TIDAL AFFAIRS

CHAPTER TWO

Meeting Clayton completely extinguished whatever hyperactive side Kris had. She thought it to be best as she could fully embrace her cool self. Lou thought he had no right to do so.

Clay thought both of them being calm people made them a great pair that nobody could separate and for whatever reason, Kris fell harder for him.

Lou never liked him though. She said he was as anti everything as anyone could be. Easter Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, he was never ecstatic in any way.

He made efforts to make Kris content and Kris loved that.

Content, not happy. Lou always pointed it out anytime she had the chance.

That alone made Clayton never fond of her.

Kris had thought it to be best as she could fully embrace her cool self. Lou thought he had no right to do so.

Clay thought both of them being calm people made them a great pair that nobody could separate and for whatever reason, Kris fell harder for him.

There was one time though. Clay lost his cool and chose an entirely different route. Kris's thighs paid for her disobedience.

Lou never liked him though. She said he was as anti everything as anyone could be. Easter Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, he was never ecstatic in any way.

He made efforts to make Kris content and Kris loved that.

Content, not happy. Lou always pointed it out anytime she had the chance.

That alone made Clayton never fond of her.

"Kris? The dude downstairs let me in and said you were packing up for a boat trip." A short, fiery red haired, curvy lady stepped into the room.

"Clay has a name. When will you stop that? He is a nice guy" Kris was even smiling.

Lou yawned loudly. "Sorry. You know I yawn when something is boring and you speaking about your vomit of a boyfriend is utterly boring and tops it all." She plopped on the bed without a hint of regret in her action. “Out of everything he's done, giving you your own room is the best and probably the only good thing”

Kris shook her head and stood up from the floor. "You have a problem, massive one, and you need to fix it "

"You're dating a narcissistic problem, you have a problem for dating a problem but you don't see me say anything about it " She picked up Kris's underwear from the box and gave her an appraising look.

"No, you never shut up about it actually. Also, do you even know what narcissism means? " Kris glared, going through her drawers.

"Hoping that someday, you'll snap out of this trance you're in and whatever I call him, it's your job to echo whatever I say " Lou pointedly looked at her sister who ignored her.

Picking a small bag, Kris starts filling it with her makeup.“What are you talking about? I'm the older one. Aren't you supposed to echo whatever I say?”

“Oh please. I'm more older one material and the most mature one” Lou scoffed.

Kris shook her head while laughing. "How's junior year going?"

"Oh you know, rainbows and unicorns. Angels handing out trays of baked things of that sort. Birds are always singing which is like the peak of the hour and then Jesus comes in and like hugs us and tells us what to do." A huge smile broke on her face.

Kris threw an eye pencil which hit Lou in the face.

"What? It's true!"

~~~~~

Kris had been on ships. Mostly for business, with or without Clay. But, none had ever been this decorated. It was utterly beautiful.

Clay didn't think so, obviously.

The welcome party set up by the tour crew was extremely fancy at its best.

The hall had red, white and green ribbons, chairs, and tables that were black and shiny with welcome cards placed on top of it. They had waiters at every corner with food and snacks whose name you couldn't pronounce no matter how hard you tried.

It was luxurious yet enjoyable. Their live band played old Christmas melodies and modern jams. A blend done so well.

Clay didn't think so. He didn't seem to look at anything with happiness. Kris felt work was stressing him, even in another continent.

Much to Clay's pleasing, Kris had dressed in a red gown, strapless enough to show her pale, creamy and spotless shoulders. Her makeup is heavy enough to hide her scar. Clay smiled at that. He hadn't complimented her.

“Nice choice” He had said like a proud father.

"I'm so glad we get to spend a week here, going to different places, all without snow. And who better to do it with than you?" Kris smiled at Clay, her blood red lips pulling wide open. Clay's obviously grim look did not fade.

Work stress. Kris thought.

“I know work has been hectic but I'm sure it'll be fine. You've managed worse and this isn't even half of it” Kris tried again. She looped her left arm with his right arm.

Right after their accident three years back, Clay got back to work with a bandaged nose. He was home for a couple of months but it was the worst period he found himself on since he started the job.

Here comes the part that Lou hated him for. He only did it because he wanted the credit as he was aiming at a high position in the company, even though he was already high enough.

"Right. Wait here a bit. I might've just spotted a highschool mate. I'll come get you " Clay said and without waiting for a reply, marched off in the opposite direction, his perfume momentarily swirling in Kris's nose in a way that indicated that it's been left behind.

Kris blinked, embarrassed. Squaring her shoulders, she moved to an empty table and snatched a chair. She pulled out her phone and decided to take a few pictures and videos for Lou and her parents.

Clay disappearing from her side was a usual thing. She learned not to question him.

But, it almost seemed like he was finding or meeting a highschool classmate or a college roommate. He never asked her to come along so Kris pretty much knew the drill.

Which is why Kris took a book with her., anywhere they went.

It started off as a means of distraction but gradually became an obsession. She'd forget to pack everything other than books.

Books served as a medium to forget and just be. Until Clay appeared, grumbling about leaving.

With the usual plan, Kris brought out a novel and started reading, drowning out the rest of the world.