Kiara's pov
In just two weeks, I found myself captivated by Ben in ways I never expected. Every moment we spent together felt like a beautiful adventure, and my heart fluttered each time he smiled at me.
I loved the way he listened intently when I talked about my day, his eyes sparkling with genuine interest. It made me feel valued and understood. Whether we were sharing secrets while walking home or laughing over pizza, every second was filled with joy.
I admired Ben's kindness; he always went out of his way to help others, whether it was picking up a dropped book for a classmate or standing up for someone being bullied. His compassion drew me in even more, making my heart swell with pride to be by his side.
I cherished the small things too—the way he would tease me playfully, making me laugh until my cheeks hurt, or how he would remember the little details I mentioned in passing, like my favorite song or that embarrassing story from middle school. It felt like he genuinely cared. about who I was.
With Ben, I felt comfortable. I could be myself without fear of judgment. We shared silly inside jokes that made our connection feel special and unique. Each time I caught him looking at me with that warm smile, it ignited butterflies in my stomach.
As we navigated our new relationship, I found myself daydreaming about our future together—what it would be like to go on adventures, share more laughs, and support each other through ups and downs. I could see the potential for something deeper than just a fling; it felt like we were building a foundation based on trust and friendship.
In this whirlwind of emotions, I realized that love wasn't just about grand gestures; it was in the little moments we shared—the quiet conversations under the stars, the gentle touches of our hands, and the way we could talk for hours without running out of things to say.
As I held Ben's hand that day in school, despite the whispers around us, I knew one thing for sure: what I felt for him was real, and I couldn't wait to see where this journey would take us.
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In the bustling cafeteria, laughter and chatter filled the air as I sat with my friends, sharing stories and enjoying our lunch. The smell of pizza wafted through the room, but my attention was drawn elsewhere. Suddenly, I spotted Ben walking toward me, a big grin on his face, and my heart skipped a beat.
As he approached, I could see he was holding a small box. Curiosity bubbled up inside me. When he reached our table and revealed the contents, my jaw dropped. It was an iPhone 16 Pro! My eyes widened in disbelief as I jumped up from my seat, excitement coursing through me.
"Oh my gosh, Ben! You didn't!" I exclaimed, unable to contain my joy. Without thinking twice, I threw my arms around him and kissed him passionately, feeling the warmth of his embrace and the happiness radiating between us.
But then, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Kyle sitting alone at a nearby table. He was staring at me with sad eyes, an expression that tugged at something deep inside me. For a brief moment, I felt a pang of concern for him. Kyle had always been a good friend, and seeing him looking so down made me wonder if everything was okay.
Yet as quickly as that thought crossed my mind, I brushed it aside. This moment with Ben felt too precious to let anything dampen it. Surrounded by laughter and joy from my friends celebrating with me, I focused on the happiness that filled my heart. Kyle would have to wait; right now, I wanted to savor this incredible surprise and the love that blossomed between Ben and me.
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Back at home, I lay on my bed, my mind swirling with thoughts of Ben. The way his smile lit up my day and the warmth of his embrace filled me with a giddy excitement. I replayed our earlier moments together, feeling a flutter in my heart each time.
Suddenly, my phone buzzed beside me. It was a message from Kyle, asking me to come over. A mix of reluctance and curiosity washed over me. I hadn't seen him much lately, and while I didn't want to dampen my mood thinking about anything other than Ben, I felt a tug of obligation to check on him.
I rummaged through my closet and grabbed one of my dad's hoodies—a bit oversized and worn, with a stubborn wine stain that I had long since stopped caring about. It was comfortable, and I needed something to throw on quickly.
With a sigh, I made my way to Kyle's house. After a few moments of hesitation at his front door, I knocked softly, glancing around nervously. The seconds felt like hours before the door creaked open.
Kyle's dad stood there, his expression sharp as he looked me up and down. There was something in his gaze that made me feel uneasy; it was almost like he was sizing me up or searching for something hidden behind my casual appearance.
