Page 21 of The NemeSis
“Are you okay?” I step out of the shadows.
She jumps back, her eyes widening. “Why do you always do that? Do you enjoy scaring me?”
I know I should comfort her. The thing is, I’ve known Kyra forever, and she needs a distraction. Something to alter her mood and fast, so she can then return to her party.
“Don’t take it personally, princess.” I step closer to her. “I just like getting under your skin.”
Kyra shakes her head and groans.
My fingers move to rub away the last sign of the tears from her face. “You’ve got a party to enjoy.” She opens her mouth to object. “He didn’t go back in there, and I won’t let him.” Kyra steps closer and hugs me. “Happy birthday, princess.”
Chapter Nine
KYRA
Iowe Ares everything.
The thought should have my stomach sinking. One week ago, it would’ve. Now? It’s quite the opposite. Over the last week, something changed. It’s almost like we’re friends. This is good. It should be. He’s my stepbrother after all.
Looking back on it, Ares never felt like one. He’s six years older than me and I’ve grown up with him in my life. Our relationship never seemed like siblings, though. Friends? Definitely. Family? Absolutely. His entire family has felt like an extension of mine.
Selene was like a mother figure growing up. I needed that. When she became my stepmom, it was like a missing piece clicked into place. It was seamless. Apollo is eight years older than me, he always seemed like a brother to me. There was something about him that made me think of him in that way, maybe how he carried himself. It was his mannerisms and personality.
But never Ares.
Maybe it’s the silly crush I had on him when I was younger. A way my brain put him in a category all of his own. I shake the thought from my head. He’s just come back into my life. I can’t let a crush come back too, it would ruin the progress we’ve made.
I focus on the books around me. While some of them I’d initially pulled for my paper were helpful, nothing was as insightful as a few of the hidden gems he suggested. My computer screen is open to images of where the first games were held. It’s my phone that holds my attention. Ares keeps sending me pictures.
Me: I can’t believe you were actually there.
Ares: (inserts another selfie in Olympia with columns behind him)
Me: I really hope I get the spot for this summer.
Ares: Even if you don’t, I’ll take you.
I freeze.He can’t be serious. He’ll just take me?
Ares: I’m always traveling for DGE. It wouldn’t be a big deal to bring you along.
Ares: Kyra?
Kyra: This is a joke right?
Ares: I’ve got a few connections of my own.
Kyra: Speaking of connections . This is the week.
Ares: I’m aware. I’ll be flying back to the states tomorrow.
Ares leftthe day after my party, just like he said he would when he arrived at the beach house. It’s weird to think it was just a week ago, and yet so much has happened. Spring break went by in a blur, and as ready as I am to get back to my classes tomorrow, I want more time with him.
We were close once, friends. At least, it felt like it to me, when I was a little girl. After Ares left the party, I didn’t want to celebrate anymore. My spring break felt like it ended. I didn’t bother leaving the beach house until it was time to fly back for school.
My party was great, outside of the whole Ryan fiasco. I was still processing that. Something about it was bothering me. Was it because I didn’t cry? I feel like I should be more upset.
We dated for nearly six months and then it ended, abruptly. I was annoyed how it all seemed to come down to Ryan being upset because I wasn’t ready to go all the way with him. Was I selfish or was he just an asshole?
