It Started With A Pun

•Chapter 3 • Part 2•

The drive to where the parade was taking place was only about 15 minutes, so we had a few minutes to spare when we got there.

"Come on! Let's go get our candy apples and hot chocolates!" Kiera exclaimed excitedly as we parked. She jumped out and grabbed my hand, practically dragging me down to the local coffee shop that we always get our treats at.

Ding went the chime above the door. As soon as we walked in the smell of fresh ground coffee and cookies filled my lungs. It always smells amazing in here.

"Two caramel hot chocolates as well as two candy apples please." I asked the lady working behind the counter.

"That'll be $8.35." She said reading out our total. Kiera began to reach for her wallet but I stopped her, taking her hand with mine.

"I've got this." I said with a smile as I pulled out the money I had in my pocket. I handed a ten to the barista and waited for my change. We grabbed our food and headed to the door, making our way over to our spot.

Me and Kiera's "spot" is this stone bench with two trees planted on each side. It's pretty isolated from the busy part of the street, but still a great spot to watch the parade.

"Mmm. I swear these hot chocolates get better each year." Kiera murmured.

"No kidding. Each year they seem better than the last." I agreed with her. We walked down the street, occasionally stopping to look at something that seemed interesting. As we got close to the bench I noticed someone, wait make that two people, sitting on it. Wait a second, is that Chris? With another girl?

"What the... Chris?" Kiera asked, sounding confused. Looks like I wasn't the only one who noticed it. This is not going to end well.

As we got closer, I could make out some of the words they were saying.

"... Look Kasey. I really like you, but I have a girlfriend..." I looked over at Kiera who looked like she was going to punch someone in the throat. Specifically Chris.

"What the hell Chris!! Ya you've got a girlfriend! She's standing right here!" She shouted, making Chris jump.

"Look Kiera. Let me explain. She's- she's just my cousin. Ya my cousin."

"Your cousin my ass! You know what! Get out of here. We'll talk later." She said harshly.

Chris scrambled away, not looking twice at the girl he was with.

"Honey," Kiera said to the girl Chris had ditched. "That means you too."

The girl got up and walked away, but not without rolling her eyes and scoffing at Kiera. I looked over at Kiera, seeing a single tear roll down her cheek.

"Hey, are you ok?" I asked softly, pulling her into my arms. She didn't respond, instead she just buried her face into my shirt. We stood like that for a while, her being completely silent, and me rubbing her back. After a few more minutes, I asked her again if she was ok. She pulled out of my arms and looked at me.

"Ya. Ya, I'm fine. Let's just forget that ever happened and enjoy the parade." She said with a small smile. I read somewhere that when a girl says she's fine, most of the time she's not. I didn't push her though, and instead sat down on the bench next to her. I didn't want this day to get any worse for her.

We watched the parade go by, Kiera staying quiet for most of it. She only occasionally commented on the floats and how ridiculous some of them looked. But other than that, nothing. I could tell that the whole Chris thing was really getting to her. I felt bad for her. Anyone could see that she had feelings for him. There was that small, selfish thought in the back of my head, happy that they were fighting. I know it's a horrible thought but I want more than anything to be with her. She's with Chris though, and as much as I hate that guy, I respect that. I wouldn't want a guy all over my girl, especially if it was Kiera.

When the parade finished, Kiera and I got up and started walking towards my car. She still hadn't said anything, and its starting to worry me.

"Hey, are you sure you're ok? You've been pretty quiet this whole time." I asked, breaking the silence.

"Honestly, no, I'm not. I really don't feel like talking about it though. I'm just emotionally exhausted." She replied.

"Ok, I understand. Just don't be too hard on yourself." I said, attempting to comfort her. She sighed.

"Can you give me a piggy back ride? Just like when we were younger?" She asked. I nodded and she hopped on my back.

"You know Tanner, you truly are my best friend." She mumbled into my shoulder.

I smiled sadly. Sometimes I just wished that we were more than friends...

--

What did one slice of pizza say to the other? You've got a pizza my heart.

A/N
Sorry for the late upload :)
That pun I found is my new favourite thing bc pizza is bae.
~Mariska