CHAPTER 66

 A/N: This is the final chapter, so there'll be no more chapters or any sequels. I would like to say thank you to everyone who read, voted and commented. It has been a pleasure to write about these fictional characters! 

After taking a trip to the pharmacy, we arrive at the Valentine household half an hour later. As I'm leaving the car, Anna says 'Kiera.' I turn around to face her and she opens the car window.

'I'm going to Elaine's house for a short while and the girls are all having a sleep over. I'm going to give you girls some privacy seen as Lily had already spoken to me about this.' I nod my head and she continues, 'I will be checking up on you girls so make sure you answer the house phone.'

'Will do,' I smile and she returns it. 

'I'll see you later,' Elaine says and I nod my head before entering the house. 

I manage to go into my room without bumping into anyone. I get changed into pyjama shorts and a matching pink t-shirt. I let my hair hang loosely over my shoulders and leave my room. 'Hey,' Lily says a she walks out of the bathroom and stands in front of me. I look at her, not bothering to return the greeting. 'I'm sorry you feel like I never take your side but I'm not taking sides.'

'Whatever Lily.'

'Why are you so mad at me?' She asks as she puts her hands on my shoulders. 

'Because you keep repeatedly hurting me and being the fool that I am, I keep forgiving you.' I reply annoyed.

'I'm not on Jess' side,' she replies.

'So? You seem to care about Jess a little bit more than you care about me and you're forgetting the fact that it's not only Jess who is hurting because I'm also hurting in this situation.' I snap and take a deep breath.

'I'm sorry, I thought you and Joe were already together,' she replies as she brushes my hair behind my ear and I pull away from her grasp. 

'You thought wrong,' I reply.

'I know and I'm really sorry Kiera. You should know that I'm on your side and I'm rooting for you and Joe. I just don't like either of you doing it behind Jess' back but I'll always be on your side Kiera because you're my best friend.' She says honestly and before I can reply Halo jumps at me and I bend down to pick him up. I stroke his ears and look back at Lily.

'We didn't do anything behind Jess' back except kiss once and I told Joe to back off. I wouldn't do something like that,' I mutter and Lily smiles before wrapping her arms around my neck. 'I'm sorry and I know you're sick and tired of hearing that but I am,' she replies and I return her smile as I nod my head. Lily's phone begins ringing and she tells me it's her mum before answering it. 

'She said take your medication,' Lily says once she hangs up the phone. 

'Can you get me a glass of water?' I ask and she smiles.

'Why don't you come downstairs?' She asks and I shrug my shoulders. 'Come on Kiera,' she says and I roll my eyes as I follow her to the kitchen with Halo in my arms.

I take a seat by the dining table and put Halo on the ground. She puts a glass of water in front of me and I place my medication on the table, placing one of the tablets on my mouth and sipping the water.

'What was that for?' She asks as she sits in front of me.

'I've been getting headaches and I have medication to help,' I reply shrugging my shoulders. She puts her hand on top of mine and squeezes it before asking 'Do you not want to go to the living room?'

'Nope, not really,' I reply.

'Hey.' Lucy walks into the kitchen and picks up Halo before sitting down beside me. 

'I'm going to leave you guys to it,' Lily replies and I slouch in my chair as I watch her leave before looking at Lucy.

'What do you want Lucy?'

'I wanted to talk to you,' she admits and I sigh because the last thing I want to do is talk.

'I know you blame me for all those pictures,' I say breaking the silence.

'I don't blame you,' she replies.

'Whatever you say,' I say showing that I don't believe her. 

'Kiera, I don't blame you and I'm sorry for snapping at you.' She sighs and brings Halo to her chest. 

'Why did you? When I tried comforting you, you pushed me away and when Kara did, you returned the embrace. Was it a sisterly thing?' I question raising my eyebrows and she sighs loudly.

'As I said I'm sorry-'

'I don't care about your apologies, I asked you why!' I reply irritated that she's deflating. 

'I don't know.' She shrugs her shoulders and I roll my eyes.

'You don't know much then do you?' I reply but she chooses to ignore my comment and stays quiet. 

'Luce, Jess is wondering where you are. Are you coming?' Jamie asks as he walks into the kitchen and stands behind Lucy. I look at Lucy silently daring her to go. She looks at me before looking at Jamie.

'I'll come in a bit,' she replies. 

