The moment Kiara stepped out of the airport, the first thing she noticed was the heat.
Not the Tix kind of heat where she would complain about the weather for five minutes before stealing somebody else's drink.
This was different.
This was home
Mexico.
She stood there with her suitcase beside her, sunglasses resting on top of her head as she looked around the airport.
People were everywhere. Families hugging. Children running around. Drivers holding signs. Someone was arguing loudly over a suitcase that was clearly not theirs.
Kiara smiled.
"Yep," she whispered to herself. "Still Mexico."
She pulled her phone from her pocket and checked the time.
Her dad had promised he would come to pick her up.
Knowing him, he was probably late.
She looked around again.
"Typical Dad."
"Kiara!"
She froze.
That voice.
She turned around.
Her father's face immediately lit up.
"Finally!"
"Dad!"
She dropped the handle of her suitcase and ran toward him.
He opened his arms just in time for her to throw herself into them.
"Oh my God!" Kiara laughed as he hugged her tightly. "You actually came."
"Of course I came."
"You said you might be busy."
"I said I might be. I didn't say I wouldn't come."
She pulled away and looked at him properly.
Then she paused.
"Dad..."
"What?"
"You look old."
Her father stared at her.
"Excuse me?"
Kiara laughed.
"I'm just saying!"
"I've been waiting months to see my daughter and this is what I get?"
"You've gotten older."
"I have not."
"You have."
"Kiara."
"There's more grey hair."
He touched his hair immediately.
"Where?"
She burst out laughing.
"Dad!"
"You scared me!"
"You should see your face."
He shook his head, but he was smiling.
"Come on. Give me your suitcase."
"I can carry it."
"I know you can. I'm still your father."
"Okay, strong man."
He took the suitcase.
They walked toward the parking lot together.
Kiara kept looking around.
It felt familiar.
But strangely unfamiliar at the same time.
She hadn't realized how much she missed it.
Her father loaded her suitcase into the trunk before opening the passenger door for her.
"After you."
"Thank you."
She got in.
Her father walked around to the driver's side and started the engine.
For a few seconds, neither of them said anything.
Kiara stared out the window.
Then she smiled.
"I missed this."
"Mexico?"
"Yeah."
"You didn't sound like you missed it when you were leaving."
"I was angry."
"At your mother?"
"At everyone."
Her father glanced at her.
"You're still dramatic."
"I learned from you."
"That's a lie."
"Definitely not."
He laughed as he pulled out of the airport.
For the first few minutes, Kiara simply watched the streets.
Some places looked exactly the same.
Others didn't.
There were new buildings.
New shops.
A new restaurant where an old grocery store used to be.
Even the road seemed different.
"Dad."
"Hmm?"
"When did all this change?"
"A lot happened while you were away."
"I can see that."
"That restaurant wasn't there when you left."
"I remember."
"And that store?"
"Wasn't there either."
"Exactly."
Kiara leaned back.
"I feel like I've been gone for ten years."
"You've been gone for a few months."
"It feels longer."
Her father smiled.
"How was school?"
Kiara immediately sat up.
"Oh!"
Her father laughed.
"Here we go."
"You asked."
"I did."
"You shouldn't have."
"Why?"
"Because I have a lot to tell you."
"I figured."
And just like that, Kiara started talking.
She told him about Tix.
The school.
The people.
The parties.
The arguments.
The friends.
She talked so quickly that her father occasionally had to interrupt her.
"Slow down."
"I am slow."
"You're talking like someone is chasing you."
"I'm excited."
"I can tell."
"And then Cyma...Dad, you would've loved Cyma."
"Who's Cyma?"
"My friend."
"The one you mentioned on the phone?"
"Yes."
"And Tyler?"
"Yes."
"Are they dating?"
Kiara looked at him.
"How do you know that?"
"You mentioned them before."
"Oh."
She smiled.
"Yeah, they're dating."
"Good."
"There's also Vinny."
"Who's Vinny?"
"Another friend."
"The mummy's boy?"
