Kira stares off beyond the pool into the glistening ocean only yards away from us.
“It’s my escape.”
“From what?”
“Life, I guess. I started doing it around thirteen. When things would get really bad with my dad. He was so mean to my mom. Mean. That’s what I called it back then before I understood the term abuse. He would yell, and break things, and then he would hit her. It was always the same pattern. We both knew when and how it was coming. She always protected me, though.” Kira doesn’t look directly at me once through the whole story, but I can still see the tears forming in her dark eyes, threatening to spill. “One day, I was desperate to escape, so I filled the tub and submerged myself under the water. Everything went quiet. That’s all I was after was quiet.” She sits up straighter, and the tears fall.
“Kira. You don’t have to go on.”
“Sorry.” She splashes her face with pool water.
“Don’t be. I don’t want to send you on any trips down memory lane that are going to make you cry.”
“I don’t usually get so emotional.” She smiles like she’s being silly, but seeing her so upset does something inexplicably crazy to me. It makes me feel homicidal. Maybe it’s a good thing Kira’s real dad is out of the country. If he wasn’t, I’d be making a phone call. Then a house call.
“He never hurt you?”
“Not physically, no. But he knew how to manipulate me. He knew what would upset me and push my buttons when he was in the mood. One time, he made me stay and watch while he hit her. He said if I left the room, he would kill her, and I believed him.”
“Jesus, Kira, enough.” I put my arm around her and secure her close to my chest. “You don’t have to tell me anymore. I get the picture. I get the tattoos now, too.”
“Into the sea. It’s my escape.”
“You nearly gave me heart failure when you ‘escaped’ into the pool yesterday.”
“I just needed to clear my mind. I had no idea you were watching me.”
“I’m always watching you, Snow.” I press my lips to her head. “Even when I didn’t want to.”
Kira tilts her face up, and I capture her chin. Then I deliver a kiss I didn’t know I was capable of. A kiss that’s strong and passionate, but also full of sincere emotion.
“How ’bout I help you clear your head right now.” I skim my palm across her bare abdomen before heading farther south.
Kira grabs my wrist. “As tempting as that sounds, I have to get ready for study group.”
“Blow that shit off.” I press onward, reaching her clit just in the nick of time.
“Mmm,” she moans as soon as I touch her, and I know I have her.
“Ky, I can’t. Finals start next week. I have to show up.”
At least, I thought I had her.
“Finals?” I freeze.
“Yeah, one more week and then you’ll finally be rid of me.” She pecks me on the cheek. Then she pulls herself out of the pool and runs inside buck naked.
I watch her dumbfoundedly.
In the past twenty-four hours, getting rid of her never crossed my mind.
13
Kira
Sebastian reads aloud,addressing the questions that may arise as we give our final group presentation. For Managerial Economics, our final consists of one-half written exam and one-half oral presentation.
I try to concentrate, I really do, but all that seems to occupy my mind is Ky.
