K A T A L I N A   N A I

Maybe we were meant to meet but not to be - j.b

"How have you been?"

My thoughts run at the sound of the low voice that has a hint of breathiness and worry to it, which is recognized as tired and scared-- I think.

"I've- been good, nothing really." I look out the window seeing the city lights pass by each time, before turning my head to look at Kylo. "You?" I add.

"Same," He swallows, "You wanna get some ice cream?" Is all he says before turning his head back towards the front.

"What?" I ask curiously, my head tilting to a side as I stare at him with confusion.

"Do- you-want- ice- cream, Katalina."

"I do," I slap a hand over my chest. "But you're asking me to go with you?"

"Yeah?" He says in a duh tone. "You want me to drop you off at the curb and go without you?"

I wave a hand back and forth, "No."

"Okay then it's settled."

Pulling up to a local ice cream shop, we both step out. I wrap my arms around myself tighter as the wind blows harshly against my skin. Taking only three steps, a hoodie is thrown in my face. Causing me to jump, I catch the hoodie, looking to my left as Kylo walks towards the door of the shop.

Not bothering to say thanks I quickly slide the hoodie on.

Ice cream during cold weather, the best-- ever.

Upon entering the bell on top of the door rings, as it rings. The cashier smiles giving Kylo and I a friendly smile.

"Ice cream on a cold night?" She smiles.

I return the smile, "Yup!"

She lifts up the glass, "Well what can I get y'all?"

I look at Kylo who still scans the options of ice cream. "Um," Putting a finger against my lips I hum. "Can I get cookies n' cream?"

"Of course, a cup or cone?"

"I'll do a cone."

"One cookies n' cream coming right up."

I turn over glancing at Kylo, "Do you know what you're getting?"

He shakes his head, "Cake batter? Mint Chocolate?"

I cock a brow, "Mint chocolate?"

"What? It's good." He crosses his arm. "And- before you say it, it does not taste like tooth paste."

"Mint chocolate is gross, I don't know how people eat it."

"Oh shut up, I like it, that's all that matters."

"Here you are dear." She says handing me my cone, "And for you, young man?" Hand getting ready to scoop some more ice cream.

Kylo looks over at me, "I'll get mint chocolate."

After getting both of our ice creams, Kylo pays the lady. Not allowing me to pay. He said 'I suggested it, meaning I pay.' Like what ever you say.

We sit inside the ice cream parlor, watching as people walk. Either partying, drinking. I don't know. Just eating our ice cream and not talking.

Kylo breaks the silence, "What did you think of Azariah's date idea for Athena?"

"I thought it was really cute, I did. He's amazing."

And Azariah is, he went to the store to buy all the supplies. Thought of snacks; a place to set the date up, brought blankets and pillows. Who knew Azariah could think of a perfect first date? Nothing too fancy and nothing to plain, just right. I knew Athena would love it, her facial expression showed it all, and it never lies.

Made me a little jealous to be honest. Nobody's ever done that for me.

He pushes off the table standing up, "Yeah I didn't think he had it in him." Throwing away the napkins, "You ready to go?"

Nodding, he holds out a hand. I look at it for a few seconds before hesitantly taking it in mine. Standing up, he lets go.

I gasp as the cold hits my face. "Tonights really cold, what the fuck."

"I don't feel a thing, weak ass."

"Oh shut the fuck up."

Looking across the street I see a mini boutique open, to be fair it's the only one open this late at night.

"Hey lets go over there, I wanna look!" Running towards the street not bothering to look both-ways. And kids let me tell you-- look both fucking ways. Sorry for my explicit language.

As I step onto the road going towards the middle, everything around me goes mute, the only thing heard is the beating of my heart. I turn my head to the right to see a car going full speed, they honk but my reaction wasn't fast enough. I stand still.

My arm gets tugged on, causing me to fall backwards onto a hard and warm, chest.

The wind blows my air across my face covering my vision.

Am I dead-- Nope.

My breathing ragged I look over at the car that jerked to a stop. "Are you stupid!" I turn my head looking towards Kylo who stares at me intensely. "You almost got yourself killed." His grip on my wrist tightening.