Kiara burst out laughing.
"You remember that?"
"You told me about him."
"He hates being called that."
"Then why do you keep calling him that?"
"Because it's funny."
Her father shook his head.
"You haven't changed."
"I have."
"I doubt it."
Kiara continued talking.
She told him about tennis.
About basketball.
About the people she'd met.
About the ridiculous situations she'd found herself in.
Then eventually, her father noticed her smile change.
"And Peter?"
Kiara looked at him.
"What about him?"
"You haven't mentioned him much."
She looked out the window.
"Peter..."
Her father smiled.
"Ah."
"Don't 'ah' me."
"So there is a Peter."
"Yes."
"And?"
"He's my boyfriend."
Her father was quiet for a moment.
Then he smiled.
"Your mother told me."
Kiara groaned.
"Of course she did."
"She was worried."
"She doesn't like him."
"I know."
"She thinks it's wrong."
"Because he's your cousin"
"He's not my direct cousin. His mother is mum distant cousin."
"That's still family."
Kiara sighed.
"I know."
Her father kept his eyes on the road.
"Your mother must have a reason."
"What's the reason? Peter is a good guy."
"I didn't say he wasn't."
"He treats me well. He's respectful. He takes care of me. He's annoying, but..."
Her father laughed.
"That's your description of a good boyfriend?"
"He's supposed to annoy me sometimes."
"I see."
Kiara crossed her arms.
"Honestly, Dad, what's more important than that?"
Her father glanced at her.
"That's something you'll have to figure out."
She sighed.
"I just wish Mum would stop treating me like I don't know what I'm doing."
"She's your mother."
"Exactly. She thinks she knows everything."
"Parents usually think they do."
Kiara smiled slightly.
"Do you?"
"No."
She looked at him.
He smiled.
"At least I'm honest."
She laughed.
Then her father became quieter.
"What about Dylan?"
Kiara's smile faded slightly.
Her father didn't press.
After a few seconds, he said, "I won't ask."
Kiara looked at him.
"You don't want to know?"
"I want to know everything about my daughter."
"Then why won't you ask?"
"Because sometimes people don't want to talk about certain things."
Kiara looked down at her hands.
Her father continued driving.
"If whatever happened between you and Dylan is over, then it's over."
She looked at him.
"And if ending it was better for you, I'm okay with it."
Kiara smiled faintly.
"Thanks, Dad."
He nodded.
"You don't have to explain everything to me."
She leaned her head against the window.
"He's actually not a bad person."
"I didn't say he was."
"We just... weren't right for each other anymore."
"Then maybe ending it was the right thing."
Kiara nodded.
"Yeah."
They drove in silence for a while.
Then her father smiled.
"So... Peter."
Kiara immediately groaned.
"Oh God."
"I just want to know."
"What?"
"What does this Peter look like?"
She laughed.
"Why?"
"I'm your father. I need to know who you're dating."
"He's handsome."
"That's not an answer."
"He is."
"Does he treat you well?"
"Yes."
"Does he make you happy?"
Kiara smiled.
"Very."
Her father nodded.
"Then we'll talk about him properly another day."
"Okay."
"And I'll meet him eventually."
Kiara looked at him.
"You might actually like him."
"We'll see."
By the time they entered her old neighborhood, Kiara sat up straight.
"Oh my God."
Her father smiled.
"What?"
"Everything looks different."
The houses were still there, but some had been repainted.
The little playground where she used to spend afternoons had been renovated.
The old bakery had become a coffee shop.
Even the street where she and Dina used to race their bicycles looked different.
"Wow."
"You really missed a lot."
"I can see that."
She smiled.
Then they turned onto her street.
Kiara's eyes widened.
"That's not our neighbor's house."
"No."
"What happened?"
"They sold it."
"Seriously?"
"Yes."
"What about Mrs. Gomez?"
"Moved away."
Kiara looked around.
"This is crazy."
Her father pulled into their driveway.
Kiara stared at the house.
It was still her house.
But it looked different.
