What's Eating At Kai?
1262 Words
It's been a week since Leon and I started dating. Since Lilly had the day off, we invited the guys out for a beach day. We're all having fun except Kai. He just seems to be staring off into the distance. I guess here's my chance to go talk to him.
Me: Penny for your thoughts?
Kai: Oh. Uh hey Melanie.
He doesn't make eye contact with me. Is it me that he's mad with?
Me: Is everything OK?
Kai: Ever wanted something so badly? Did it the right way? Worked for it? Then someone else just steals?
Me: I'm a little lost. Can you elabo--
Kai: Nevermind. I do'nt want to bore you with my issues. I'm fine. Prince charming is on his way over. Nice talking to you again.
He looks over and smiles. I give him my friendliest smile back. The moment he looks away, the smile disappears and he stands up. Just like that, he leaves. Hmmm. He's acting very strange. Leon appeared before me.
Me: Oh! Hey Leon.
Leon: Everything OK? What did he say to you?
Me: Nothing. I was trying to see what was wrong with him. But he kinda just brushed me off though.
Leon: He fine. Leave him be. He's just being a grump. He'll be fine in a few days.
He offers his hand. What's weird is he doesn't seem to care one bit about Kai. They grew up together. They're basically brothers. So why disregard what's bothering him?
We enjoy the rest of our day at the beach. The sun was going down when we started packing up. We all headed out to grab dinner. Kai decides not to join us, so we drop him off at home. We went to a nice restaurant. I sat there thinking about why Kai didn't want to join. We order our drinks and food. While we waited for it to arrive, I decided to voice my concerns.
Me: How come Kai didn't want to come?
Everyone turns to look at me. Leon is the one to speak.
Leon: Kai isn't the type to be a fifth wheel. Before, it was just Lilly, Briggs, Kai, and me. But now that I have you, he's kind of the fifth wheel now.
Me: Well, should we bring him something home?
Leon: He'll most likely just order take out.
The food arrives. I ended up picking at my plate. I feel surprised no one really seems concerned about Kai but me. Maybe they're right. It's nothing. I end up taking my food to-go. The guys pay the bill and we leave to head back home.
Leon drops Lilly and me off at our apartment. Lilly and Briggs are saying their goodbyes. I stood beside Leon, looking down at the ground.
Me: So I had a great time today.
Leon: Are you still being shy with me? It's been a week.
Me: I'm sorry.
He laughs once more. He grabs my hand. His other hand reaches to cushion my face. I looked up and looked him directly in the eye. He slowly leans forward and plants a soft kiss on my lips. It lasts only a few seconds. He pulls away and looks me in the eye.
Leon: Does that help you feel less shy?
Me: Maybe. But I'm not entirely sure maybe another one would help me.
He laughs and leans in once more for another kiss. This one lasts a few seconds longer than the first. He pulls away once more.
Leon: Listen about Kai. I think it's best if you just ignore him.
Me: Why? We're all friends here.
Leon: It's just I don't want him taking his problems out on you.
Me: Oh. Ok then.
He walks me to the apartment building. Before he leaves, he once again places a kiss on my hand.
Leon: I'll call you when we get back home.
Me: Ok.
Leon: Later angel.
Me: Bye Leon.
Lilly waves bye as we enter the building and head up to the apartment. When we enter the apartment, we flop onto the couch. The room is filled with silence before Lilly breaks it.
Lilly: So how is it going with Leon so far?
Me: It's going well. I have been meaning to ask how you and Briggs get together?
Lilly: It's a funny story. I met him when I worked as a bartender and he was a bouncer there. I guess he was on break, so he went to relax in the break room. One of the other bartenders was trying to hit him, so I stepped in. He clearly looked uninterested in her. So I told her he wasn't interested because he had a girlfriend. She ignored me and continued. So I went and sat on his lap and kissed him. She got mad and stormed off. I started laughing and he pushed me off his lap and left the break room. I was shocked and thought he was a jerk for being rude when I was just trying to help. Maybe I went too far, but at that moment I knew I was attracted to him. Soon I found myself staring at him whenever he was nearby. One day after work, he approached me and offered to drive me home. I asked if we could stop and have coffee and dinner. He apologized for pushing me and said he was just put off by the whole thing. I confessed that I was attracted to him. So the next day we were both off, so we decided to go on a real date and we just clicked. We realized we like each other alot and decided to keep seeing each other and have been together ever since.
Me: Awww. It is a funny but also cute story.
She blushes. She springs up.
Lilly: s**t! It's already ten o'clock. I've got work tomorrow.
Me: Hey. Where do you work if you don't mind me asking?
Lilly: I work at a clothing store as a manager. I can show you where it is if you ever want to stop by.
Me: Ok. That sounds great.
Lilly: Night chick.
Me: Night Lilly.
She gets up off the couch and heads to the bathroom. My phone starts ringing. Its Leon. I answer.
Me: Hello?
Leon: Hey angel. We just got home.
Me: Oh. OK, that's good to hear.
I hear noise at his end. It sounds like Kai. He's saying something. But I don't know what. All I hear Leon say is that they'll talk later. Followed by a loud slam.
Me: Everything OK?
Leon: Yeah, he's just still grumpy. He'll be fine.
No sooner do I hear glass breaking on his end. Leon lets out an aggravated sigh.
Leon: I'll have to talk to you later angel. He clearly won't calm down until we talk.
Me: Oh ok. Uh night.
Leon: Night angel.
He hangs up. I didn't take Kai as the destructive type. I wonder what's eating at him that much? Hopefully nothing else gets broken.
I pulled myself off the couch. