Co-Presidents

15

"Hey, hi," he spoke as she picked up. He hadn't heard her voice in over three weeks.

"Hey Kaden. How's work?"

"Work is fine," he said, pulling out of the parking space and heading down the street. "We went into partnership with another company, not that you would care or anything," he chuckled.

"I'm throwing a party for my birthday and retirement," she told him. "You'll be here."

"As if I have a choice."

"And, I also invited a young girl," she spoke softly, "she had a compromising past and I saw her tonight and invited her."

"Do you want me to pick her up on my way there?"

"No. That won't be necessary. She'll be here on Thursday to help with the preparations and stuff."

"Knowing you, I bet you forced her to come Thursday," he chuckled as he pulled up in his driveway.

"Even so, it is for her own benefit," she said seriously, making him wonder what type of past this young lady had.

"Alright Claudia, nice talking to you. Have a good night," he said as he got into his house and locked the door.

"Take care," she said and ended the call. He threw his phone on the coffee table and struggled up the stairs. He spoke soberly because if she found out he went out drinking his head off, she'd never let him hear the end of it.

"Just one more stair," he whispered, feeling weaker by the second. He soon gave in and rested his head on top of the floor, breathing contently as sleep overtook him.

He woke up to the sunlight shining on his face through the blinds and his back and neck aching. He got up and almost fell back but held the railing and dragged his body up the last stairs. He got in the shower and stood under it for a long time before turning it off and walking out. He got dressed and decided he'd take his headache for a run. He wore navy blue long training pants with a plain light blue t-shirt and headed out.

He drove to the park and got out, getting ready for a thirty minute jog when he spotted Nate leaning against a fence in black jogger pants and a fitting grey sweater.

"How's your head?" He asked as he stood beside him. Nate looked at him and squinted his eyes before recognising him.

"Damn you," he shoved Kaden and chuckled. Kaden saw his friend's bloodshot eyes and wondered how far into the night he went on with those girls.

"Let's run," Kaden said as he extended his fist for Nate to bump. They ran wordlessly down the pavement and stopped once every ten minutes.

---

"So then she said I should come over and help her with the prep and stuff," Ari said as she and Kanti jogged up the street.

"Are you going?" Kanti asked as they were approaching a turn.

"I don't have a choice. And between us two, she scares me," she said and they laughed as they ran.

Kanti was about to ask when she was leaving for the party when two guys came running at a mighty high speed and bumped into them, sending them falling backwards as they themselves fell on their rears. Ari cursed as her phone fell out of her pocket and the glass cover cracked a little in the corner. Kanti on the other hand got up without a scratch besides a bruised elbow.

"Why don't you watch where you're going?" Ari groaned, standing up.

"We're sorry," the two guys said at the same time as they turned to look at them, their eyes widening.

"Should have known it would be you," Kanti spoke bitterly, aiming her words at Nate.

"What a great way to start my morning," Nate retorted sarcastically.

Kaden waved at Ari and she waved back, watching the bicker between her cousin and this Nate guy.

"Say we take you ladies for coffee," Kaden interrupted them. "Would that make you feel better?"

"Only if I order what I want," Ari said.

"And he gets to pay," Kanti pointed at Nate who just rolled his eyes dramatically.

"Ladies," Kaden mumbled as he shook his head and began to walk across the street.

"Dog," Kanti whispered loud enough for Nate to hear her. She wanted to annoy him as much as possible.

"b***h," Nate shoved her shoulder and walked away, following Kaden. Ari just shook her head enjoying the bicker and caught up to Kaden.

"Good morning," she greeted him and he slowed down as she walked closer.

"How's this any good?" He teased as he turned to look behind him at the two fighting and pushing each other back and forth.

"It gets better," she said as she pushed the glass door and entered. They stood in line and watched the other two struggle to enter the café because they kept pulling each other out. Kaden shook his head as Nate acted weak when Kanti pulled him out. Something inside him told him that Nate was doing that on purpose, and surprisingly enjoying it as well.

Ari watched as Kanti attempted to trip Nate by putting her foot behind his right one when he took a step forward. She groaned when he held onto the table of an elderly couple who watched them with amused faces.

"Girlfriends," he shook his head in a playful way at the couple and walked away, heading to the back of the café where Kanti had taken a seat inside a booth. Kaden and Ari both sighed as they knew this was going to be a long morning.