Page 52 of Heartbeats and Hashtags
The recorder feels clumsy, glaringly obvious against my pounding heart. But the detectives showed me how to toggle it on seamlessly. I just pray I can confront her calmly enough so she admits to what she’s done. The goal is to prevent her from lashing out dangerously, not spurring it on.
I force a deep breath, squaring my shoulders when Cole walks in.
“Ev, are you sure you're OK to do this? We can come up with another way.” Cole's brows knit with concern. “After everything, no one would fault you if you need to back out.”
I offer a faint smile, recognizing his protective worries aren't unfounded.
“I appreciate it, but this feels important. Ineedto get answers.” In truth, a part of me still didn’t want to believe she was behind this whole thing. She didn’t seem cold or calculating at all. She’d been by my side for two years helping me navigate the world of online fame. I thought we werefriends.
I twist my hands, sorting through my complex feelings.
“What she’s done has shaken me to the core, but Kirra was also family once. I guess I have to understand why before I can fully close this chapter,” I confess.
Cole grips my palm. His hands are sweaty.
“I just don't like you being vulnerable around this maniac.”
I squeeze his hand. “Hey, remember I know a thing or two about self-defense. I can handle myself now against most threats, thanks to a pretty skilled andfreakin’hotteacher.”
I offer a playful wink and am rewarded by the barest upturn of his lips. We both know that my meager capability doesn't eliminate the risks entirely. But I refuse to live my life ruled by fear. Besides, Cole and the police will be waiting in the next room anyway.
Cole must read that stubborn resolve because he lets out a resigned breath.
“Well, I still don't like this, Little Rose, but I know better than standing in your way once you've decided on something.”
“Kirra...”
I steel my nerves as she enters, radiating a manic energy that puts my teeth on edge. Her cheeks are sallow, eyes feverishly bright in a way I've never seen. My confidence falters.
“Did you mean it? Do you want my help moving house?” Kirra asks too eagerly. “God, I've missed you so much, Everly. I’ve been waiting for you to reach out. I…” She goes to hug me, but I step back instinctively. Hurt flashes in her eyes before transforming into something sinister, angry.
I fight back a wave of nausea. Her cheery facade now seemschillingin light of recent revelations. Tossing my shoulders back, I meet her desperate gaze.
“Why?” I whisper. “I know it was you. After everything...how could you violate me like that?”
Kirra reels as if struck. Then a wounded cry escaping her lips. “Because I love you!” she erupts. “I've loved you for years! But you alwaysresistedit,” she seethes. “You refused to see how perfect we could be...”
She trails off, chest heaving. I see the frenzied pain of unrequited obsession swirling and fight to keep my voice steady.
“You should have told me, Kirra. I thought we were friends...”
A harsh laugh cuts me off. “Friends? I wanted more!” Kirra seethes. “And I saw the way you looked at me sometimes.You felt it too.”She reaches to grab me, but I side step again.
She’s delusional, I realize. She has pieced together some moments of friendly affection and placed a romantic spin on them.
Her voice cracks. “But then it was all business, no warmth anymore. And you called my messages horrible. I thought you’d like to see someone anonymous care about you. But instead you wasted your time signing back up to those horrible dating apps,” she spits.
Kirra paces the living room, muttering under her breath. Her hands twitch and grasp reflexively at nothing. Seeing her unraveled state, I begin to panic.
“Kirra, please sit down. I just want to understand?—”
A floorboard creaks upstairs. Kirra's feverish eyes dart toward the ceiling.
“What was that?” She peers around wildly. “Is someone else here?”
I open my mouth to respond when her gaze fixes on the hidden microphone peeking from my collar, color draining from her face. Kirra turns on me, comprehension dawning.
“This is a setup. You...you brought me here to…to take me away? I thought that you wanted to see me again.” Her voice pitches higher, bordering on hysterical. She begins trembling, hands balling into fists.
