15. Another Door Opens

"Are you sure you'll be ok?" Kairi asked.

Sydney nodded. "I'll be fine. If I need to, I can always talk to his mom or visit his grave." She smiled to hide her sorrow.

Kairi smiled back. "Ok."

"You can stay here as long as you want to you know."

"Yeah? I think I might stay a little while longer then."

They were walking down the hall two days after the memorial service. Kayla walked down the hallway towards them. She didn't seem to notice them until she bumped into them. "Oh, sorry." She looked at Kairi.

"What? You know, ever since I met you, you've done nothing but stare at me."

"God, you even sound like her."

Sydney and Kairi looked at each other.

"Like who?"

"Someone I used to know. A little girl. It was a long time ago, but the resemblance you two share is remarkable."

"What are you talking about?"

"Kayla? Are you feeling ok? Should I get Nicole?"

Kayla looked at Sydney. "No, you don't have to. I'm just missing Novella."

"Who?" Sydney asked.

"My name was Novella." Kairi stared at Kayla. "Death made me change it after I died. I'd change it back, but I'm just so fond of Kairi."

Kayla stared at Kairi, dumbfounded. "Novella? Is it really you?"

"What are you guys talking about?" Sydney looked back and forth between the two.

"I don't know, am I?"

Kayla smiled and hugged Kairi. "Oh! It's been so long! I haven't seen you since, well in almost seven hundred years!"

"What are you-" Kairi paused. "Mom?"

Kayla nodded, her eyes shining. "Oh, Novella! I've missed you! I thought you passed away years ago, but you've been alive this whole time!"

"So, wait, Kairi's my cousin?" Sydney looked at Kayla, who nodded.

Kairi smiled. "Mom! I thought you ran away from Daddy and I."

Kayla shook her head, "No, I wanted to stay, I really did, but I had to come back to Draylon."

They hugged again. Sydney quietly stayed back and watched.

"Well, now I guess I have to stay."

Kayla frowned. "No, you can't. I'm sorry, really, but no one here knows you're my daughter, and if they found out-" She paused and looked at Kairi. "We'd both be in a lot of trouble."

Kairi frowned. "Oh, but I just met you. I can't leave now."

"You can stay for a little while, and we can catch up, but eventually you'll have to move somewhere new."

"But I don't have anyplace to go. Nicole never gave me anyplace to live."

"Yes, well, I'm sure we'll work something out."

Kairi smiled and looked at Sydney. "Syd! We can be like sisters now!"

Sydney rolled her eyes. "Great." Kairi hugged her and Sydney smiled. With every end comes a new beginning.