Illusions

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

I left her place by past 11 and didn't get a glimpse of her dad. I guess he was indoors. She ate little. I would have preferred she was sedated but her brother wouldn't have that. I got home and went to bed. Kylie called. I missed her call. I didn't want to talk to her or have anything to do with her

Two weeks went by. It's been more than a month. It was a Monday. She took a deep breath

Me: hey, it's okay if you're not ready for this
Kim: no, I am

I looked into her eyes to make sure she was being really honest. I smiled at her and opened the door. The whole class looked at the three of us. Lily walked up to her and hugged her. Honestly, everybody had missed her in school. Everybody hugged her. She took her seat. We were starting exams next week and she had a lot to catch up on. August was just around the corner. Summer. I really hoped she'll come for the summer camp this year. I was into her more than ever. She glowed as she healed. The killer was still out there and she was planning on doing some digging herself during the summer. I couldn't talk her out of it. Beth did a lot of sleep overs at her place for the last one month. We all did. Helped her push through. Shawna walked up to her

Shawna: hey
Kim: not now Shawna
Shawna: I'm sorry about your Mom
Kim: oh, thanks

Shawna turned to leave

Kim: Shawna?
Shawna: yeah
Kim: You're the daughter of the head of the CIA
Shawna: yeah
Kim: think they'll be interested in a murder case
Me: Kim?
Shawna: depends on how important it is
Kim: okay thanks

Shawna smiled at her. Shawna was nicer than before. There was something wrong somewhere. She was really silent in class. She moved with a personal bodyguard each. She, Jayden, Barry and Bryant. They all did. You had to be a familiar face to get into their house now. She's been extra moody today. After school, I decided to walk her home with the guard behind us. Jayden drove home with Barry. Bryant was always with her. He was really cute. She went to pick him up from his class

Kimberly: when were you planning on telling me that you and Kylie broke up?
Me: how'd you find out?
Kim: feels like your every ex thinks you're in love with me so she sent me a text to warn me to leave you alone
Me: She's sleeping with someone else
Kim: you can't be serious
Me: I am. her ex
Kim: wow
Me: caught them in bed together
Kim: you can't be serious

She laughed

Me: well I am
Kim: I'm sorry though
Me: for? It's all my fault
Kim: I don't think it is. Well after you told me you loved me and then I went for a week to find out that you were in a relationship, it's kind of your fault
Me: you said, I loved you
Kim: yeah

She said looking down at Bryant who was trying to walk faster than his shadow

Me: Kim, I didn't stop loving you

She turned

Kim: huh
Me: I never did. I just think you deserve better than me
Kim: better than you?
Me: what can I give you that you don't have
Kim: I have everything, but these things coming from you would feel a lot different. It's not the same
Me: Kim
Kim: I don't want to talk about it
Me: I'm sorry
Kim: don't be. It's okay

She smiled at me. I could tell that all her feelings for me had completely faded. She just saw us as normal friends now. There couldn't be anything between us anymore. My phone rang. I looked at it, Kylie. I showed it to her. She giggled.

Kim: you should pick that
Me: why
Kim: who knows, she might want to give you a story to why he was in her bed
Me: very funny Kimberly
Kim: It is actually. I would want to know what she has to say
Me: I don't

I said hanging up and tossing the phone in my bag

Kim: think you can bring Hailey over today?
Me: I'd have to go pick her up from school. Would you come with me
Kim: I don't know

She said pointing at her security detail

Me: yeah right
Kim: sorry
Me: it's okay

She sighed

Kim: call me crazy but I'm going to talk my dad out of this guards thingy
Me: are you crazy? why?
Kim: I don't know. It's just so much attention
Me: it's for your safety
Kim: is it?
Me: yes. Whoever killed your mom is still out there and we don't know whether he's done or not so please don't talk to your dad about dropping the detail
Kim: It's so uncomfortable
Me: it's for a while

She looked away. I gently turned her face to mine

Me: I don't....

I sighed

Me: I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you. I don't know how I'd live knowing someone took you away from me. So I'm asking, no, I'm begging you to please endure for a little while longer

She nodded. I hugged her. Ever since her Mom died, she's been more open than before. I was glad she was. We got to her place and she went in with Bryant

Kimberly's POV

I met Dad and Jayden arguing when I got back in

Dad: she's not a kid anymore
Jayden: she just lost her mom and you're leaving
Dad: I'm leaving do I can be available for Christmas. I'm leaving because I have to give you and three other kids the best life has to offer
Jayden: material things dont matter to us, to her. Being here does
Dad: really? Your Mom is gone because she didn't have adequate protection
Jayden: we don't need the protection anymore
Me: would you both stop yelling at each other
Jayden: dad is leaving on Saturday, immediately after the burial
Me: you can't be serious

He rubbed his forehead. I turned to Bryant

Me: sweetheart, go to your room

He went up gayly

Me: you're leaving
Dad: I have to
Me: no you don't
Jayden: Kimberly, let it be
Me: no, you're leaving
Jayden: that's not the worst part. He wants us to move to Australia
Me: why?
Dad: here isn't safe
Me: and there is?
Dad: I can keep am eye on you over there
Me: if you can't stay here and keep an eye on your own kids and your brother's kids, then that's your own problem because I'm not packing up my bags and starting a new life in australia just because you can't wait in NYC with your kids. If you're not staying, we're not leaving. And yeah, drop the security detail. I don't want it. I don't need it
Dad: I'd drop the security escort but I'm leaving two to guard the house and I'm putting trackers in all the cars and in your phones
Me: yeah

I scoffed

Dad: it's for your own good
Me: my own good? You don't even know me. You've never been around. it's always from one country to another, but never home

I turned

Dad: Kim, this conversation isn't over
Me: it is for me

I walked out

Jayden: yeah. You just keep hurting everybody. Maybe leaving is what's best.

He said as he walked out. I left the house and called Nicholas. I was breaking down already

Nicholas: hey
Me: are you home?
Nicholas: just about to go pick up Hailey. You good?
Me: no I'm not
Nicholas: I'd pull up at your place in a minute

He did and I got into his car

Nicholas'POV

Me: want to talk about it?
Kim: he's leaving
Me: your dad?
Kim: wants us to leave with him
Me: to Australia?

My heart broke