'Luce she needs her best friend because Joe just appeared.' Jamie responds and plays with Lucy's hair. 

'Kiera also needs me so I'll be a little while,' Lucy replies and he scoffs moving away from her. 

'Are you being serious Lucy? She doesn't need you, the only person she needs is Joe. She is just using you Lucy and you can't see that. Why can't see that? Seriously Lucy.' Lucy sighs and breaks eye contact with him. 'Lucy sometimes I think you're the stupid one-'

'Don't talk to her like that!' I snap.

'It's fine,' Lucy replies and I look at her with a puzzled expression on my face. I sigh once I notice the tears on her face. 

'It's not fine Lucy,' I reply and Jamie scoffs again.

'Lucy are you going to come or not?' Lucy doesn't reply and Jamie continues. 'Fine, I'm going to make this easier for you. If you don't come with me then we are over Lucy. Do you hear me?' I look at Lucy and notice more tears flowing down her cheeks. 'Fine, we're no longer dating Lucy,' he says before leaving the kitchen. I wipe away her tears and wrap my arms around her neck, allowing her to cry.

 'Lucy it's going to be fine. You're going to find someone so much better.'

'I doubt it,' she mumbles into my shirt.

'Hey, don't say that Luce. Anyone would be lucky to have you and if Jamie can't see how amazing you are then it's his loss,' I say stroking her hair and Halo sits still in Lucy's lap. I pull her chin so she looks at me and I notice she has more tears flowing down her cheeks. 'Lucy stop crying, you are way out of his league.' She manages to smile and she hides her face in the crook of my neck. I rub my hand up and down her back, waiting until she has calmed down.

'I'm sorry,' she apologises once she pulls away. 'Kiera I really am sorry and I know that doesn't make up for the way I've been acting lately. I was mad at the pictures and again I took my frustration out on you like I did when I was seven.' She admits and looks down at her hands, avoiding making eye contact with me. 

'Lucy,' I sigh before my hands on top of hers and she looks up at me.

'I know I'm a b-'

'No, Lucy you're not,' I reply instantly cutting her off. 'You just don't know how to deal with your emotions,' I say stroking her cheek.

'That doesn't make it any better,' she mumbles. 

'Yes it does Lucy. Anything is better than what you were going to say,' I reply and she stays silent. 'Lucy promise me you'll talk to me next time you feel like that because you hurt me and I thought I did something wrong. Then you flipped out at me and Joe when we were just talking.' She opens her mouth to speak but I put my index finger on her lips and say 'let me speak.' She nods and I continue, 'you took Jess' side even though I was hurting at the situation but you didn't give a crap about that. It was all about Jess.' I drop my finger and let her speak.

'Kiera I'm really sorry I made you feel like that. It wasn't intentional, I just wanted to hide my feelings and blame you for something. It was a good idea at the time but looking back it's probably one of the most stupid things I have ever done.' She brushes my hair behind my ear and says 'I knew you were hurting. I could see it in your eyes but I was feeling all of these things. I'm really sorry Kiera.' I don't realise the tears flowing down from my eyes until she wipes them.

'Lucy-'

'Kiera I'm really sorry and I get it if you hate me-'

'I don't hate you. I hate the stupid choices you make.' I reply wiping my own tears. 

'I wouldn't blame you if you hated me,' she replies quietly. 

'You know you could've just went to Jess instead of your relationship with Jamie ending.' I say changing the topic. 

'I know but you're my best friend and I'll always have time for you,' she replies intertwining our fingers and I smile gratefully. She wraps her arms around my neck and I wrap my arms around her waist. 'Kiera I'm really really really sorry,' she whispers.

'I know you are,' I mutter into her neck and she tightens her grip on me. We pull away when we hear the doorbell ring but I make no movement to get it.

'Kiera, please get the door!' Lily shouts from upstairs and I roll my eyes before walking toward the door with Lucy behind me. I open the door and I come face to face with Ronald.

 'Well, well well look who it is.' He comments and I roll my eyes.

'What do you want?' I ask impatiently

'I want to talk to my daughter,' he replies putting his hand on his hip.

'Which one?' I ask with a smirk on my face but Lucy's elbow coming in contact with my stomach quickly wipes it off.

'I'll get Kara,' Lucy announces and walks away. 

'So Kiera.' I'm about to turn away but his attempt at starting a conversation annoys me.

'Don't try and start a conversation with me,' I reply.