My mouth opening before shutting again seeing the position were in. His right arm lays on my lower back, his left holding my wrist. Our bodies close together. The lights that stand behind us lighting his face.

Looking around, "I'm sorry, I wasn't-"

"Paying attention? Yeah I got it." He breathes. "Look both ways next time?" His eyes softening.

The loud sound of a car honking brings us out of our bubble popping it.

"Watch where the fuck you're going bitch!" The stranger says flipping me off.

Kylo looks up, "Fuck off asshole!"

"Yeah, um. We can go home."

"We can," He says hand still holding onto my wrist. "You need to be careful, I don't wanna loose you."

I don't wanna lose you.

I don't wanna lose you.

Please don't say words like that. Words like that play with my heart, making it do flips.

I stare at him, not tearing my eyes off. My face stays still. I don't know what to do.

"You okay?" He asks.

Not being able to form words I give him a slight nod.

Kylo walks over to the car unlocking it, then opening the door. He motions for me to get in but I don't move.

"Lina, get in."

Lina.

He always calls me Katalina. Oh fuck it, stop thinking about it.

Kylo parks the car in the drive way. I grab my keys and insert it into the keyhole, of the house door.

Walking inside Kylo follows and throws himself against the couch.

Placing my keys on the counter table, "I'm guessing they aren't home yet."

He sighs, "Probably." Kylo thinks to himself for a few seconds before speaking up. "Hey, can we talk?"

"Yeah... Of course." Walking over to the couch I plop myself next to him, keeping my legs to myself.

This is making me nervous.

"So about— the party and Skylar." He pauses, "I wanted to apologize."

Staring at him with so many questions, I keep my mouth shut. Why would he be apologizing? Why the fuck would he apologize? I thought what we 'had' meant nothing.

I did, he left me thinking like that.

"I am, I am so sorry."

Not thinking about anything I blurt, "Why did you do it then?" Putting my hands in my lap, playing with the rips of my shorts.

He runs a hand through his hair, "Honestly? I don't know. I-I was confused, and I didn't know what I was doing."

My face drops, "Thats it?"

"Yeah?" He replies.

"Nothing more?"

I don't know what I was expecting: a better explanation, story, reason?

Looking straight into my eyes, "I care about you, Katalina. I do."

I hum giving an unsure response.

My god I can't.

——————————

My mind still races about last night.

I stare at the ceiling, seeing the sun bounce off the ground to the top.

The palm trees sway back and forth, as the wind blows.

A knock is heard, "Come in."

Their pops Athena, hair sticks out in different places, lip gloss smudged.

I snort, "Someone had a fun night, I suppose?" I tease.

She gives me a mumble before throwing herself against my bed.

"Hey!" I throw my hands up, pushing her over so that she lays on her back. "Your makeup is gonna get on my clean sheets."

She throws a hand up in protest, "Oh shut up."

Athena and I talked for a little before she had to leave-- to eat with Azariah, of course. I had nothing to do, so me being me. I walk out into the living-room to see Kylo napping on the couch.

I sigh before walking into the kitchen, grabbing some orange mango juice, filling the cup with ice before I pour it. Kylo shifts in his sleep laying on his side. Bringing the cup put to my lips, I shallow the liquid.

There are no words on how to describe myself right now. I don't know what I feel.

Feeling a pair of eyes burning into the side of my head, I turn to see Kylo. He rests his head on the palm of his hand. "Hey." His voice low.

Swallowing the rest of the juice, "Hey." I reply slowly.

He laughs, "Come sit." Patting the spot by his foot.

I hesitate. "I-I woke you up didn't I?"

"No, no you didn't."

Kylo positions himself to sit against the couch. "About yesterday. I'm-" A buzz interrupts him, he looks towards the coffee table. Before he grabs the phone he sends me an apologetic look.

He picks the phone up, placing the phone to his ear. "Hey," His voice soft. "Yeah I'm home, why?"

Slouching against the couch, I watch him.

"I'm not busy, yeah. No yeah come over."

I raise an eyebrow, confused on who he's inviting over. And if he is-- shouldn't it be a joint decision on who comes over? We do share this house.

I hear a faint feminine voice, "Oh my god, yay!"

Skylar.

Honestly I haven't known Kylo long enough to get mad or call him out. But I'm not going to lie, it kinda, hurts?

