Strings Attached • JIARA•

20

He was technically right. I did need to tell her but I wasn't going to. I was also way too drunk to tell her even if I wanted to.

"JJ, I know you're drunk right now. Don't do anything stupid"

"I won't" I said

"You know I was dating Kiara for a minute in high school. She was my girlfriend.." Pope said and I cut him off

"Way to rub it in"

"Let me get to the point... Point is, she was my girlfriend and she never cared about me the way she cares about you. She cares more about you than anyone else in the world, herself included. She never treated me the way she treats you. She looks at you like you could give her the whole world. Bro, if she isn't in love with you then I don't believe in love anymore"

"I can't give her anything. Dylan, he can give her the world. I just want her to be happy and he can give her a better life"

"He might be able to provide her with a kook lifestyle but none of that matters if she isn't happy"

Damn, this is why we call him the Pope. He speaks straight logic. Pope and I talked for a few more minutes and after we hung up the phone for the night, I passed out. The next morning once I was sober I still decided not to call Kie. It was too soon and too embarrassing.

I spent another week or so avoiding life. Pope was home for the week so I was hanging out with him. I was helping Pope deliver for her father. This drop-off was at the country club where I saw Kie's parent's there and Kie was with them. They were also with a bunch of extended family. I recognized her cousins. She looked sad.

We both walked over to her and I immediately hugged her. She hugged me back and then when our hug broke, Pope hugged her.

"Why are you home from school? Is everything okay?" I asked concerned

She wiped her tears and said, "Not really... My grandpa just passed away"

"I'm so sorry" I said as she started crying again

Her grandpa has had cancer for years and recently he's been going downhill. I felt so bad for her. I wish I could take her pain away. I hugged her again and she said, "I just home early this morning and the funeral is tomorrow. I fly back to school the day after"

"Hey, text me or call me if you need anything" I said feeling awful for her

"I will" She said softly

Pope and I had to go and I really didn't want to leave her. I walked back to Pope and I said, "I don't want to leave her"

"Then stay with her"

"I'm going to.." I said

"You know, that's something a boyfriend would do" He said teasing me as before I was so serious about not being her boyfriend

I rolled my eyes at Pope and said, "She already has a boyfriend. I'm just trying to be there for her as a friend"

Pope gave me a look and he said, "Don't sleep with her agian"

I chucked and said, "I won't"

Pope left and I went back to Kie's family. She saw me and I walked over to her and hugged her. She seemed confused about why I didn't leave but she didn't question it.

When they were leaving the country club, I rode back to her house with her mom and dad. It was a pretty quiet ride.

We got back to her house and all the family came over. They were all gathered in the living room and kitchen and were just hanging out. Kie sayed down there with her family for almost two hours.

Kie went upstiars to her room and I followed her a few minutes later. She was laying in her bed. I went and sat down on the edge of her bed.

I lightly rubbed her back as she fell asleep. Once she was asleep, I leaned down and softly kissed her head. She opened her eyes and moved over and lifted the covers. Like she was inviting me into her bed. I crawled into bed with her and she curled up in my arms and fell asleep.

The next morning, I got up and left before Kie was awake. I went home and found the only suit that I owned and I went back to Kie's. She was sitting outside in a black dress and she saw me and smiled.

"I thought you ditched me"

"Never, just had to find something more appropriate to wear. That is if you are okay with me going to the funeral with you?"

She hugged me which I took that as a yes. After the funeral, everyone came back to Kie's house and started drinking. Kie and I went up to her bedroom and we were just talking. She told me all about her favorite memories. She was tired and she went to take a shower. I just hung out in her room.

She came back out with her towel wrapped around her body. She walked over to her dresser and she grabbed her pajamas. She didn't even care that I was in the room. She got dressed and them came and laid back in her bed.

She was exhausted and she pretty much fell right asleep. I lightly rubbed her back and once she was asleep. I leaned down and gently kissed her head.

"Goodnight, Kie" I whispered and I went to get up and realized her mom was standing the the doorway. Fuck.