Kiara Sky

Scarlett Sky had grown a little bigger than I last saw her and although she still had that plump to her body and golden brown hair, I could see what the years had done on her. I didn't expect puberty to do so much to her height or that she would someday grow taller than my short five feet two inches but that's not the point. At the end of the day, I still have an average height.

You know what it's like when you've been eager to see someone and then you finally meet the person and you get very unexpected vibes, that's exactly what happened. When Scarlett saw me from the distance, she gave me a small smile while she remained in her seat and there I was wanting to give her a big hug.

That's what happens when you stay with the Sky family a little too long. I remember when I was still like her, I scarcely showed emotions and it wasn't because I didn't want to. It's because we were taught it wasn't ladylike, as mother would continually scold. One month away from the house I felt back on track. She, well, let's just hope for the best.

"Hello Kiara, it's been a very long time"

"Scarbear" I laughed, things feeling a little too awkward now that she was in front of me. Like, get yourself together Kiara, it's just your little sister.

"Mother says you're doing so well now, I can see that," She said, eyes scanning the whole house "It's beautiful that you've secured such an amount of wealth, Kiara, I hope to someday be like you"

Nope, you don't.

"Oh, that" I laughed again "It's a beautiful thing, isn't it?"

"Yes. Your fiancé, my soon-to-be brother-in-law, granted me such an opportunity. I'm more than excited to see you"

"You don't seem excited"

"I am. To prove it, I brought you a gift" She went through her purse and pulled out a very familiar item. The fist-sized, now rough and rumpled book was my diary and it held everything from my high school crush to the rebellious things I did as a teen.

I felt a rush of memories. It was one of the very few things I could pour my heart out into and I can remember getting in trouble once or twice when it fell into the wrong hands. The last day I had the little thing was the day I ran away and I used it to secure the window open the very night of my escape.

"Something to remind you of your past"

When she handed it over to me, I couldn't help but flip the first page open and as expected, the first thing written on it was the name of my high school crush. Quarterback Billy Hathaway. The boy took a large chunk of my imagination, yet I never got to be anything but the girl who handed out water bottles to the players.

I didn't get as close as being a cheerleader and before you point fingers, I applied four times and didn't get in.

"Aww, this is cute. You didn't happen to go through it, did you?"

"You know I wouldn't"

"That's great"

Then there fell between us an uncomfortable silence. I didn't know what to say and she was busy looking around the crooks and edges of the house. Maybe this is twice as big as where she stayed but she made it look like she was coming from the slums.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Antonio walk into the room. It's safe to say he came right on time, at least I would be able to introduce my alleged husband to my sister. When Antonio was a few feet away from me, he did something unimaginable by dropping down to place a small kiss on the side of my head.

Ew.

"Aww" Scarlett expressed "You guys are so cute together"

"Who would've thought?" I gave a tight smile, feeling my cheeks flame up in embarrassment. Everything suddenly became uncomfortable and I couldn't look up to Antonio anymore cause a glance at him and my head would pop.

Then I realized it could only be because my sister was in the same room and this marriage has to look as real as it can get. I didn't expect that we would be this touchy or that a man as solid as Antonio would have a drop of romance in him.

Whatever, it's just a dumb thing after all.

"I just knew you would end up with a good man like Mr Russel, especially after your troubles with Bill_"

"I know right?" I laughed, cutting her off. I threw a look at Scarlett, hoping she would understand she shouldn't bring old matters up.

"You were head over hills for him. Did she mention him_"

"High school stories" I laughed "Very old high school stories"

"She didn't. It skipped your mind, Kiki, didn't it?" Antonio responded with a small smile on his face. A smile I knew had a million meanings as he sat next to me, eyes darting between me and Scarlett.

Why is the world against me?

"My goodness, Kiara was drunk in her fantasy and Billy barely knew her"

"Really? What was she like?"

"She was one of those nerds, the ones in glasses that hand out water during sports"

Antonio's laugh resounded through the room. It was one of the few times I heard him laugh and he'd been doing it more frequently than when I first met him. The way the edges of his eyes creased and the dimples of his cheeks reflected, it was so different than his average stony look.

"I didn't think Kiara was a smart student, she doesn't act like it"

Oh, that is rude.

"And you?" I interrupted "I bet you're one of those guys that go over the hills for the Queen bee"

"As you already know Kiki, I was homeschooled"

"Aw, I can't imagine how boring that was," Scarlett said and suddenly, my attempt at a comeback wasn't even recognized "Why?"

"My parents were quite influential, I couldn't stay in any school"

That's something I'm hearing for the first time but thinking of it, a kid like him would be homeschooled. That explains why his social skills were over the top.

Get it?

"I heard homeschooled students are usually the smartest. It's not difficult to see how you've managed such an empire"

Oh please, am I just going to sit here and watch Scarlett feed him praises? This guy's a chucklehead, Scarbear, and all of this is fake.

"Thank you but it's only easier now that I have a beautiful woman by my side"

Then the blood came rushing up to my face. A small compliment my way and it's suddenly very difficult to hold in a laugh. It's funny because it couldn't look more realistic, I don't think real marriages would pass as this good.

"Gee, thanks Romeo" I mumbled so only he would hear me. He didn't look back, all I felt was a hit from the hard sole of his shoes. Now that's the real Antonio.

"Scarlett, your sister and I are taking full responsibility for you"

"I'm aware"

"Which means you would barely, only if it's your wish, see your parents anymore."

"The lawyer explained everything to me and he also said I had the chance to choose if I wanted to or not"

"So what?" I perked up "You want to be with mom and dad forever?"

That she brought up the fact she had a choice made my heartbeats pick up. I worked all my life for this, it shouldn't even be a choice. Who would want to live with or be a man like my dad? Scarlett had to be kidding. I worked jobs to earn money, struggled through college, and got into a marriage for this.

It's safe to say I spent everything on this.

And now it's a choice?

"I don't want to change schools now, I'm only a year away from graduation"

Then it clicked, Scarlett had social problems. It had been that way all her life. Even when she moved to High school, it was still the same problem and because of that, she didn't like trying new places or meeting a bunch of new people at once.

The realization made me anger inside me subside and then I was stuck in between, not knowing what to say or the decision to make. The only good solution would be for Scarlett to move to a new place, preferably as far as possible and it would make sense if that happens after her last year in high school. But still.

"I know several schools that would take you if that's what you're wondering"

"I'd rather complete my last year there"

Antonio looked back at me and I gave him a nod in response before going on to say "What if we get a new place close to school and you'll stay there for the next year?"

"Am I going to be alone?"

"Do you prefer being with your parents that force you to be what you're not?" I started "In case you're not aware, it doesn't end with mom teaching you to be a proper woman like she said, you're also going to take over from where dad drops it. You'll have your hands in a dirty business, you'll steal and kill people a_"

"I and Kiara would make ourselves available so you wouldn't be alone. We'll hire a guardian to be with you and you can have your friends come over whenever you want. We can fly you over here for holidays and you can travel wherever you want for vacations. It's going to be a good year, Scarlet. I can assure you"