In the end- with much cajoling- Kiriai was forced to accept it as Kiya paid for both their meals- double servings and all, though they actually still had leftovers once Kiriai was full.

They headed back out to the car and drove back to the apartment. Kiriai stared out the window as they pulled in. It was raining again, and it looked dark from the dense clouds overhead. A crash of thunder echoed off in the distance.

The first night in a new place. Gosh, I can’t remember the last time I slept somewhere other than my own room... She was shaken from her reverie by Kiya opening the door on her side of the car, looking in at her from out in the rain. “Well? C’mon, let's get inside, I’ll turn on the heat.”

Kiriai nodded and unlatched her seat belt, following Kiya inside. Her hair was dripping by the time they got inside, and she wrung it out in front of the door while Kiya turned on the thermostat.

“I should probably call home and let mom and dad know I’m staying here…” Kiriai mumbled, half to herself, as she fished around in her pocket for her phone. “Just give me a minute to call them.”

Kiya stiffens in annoyance and scoffs. “Well whatever you gotta do, leave me out of it. I’ll be in the bedroom if you need me.” She turns on her heel and disappears into the other room.

She’s really serious about this whole feud, huh? Kiriai noted with a hint of sadness. With a heavy sigh, she sat down at the table and dialed her mom’s number. She didn't pick up at first, so she called her father instead.

“Hello?” Kiriai asked when the phone was picked up, keeping her voice down while glancing at the other room.

“Hello? Who is this?” The voice on the other side asked. “Um, it's me, Kiri. I just wanted to call to let you know I’m ok. I’m staying at Kiya’s new place. I just wanted to let you know.”

“Kiriai?” A new voice- her mom- barged into the call. “Where do you think you’ve been, missy? You can’t just go where you want without telling your father and I, we need to make sure you’re safe.”

Kiriai winced. As much as that logic made it sound like she was worried, she couldn't help but note that her first instinct was to tell her she’d done something wrong. Taking a deep breath, Kiriai rehearsed herself. “Well, actually, mom… I was thinking of staying here, to keep an eye on Kiya.”

“What?” The response sounded almost outraged. “Now you listen here, missy, you’d better come home straight away, and if you don’t you’re grounded for a-”

Click. Kiriai hit the end call button without even realizing what she was doing, and let out a large shaky breath she hadnt realized she was holding in. Not too different than expected, I suppose…

“Hey, Kiya? I’m done.” Kiriai called out, putting her phone on the table and turning around to realize Kiya was already leaning in the doorway watching her.

“So how’d it go?” Kiya asked, sounding almost sarcastic.

“About as well as one would expect.” Kiriai sighed. “I think I should probably wait a while for them to cool off before I try calling them again.” Even as she said that her phone started ringing again. She instinctively reached for it, but Kiya got to it first, hanging up and then powering it off.

“Come on, don’t worry about them.” Kiya pronounced, boldly. “They’ll get over it, you know how they are.”

“Yeah, I guess…” Kiriai mumbled doubtfully, looking over at the phone wistfully.

“Now it's getting late, come with me, lets go find you a bed to sleep on.” Kiya announced.

Kiriai nodded in agreement before suddenly doing a double take. “W-wait, what? You telling me you just have a spare one?”

Kiya looked at Kiriai, dumbfounded. “Um, no? We’re going to the store, silly.”

Kiriai shook her head emphatically, her hair whipping around and slapping her in the face from the speed of the motion. “No, nonono. Dinner was one thing, but a bed? No way I’m letting you pay for that, that's too much!”

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Kiya made a frustrated sound. “Oh my god, when are you going to just relax and stop worrying about it? It's my money, if I want to spend it on you then let me.”

Kiriai put a foot down and shook her head emphatically. “Nu-uh, no way. How can you even afford all this, anyways? How much money do you have in your account?”

Kiya looked away and mumbled something too quiet to hear.

Kiriai glared suspiciously. “Sis? How much?”

“200$...” She admitted, reluctantly, before shooting a look back at Kiriai. “But, I can make it back, honest. Look, would it make you feel better about me buying you things if we just shared a bank account?” Kiya asks, hopefully.