The paint had been changed.
The garden had been cleaned up.
There were new flowers.
She slowly opened the door.
Her father smiled.
"Welcome home."
Kiara stepped out.
She stared at the house for a few seconds.
Then she suddenly ran.
"Dad!"
"What?"
"I'm home!"
She grabbed her suitcase before he could stop her and rushed toward the front door.
"Kiara, wait!"
She unlocked the door and burst inside.
"I'm home!"
Her voice echoed through the house.
She ran into the living room.
Then the kitchen.
Then back again.
"Oh my God!"
Her father stood in the doorway laughing.
"You haven't even been inside for two minutes."
"I missed this place!"
"You complained about this house every day."
"That was before I left."
"Now?"
"Now it's beautiful."
He laughed.
Kiara dropped onto the couch.
"This feels weird."
"What does?"
"Being here."
Her father sat beside her.
"You'll get used to it."
She looked around.
"I remember sitting here watching movies with Mum."
"She still does."
"Really?"
"Yes."
Kiara smiled.
Then she looked toward the staircase.
"I used to hate those stairs."
"You fell down them once."
"Don't remind me."
"You blamed the stairs."
"They were badly designed."
Her father laughed.
"You were eight."
"Still."
They spent the next hour catching up.
Her father told her about everything that had happened while she was gone.
Neighbors.
Work.
Changes around the neighborhood.
Small family gossip.
Kiara told him more stories from Tix.
By the end, they were both laughing.
Then her father looked at her.
"You've changed."
Kiara raised an eyebrow.
"How?"
"You're more confident."
She smiled.
"Maybe."
"And louder."
"Dad!"
"And more stubborn."
"I've always been stubborn."
"True."
Kiara leaned against him.
"I missed you."
He wrapped an arm around her.
"I missed you too."
For the first time since leaving Tix, Kiara felt completely relaxed.
She was home.
At least for now.
And somewhere in the back of her mind, she was already wondering what Dina was going to say when she found out she was back.
She knew her best friend.
There was absolutely no way Dina was going to let her rest.
And she was right.
Kiara had barely finished telling her father about Tix when the doorbell rang.
She looked at the clock.
"Who is that?"
Her father shrugged. "Probably one of the neighbors."
The bell rang again.
Then again.
Then someone knocked aggressively.
"Kiara!"
Her eyes widened.
"Dina."
Her father laughed.
"You've been home for barely an hour."
"She must have sensed me."
"Should I open the door?"
"No!"
Kiara jumped off the couch.
"Let me."
She ran to the door and pulled it open.
Dina stood there with sunglasses on her head, a handbag hanging from one shoulder and the biggest grin Kiara had seen in months.
For exactly two seconds, they stared at each other.
Then..
"KIARA!"
"DINA!"
They screamed and hugged.
"You finally came back!"
"I missed you!"
"You got taller!"
"You got crazier!"
"You look good!"
"So do you!"
Dina pulled away and held Kiara by the shoulders.
"Wait. Let me inspect you."
"Inspect me?"
"Yes."
She looked Kiara up and down.
"Hmm."
"What?"
"You've changed."
Kiara raised an eyebrow.
"How?"
Dina leaned closer.
"You look like somebody who's been kissed."
Kiara's mouth dropped open.
"Dina!"
Her father, who was standing behind them, immediately cleared his throat.
"I'll leave you girls to catch up."
"Dad!"
He laughed as he disappeared upstairs.
Dina watched him go.
"Your dad is is even finer."
Kiara stared at her.
"That's my father."
"I know. I'm complimenting him respectfully."
"Don't ever say that again. Besides you see him everyday"
Dina raised a brow
"Do I?"
Kiara stared at her
" What do you mean by that?"
Dina chuckled
" Just kidding"
She grabbed Kiara arm.
"Come on. I have questions."
"About what?"
"Everything."
She dragged Kiara toward the couch.
"I want premium gist."
Kiara laughed.
"Premium?"
