Simply Falling

Chapter 20

I'm too shocked right now to question her weird behavior so I shrug it off.

"I was walking to school and I think I was staring at him, and he made a cocky remark. I ended up missing the bus. He wouldn't leave me alone after that." I say, smiling at the memory.

"You like him." My mother says, not asks.

"N-No!" I say.

"Kiara, what is the point in denying it? I know you like him." She says.

I sigh.

"How? How do you know?" I ask, confused.

"I can see it in your eyes. Just from the way you talk about him. You start glowing. He makes you happy." She says.

I blush.

I'm still confused.

Why does my mother care? She never bothered before.

As though she was reading my thoughts, she says,

"Kiara, I have a confession to make."

"All these years, I- I don't know why I mistreated you. I'm so lucky to have you, even if you're adopted. I always compared you to Fiona. That made me think of you as an ugly and ungrateful kid. In reality, you were just an average teen who did well in school and sports. I shouldn't have treated you so poorly." She says, feeling ashamed and embarrassed.

I don't know what to say. Feeling overwhelmed, I start crying.

My mom stiffens besides me, not knowing what to do.

"Mom, I have always wished you would treat me the same way you treat Fiona." I say through tears.

"I'm so sorry Kiara. I didn't mean to be so cruel and hurt you the way I did. I messed up." She says.

Apologies from her is very rare.

I look up and notice she too is crying.

I wipe a tear from her cheek.

"Mom, please don't cry." I say.

"Will you forgive me?" She asks, her voice weak and vulnerable.

I nod my head.

"Can we start over?" She pleads.

I nod.

"I would like that very much, mom." I say.

She smiles. "I want to make it up to you."

"Elly and I our going shopping tomorrow. We'd love for you to come." She says.

I nod.

She holds her arms out, for a hug.

I lean into her embrace and feel slightly better.

"I'd love that, mom." I say, smiling.

"I love you Kiara. I'm so sorry for everything I said and did to you. I don't deserve your forgiveness." She says, softly.

"Everyone deserves a second chance." I say.

She smiles at me and wipes away the remaining tears on my face.

"Can I bring Liv with me?" I ask.

"Of course, sweetie."

My mom checks her watch and yelps in surprise.

"We should leave now. Why is Fiona late? Where is she?" My mom says.

I shrug. "She's usually with her friends. She hates me." I say.