Dedicated to MissHS

for making the most beautiful covers for this story. The present cover picture is also made by her.

I was worried about Kiera. I had resorted to going to my house, eating, taking showers and coming back to her house. She didn't open the door so I stayed outside in case she ever needed me. I saw her through the windows. She was cleaning the house arranging everything. How could people clean so much? At least she had food in there. She used to keep frozen foods.

On the third day it got irritating. Why couldn't she just let me in ? I remembered the spare key that was tied with the wind charm. It didn't look much like a key but it was one and Kiera had used it once when we spent time here.

I unlocked the door and went in. I looked around. Everything was scattered.. Kiera was sprawled on the drawing room floor with some pictures. She was just staring at them. She didn't even look at me. Did she even hear my footsteps?

"Kiera?" I asked. No response. I went and touched her shoulder and she cringed before looking at me.

"Oh, Stefan...," she realized it was me.

"Sweety, what are you doing?" I asked calmly because she looked a little paranoid.

"I'm arranging these," she replied. I sat down beside her waiting for her to finish. Morning turned to night but she didn't stop. She was in a state of shock I think. The pictures looked like they were of her childhood.

"Kiera, stop now," I told her. She pretended not to hear me. I had had enough. I picked her up easily in my arms as she protested.

"Stefan what-," I cut her off.

"You listen to me, you need a bath and proper food and sleep," I told her and took her to the washroom. I made her stand under the shower and turned on the water. Then I came out and waited outside. She came out after 30 minutes. I engulfed her in a hug. I didn't know what to do.

"Thank you," she said and smiledinto my chest.
That was the Kiera I knew.

"C'mon lets cook something," I told her as I held her hand ad pulled her downstairs.

I heated some frozen pizza and we sat to eat .

"I have been overreacting, haven't I?"she murmured.

"No, Kiera, it's okay. You went through a lot so it was reasonable. But why did you move out?" I asked the question that I couldn't find the answer to.

"I'm tired of living in his shadow, Stefan. They make me feel like they are going to lose me too and I am going to be responsible for the pain they feel," she said.

"I had to be the strong one when he died. I held them together. I moved back. They make me feel like I'm still in high school. Don't I get to have a life too? Shouldn't they have a life too?" she added with a sigh.

"Yes you deserve a life and they do too," I told her. Of course she deserved to live like she wanted.

"Kiera, I know it's rotten timing but I wanted to know-," I started saying then hesitated.

"Yes?" she urged me to go on.

"Do you like-," I stopped hoping it wouldn't sound weird.

"Hmm?" she waited.

"Do you like Ryan?" I asked. She looked at my expression whih I'm pretty sure showed possesiveness and laughed. I glared.

"Hmmm.. I need to think about that," she answered. Was she teasing me?

"Why would you need to think about it? Do you like him or not?" I asked. God, give me patience.

"I like him... as a friend," she said and looked at me. I sighed with relief.

"And that kiss?" I asked like an idiot.

"That 'almost'-kiss was nothing," she assured me and I actually felt happy. She was mine. Mine? Okay I would have to work on the possesiveness thing.

I was glad Kiera was back to normal. Those 3 days were insufferable. I took her to bed to sleep after finishing eating.

"Will you lie down with me?" she asked. Who could say no? She was so pretty and her heart was so pure and god... I love her.

I lied down beside her. After some time she rolled over and hugged me, placing her head on my chest.

"Thank you, Stefan. For saving me. And for so much," she murmured and yawned. Seeing her yawn made me yawn too and she laughed. I laughed with her.

She murmured something before falling asleep but I didn't hear. It was just a whisper. I kissed her forehead and closed my eyes feeling ecstatically happy for the first time in years.

Happy chapter😆 Finally the exams are over. I am going to try to update regularly but if I cannot then I'm sorry. Please no hate mail for late updates.

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