What are you doing to me Kiera

Chapter 18

Ethan's POV

"Awwn, do you really have to leave, Ethan?" Liliana was saying as I carried the breakfast tray on her lap and placed it on the nightstand by her bed.

"Unfortunately, I do. I'll be back tomorrow though. You just get better so you can get back to school."

"Yeah, yeah. I'd walk you out but–" she sneezed at that very moment and groaned again.

"I know, I know. Get better, Lili," I said, pressing my lips to her forehead before stepping away and leaving the room. Once I was out of her room and standing alone in the hallway, I leaned back against the door and sighed deeply.

After football practice today, I really had wanted nothing more than to head home and soak in a hot bath but I couldn't escape. I had to see Lili or I'd end up regretting it.

On my way out of her house, I managed to avoid running into her parents. I was already exhausted and the last thing I needed was to talk to Mr or Mrs Scott. Just the thought of a conversation with either of them gave me a migraine.

I got into my car which I'd parked by the roadside and started the ride back home. All alone in the car, I had only my thoughts to keep me company and there was really only one person I was thinking of.

No matter how much I tried and told myself I should get over her already, my darned heart wouldn't listen.

Kierra O'Connor or Key as I called her... I didn't really know how to explain how I felt about her but I knew that she was more to me than just my sister's best friend. She was definitely more than that.

She was different from any other girl I had ever met and for the life of me, I could never figure out why. She just was and she was constantly in my thoughts. It wasn't something that began recently but she seemed to be on my mind more now than ever before.

It was hard to explain but my feelings for her were way different from the ones I had for Lili, far different and I hated that. It was wrong for me to have these especially for someone as innocent as Kierra was but it didn't seem like it could be helped.

As I drove through the gates and parked my car, I noticed that things looked a little different and all thoughts of Kierra were quickly wiped away from my mind. My heart began to race and I quickly got out of my car and rushed inside.

The maids were running around in a panic, cleaning and wiping basically every surface which could only mean one thing. They were back.

I took a deep breath to calm myself before heading into the den where I saw Emily being scolded by my parents. But the moment they became aware of my presence, they stopped and both of them rushed towards me.

"I've missed you so much, honey," my mom said, pulling me into a hug. I could see Emily glaring at me from across the room which made it hard to not feel awkward. I managed to fake a smile and said, "I missed you too, Mom."

After pulling back, my mom stepped back so my father could approach me. When he stopped in front of me, he reached out and gripped my shoulder before saying, "How have you been, son?"

"Great, dad."

"That's nice to hear. Did you see Liliana today? Her dad told me she wasn't feeling too well." There was a deeper meaning behind his question that only he and I were aware of. I nodded slowly, already feeling like leaving the room. Thankfully, I yawned just then and my parents got the message.

"Oh, honey. You must be so exhausted. Go on up to your room. We can catch up later."

"Thank you, Mom," I said, pressing my lips to her forehead before stepping out of the den, very much aware of Emily's gaze boring into my back.

A feeling of guilt washed over me the minute I was out of the den and alone in the corridor. I wished I could go back in there and do or say something to help Emily but I couldn't do it because at my very core, I was a wimp. Always had and I probably always would be.

Taking a deep, shaky breath, I pulled away from the door I had been leaning just as it opened and Emily stepped out furiously. We locked eyes and said nothing for seconds but the anger in her eyes told me what she didn't say.

Eventually, Emily looked away and shook her head before walking away. I watched her leave before climbing up the stairs and heading to my room. It was a lot more silent compared to the noisiness downstairs and I liked it.

When your life involved as much activities as mine did, a chance to get away from it all and just have some peace and quiet was a blessing.

When I was all alone, there was no pressure to be perfect. I could just relax and be me. I had my thoughts to keep me company and that was honestly one of the best things ever but not always. Sometimes, just like right now, my thoughts were my worst enemies.

I was not a fool. I wasn't blind to my parents' mistreatment of Emily and I was behind it. The guilt of that coupled with the fact that I'd never done anything about it either was all I could think about and it was eating at me.

I still felt tired but sleep wouldn't come no matter how much I tossed and turned on my bed. I was sweating despite the fact that the air conditioner in my room was on.

After spending a few more minutes, trying and failing to fall asleep, I rolled out of bed and decided to head to the kitchen to get a glass of milk which I hoped would get me to sleep.

However, just as I stepped out of my room, I ended up walking right into Kierra causing her to slip backwards. I was quick enough to grab her by her waist and pull her towards me.

As I looked down at her and our eyes met, I suddenly felt happier within and was unable to resist the urge to smile.

What are you doing to me, Kierra O'Connor?