'But why ever not? I mean you are the leader of Clockwork now.' I bite my lip as I hear multiple gasps behind me. I turn around to face Kara and Lucy who are looking at Ronald and Lily who's standing on the stairs, leaning on the banister. 'Oh don't they know?' He asks in a mocking tone. Lily rolls her eyes and goes back upstairs with Lucy behind her.

'Now look what you've done,' I say looking at Ronald.

'Oh, no. You have done all of this by yourself,' he points his index finger at me and I scoff before walking up the stairs.

----------

I push Lily's bedroom door open and I see her and Lucy sitting on the bed opposite one another. 'Is it true?' Lucy asks. I sigh before nodding my head and Lily scoffs. 

'It's true? Why the hell didn't you tell us?' Lily questions and I roll my eyes before sitting in between them. 

'It happened yesterday and from what I recall we weren't really talking,' I reply and Lily sighs. 'I wanted to tell you, I was just waiting for the right moment,' I intertwine our fingers and she manage to give me a small smile. 

'Who else knows?' Lucy asks as she looks at me.

'I'm pretty sure all the adults know if it has gotten around to that-' I cut myself off not wanting to finish that sentence due to the way Lucy is narrowing her eyes at me. 

'You do know that I my biological dad don't you?' She asks, tilting her head.

'A dad you've known for two minutes,' I reply and she scoffs.

'What is your problem with him?'

'Are you taking your daddy's side now?' I immaturely ask.

'Shut up Kiera, I'm just asking you a question,' she responds and folds her arms. Lily squeezes my hand and I ignore her warning. 

'I'll tell you my problem, he breaks my photo deliberately and refuses to apologise. Then he goes revealing things about me that I didn't want revealed.'

'You basically haven't forgiven him for breaking that photo have you?' Lucy ask.

'How do I forgive him when he hasn't apologised?'

'He has.'

'He doesn't mean it so it doesn't count.' I sigh and Lily wraps her arms around me trying to calm me down.

'Are you okay?' Lily asks once we pull away and I nod my head silently.

'I'm sorry, I just don't the fact that you and Ronald don't get on,' Lucy says quietly and I lean my head on Lily's shoulder. 

'I get along with Pete just fine,' I mutter and Lucy scoffs. 

'What is that supposed to mean?' She questions defensively.

'If I get along with your real dad, why does it matter if I don't get along with your biological one?' I ask and Lucy throws her hands in her hair.

'My real dad is Ronald whether you like it or not.' Lucy says and I sit up to face her.

'It doesn't take blood to be a dad, it takes love and the love Pete has for you is a thousand times more than the love Ronald has for you,' Lucy rolls her eyes and is about to reply but is cut off by Lily who says 'We are not talking about this anymore. Now who else knows?'

'Katie and Liz and before you flip out at me, I only told them today,' I reply.

'We're not going to flip out,' Lucy replies and Lily agrees with her. 

'Are you coming to university?' Lily asks curiously.

'Yeah but don't ask me how I'm going to have time to do both,' I reply and she smiles. Lily wraps her arms around me and says 'I'm proud of you and your parents would have been proud of you.' At that moment I can't help the tears that flow down my cheeks at the mention of my dead parents.

'I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you,' Lily replies as she strokes my hair and Lucy rubs her hand up and down my back. I try to get my breathing under control as I hide my face in Lily's neck, ignoring all of the emotions that I'm currently feeling. I sit up, wiping my tears and say 'I'm fine.'

'And I'm not Lucy,' Lucy replies and Lily slaps her arm, silencing her.

'I literally am fine,' I repeat myself trying to convince her but she rolls her eyes and mutters 'Sure.' I sigh, ignoring her and hide my face in my hands. 'Kiera,' Lucy quietly says and pulls my body into hers. She whispers comforting words in my ear and the tears start all over again. She brushes my hair behind my ears and holds my body tightly while I cry. 

'I'm sorry.' I mumble when we pull away and I wipe my eyes. 

'You have nothing to be sorry for,' Lily replies as she puts her hands on my knee and Lucy toys with my hair. 

'I practically ruined both of your shirts with my tears,' I quietly reply.

'Hey, that isn't your problem,' Lucy says, putting both of her hands on my cheek.

'Why wasn't I invited to this little meeting?' Katie asks as she barges into the room. 

