Perfect School

Kyra:

I shared a room with Kira. She was, as I found out, a cuddler in her sleep. I didn’t say anything to her about it but I found it endearing. It was interesting seeing her with my family. She seemed different somehow. Happier.

I was pleased by her happiness. Kirssy and Michael seemed happy as well, eager to please her. I wanted to be nothing but happy being with my whole family but I couldn’t help the pang of jealousy. Krissy had never treated me or Andrew the way she treated Kira. I had always thought of her as a mother figure but it was clear to see now that she didn’t see me as a daughter.

I dind’t have negative feelings towards either of them for it, it just made mee wish more than ever that I could have known my own mother. I wanted someone in my life who would look at me the way Krissy looked at Kira.


Krissy:

The end of the trip came far too soon. It made me sick to have to say goodbye to Kira. I didn’t want to send her back to Marie. I didn’t want to have to wonder at the next we would see her. I wanted to keep here, safe with us.

Kira:

I stood off a bit to the side, staring at the security line as I thought over the week I'd spent with my family. I had a weakness now, but I strangely found that I didn't mind it nearly as much as I thought I would. It had been a good trip, and worth the effort it had taken to get through it all. It had it's moments of unease, such as the beginning with Kyra and our little argument. But for the most part it had been memorable. I'd surprised all of them and myself included when I had giggled after being bowled over by Cerberus just so he and the other dogs could get at my face with his tongue.

I learned about Michael and Krissy, Kyle, and even some stories about a man named Jack. In addition I learned something about Kyra. In the middle of the week I saw jealousy cross her face after Krissy dragged me off to go buy a souvaneer during our trip. It got me thinking about how Krissy was likely the closest thing she had to a mother but now she'd lost that.

I was pulled from my thoughts by a gentle hand on my shoulder and turning my green eyes upward I was met with a faint smile from Michael as he led me to where everyone else had gathered a few feet away.

Krissy:

I tried not to get too emotional. Kira was so strong and I didn’t want her to think I was weak. But even so my eyes were watering when we had to say goodbye. I hugged and kissed each of the twins on the forehead first before I got to Kira.

“Can I hug you?” I asked her. I knew she didn’t like to be touched, but I didn’t know if I could let her go without holding her.

Fidgeting I looked away then carefully set my backpack on the ground. I didn't exactly extend my arms out to Krissy for a hug, but I did raise them so she could hug me and I could hug back. That she asked, was touching, and I couldn't help but admit that it was kind of nice being hugged even if only for a little bit.

Krissy:

I hugged her close for longer than she probably meant for me to but it was hard to let go. My eyes burned even more. I kissed the top of her head before letting her go. “I’m so glad that you came,” I said, blinking the tears from my eyes. “I hope you can come back soon.” I stepped back to let Michael have his turn.

"I'm....glad I did too." I admitted softly to her as I picked up my backpack again. Turning to Michael I held out my arms in the same fashion I did Krissy but he didn't hug me right away. Instead he knelt down to be eye level with me and smiled gently.

"I'm proud of you my beloved daughter. While I wish with all my heart that you hadn't needed to face the trials that have been forced upon you, you have shown you are strong. I will miss you Kira Night, and I can't wait to see how much you've grown when we meet again." He spoke quietly, intending the words to be heard by me alone, but with how close we all were standing it was impossible to prevent. After he finished speaking he hugged me and kissed me on the brow. Releasing me he stood and went to join his wife. I turned to the last one then to say my goodbyes too. Kyle.

Kyle:

I smiled when she turned to me. I could see the hesitation in her face and it made me chuckle. I motioned to hug her. I get her a quick hug and patted her on the back. My niece. I had never foreseen this day coming. I had hoped for it, but I didn’t think it would work quite the way it did. I sent her along with the twins without another word.

Krissy:

I clung to Michael and tied to restrain the tears from coming until after the kids were past security. I heard his words to her and they only made it more difficult to keep my composure. Now that they were gone, I turned my face into his chest and let out a few quiet sobs.

Michael:

I held onto my wife, gently rubbing her back. "Come on my love. Let's grab some pizza, enjoy Kyle's company, and maybe share the gift Kira gave you if you feel so inclined. If nothing else, you can enjoy whatever she left you."

Kira:

I led the way through security, feeling odd after the encounter with Kyle and my parents. I didn't know the name of the feeling, but I felt full not unlike eating a big meal. Looking at Kyra and Andrew after we got to our gate I swallowed a moment then pulled both of them into a hug. "Thank you..." I murmured softly.

Kyra:

I was surprised when Kira hugged us but I wasted no time in returning it. I held her close but tried not to hold her longer than she meant it. “What are you thanking us for? We haven’t done anything,” I said when she let go.