Kiriai shakes her head. “Kiya, what's gotten into you? You’ve always been good with your money, now you’re just spending like crazy when you have so little- What if something happened to you?” Kiriai’s voice softened at the last bit. “I’ll just sleep on the couch.”

Kiya made a frustrated sound, sighing heavily. “No, no, no! No sister of mine is going to be left sleeping on the couch when they’re my guest! If you won't let me buy you a bed then you’re taking the bed and I’m sleeping on the couch!”

Kiriai made an equally exasperated sound. “Fine, if I have to sleep on the bed, then I guess we’ll just have to share it.” She stated sarcastically.

Kiya popped a wry smile and took Kiriai’s hand, shaking it before she could think. “Done!”

Kiriai blinked. “W-wait, huh? I wasn't being serious- I’ll keep you up, you need your sleep for work-”

Kiya shook her head. “Nu-uh, too late now, no backsies.”

Kiriai frowned. “Sis, that's not fair to you-”

Kiya glared at Kiriai and grabbed her phone. “Look, either you sleep in the bed, or I’m buying one right now.”

Kiriai held her arms up in defeat. “Alright, alright, you win. We can share.” Kiriai sighed heavily. “Honestly…”

Kiya looked triumphant, crossing her arms and standing proudly. “Ha! Alright, Imma just drink something, then I’ll go make the bed. You can come to bed whenever you’re ready to sleep.”

[...]

Kiriai went to the bedroom, a bit early- all the stress from the day, plus the little sleep from last night- had left her unusually tired. She quietly peaked open the door, checking to see if Kiya was asleep before she opened fully. There was no need to be concerned- the lamp was still on, and Kiya was laying in bed with a book open. With some relief, Kiriai noted the bed was at least decently sized, probably a Double.

“Come in, come in, I’m just reading.” Kiya stated encouragingly, patting the bed next to her. “C’mon, lay down.” She was scooted up on one edge of the bed. Kiriai hesitantly pulled up the covers and slipped down into them. She felt a little… Excited, maybe? There was just some kind of buzz in her mind, both nervous and happy. She hadn’t slept that close to anyone in years, though when they were much younger she had shared a room with her sister. When they’d moved into a bigger house, they’d gotten separate rooms, though; and not long after that, their parents split them up.

“Don’t worry, I was just going to go to bed. Go ahead and close your eyes.” Kiya stated while reaching over to turn off the light. Kiriai caught her hand. “No, no, it's fine, keep reading! I just wanted to lay down, I don't have to sleep yet.”

Kiya pauses, and looks at Kiriai wistfully. She obviously wants to go to sleep, but she’d feel guilty making me go too. Alright, I’ll go along with it. She shrugs and continues reading, while Kiriai curls up on the other side of the bed, facing away.

Despite that agreement, Kiya only makes a weak attempt at reading another page before turning off the lights anyways. She reaches over and gently pulls the cover up over Kiriai, who blushes brightly at being tucked in even though they don't say anything, squirming under the covers a little, while Kiya just giggles softly. “Goodnight, Kiri.” Kiya murmurs quietly, smiling gently. She isn’t tired yet, really, but she didn’t want to keep Kiriai up- she had to get up for college tomorrow, after all. Kiya pulls the blankets up over herself, staring up at the ceiling, feeling content for the first time she could remember, breathing in and out slowly.

The first night of the rest of my life. The first night I get to spend with my little sister. And the last day I woke up at that place I used to call a home.

[...]

Kiriai’s head was flooding with thoughts- about her own life, about Kiya, about her parents, about school, and about how little time she had here before she and Kiya would part ways again- but somehow, as she laid down, those thoughts seemed to dissipate and left them with a gentle sense of peace. As the light turned off, she felt Kiya pulling the blankets up over her and tucking her in. A-ah? I’m not a little kid, you know! She thought to herself, flushing brightly and hiding her face down in the sheets. “Goodnight, Kiri” She heard Kiya’s voice from behind her.

Good… Night… her eyes lulled gently shut, and before long she was lost in unconsciousness.