𝐂𝐡𝐩𝐭 𝟐𝟎

Kamala's POV

After our bath, Allura had fallen fast asleep in my bed. Seeing her there filled me with warmth—it felt so right having her close. I had completely fallen for this girl, and I didn't regret a single moment of it. I'd do anything to protect her, which is exactly why this conversation with my sister was necessary.

As I stepped into the kitchen, I spotted Maya sitting calmly on the couch. Don't get me wrong—I love my sister, but that's part of the problem. We're alike in many ways, and when she sets her sights on something, she doesn't back down. Right now, her focus was on Allura, and that had to stop.

I sat beside her, feeling her gaze on me as the quiet hum of the TV filled the room.

"Maya," I started, my voice firm yet cautious.

She sighed, already knowing where this was headed. "I already know what this conversation is about, Kam."

Running a hand through my hair, I exhaled. We hadn't even begun, yet tension already hung thick between us.

"Maya, you know I love you. But Allura is off-limits. She's mine, and I won't sit back while you try to steal her away or sweet talk your way into her pants."

She let out a low chuckle, turning to face me fully.

"Look, I didn't know about you and Allura at first. I'll admit, I was drawn to her—she's sweet, Kamala. I can't help it."

I shifted in my seat, trying to keep my frustration in check. Her persistence was irritating, but this talk was necessary.

"Well, you're going to have to help it," I shot back. "You're my sister, not my rival. Do you have any idea how long I waited for Allura?" My voice was sharp, leaving no room for debate.

Maya raised her hands in surrender. "Alright, fine. I won't make a move on Allura. I'll keep things completely appropriate. Happy now?"

"Very," I said, crossing my arms.

Maya let out a laugh, making me turn my head. "What's so funny, Maya?"

"Kamala, you do realize I'm not scared of you, right?"

Despite my frustration, I couldn't help but chuckle. She always had a way of cracking a joke at the worst possible moment.

"Did I say you were? Maya... we both know who was throwing hands as kids. Just saying," I replied, crossing my legs and shifting my focus back to the TV.

Maya playfully smacked my arm, rolling her eyes, dissolving the tension that had been hanging between us.

"Oh, please. Don't act like you were always whooping my ass," she scoffed. "Because I clearly remember the time you snuck out, and Mommy asked where you were. I told her the truth—you snuck out. And when you came back, mad as hell that I ratted you out, you tried to hit me. You really thought you were gonna lay hands on me and not get your ass beat?"

My mouth fell open slightly as I swatted her hand away.

"I wouldn't say you beat anything—I just took it easy on you," I said, shooting her a sideways glance. "That wouldn't happen now, and you know that."

Maya leaned back into the couch with a smirk. "Whatever you say, Kam."

As we talked, I heard faint footsteps coming from my room—Allura was up. Excitement bubbled inside me, but then I remembered who was sitting next to me. I shot Maya a look, one that clearly said, 'Don't try anything stupid'.

As she stepped closer, her form became clearer. She was wearing my oversized tee, the fabric draping over her frame, and her long hair was tied into a perfect French braid that cascaded down to her lower back. She was absolutely breathtaking. A part of me wanted to grab her, pull her back into the room, and do things to her that words couldn't even begin to describe.

She walked into the living room, still waking up from her sleep. "Am I interrupting anything?" she asked, her voice raspy.

I opened my arms, gesturing for her to sit.

"Of course not, sweet pea. Come sit," I said, patting my lap.

I could see the blush creeping onto her cheeks, and I loved seeing her like that—so bubbly and all mine. She settled onto my lap, and I grabbed the soft blanket from the other side, wrapping it around her. Her head rested gently on my chest as I softly caressed her scalp. Her hair smelled like lavender, and her body had that fresh, clean scent that drove me wild.

As her head rested against me, her eyes began to flutter closed. I leaned in close, whispering in her ear,

"My sweet girl. I love you so much."

Her grip tightened around my waist as she drifted off to sleep. My attention shifted to Maya, who was clearly staring. I knew her too well—her breath had quickened, and I could see the irritation she was trying to hide. But in that moment, I didn't care. My whole world was focused on the beautiful girl lying in my arms.

A moment of silence passed between us, the TV playing softly in the background.

"We should all do something tomorrow," she said, keeping her eyes fixed on the screen.

I turned to look at her. "Oh yeah? Like what?"

"We should go to the pool or something, just to get out of the house for a while," she suggested.

I kept gently caressing Allura's scalp, noticing she had fallen completely asleep by now.

"That does sound fun. Let's do it," I replied, a smile tugging at my lips as I glanced down at Allura.

We sat there for a little longer, the silence between us not tense, but comfortable. I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders after our earlier conversation. We had reached an understanding, and that was all I had hoped for.

"You know, I can tell she really loves and trusts you," Maya said, her small smile almost softening the usual edge in her voice. "Even though..." Her voice trailed off. "You've got a good thing, Kam. Don't screw it up."

I offered a smile, "I won't. Trust me."

"Do you see yourself building a future with her?" Maya asked, crossing her legs as she studied me.

"I've thought about a future with Allura so many times," I replied, my voice steady. "She's not gonna be in school forever, and I know she belongs with me. I just know it. The way she responds to me—it's instant, in every aspect."

I pressed a gentle kiss to Allura's cheek as she remained peacefully asleep in my arms.

Alright I know this. chapter was short but I just wanted to put something out for y'all. Don't get comfortable either because we're gonna get into some drama soon and y'all may love me or hate me for it.