"Who has the sweater?" he asked abruptly, eyeing the stained fabric with an intensity that caught me off guard.
"My dad. Why do you ask?" I replied, trying to keep my tone casual despite the sudden tension in the air.
"Nothing," he said curtly, stepping aside to let me in. "Kyle is waiting for you upstairs."
As I walked past him into the house, I couldn't shake off that unsettling feeling from his question. Why did it matter to him who owned the hoodie?..
As I stepped into the familiar warmth of Kyle's house, a wave of nostalgia washed over me. Yet, something felt different. The air was heavy, almost thick with unspoken words and lingering emotions. I made my way through the hallway, my heart pounding a little faster as I approached the stairs.
But then, something caught my eye—a framed picture on the wall, surrounded by flickering candles. It was a portrait of Kyle's mother, her smile radiant and warm. The sight of it sent a jolt through me. The candles flickered gently, casting soft shadows around her image, creating an almost ethereal glow.
This could only mean one thing: she was gone.
A wave of sadness washed over me as I stood there for a moment, absorbing the reality of it all. Kyle had always been so strong, but now I understood why he had seemed distant lately. Losing a parent was an unimaginable pain, and yet here I was, caught up in my own whirlwind of feelings for Ben while Kyle was likely grappling with grief.
I took a deep breath and steeled myself before continuing up the stairs. I needed to be there for him; he deserved that much from me. As I reached the top and turned toward his room, I felt a mix of apprehension and determination. Whatever Kyle needed to talk about, I hoped I could offer him support—just as he had always been there for me.
I entered the room seeing Kyle facing backwards-
"Hey, why is your mom's picture frame downstairs?" I asked, noticing the somber mood in the room.
Kyle looked away, his expression darkening. "My mom has been missing for weeks... We just found out she's dead," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
The weight of his words hit me like a punch. "Oh my God, Kyle, I'm so sorry," I replied, my heart racing with concern. But before I could comfort him further, he shot back, "Why didn't you tell me?"
I frowned, confused. "I tried! I called you a million times! You never answered or responded to my texts!"
"It's not my fault! I've been busy!" I snapped, frustration bubbling in his voice.
"Busy with Ben? That's all you care about now!" he retorted, feeling anger rise within him.
"He's my boyfriend! Maybe if you weren't so wrapped up in your own drama, you'd understand!" i fired back.
"Wrapped up? You mean trying to be there for my friends? Unlike you!" he shot, feeling the tension surge.
"You think Ben actually cares about you? He's just using you!" Kyle exclaimed, his voice rising with urgency.
"Wow! And when did you become the relationship guru?" I scoffed. "You've dated half the girls at school and treated them like trash!"
"I know what it looks like from the outside!" he said sharply. "But this is different—I care about you!"
"Caring doesn't mean controlling who I date!" I yelled back. "You don't get to decide that!"
Kyle stepped closer, desperation in his eyes. "Leave Ben."
"Why!!!" I shot back, bewilder
"Because I lo......" Before Kyle could complete his sentence, his dad bashed in through the door.
"What's all the racket?" he barked.
I felt my anger boil over and decided to leave the room, storming out as the tension hung thick in the air
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As i stormed out of Kyle's house, my mind raced with thoughts of the argument and the tension that still lingered in the air. I felt a mix of anger and frustration, but as i walked home, another thought crossed my mind—Ben's friend's party was tonight.
Once i got home, i took a deep breath and decided to focus on something else. I rummaged through my closet, finally pulling out my favorite sexy outfit—a figure-hugging dress that made me feel confident and bold.
After slipping into the dress and adding a few finishing touches to my makeup, i caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I felt empowered and ready to face the night, pushing aside her earlier emotions.
With one last glance at my reflection, i grabbed my purse and headed out the door, determined to enjoy the party and have some fun, leaving the drama behind for now.