"Not ordinary gist. I want the deluxe package. The one with names, dates, locations, screenshots and evidence."
"You're ridiculous."
"Sit."
Kiara sat.
Dina sat opposite her.
"Now start."
"Start what?"
"Peter."
Kiara immediately smiled.
Dina pointed at her.
"That smile! I knew it!"
"What smile?"
"That stupid smile."
"I don't have a stupid smile."
"You do when you talk about him."
Kiara grabbed a cushion and hugged it.
"Okay."
Dina leaned forward.
"Tell me everything."
Kiara laughed.
"Everything?"
"Everything."
So she did.
She told Dina how she and Peter had started getting close even though she had told her part of it before.
The arguments.
The teasing.
The moments when he pretended not to care.
The moments when he clearly cared too much.
Their dates.
The little things he did for her.
How protective he could be.
How annoying he could be.
How they could spend ten minutes arguing about something completely stupid and then somehow end up laughing.
Dina listened with her mouth open.
"Wait."
"What?"
"You're telling me Peter is actually romantic?"
"Sometimes."
"Peter?"
"Yes."
"The same Peter who looks like he wants to fight everybody?"
"That's him."
Dina shook her head.
"Men are weird."
Kiara laughed.
"He's actually really sweet."
"Okay, continue."
Kiara continued, telling her about their private moments and the things they'd talked about doing together.
Dina's eyes widened.
"You two are serious."
"Yes."
"Like serious serious?"
"Yes."
Dina leaned back.
"Wow."
"What?"
"I thought you were just going through your rebellious phase."
"Excuse me?"
"I didn't know you were actually in love."
Kiara smiled.
"I am."
Dina stared at her.
Then she suddenly grabbed a pillow and screamed into it.
"MY BEST FRIEND IS IN LOVE!"
"Stop!"
"I'm so happy!"
"You are embarrassing."
"I need to meet him."
"You probably will."
"Immediately."
Kiara laughed.
Then her expression changed slightly.
"There was something else."
Dina immediately became serious.
"What?"
Kiara hesitated.
"Leo kissed me."
Dina's mouth fell open.
"What?!"
"Keep your voice down!"
"LEO KISSED YOU?"
"He was drunk!"
"That doesn't make it less shocking!"
"He was heartbroken."
"Why?"
"Elena."
Dina sat forward.
"Okay, now we're getting somewhere."
Kiara explained what had happened.
Leo had been drunk and upset after everything with Elena. He had been talking about how badly she had hurt him.
"He wasn't himself," Kiara said.
"And you?"
"I was just there."
"And he kissed you?"
"Yes."
Dina stared at her.
"Did you kiss him back?"
Kiara immediately shook her head.
"No."
"Good."
"He was drunk, Dina."
"I know."
"And heartbroken."
"I know."
"And he didn't mean it."
Dina nodded slowly.
"Okay."
Kiara looked at her suspiciously.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Nothing."
"Dina."
"I'm just processing."
"Process quietly."
Dina suddenly grinned.
"Peter knows?"
Kiara froze.
"That's not the point."
"Oh, he doesn't know."
"Don't start."
Dina burst out laughing.
"You have entered a dangerous love triangle without even trying."
"It's not a triangle!"
"Okay."
"It isn't."
"Sure."
"Dina."
"Fine!"
Kiara threw the cushion at her.
Dina caught it.
"Anyway, enough about you."
"Finally."
Dina sighed dramatically.
"I broke up with Andrew."
Kiara blinked.
"Why?"
Dina looked embarrassed.
"I broke up with him because he was too perfect."
Kiara stared at her.
"You're still saying that?"
"Yes."
"That's the stupidest reason I've ever heard."
"I know!"
They both laughed.
"He did nothing wrong," Dina continued. "That's the problem."
"How is that a problem?"
"He was always there. Always nice. Always sweet. Always checking on me."
"That's good."
"I know!"
"Then?"
"I got bored."
Kiara laughed.
"You are terrible."
"I know!"
Dina threw her hands up.
"I just felt like something was missing. I don't even know what."
