The loud pop music was ringing in Kiara’s ears while she tried to dance her sorrow away. A whole week, and she still felt like shit. “I’m clocking you on that funeral dancing, baby girl.” Michael reappeared out of nowhere after spending a suspicious amount of time in the bathroom of that poorly lit club.“And I’m clocking you on having a blowjob in the bathroom.” “Touché. But it’s my birth

She looked at him dumbfounded, but he was looking ahead at the road. Did he realize what he just said? She wanted to ask but didn’t really know how. Maybe he didn’t mean it. It was just a figure of speech. It didn’t take long for them to reach his apartment, but it felt like hours of excruciating silence to Kiara. She was not one to dwell on words and feelings, but then again, she was not used to those particular ones. They got in to find a warm welcome – to Kiara. She loved the giant dog and embraced him as best she could without using her hands.

He felt her stiffen at his words. Maybe it was too soon. Her arms were still around his neck, and his hands were clamping her waist, afraid to let go. But her stare was wide-eyed, and the tears dried in her face. He didn’t regret it, though. Even if she was not ready for it, he was. Wasn’t she the one to tell him to do what he wanted? “Fuck, say something.” He might be certain of his feelings, but it didn’t mean his heart wasn’t pounding against his chest waiting for her reaction.“Are you sure?” Right, not what he expected. Not at all.

Push through. Those were the only words on Kiara’s mind as she felt herself slipping. Her breath was becoming shallow, but she couldn’t let it show. If she could just leave, and be alone for a while, she’d be able to get her grip back. Why was she getting like that again? It was not fair. In the first few minutes after Harry mentioned her mother, she was still there. Fading, but there. But after Chris’ words hit her, she felt her grip on reality escaping. There was a distant barking sound somewhere, and a doorknob that caused her pain when she touched it. A car stopped by the sidewalk and she got in. Did she call for it?

Kiara woke up Monday morning with the emotional hangover of the century. She was tired of not being able to do anything, so she decided to go to practice anyway, even with her hands out of commission. If she couldn’t do what she wanted in Chris’ department, she’d at least work her frustration out with a sick series of abs and legs. When she got to the studio, she ran into Michael’s glowing figure. Literally. The man was covered in glitter from head to toe, and it was fucking Monday.“What the hell did you do last night?” She asked in disbelief.