The Rules We Break

Chapter 4

Kyla and I had just left the mall, and I was driving towards the restaurant where we'd be having dinner. We were relatively quiet in the car, a comfortable silence that hung between us. I wasn't sure what she was thinking, but I was consumed by the thought of which salesperson in the mall I should go back and confront, because Kyla's joke about the shoes not suiting me was really starting to get under my skin. It was irritating me, and the sudden, frustrating traffic jam wasn't helping my mood. I found myself honking incessantly at the car in front of me, almost without realizing it.

"Hey, that's hurting my ears!" Kyla complained, her voice sharp. "Besides, no amount of honking is going to make that car in front of us fly. Just calm down, okay?"

"Sorry. I'm just annoyed, and I'm hungry," I mumbled, offering a flimsy excuse. "Kyla, do the shoes really look bad on me?" I asked, my voice laced with genuine concern, unable to suppress the question any longer.

"Bwahahahahaha, is that why you're so annoyed?" Kyla burst into laughter, seemingly oblivious to the fact that there was a man sitting next to her, a man whose patience was wearing thin.

I just rolled my eyes at her, even more irritated by her reaction. Now, I was absolutely certain that I'd be returning to the mall to find someone to give a piece of my mind.

"He's even more annoyed now! Hahaha," Kyla continued to laugh, her amusement unwavering. "Stop frowning like that. They're not that bad on you. Actually, any shoes look good on you."

"Really?!" I replied, my voice laced with skepticism.

"Yes, really. Now hurry up, I'm starving. The car in front of you is moving," she said, her voice a mixture of playful teasing and genuine hunger.

I hadn't even noticed the car moving. A sudden smile spread across my face. I couldn't explain why Kyla's opinion about my shoes mattered so much, but all I knew was that I wanted to look good in her eyes. I wanted her to see me as someone worthy of her attention, someone who could make her smile. The thought that she found me attractive, that she approved of my style, filled me with a sense of quiet satisfaction, a feeling that warmed me from the inside out. It was a strange sensation, this need for her approval, this desire to impress her, but I couldn't deny its existence. It was there, a subtle but persistent feeling that drove me to seek her validation, to crave her approval, to yearn for her gaze.

Kyla and I arrived at our favorite restaurant. It was our usual spot for food trips, a place we frequented because of the delicious food and the wide variety of choices. Kyla wasn't a picky eater, which was one of the many reasons I enjoyed her company. She had a down-to-earth approach to food, a refreshing contrast to some of the more fussy individuals I knew.

"Hey, you're paying for what I bought, right?" Kyla quipped, her voice laced with playful anticipation.

"Yeah, we'll settle up at my place," I replied, a mischievous glint in my eyes.

"Huh? I'm going to your place?" she asked, her surprise evident.

"Yep," I confirmed, offering a short, affirmative response accompanied by a knowing grin.

"Why?! What am I going to do at your place?" she asked quickly, her curiosity piqued, a hint of playful suspicion in her tone.

"Just because. And your cookies are there," I said, dangling the promise of her favorite treat as a persuasive incentive.

Kyla fell silent, focusing on her meal. She was probably considering the offer, the lure of those homemade cookies proving too tempting to resist. When we finished eating, Kyla immediately suggested going home.

"Why are we going home so soon?" I asked, my voice laced with a hint of disappointment. "Aren't we going to have a few drinks? Even just two bottles each?" I suggested, hoping to extend our time together.

"I don't want to. I'm tired," she replied, her voice sounding weary. "Let's go to your place so I can get my cookies, and then you can drive me home. I have work tomorrow night," she added, her tone indicating a desire to get some rest before her shift.

I didn't argue further. Sensing her weariness, I simply nodded and started the drive home. Kyla, lulled by the gentle hum of the car and the warmth of the evening, drifted off to sleep. Her breathing became soft and rhythmic, a testament to her exhaustion. I glanced at her occasionally, a sense of tenderness washing over me as I observed her peaceful slumber.

I pulled into the garage and parked the car, but Kyla remained fast asleep. Her head rested gently against the window, her expression serene. I turned off the engine, and the sudden silence seemed to amplify the quiet intimacy of the moment. I got out of the car and walked around to the passenger side, opening the door. An impulse, an inexplicable urge, came over me. I found myself instinctively reaching for Kyla, intending to carry her to my room. I didn't care about her weight, nor did I consider how we might look to anyone who happened to see us. All that mattered was that I didn't want to disturb her deep, tranquil sleep. I wanted to cradle her in my arms, to protect her from any disturbance.

I had just managed to lift her slightly from her seat when she stirred, her eyes fluttering open. The sudden movement caused me to lose my grip slightly, and I gently lowered her back down.

"Why didn't you wake me up?" Kyla asked, her voice thick with sleep, her eyes still half-closed.

"You were sleeping so soundly," I offered as a quick, albeit flimsy, excuse. A blush crept up my neck, and I hoped she wouldn't notice my slightly flustered demeanor. Kyla immediately got out of the car, her movements still a little sluggish.

"Let's go get the cookies so I can go home," she said, her voice regaining its usual briskness. She started walking towards the house, leading the way. This wasn't her first visit to my home, so she knew the layout well, navigating the path with a familiar ease.