CHAPTER 63

You are still coming over today aren't you? -Kaiden.

I roll my eyes at the text I have just received, dreading the moment I step into his house. I know for a fact that it will definitely be awkward.

(To Kaiden) Yeah, I said I was didn't I? ~K~

Just checking. -Kaiden.

Again, I find myself rolling my eyes at the screen. I don't bother replying to it as I throw my phone on the sofa as I browse through the channels. 'Are you sure you don't want to come?' Lily asks as she pops her head through the door, referring to shopping.

 'No, I don't.'

'Kiera,' she sighs loudly.

'Lily,' I reply in the same tone. She rolls her eyes and sits down beside me.

'Why won't you come?' She asks.

'Lily, you're supposed to meeting up with the others and you're going to be late. I reply and she shakes her head at me before getting up to leave the house. 

I look up to the clock hanging on the wall which reads 14:15. I sigh because time is going too fast for my liking. I get up from the sofa and head to my bedroom.

I get dressed in a grey mini skirt and a grey shirt. I slip on my grey vans and pull my hair into a high ponytail. I grab my phone before taking a deep breath and leaving the house.

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I stand outside Kayden’s door, not being able to bring myself to knock on the door. 'Kiera, how are you?' I turn around to meet Elaine who is also standing outside Kayden’s doorstep.

'Fine, you?' I return the question because I think it’s the polite thing to do.

 'I'm good. Are you visiting Kaiden?'

'Unfortunately,' I mumble and she chuckles.  She rings the doorbell, beating me to it. Esmé answers the door with a smile on her face.

 'Hey, come on in.' I look at Elaine, wanting her to go in first and she seems to understand as she walks inside, with me following shortly behind. 'Would you guys like a drink?' She asks as she turns to face Elaine and me. Before I can say anything, Zoe Lynn appears as she tugs on my legs. I bend down to knee level to face the young child.

 'Hello.' I coo and she giggles before hiding her face. 'Aren't you a shy little one?' I say as I scoop her in my arms. She giggles and plays with my pink ends that she has access too. 

'Kiera, do you want a drink?' Esmé asks me smiling at Zoe Lynn and I's interaction. 

'No thanks,' I reply and she raises her eyebrows. 'Honestly, its fine,' I say a little more believably as she nods and her and Elaine walk into one of the rooms. I put Zoe Lynn on the ground and she reaches for my hand. I smile at her, holding her hand and she tugs at my hand, taking me to the living room. 

She sits on the sofa and I stand up looking at her. I sit down beside her, snapping out of my thoughts. She smiles and her eyes go to the TV in front of us which is currently on the CBEEBIES channel. 

I rest my head on the sofa and get my phone out as Zoey Lynn is no longer entertaining me. I notice I have a text message from Joe and I take a deep breath before opening it.

We need to talk. ¬Joe¬

I cringe as I read those four words repeatedly.

(To Joe) We don't need to do anything. You want to walk. There is a difference. ~K~

Kiera. ¬Joe¬

I roll my eyes at his reply but I can tell that he is deadly serious. I wait for a while, thinking he'll send another text. But seconds turn into minutes and I realise it is my turn to reply.

(To Joe) Fine. When and where? ~K~

I shake my head at myself for the fact that I've fallen into his trap very quickly.

In an hour at Paradise Cafe. Can you make it? ¬Joe¬

(To Joe) Yes, I can. ~K~

Great, I'll see you there! ¬Joe¬

What have I gotten myself into?

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'Daddy!' I hear Zoe Lynn’s voice which snaps my attention away from my phone. I look up to see Kaiden holding her in his arms.

 'Where did you come from?' I ask raising my eyebrows. 

'I popped out for a little while,' he says briefly.

'Interesting,' I sarcastically reply and he rolls his eyes. 

'I didn't even think you were coming to be honest,' he admits as he sits beside me with Zoey Lynn on his lap. 

'I'm here aren't I?' I ask shrugging my shoulders and he chuckles, shaking his head at my reply.

'How long have you been here?' He asks curiously and I think of the answer.