Kira:

Releasing them I rocked back on my heels and stuffed my hands into my pockets. “I have much to be thankful for from both of you. Patience, acceptance, and showing you care.” Bowing my head I settled back on my feet. I’d need to return to my cold self but I get I needed this moment to say this to them.

Kyra:

“You don’t need to thank us for that,” I said but I couldn’t hid my pleased smile. Being recognized for how I was with her felt nice. I loved her and she didn’t exactly say it back but this was her way of showing how she felt. “You’re family. That’s how we treat family.” I smiled and glanced at Andrew. He nodded.

Rocking from heel to toe several times was the only indication I gave that I felt uncomfortable after my admittance, and I could only nod at Kyra. Rubbing my hands together I nodded towards the benches near the gate. "Come on."

Kyra:

We had one day of rest before the students came back to train. After our full day of travel, I was exhausted in the morning and slept in. I should have been readjusting to the time difference, but I chose sleep instead.

Jonah:

I knew she got in the night before, so it wasn’t a surprise when I saw Kira come into the gym that morning. I finished with the set I was doing before I acknowledged her.

“Good morning Kira,” I said moving closer to her and talking a sip from my water bottle. “How was the rest of your trip?”

I looked at Jonah then at the floor. My hands clenched and then released for a moment. "I...enjoyed myself...I'm glad it happened." Raising my eyes I searched his face, "Thank you. For giving the push."

Jonah:

I nodded to her in answer. If I put too much emphasis on her cracks I knew she would close right up. I offered to train with her after she warmed up. I didn’t prompt her to expand further on her feelings. She was in a state right now where she could easily rebound and go back to her hard shell. I hoped if I didn’t spook her she would remain vulnerable.

I trained with him, after I spent a good time just working out. I took my father's advice to heart, improving in my actions while also keeping back the things I'd learned directly from him. At the end of it as I grabbed our water bottles and he sat against the wall I joined him. Normally I'd have sat a bit away if he'd been sitting first but this time I sat right beside him with my shoulder brushing up against him.

Jonah:

I glanced at her when her shoulder touched mine. Closer than she usually put herself. “Do you remember when we would stay in the gym after training, when we were young? We would just sit and talk, or sit in silence, just the two of us,” I said. “I’ve been thinking about those times this past week.”

It was simpler then. It was easy. Kira was a puzzle to unlock. Still thrilling in every way. I was happy. This past week alone, I had been trying to map out the past. What could I have done differently to reach my goals? What could I have done differently in regards to Kira?

Somewhere along the line Kira and I had begun to switch places. She was opening up and I was becoming more mechanical. There was almost nothing I could do now without calculating, without planning. Even now, bringing up what I did was purposeful to get a reaction from her. I couldn’t simply speak without thinking ahead.

"We are still young Jonah. It wasn't that long ago." Closing my eyes I rolled my neck, stretching out the start of a small kink. "But yes." Opening my eyes I peered sideways at him, "Why have you been thinking about it?"

Jonah:

I turned my face to look at her. For a moment I just studied her face. “I was thinking about us,” I said. “About how we used to be with each other. Before it got complicated.” By complicated, I meant Marie.

I met his gaze, studying his face with a faint look of curiosity. "About us? What about us?" I knew somethings had changed over time. Before I had walls, armor, and had managed to keep everyone at a distance. I missed those times. I felt more sure about what I was doing. Now I questioned my fate.

Jonah:

"Well for one, I think you liked me better then," I said. It wasn't strictly true. She was more attached to me now, but she also thought I was constantly manipulation her and that I only cared about her for superficial reasons. "You didn't question everything I did."

"I cared less then. You were just another of thousands of people that would brush up against my life and leave nothing behind. That's how it was supposed to go." I looked away and focused on the far wall. "And yet here you are."

Jonah:

"Our lives are intertwined now, Kira. Whether we want it or not," I said. "Even if we are separated we will affect the other. This world isn't that big, and we will be the main players." We would likely have to die to get out. I couldn't see either of us willingly giving it up, like her parents did.

"I suppose so." I wondered about how our lives were intertwined. At times his hold on me felt like a noose, other times like I was being bound head to toe. It was those rare moments where I felt like we were interlocking fingers. I couldn't imagine just how I influenced him. "You talk like you have high aspirations of where you want to end up."

Jonah:

“I can’t stand to be a pawn. I’m not a weapon to be used by someone else. I’m in charge of my own life,” I said it a little more firmly than I meant to. I let out a soft breath and looked at her with a smile. “I know what I want, Kira. It’ll take work, but I know I can get there.”