'Maybe because you aren't wanted?' Lucy replies in a mocking tone and Katie scoffs, choosing to ignore her and sits beside Lucy. 

'You guys made Kiera cry,' Katie says as she notices my tears and red eyes.

'They didn't, I just remembered the fact that both my parents are dead,' I reply hugging my shoulders. 

'Kiera,' Katie says, putting her hands on my shoulder as she pulls me in for a hug. 

'It's fine.' I reply once we pull away.

'On a brighter note, let's talk about you and Joe,' Katie says in attempt to change the current topic. 

'That's not really any brighter,' I mumble. 

'You know he's here right?' She asks and I shrug my shoulders pretending not to care. She decided to change the topic again and turn to Lucy. 

'What?' Lucy asks.

'What happened between you and Jamie? And why is Jess mad at you?' Katie asks as she folds her arms.

'Jess is mad at me?' Lucy asks and Katie nods. 'I actually don't care,' Lucy replies. 

'What happened?' Katie impatiently asks.

'Jamie dumped me because he wanted me to go to Jess but I refused and stayed with Kiera.' She replies and stops playing with my hair as she sits sits up. I can feel her body tense beside me.

'Jamie is an idiot,' I reply and Lucy smiles. 

'He actually did that?' Katie questions and Lucy nods. 'I'm totally on your side Lucy,' Katie replies and Lucy smiles at her before hugging her. 

'You could do so much better,' Lily says looking at Lucy who just shrugs. 'You'll find someone else Luce, just don't take him back. You keep doing that and I'm sorry if this comes across as blunt but it really is annoying and for the record him spiking Kiera's drink should be enough for you to stay clear.' I look at Lily raising my eyebrows at her silently questioning her choice of words and she sighs before saying 'I'm sorry but it's true.'

'That's not really an apology Lily,' I respond.

'Tough because that's the only apology you'll be getting from me.' Lily replies and I roll my eyes. I notice Lucy has tears streaming down her face and Katie is quick to comfort her as she wraps her arms around her neck. 

'Look what you've done Lily,' I mutter and she rolls her eyes before asking 'What have I done?'

'I'm not even going to answer your question,' I mutter as I shake my head at Lily. I wrap both of my arms around Lucy's waist, resting my head on her shoulder and say 'Lily didn't mean that. You know how she says things without meaning them so don't take it personally.'

'I did mean it.' Lily interrupts and Katie scoffs as she pulls away from Lucy. 'I'm sorry if you don't like that,' Lily says. Lucy wipes her tears and sits up.

'She didn't mean it,' I say glaring at Lily who rolls her eyes.

'We all know she meant it,' Lucy mutters quietly and Katie rubs her arm in a comforting manner. I raise my eyebrows at Lily who looks down at her hands avoiding my intense stare and I nudge her with my elbow gaining her attention. She looks up at me and I silently tell her to apologise. She understands because as a result she sighs and breaks eye contact. I nudge her again and she sighs before saying 'I'm sorry Lucy.'

'It doesn't matter,' Lucy replies as she wipes her tears with her sleeve.

'Yes it does,' I say making eye contact with Lucy.

'Lucy I really am sorry. I shouldn't have said what I did,' Lily responds as she moves closer to Lucy and wraps her arms around her as Lucy's tears start all over again. I look at Katie who has a smile on her face as she watches their interaction. When they pull away, the awkward tension seems to have gone away. Katie grabs my hand and I look at her curiously. 'Now with all of that emotional crap out of the way, I want to hear about you and Joe,' Katie says and I scoff loudly.

'Are you being serious?' I ask and she nods. 'There literally is nothing going on between me and Joe,' I reply.

'But you want there to be,' Lily says with a smirk on her face and I roll my eyes at her response.

'You're not denying it,' Katie comments as she mirrors Lily's smirk.

'Do I have to?' I question, hating the current conversation.

'Yeah you do and you didn't which shows that you really want something to happen between you and Joe even though nothing is currently happening,' Katie replies and I scoff loudly at her analysis. I shake my head, not bothering to reply to her statement. 'You know it's true,' she says once I don't say anything.

'Shut up Katie,' I reply feeling slightly irritated and Lily elbows her in the ribs causing her to apologise.

'You should talk to Joe,' Lucy says as she rests her head on my shoulder.

'Why? There is no point,' I negatively say.

'There is every point,' Katie says as she pats my knee.

