both had a great time.I was in my r
Chapter 28: My Queen and Her ThroneEthanI was in deep slumber when I felt a thick blanket tucked over my body and Kiara snuggling beside me. I smiled lazily and pulled her closer.She kissed my cheek and muttered, "I am sorry."I kissed her forehead, breathing in her coconut scent and sighed, running my hand through her soft hair. "It's all right. You can tell me whenever you're ready." My voice was husky as I was still sleepy, but I felt her smile against my chest and that was enough for both of us to sleep contently.***Later that day, Kiara was back to being normal and to 'apologizing' for her last night’s freak-out because of her hormones, as she put it. She offered me to take me on a movie date, which was more than nice. We came back home hand in hand and had dinner with Mr. Vijay, her father, because he wanted to have dinner with his daughter’s boyfriend. I was so proud of myself for dating her when she introduced me to him as her boyfriend. Even though he had given me ‘The T
Chapter 29: I Love YouEthanIt all went in a blink of an eye. Our exams, where we stayed up till four in the morning, studying and exchanging notes; sometimes a cup of noodles. During graduation, Kiara and her classmates decided to play the PornHub’s theme music at the end of Principal Inez’s speech on piano, guitar, and violin. I was so proud of her and cheered the loudest when she got her diploma.We had already packed for NYU as me, Rio, and Kiara were accepted and had gone out to dinner to celebrate. We rented a three-room apartment so we could all split up, and even though I vouched for two rooms so that I could share a room with her, Kiara insisted on three rooms.Only one day left for the prom.I had to go shopping with my mothers, Kiara, and my little sister for my tux, which I would be wearing tomorrow. When my mothers were busy cooing at baby dresses for Eveline, I was busy making out with Kiara in the dressing room. She already had a dress that she bought with her mom, so
EpilogueEthan*Three months after prom*The weather was bleak today. Dark gray clouds hovered over the sun. Everything felt gloomy and gray and . . . dull. Like sunshine was missing.I chuckled weakly, shaking my head, and rolled up from my cold, empty bed. It was ironic how my sunshine was also missing.Like a jolt, my brain yelled at me, scolded me to stop it. Stop thinking about her.Closing my eyes, I controlled my anger and when I opened my eyes, my cheeks were stained with tears. A rush of emotions surged through my body and I didn't know what to feel. It was hard to even breathe when she, my oxygen, wasn't with me. By my side.If she were still here, she would be grinning at me, dimples poking her cheeks and pulling me back to bed just for five more minutes, which would turn to an hour. But she isn’t here. She’s gone."Ethan!"A knock came from my door, making my heart jump. Is that her? Did she knock on the door? She'll be disappointed because my room wasn't organized as befo
This Bonus Scene happens after Chapter 23 when they are in the Library. Ethan“What about you two?” Rio packed his bag and looked at Kiara. She was solving a math problem, nibbling on a pencil as I shamelessly stared at her plum lips which were holding the pencil. Lucky pencil.I cleared my throat and when I finally averted my eyes from Kiara to Rio. He was smirking at me and wriggling his eyebrows. I glared at him and said, “Kiara will come with me (haha). I’ve to help her with the answer is 669, Bella.” I corrected her answer with the same pencil was between her lips and showed her the correct method.Rio snickered when Kiara shot daggers between me and her notes and let out an annoying mumble, “I hate you.” I love you too.My cheeks became warm as I looked away when he said, “Okay, lovebirds. Don’t stay up too late, the library will close soon.” Rio was the only one left with us because he had to work on his history. Everyone else had left because they were too tired after stud