Between Us

☆ part fifty four ☆

The sky was deep blue by the time we pulled into Lark's driveway, the last bits of sunset fading behind us. The familiar house glowed with warm light spilling from the windows, but as we stepped out of the car, I felt a nervous flutter in my chest. My hand was clasped tightly in Lark's, her thumb rubbing slow circles on my skin, grounding me.

We'd spent hours wrapped up in our own little world, but now reality was creeping back in. Skipping school and showing up home at this hour probably wasn't going to win us any points with Karen or my dad. Lark squeezed my hand as we approached the front door. "Ready for the interrogation, Soph?" she teased softly.

I managed a weak laugh. "Nope. But here we are."

Lark grinned, undeterred, and opened the door. The warm scent of home—Karen's cooking and faint lavender from the diffuser she kept near the entryway—washed over us. We stepped inside, and there they were: Karen and my dad, sitting at the kitchen table with mugs of what was probably herbal tea in their hands. They both looked up simultaneously, confusion etched across their faces.

Karen raised a brow, her voice stern but laced with curiosity. "Where on God's green earth have you two been? Skipping school and showing up at this hour?"

My dad's eyes softened as they landed on me. "Are you okay, sweetheart?" he asked, concern evident in his voice as he stood up and pulled me into a hug.

I melted into his embrace, mumbling a quick, "Yep." His warmth steadied me, even though I felt guilty for worrying him.

Lark, ever the confident one, stepped up, her tone casual but sincere. "We're fine, Mum. It was my fault—I forgot to tell someone I was taking Sophie out for the day, you know, just to get her mind off things."

Karen's expression softened, though she still looked a bit exasperated. "That's sweet, Lark, but please tell someone next time. I was starting to think I'd need to put up missing posters."

Lark mock-saluted her mother with a mischievous grin. "Yes, ma'am." I couldn't help but laugh at her antics, and even Karen's lips twitched with amusement. Lark turned to my dad, her expression more serious. "Sorry, Mr. Young, for, um... kind of kidnapping your daughter for the day."

Dad let out a hearty laugh, shaking his head. "It's fine, kid. You took care of her well enough, so... kidnap her whenever."

Lark's grin widened. "Careful, I might hold you to that."

They laughed together, the tension in the room dissolving like sugar in tea. Karen shook her head with a fond smile, though her tone remained motherly. "Alright, it's late, and you two have school tomorrow. Go get some sleep."

We all exchanged goodnights, and I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me—gratitude for Karen's warmth and my dad's unwavering support. It was a strange but comforting new reality, this makeshift family that had formed out of chaos. Lark took my hand again as we headed toward the stairs. My dad gave me one last reassuring smile, and Karen waved us off with a knowing look.

As we ascended the stairs, the weight of the day began to settle over me. The world felt a little less heavy now, though, with Lark by my side. Her presence was like a beacon, guiding me through the dark.

When we reached her room, she closed the door behind us, and I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. Lark turned to me, her green eyes soft with understanding. "You okay beautiful ?" she asked, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Yeah," I said quietly. "Thanks to you."

Her lips quirked into a smile, and she pulled me into a hug, her arms wrapping around me securely. I pressed my face into her shoulder, breathing her in, the scent of cedarwood shampoo and something uniquely her "You really are something else, you know that?" I whispered.