Narrator's pov
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"You like her alot, don't you?" Jamie asked
"I.. Um" Kate's attention was broken as she turned around to face her friends again
"Kate, talk to us" Ethan said in a more softer voice
"I.. I like her" Kate whispered
"Took ya long enough to admit it"
"I've always liked her. Ever since that interview she had, things just.. It changed. I saw a different side of her and.. I don't know, I guess I fell for it"
"And that's okay. You fell for her and that's okay. We know she's changed, she literally just thanked someone and gave them hundred of dollars for doing their job. The Autumn I knew a month ago wouldn't even step foot in this place. She's trying, we can see that. But we can also see what's going on between you two" Jamie mumbled
"I don't know what's going on-"
"The small touches? The little pecks of the cheek? You literally spent half an hour cuddling inside the car because neither of you wanted to leave the embrace. Kate, there's something there. You know and she knows it. I don't see why the two of you can't open your eyes and see that yet" Jamie said
Word after word seemed to register to the brunette. It felt like rocks being thrown at her heart, slamming against her chest with each sentence.
"You're scared, aren't you?" Ethan asked
"So fucking scared" Kate whispered
"Aw baby come here" Ethan mumbled as he reached his arm out
Kate buried her face into the boy's chest as he wrapped his arms around her body.
It was only natural to cry when we feel frustrated, hate, anger, pain. Look up to the clouds, hoping for an answer. The salty release flowed down her cheek and merged into the thing fabric of Ethan's shirt, her chest rising and falling slightly as she lost control of her breathing. When they feel cold the water molecules lose energy and condense into droplets.
"It's okay" Ethan whispered and nodded for Jamie to place everything else into the car while he stayed there. The girl nodded and grabbed the rest of bags, heading over towards the car
"I'm just scared" Kate whispered
"I know sweetheart, I know" the boy sighed
"What if-"
"Stop with the what ifs Kate"
"But-"
"But nothing. You're scared, I get that. You've never been serious with anyone and it's scary. It would be your first time having an actual connection with someone. And even though it started with sex as well as your past relationships, it doesn't mean it's going to end the same. She's different, you're different. You're both adults and you trust each other. You see right through her and she's learning you. I know you're scared Kate but I'm telling you, you need to take that risk. I can see it, she cares about you Kate. Everyone can literally see that but you. You trust me right? Then listen to me when I say there's nothing to be afraid of. Throw that deal out of the window and go for it Kate. And if things don't go to plan, which they will, we'll be here with our arms open and knives hidden in our bags to deal with any problem" Ethan grinned
Kate's brow furrowed as she slowly pulled her face away from the boy's short, only to find a smiling Ethan with pink stained cheeks but confidence in his eyes, she knew he wasn't joking about the knives
"You're really gonna stab her?" Kate chuckled
"It is what it is" Ethan smirked
"You dumbass" Kate playfully slapped her hand against the boy's shoulder
"I'm just being honest Katya" Ethan chuckled as the girl unravelled herself from his embrace
Kate stood just inches away from the boy, their pink cheeks and bright smiles made the parking lot seem a whole lot brighter. He made her rethink her story in just seconds.
It was amazing how quick a few words of advice could change your mind
"Thank you, Ethan"
"No problem lil sis, it's what I'm here for" Ethan smiled
"Um, we got a problem" Jamie yelled from behind, catching the two friend's attention
"what?" Kate' asked as she made her way towards the car
"Food takes up the rest of the backseat" Jamie said
"It's okay, I'll get a car and meet you back home" Autumn said
"Really?" Kate questioned when the girl pulled her phone from her pocket
"Yeah, I don't mind waiting. Besides, Rick owes me for... Interrupting stuff" Autumn chuckled
"Well, hop in Kate" Jamie said as she slid into the car with Lisa
"I.. I think I'll stay" Kate mumbled, catching Autumn's attention
"You don't wanna go with your friends?" Autumn asked
"I'm hurt!" Ethan gasped
"I'm pretty sure they can handle being without me for one car ride. Besides, they have Lisa to keep them in check" Kate chuckled
"Yeah they do" Lisa giggled
"You're really gonna leave my sister in the hands of two teenagers who forgot what socks are?"