"Goof ballll" My brother sings. "Are you in your room?"

Elijah walks into my room, singing. Only to stop once he sees me lying on the bed against the headboard. He stops at the entrance, his hand grasping the door handle.

My eyes red.

Elijah's silly act is pushed aside, "Hey- you okay?"

"Elijah..." My throat dry. "I-I can't."

In a swift movement, he jumps across the room. Not walk, but jump. This dude just- I'm not even gonna question it, I don't have the energy.

Elijah crawls over my legs sitting on my left, pulling me into a hug. My head resting on his chest, hearing his heart beat. "I'm here for you, you know that right?" I nod. "You don't have to tell me anything. I only just want to be here for you."

Elijah is twenty-one, three years older than me, still living with us. And I know. He should be moved out, but the thing is, he fought to stay here, with me. He said he couldn't leave me just yet. After weeks of arguing back and forth with my parents, they finally agreed to let him stay.

He stays because, mom and dad weren't there for me, a lot. They weren't there for him either. And he want's someone to be there for me, to not have no one.

That's a story for another time.

But we're close. And I am, so, so, grateful. To have a relationship with my sibling like this.

We sit in silence for who knows how long. Elijah hasn't left my side unless it was to go to the bathroom. Or to get a few snacks for the movie he put on.

"Eli?" I question, looking up only to be met with his chin. As he watches the show intensely.

"Hm?" He hums, focusing on me.

"Why did he have to do this to me..." I say almost whispering. "I just don't understand."

Elijah pauses the movie. "It's my fault isn't it?" I say.

"It was never your fault, Katalina." He says calmly. "You didn't know."

"But, I'm the reaso-"

He holds a finger up to my lip. "He chose to do what he did. You, did, not, know." Elijah sighs, removing his hand. "Don't blame yourself for something you had no part in. No idea in."

I take a deep breath. Watching as he gives me a sad smile, wiping away a stray tear I didn't notice falling.

"No matter how much you try and tell yourself that you are the reason to his doings, that you are weak, baby sis. You are enough, enough for me. The doubts and sadness will never go away, and you'll try and run as far away as possible. But running only makes it worse. You need to become stronger, hold your ground. Are you going to let one guy destroy you? Are you going to let him win the game he shouldn't win?"

"You're the strongest sister I know-"

"Only sister." I correct him. Causing him too snort.

"Only sister-- But you're the strongest Katalina, don't let someone win a game that was never theirs to begin with."

I enclose him in a bear hug, squeezing him so tight, he sucks in air.

"Thanks Eli, I don't deserve you..."

"Let me go, or you won't have a brother anymore. I might die."

I snort. Letting the weak loving person I call my brother go.

"I love you."

"I love you too, you goof ball."

Elijah tells me a joke, I laughed so hard, tears started to run down my face. He says the joke once, twice and again. I let out a laugh, no tears came out this time. Elijah told me the joke a fifth time and I didn't laugh nor did I cry.

He finally stopped, his eyes softening as he spoke. "If you can't laugh at the same joke over and over again, then why do you allow yourself to cry over people who hurt you, repeatedly?"

"If you hate running in circles, then why do you keep running the circle?"

Thats when I broke.

Kylo's deep voice brings me out of my memory. "Hey... So Skylar is com-"

"Coming over? Yeah. That's fine, I was gonna go meet my brother anyways." His eyes widen at me finishing his sentence for him, and the fact I dropped the bomb of having a brother.

"You have a brother?"

I hum in response. "Have fun. Talk later."

"Yeah." His voice grows farther and farther away as I walk down the hall grabbing my bag and leaving the house.

I put the phone up to my ear, holding it with my shoulder as I unlock the car door. "Hey Eli, wanna meet up?"

•─────·☾ ☽⋅─────•

A/N: Dun dun dunnnn. Lina has a brother? Yeah she does, honestly had it written in my outlines but didn't wanna bring him in at all. So here he is now. And if you don't know who she's crying over, it's Erik. And its a memory.

I am so sorry it took forever to release this chapter, I just didn't have the motivation to finish it. With school and all that. Also this chapter is longer than normallll.

Follow their insta: @/ beachhavens4

- Sunah