"Keira?" I saw her walking down the street, what was she doing alone, in the dark?

"Huh?" She turned around and finally saw me on my porch.

"What are you doing out here?" I got off the bench and walked over to her.

"I'm going home," She said uneasily, shifting as I came closer.

I was confused, the first time we met, the bus. She walked me to the clinic and walked me home, she had headed in the opposite direction telling me that she lived that way. Now she's going home, but in a different direction.

"But, you told me-" I was cut off.

"I know what I said," She breathed out, "I should go," She kept walking.

"Here, let me take your things," I grabbed for one of the bags in her hand and walked along beside her.

When I looked at her, she had a questioning look on her face, but she didn't seem to care, she just kept going. I looked forward, sometimes, I had to nudge her to keep her from wandering off, she seemed to have been distracted with the stars. Sometimes, I wondered if she even knew her way to her home, if that's what it really was.

"Do you want to play 20 questions...?" I asked as I tried to get her attention.

"Sure, you first," She replied quietly.

So we played, we were down to our last three questions, two from her, one from me.

"If you could change anything about how you were raised, what would it be?" She asked as she glanced my way.

I knew the answer well to this one, but I didn't want to say too much, nor to little. I looked at her and finally, said my answer.

I whispered the answer, she didn't make fun of me, she didn't say, oh grow up, like a lot of others. She simply nodded and understood. I don't know how she was able to sympathize but I guess she could.

"If you could bring back any memory to now, what would it be?" I asked her. She took a while to think, she seemed to really want to say the right thing.

"When I was walking in the park one day with my mom and dad, it was just such a beautiful day, I wish I could do it again," She replied as she stared forward, crossing the street.

"Last question, it's yours," I spoke just to fill the silence.

"Do you like anyone, not just like a person, I mean like someone," She said in just a whisper.

I was stunned, I couldn't answer, I liked her, I liked Samara, what was I supposed to say. I couldn't say anything. As I had walked, I realized that I had grown to like her more, I guess I should just come out and say it.

"I like a girl that I know," Oh well, I guess I'll just hint it, "She's got beautiful brown eyes and dark hair,"

Keira nodded, listening for more details. I kept going.

"She's fun, mysterious, she's different. She's...." I searched for the right word. "Perfect."

"And who might that be?" She asked curiously as she stopped in front of a dark house, in the garden.

"Can't you see?" I asked, "It's you." I paused, "Keira, I like you,"

She didn't say anything, just for a moment, it scared me. I didn't know if I'd be rejected or if she'd respond, eventually, she did.

"I like you too Joshua," She said as her brown eyes stared into mine, full of wonder, full of mystery.

She looked to her left, to the house, I got the message, this was her home. I gave her her bags and she turned away, but I grabbed her arm before she could.

She turned around and got close to me, we both did, our faces closer than ever.

"Good night Keira," I said, leaving something with her.

As I walked away, my racing heart calmed down. I turned back to see her door closing.

What a night.

I walked into my father's home, my other home. I had my hand on my cheek. What just happened, something I thought wouldn't happen in forever. I ignored it and went inside to see my father laying on the couch.

I put my things down, as I strode over to him, I couldn't stop thinking about how I had learned so much about Joshua in just 15 minutes. I shook the thought away as I placed a blanket that was on a chair, onto my father. I turned off the ancient, dusty television and set the remote down. I walked to the kitchen to get a glass of water and to take my things upstairs.

Living with one parent at a time was strange for me, but I've gotten used to it. With mom I had to pristine, proper, all that. With dad, I had to care for him, clean up after him, but I had the freedom to do whatever I wanted, almost.

"Keira..." He moaned. I could just picture his arm stretching to the kitchen, reaching for me, even though he couldn't see me.

"Yes father," I walked out and sure enough, he was doing just as I had thought.

"Get me.... Get me..." He repeated. I knew what he wanted but everytime I would just act as if I was trying to decipher him. I didn't want him to be drinking tonight. Not today at least. I couldn't have him passing out. Again.

"Get you what?" I asked, as I leaned against the crooked doorway.

He pointed to a bottle on a shelf. "Oh, the keys?" I asked taking them down from the bottom shelf. He shook his head. I have no idea how long I could keep this up, but I had to do it. It's for his own good.

This kept going until he gave up. I sighed and tucked him in once more. Today must've been one of his worse days, he'd have a few good days, but I guess not always.

I took my bags upstairs to my room. I started to get ready for bed, pjs on, check. Teeth brushed, check. Just as I went through my check list, Ring, ring, came the sound from the door.

I threw my hairbrush to the ground and hurried to the door. I opened it and smiled. "You came back,"

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Word Count: 1114

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