"So you broke his heart?"
"I think so."
"You think?"
"I didn't mean to."
Kiara shook her head.
"Poor Andrew."
Dina nodded.
"I know."
"Do you regret it?"
Dina thought for a moment.
"I regret hurting him."
"That's different."
"Exactly."
She sighed.
"But we're okay."
Kiara raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
"You'll see tonight."
"What happens tonight?"
Dina grinned.
"We're going to a party."
Kiara groaned.
"I just got back."
"Exactly. Welcome-home party."
"Who is going?"
"Everybody."
"Everybody who?"
"You'll see."
That evening, Kiara stood in front of the mirror while Dina sat on the bed.
"You're taking too long."
"I'm choosing what to wear."
"You've been choosing for forty minutes."
"It's important."
"You're going to a party, not a wedding."
Kiara looked at herself.
"How do I look?"
Dina stood up.
She stared at her.
"Annoyingly good."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
They left together.
The party was already loud when they arrived.
Music blasted from the speakers.
People were dancing everywhere.
Someone was already arguing over a drink.
Dina grabbed Kiara's hand.
"Come on!"
They walked inside.
Kiara looked around.
Then she froze.
Andrew.
And beside him..
Dylan.
Dina noticed immediately.
"Oh."
Kiara swallowed.
"Yeah."
For a moment, it was awkward.
Dylan noticed her.
His face immediately brightened.
"Kiara?"
She smiled.
"Dylan."
He walked over.
"You're back."
"Yeah."
"It's good to see you."
"You too."
For a few seconds, neither knew what to say.
Then Dylan smiled.
"You look good."
Kiara laughed.
"So do you."
Andrew walked over.
"Welcome back."
"Thanks."
And surprisingly, it wasn't awkward for long.
Dina walked over to Andrew.
"You."
Andrew smiled.
"Me."
"Still alive?"
"Unfortunately."
She laughed.
"I missed you."
"I missed you too."
Kiara stared at them.
"Wait."
Dina looked at her.
"What?"
"You two are acting like you didn't break up."
Andrew shrugged.
"We're friends."
"Best friends," Dina corrected.
Andrew nodded.
"Best friends."
Dina linked her arm with his.
"Come on. Let's find people to annoy."
Andrew laughed.
"There's no shortage."
Within minutes, the two of them had become the party's unofficial matchmaking committee.
"That guy has been staring at you for ten minutes," Dina told a girl.
"I know."
"Go talk to him."
"No."
"Why?"
"His shoes."
Andrew looked at the guy.
"She's right."
Dina nodded seriously.
"Those shoes are a crime."
The girl laughed.
They moved on.
Then Andrew pointed at another guy.
"That one."
Dina looked.
"Absolutely not."
"Why?"
"He looks like he says 'alpha male' unironically."
Andrew nearly choked on his drink.
"Fair."
Kiara couldn't stop laughing.
"You two are ridiculous."
Dina put an arm around Andrew.
"We're a package deal."
Andrew nodded.
"Unfortunately."
"Hey!"
"You know I love you."
"That's better."
Kiara shook her head.
Meanwhile, Dylan came over.
"Want to dance?"
Kiara looked at him.
"Sure."
They went to the dance floor.
At first, there was still a little awkwardness.
Then Dylan said something stupid.
Kiara laughed.
He laughed.
And suddenly, everything became normal again.
They danced.
They talked.
They teased each other.
They even grabbed drinks together.
Dina watched them from across the room.
Andrew stood beside her.
"They're okay."
Dina smiled.
"They are."
Kiara eventually pulled out her phone.
"Picture."
Dylan stood beside her.
They took one.
Kiara looked at it.
"Perfect."
Then she took another picture with Dina.
Dina immediately posed dramatically.
"Don't post that."
"I'm posting it."
"Kiara!"
"Too late."
Then they got everyone together.
Dylan.
Andrew.
Dina.
Kiara.
They squeezed into the picture.
Kiara raised her phone.
"Say