Twisted Ties

Kai’s POV

“I'm beginning to think I have too much information on keeping a human being alive”, I maintained a dramatic pause. “It's not the best for humankind”, I finished, throwing myself backwards and hitting my head against my pillow. “You don’t say,” Stella replies with a hint of amusement, turning her full attention towards me and ignoring the assignment that seems to be driving her to a little slope of insanity, too.

“Hear me out Sunshine” I reply jerking myself up, “It was slightly human-friendly delving into the ethical actions followed up in various emergencies” I stressed, mimicking a weight balance with my hands tilting slightly, to the right reminding her of the previous assignment that was given to me, “but real life emergency medical cases!? I could be a psycho for all they care about, and they let me have this knowledge!?” I’m back to staring at the screen for the hundredth time today annoyed at the amount of words I have on the screen.

“You're just mad you have to read this much and then give your opinions, which you'd rather not,” Stella replies, shaking her head and going back to her homework. Despite her attempt to sound serious, I detected a hint of laughter in her voice.

“That's an astute conclusion, Enola. I'm very impressed,” I retorted, rolling my eyes as I typed away on my laptop, knowing she couldn’t see me.

Stella, majoring in Business Management with a minor in Fashion Studies, rarely understood half of what I said because of the blaring contrast of my major in Paramedicine and ASL, respectively.

We continued for what felt like hours. I can't say I’m the same Kai I was a few hours ago, I sighed dramatically. This is going to take a while.

Stella abruptly suggests, "We should go get doughnuts. " She shuts her laptop with a loud noise and catches my attention with her overly enthusiastic smile, which makes her freckles stand out even more.

“Okay,” I replied, stressing the y.

She's already on her feet, walking towards the bathroom to freshen up and get dressed, singing something I've never heard before, her Scottish accent more pronounced. "Yep, she's stressed," I murmured slowly, followed by a chuckle.

She usually does this when stressed, craves sugar, and sings with a Scottish accent, despite never having lived there.

Well, she is from Scotland if her red hair and freckles didn't give it away, and that's all to that. She's spent more years in the States than in her motherland.

I went over and reopened the shut laptop to ensure she properly shut down and you guessed right; she didn't.

I chuckled, shaking my head. I properly did so after saving the draft, taking her books and walking to her room. I packed my stuff and went into my room to freshen up too.

I put on a round-neck sweatshirt, joggers, and sneakers, parking my hair in a low bun with some curly strands out.

Stella reminds me why she’s a fashion studies minor, with her tennis skirt, crop top, bomber varsity jacket, and knee-length boots.

“It's doughnuts and coffee Stella,” I state, giving her a blank stare.

“I know that Kai”, she replies, matching my tone, “It was my idea”, she continues with sass laced in that last statement.

I rolled my eyes, “Let's go”, as we headed for the door, and she drove us to the cafe.

“If it isn't my favourite customer,” Melissa beams at Stella,

“Hello Mel”, she waves her fingers at her as we approach an empty table

“Hello Mel,” I mimicked a salute.

“The usual order, right?” Mel asked both of us, particularly Stella. She was a regular at this cafe, and I accompanied her sometimes, but Stella was on a different level. She nodded, smiling.

She turned towards me, and I quickly ordered a latte and cheesecake, avoiding further conversation.

“Coming right up”, she walks away, calling out our order for the barista to take note of.

I feel Stella’s eyes on me, her lips curved in a knowing smile, “what?” I asked, “You’re doing it again, Kai?” She replied, “Doing what?” I feigned ignorance as she gave me a look that said ‘Really?’

In Stella’s words, I put up banners that say ‘we’re not friends’ when someone I don't acknowledge tries to chat with me. “You're way too formal, like sharply formal” that's how she puts it.

“I apologize”, I reply with a fake smile plastered. She rolls her eyes.

“Of course”.I snickered and looked towards the window as we waited for our order.

She wasn't wrong, though; it’s an innate thing I do to protect myself and my family. We’ve come this far to be put in danger again.

My phone buzzed, signalling a text, cutting my train of thought. I smiled at the ‘Where you at?’ from Nate. ‘At the cafe’, I replied to his texts as I informed Stella, “Nate just texted”, awaiting her next action.

“Nooo”, she sighs, placing her head in her hands, which makes me laugh, “I’m already stressed to have Macho come over and make my brain bleed”, she continues, and I can't help but laugh harder.

I receive a text from Nate, as she finishes her outburst ‘Is that Riding Hood with you?’. Typical.

‘Yep!’ I replied, ‘Great! (rolling eyes emoji) Be there in 10’ he replies. “He's on his way; said he’ll be here in ten, which I doubt,” Stella groans, awaiting his impending arrival.