'Katie why are you pushing me to do this? This is your ex we're talking about and I'm your best friend. Are you sure you really want us together?' I ask raising my eyebrows at her and lean my head on Lucy's.

'I don't care about that Kiera, he is my friend now and yeah I want to see you both together. You two would make a great couple,' Katie replies as she nods her head encouragingly.

'What are you so afraid of?' Lucy asks as she sits up to face me brushing loose strands away from my eyes.

'I'm not afraid,' I reply and she narrows her eyes at me. 'I can't go there, I'll be breaking the unspoken rule of friendship.' I mutter and Lucy smiles.

'Kiera, I'm not those people who say one thing and mean another. I literally say whatever I think and you should know that by know. If I say go for Joe, I mean it with all my heart.' Katie replies as she intertwines our fingers.

'Katie.' I sigh.

'I'm actually going to get Joe for you,' Katie replies as she removes her hand and stands up.

'No, Katie.' I reply warning her but she smirks before leaving the room. I gasp and get up to follow her but Lily pushes me back down. 'Lily what the hell?'

'Shut up, this is for your own good,' she replies and Lucy chuckles. I give her a death stare and she rests her head back on my shoulder so I can't see her face.

'God I'm screwed.' I utter under my breath and Lucy laughs.

'You're not screwed Kiera, you're going to get with Joe,' Lily replies as she plays with my pink ends.

'Funny,' I sarcastically reply.

'It wasn't supposed to be. It was supposed to be true and feel free to use your own room and not mine if you know what I mean.' Lily replies and Lucy sits up as she laughs again and hi-fives Lily while I sit still mortified, not knowing what to say.

'Aw, she's blushing,' Lucy comments as she pinches my cheek.

'Don't.' I reply, pulling her hands away.

'Why are you blushing?' Lily smirks and I cover my face in my hands and mutter 'Why am I friends with you two?'

'You love us to bits,' Lucy replies as she bumps her body into mine and I fake a laugh even though it is true.

'Look who's here,' Katie says as she walks into my room with Joe by her side and Lily and Lucy giggle. I take a deep breath before raising my eyebrows at Katie who brushes it off. Lucy stands up as she pats my head and stands next to Katie. Lily smirks at me before standing next to Joe and says 'Remember Kiera's room is just across the hall so do not mess up my room.'

'Lily!' He whines and they laugh before leaving the room, leaving Joe and me alone. I put my hands in my hair and mumble 'They're so annoying.'

'I know, we're friends with a bunch of lunatics,' he replies as he sits next to me and I smile. 'You've been crying,' he states and I roll my eyes.

'So?' I ask rudely.

'What happened?' He asks as he folds his arms looking at my face.

'It's nothing, Lily just said my parents would be proud of me and that brought up memories,' I shrug my shoulders and he smiles at me sympathetically. 'Joe don't look at me like that.'

'Like what?'

'Like that!' I reply pointing at his face.

'I'm sorry,' he replies as he rubs my arms and I don't say anything. 'There is a rumour going around that you are the leader of Clockworks. Is it true?' He asks and I nod my head silently. ''That's great Kiera.' I smile, not knowing what else to say. He locks his fingers with mine and we sit in silence before he asks 'what is going on with us?'

'I don't know,' I reply quietly.

'Do you want to be with me?' He asks as he turns towards me fully, not letting go of our intertwined hands. I open my mouth to reply but he cuts me off by saying 'because I know for a fact that I want to be with you. I have never been surer of anything in my life. I have always known that I wanted to be with you Kiera.' He brushes my hair to the side with his other hand and continues, 'you are amazing and all I've ever wanted was to put a smile on your face ever since you broke down in my arms last year. I'm lucky to even be friends with you and I understand if you don't want to be with me-'

'Joe shut up, you're rambling.' I smirk and he smiles a little.

'I can't help it, you make me feel all these things all at once,' he replies as he strokes my cheek and I try to control my breathing. 'Will you go out with me?' He asks in a hopeful tone.

'Yes.' I reply smiling widely and he returns it as he wraps both of his arms around me. He leans forward slowly until his lips meet mine and he gives me a sweet kiss. He brushes his thumb across my cheek softly in a circular motion and leans our foreheads together. His turquoise coloured eyes stare into my blue ones and he says 'I love you.' I smile at those words because I've been waiting for him to say it.

 'I love you too,' I whisper before he closes the distance between us again.

FIN.