Chapter 32

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by roxann_season

by roxann_season

A/N: not edited, short but this needed to be on its own.

Chapter 32 – Oakley POV

I had never thought I’d have… this. What I was actually experiencing for myself and not just on the outside or sidelines looking in, wondering and even though I wouldn’t have been the only unpopular person in the world – I didn’t think I’d be able to make friends. I mean Tera and Kiley were friends, right?

Back in Middleburg Amelia had plenty of sleepovers hosting and going to them. I on the other hand did not, but it was my own fault really, I had skipped grades, was too young to be invited or hanging out with the older girls and I wasn’t in class with the younger ones. Then I didn’t know whom to trust.

There were different reasons but I remembered having friends and when Amelia moved in, having the same group of friends until I took a step back, retreating inside. Then they continued coming over to the house but no longer to play with me, but to see Amelia. It was a small town, barely 15 kids in a classroom so if they were Amelia’s friends chances are they would’ve had to be mine too, but by then she had told everyone how I was mean to her. Parents learned how I treated Sarah and they themselves didn’t 'want me to teach my rudeness to their children.' I think by age 11 I had stopped trying, Amelia had a sleepover and it was a slap to the face how he handled it, hurting more now.

I was at a sleepover, and what was more unusual was that these girls – Tera and Kiley – had come to me, they invited me but when I couldn’t go to their house, they came to stay with me at Chelsea’s. The girls and I were watching ‘Modern Family.’

Talking in-between scenes, discussing books we had all read, they weren’t as book smart as I was, but were far more intelligent that Amelia. I didn’t have to worry that they couldn’t understand what I was talking about. With them facing away from me, eyes wide on episode one of season one, my mind was only on where I was, sniffling I was caught off guard from my own behavior.

Quicker than I could swipe the tear from my face, Kiley had jumped from her seat facing me, and Tera was turning on the light, “Are you okay? Are you in pain? Should we call Chelsea?” my eyes widened, this was different, I wasn’t in the type of pain that medicine could fix. I shook my head, “No – no I’m just happy,” they both tilted their heads to the side scrunching their eyes together to probably figure out why I would be crying if I was happy.

“Sorry, lets finish watching I’m okay,” I give my best smile and reluctantly they go back to their positions, nearly forty minutes into the movie, there was a strange knock or thud at the door, taking us by surprise. Jerking back, we snorted at the silliness, as Tera closest to the light turned it on again. Opening the door I couldn’t see anyone there, but a sudden gust of air, brought in the scent that had captured my attention, “Kieran?” Tera said in a dazed voice her hand falling to her side in – the tone so not like her.

Slinking past her he trotted over to the sofa she was sitting on, hoping up, he eyeing my leg, first, I inhaled, a small smile forming on my face, “Hey – uhm – Ki-Kiley why don’t – we – uh,” Tera looked around the room eyes darting wildly, “oh – go change, - yeah lets go get ready for bed – oh and we’ll bring down some chips and ice-cream, Chelsea said we could have some later…” Kiley just nodded a blank face, stumbling to pick up her duffle bag. Probably wouldn’t have had that little problem if she didn’t continue to stare at Kieran, he wasn’t even looking at her I huffed. No wonder he didn’t come down except for food, they made him feel like he was a sideshow. When they left, seemingly falling over each other at the door, I heard them giggling until I didn’t. I’m not sure what they were laughing at, “I don’t think they’re laughing at you Kieran,” I whispered, not wanting for them to hurt his feelings, his grey wolf eyes focusing on my face, he sniffed the air.

“Thank you for coming to see me,” I said my eyes transfixed on his black fur, wondering if his coat was as soft as it looked once again, “your sister and Kiley are sleeping over,” I murmured like it wasn’t obvious.

“I’ve never had one, I don’t want it to be too boring, I like having them here,” I said softer, “I’ve missed you,” I said my face heating, a low rumble came from him, he must have missed me too, he came here.

“I’m not sure boys are supposed to be at sleep overs, Amelia never had one at hers…” I said sadly, “Then again… I wouldn’t know. When she had them they didn’t want me there, I figured it out though. When she had sleepovers my dad would ask me if I wanted to sleep over at my uncle Grants house. We weren’t in the same classes so I’d never know, but once we went to a movie and one of the parents of the girls, she called her to see how the sleep over was going. I over heard her-”

Two women pushed into the room, cutting me off, their chests heaving, “Kiley-” – “Te-” I stared at them, my mouth wide open, one was searching the room the other, the woman that looked like Tera, her mouth just hung open as she gaped at Kieran. Swiveling, he turned his grey eyes on the woman, before leaping off the sofa and exiting the room, the same unsure face Tera left the room wearing was now plastered on this woman.

“Hi – I’m Tera and Kieran’s mom, Carla Ryan…” her brown eyes glassy, “Are the girls-”

“They went to get ready for bed and change and then they’re bringing down snacks,” I interrupted, gazing at Tera’s mom, wondering what Kieran looked like, until I saw Kiley’s mom become twitchy and glancing behind her.

“Is… is something wrong?” I asked sitting up more, “no – no” they both shook their heads at me, “We’ll go see if we can find them-”

“Mom?” Kiley asked confused, “what’s wrong? What are you and Mrs. Carla doing here?” her voice echoing in the hallway, Tera following her with a bowl of what smells like popcorn and three ice teas tucked between her arm and torso.

“Oh we just… wanted to talk to you girls…” they started off slowly, their eyes wet, filled with… I couldn’t find the right word, but just then, the two mothers eyed the other.

“You’ve all spent a lot of time with Brian Simeon… we were just wondering if he’s ever done something that made you feel… uncomfortable?” Kiley and Tera both shook their heads, their eye brows knitted, the moms nodded but something was wrong, but I just couldn’t tell what. “Are you okay mom?” Tera whispered, her mom nodded, giving her a soft smile, and I wondered for a moment if Kieran had her smile.

“Sorry to ruin and interrupt, you girls have a nice night,” Carla said, the two women leaving as they came, “that was weird… did mom see you here with Kieran?” Tera asked the look in her eyes made me duck my head down, but I nodded. The giggling back, but oddly I let out a little giggle of mine own.

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