'I'm not even sure to be honest,' I reply and he smiles. My phone vibrates in my hand and I look at it to find a text from Joe.

Have you bailed on me? ¬Joe¬

My eyes widen as I realise I was supposed to meet him fifteen manures ago. 'Kaiden I have to go,' I say apologetically and he nods 'Its fine, I'm glad you came Kiera.'

'Me too,' I reply. I stand up and put my hands in Zoe Lynn's hair, 'bye,' I quietly say and she tears her eyes away from the TV screen to look at me. 

'Bye,' she waves her fingers at me and returns her attention back to the TV screen and I smile. 

'Tell Esmé I had to go. She’s still talking to Elaine,' I inform Kaiden and he nods his head. 

'Wait.' He says before I can leave the room and turn around to face him. 

'Yes?' I ask narrowing my eyes at him. 

'Have you made a decision about clockwork or whether you want to study at university?' He asks curiously and I sigh loudly because I want to avoid this topic for as long as I can. 'Kiera, you can't avoid this for ever,' Kaiden says as he notices that I haven't made a decision.

'I know but I don't have to make my mind up now though do I?' I ask with an annoyed expression displayed on my face.

'Well if you never even think about it and keep avoiding the subject, how on Earth are you going to make a decision?' He retorts and I scoff loudly. 'Kiera I'm sorry but you’re going to have to make a decision soon and the sooner you make it, the better,' he says as he continues speaking. I sigh my shoulders in defeat as his words finally kick in.

'I know,' I mutter quietly. 

'Do you really? Because due to the way you are acting I would have guessed that you didn’t know,' he says. I shake my head at him and take a deep breath in attempt to calm myself down.

'What are you trying to do Kaiden? What do you want me to say?' I ask angrily, annoyed at his tactics. 

'I'm not trying to do anything. I just want you to hurry up with your decision,' he replies. I sigh again not knowing how to reply.

'Whatever Kaiden, I'll let you know when I've "hurried up with my decision." I'll let myself out,' I reply as I leave the house.

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 I walk into Paradise Cafe to find Joe sitting in the corner with Jess sitting opposite him but she has her back to me. I clench my jaw, wondering why on Earth Jess is present. I lock eyes with Joe and stand motionless. I shake my head before turning around to walk out of the face. 'Kiera wait!' Joe calls as he catches up with me and grabs my wrist, turning me around.

'What?' I ask coldly folding my arms protectively over my chest. He sighs and drags me to a bench near the cafe. He sits down and motions for me to do the same so I sit opposite him. 'What?' I repeat, waiting for his explanation.

'It is not what it looked like, I promise.' I roll my eyes feeling annoyed with myself. He notices my discomfort as he slips his hand in mine. I scoff and try to pull away but he puts his other hand on our joined ones preventing me from moving. 

'Look who we have here,' I hear Lucy's voice look at Joe who looks irritated. I drop his hands and turn around to face Lily, Lucy and Katie. 

'What do you guys want?' Joe asks putting his hands in his hair. 

'I'm going to go and check up on Jess,' Lily announces.

'Yeah, I'll go with you,' Katie says as she walks away with Lily. 

'Well Lucy?' Asks Joe impatiently. 

'I told you not to mess Jess around. Do you remember that?' She asks as she narrows her eyes at Joe. 

'Lucy it wasn't like that-'

'Don't you dare tell me what it was like? You dropped Jess for her when you two were at it behind her back.' I scoff loudly at her attitude.

'It has nothing to do with you Lucy so why don't you just go to Jess?' I say after I take a deep breath.

'I think I'll just do that,' she rolls her eyes at us before walking away. I watch her figure before turning back to face Joe.

'I don't even know why she's so angry. I mean I expected it from Katie but not Lucy,' Joe admits.

'I couldn't care less. Why didn't you tell me you dumped Jess?' I ask.

'I was going to but I didn't get a chance to,' he replies calmly. I sigh because it occurs to me that things are more real. 'What's wrong?' He questions once I don't reply.

'Nothing, I just need some time.'

'Kiera-'

'Joe, you don't understand. I'll text you,' I say cutting him off and walking away, speeding up my pace.