Strings of Fate

212- New and normal As enthusiastic as they were, most of the guests don’t make it through the entire movie. Logan begins dozing off and Shaun offers to drop them and Amber hsince none of them really drive. Cam is awake and going strong which is hardly a surprise given the amount of late nights she works, However she chooses to bow out while Harry is distracted and not staring at her. I think his undivided attention was enough to freak her out a little. By the tthe movie finishes, the only people left are myself, Bellamy, Kiara and Harry. Even Megan went upstairs to bed and Darrien of course vanished moments after she left. Kiara seems cheerful but very drowsy. Her sleeping pattern is all messed up from being stuck in a dark basement with nothing to do most of the time. But | hope she sleeps well tonight. She has to be pretty worn out. We send her upstairs to change for bed then Bellamy and I sit there staring at Harry. That alcohol must have been STRONG because he is totally out. Dead to the world asleep. | nudge him in the arm and he doesn’t even stir.

“Should we move him or something?” Bellamy asks reluctantly. | shrug.

“I wouldn't bother. | mean, this fort is full of blankets and pillows, it's comfortable. He can just sleep here can’t he? Unless you have a problem with it... | can try to get him home. Not that I actually know where he lives...

Shoot, this might be harder than | thought.” Bellamy laughs.

“It’s fine. He can stay over, | don’t mind. He's fairly harmless, at least he is when he’s asleep.” Abandoning Harry and deciding that the explosion that is the kitchen can wait til morning, the two of us head upstairs. Bellamy goes to get ready for bed while | go ch*ck in on Kiara. She has already climbed into bed and seems to be waiting forto say goodnight. She has a small nightlight plugged in that Megan gave her when we realised that she really didn’t like sleeping in the dark. I'm not surprised. All of the awful things that happened to her took place at night or in the dark. | suspect it will be a long tuntil she’s comfortable with it.

She might not ever be. | can’t help but trace my eyes down the green thread joining us. Her two green threads combined with my red thread creates a sort of triangle joining us and Bellamy. | enjoy having the visible reminder, the sway it helpsto have the reassurance of being able to see the red thread joining Bellamy and I.

“Goodnight Kiara, did you have a good day?” | ask. She nods eagerly and | smile.

H 1/3 212- New and normal “I'm glad. | do want you to be happy here.” | pause then quickly add.

“That doesn’t mean it’s going to be shopping, parties and forts every day though. This was at special occasion.

You're going to have to go back to school when we get it sorted out for you.” | tease. Kiara makes a face atbut she doesn’t seem truly bothered by the idea. | suspect that after what she’s been through, school doesn’t seem as terrible as it once might have. | am cautious before I continue.

“It doesn’t have to be right away, but | also think it might be a good idea for you to talk to someone. Like a professional. It doesn’t have to be a big deal. But it might be nice for you to have someone you can talk to who isn’t involved. Someone you can unload on and who can help you work through any problems you have. It doesn’t have to be right away, and we can tto find the right person. But | do think it would be good. Would that be alright with you sweetheart?” | ask. | wait nervously for her response. | know she is only nine, but | don’t want to pressure her into anything. She’s had enough of her choices stripped away from her recently and | don’t want to take away any more. I'm not even totally sure if she knows exactly what I’m suggesting. She probably has a vague idea at least. Kiara looks thoughtfully up atthen gives a small nod. | give her a tight hug to encourage her and promise to start looking into options for her. Bellamy walks in a minute later to say goodnight. Once we are both sure she is settled we head off to our room.

i am halfway through changing for bed when | realise that | didn’t head to the ensuite to change or make sure Bellamy was out of the room. | just mindlessly started getting ready for bed. I've gotten so comfortable here that it didn’t occur tothat there might be an issue. I quickly finish dressing then turn to face Bellamy. He is fussing with the blankets, clearly trying to look busy and like he ‘didn’t even notice’ me. Still, the pink tint to his cheeks gives him away. That and the fact that | have never once seen him straighten up the blankets BEFORE.

We go to bed. That's more of a morning type thing. | can’t help but laugh.

“Relax, I'm not going to snap. You weren't spying onchanging or anything. It’s not your fault that I just started stripping in the middle of your room right in front of you.” | point out. Bellamy grins. He still looks awkward, but there is relief in his expression too.

“Does that mean | don’t need to pretend | didn’t see anything?” He asks with a mischievous smile. | laugh uncomfortably.

“Uh... how about you don’t have to pretend but you do need to keep your mouth shut about it?” | suggest. He narrows his eyes.

2/3 Is there an alte out, “Uhhh...” I stare stupidly up at him as he steps in close and slides his hands over my waist. He leans down and | think he’s about to k*ss me, but instead he just presses his face into my shoulder as he pullsinto a tight hug.

He stays there for a few seconds then stands up straight, liftingwith him. Then in one smooth movement he picksup.

“Con then beautiful. If I'm not allowed to talk about what | saw I'll just have to take you to bed and show you.” He teases, My mouth goes dry, but despite his teasing Bellamy doesn’t do anything. Just lowersinto the bed then crawls in beside me, pullingto his side. I'm willing to bet he is as worn out as | am. It's been a long and emotional day. But wait, this is the first tI’ve had him alone for more than a few seconds all day.

“So... | have something to tell you.” | start.

“Yes love?” He asks sleepily.

“Well... our threads changed.” | tell him, not thinking about how that actually sounds. Bellamy immediately siezes up. Before | can so much as blink, he has the lights back on and is leaning over me, panic in his eyes.

“If it changed once it can change back. It doesn’t have to change anything between us. | love you. | can’t lose you. Please!” Chapter Comments