"Hey! Don't bring that up again!" Jamie pouted
"Don't worry Autumn, I can handle myself" Lisa smiled
Autumn chuckled softly as she leaned down to hover over the girl's side of the car
"I know sweetheart, I'm just worried about them. You're a Hester and you're a force to be reckon with, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Got it?"
"Got it" Lisa grinned
"Alright. Secret handshake before you leave?"
"Secret handshake!" Lisa squealed and pushed half of her body out of the window
Their fists collided with each other and they did a fist bump then turned it into a half circle and finishing it off with a small explosion with spirit fingers
"Boom" The girls both giggled
Amazement didn't quite cover it. Kate felt like someone just took her spark of wonder and poured on kerosine. The smile she showed on the outside couldn't adequately reflect what she felt inside. It was like every neurone of her brain was trying to fire in both directions at once
The world was quite astonishing, when you claw your way out of the mire of dysfunction the way Autumn did. When you first peek over the horizon and see the morning sun, rising without any filter, with the naked eye and the brain open to the beauty of this reality, amazement comes.
The larger things become almost overwhelming, the sense of love so much stronger. It is then you realise that before you lived a half-life, greyed and without the warmth each human is born with. Autumn had barley even known the smaller girl for three hours get they've found a bond. It was obvious that she was fond of the girl with the way she smiled when she saw her sister.
Kate watched the way Autumn ruffled Lisa's raven black hair as she chuckled at the pouting girl. Autumn needed something new, something pure, something good to look forward to in her life and maybe her new sister was just that. Yet it was still amazing how the two bonded so quickly
Kate then felt her lips stretch wider into gaping grin and her eyebrows arch for the sky.
"Bye guysss" Ethan squealed as his foot pressed against the gas
Hands poked out of the car, waving to the girls as it faded away from the parking lot with its trunk and backseat stuffed with junk food none of them would ever be able to finish by themselves
Autumn chuckled softly as she still waved to the fading car down the road, her smile bright as ever when she saw her smaller sister sticking her tongue out playfully
"I actually like that kid" Autumn smiled
"I can tell"
"Ya know. Maybe you were right"
"Right about what?"
"My life needing change"
"And what is there you need to change?" Kate questioned
Autumn furrowed her brows as she turned to face the brunette. The only light available in the empty parking lot was the one lamp post above them, the cold breeze rustled between their clothes as it brushed against their skin, crawling along the goosebumps and tossing their hair behind their ear. Cold air entered their lungs and calmed their racing energy, there was something about the way they were so close together that made Kate's heart start to pound in her chest.
"Were you crying?" Autumn asked
"What? W-why would I be crying" Kate muttered softly
"There's only three reasons your cheek changes colour. Pink when you're smiling, red when you're blushing and pale when your cry" Autumn stated, knocking the air out of Kate's lungs
"Y-You.. You notice that?" Kate whispered
"I notice everything about you Kate, I thought you'd get that by now" Autumn mumbled before tilting her head to the side
Kate's cheek turned a slight shade of red when the girl's ocean blue eyes scanned over her like an art piece making its debut in a museum
"See? You're blushing" Autumn smiled
"Wha- NO I'M NOT"
"Yes, yes you are. Don't try to hide it because your left eye twitches a little when you lie" Autumn smirked
"What the- oh my god" Kate giggled before burying her face into her palm, causing the raven hair girl to chuckle softly
"God you're so cute" Autumn chuckled, making a flutter explode in the brunette's stomach
Her brain stuttered for a second and her knees went weak from the intense flutter in her stomach. A deep exhale left her body as her start started to race again just by hearing the girl call her cute
A warm hand placed onto top of her own, Kate raised a brow when Autumn's fingers intertwined with her own and brought them down from her face
"Don't hide your face, I'm in love with your smile"
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A/N
ð double update today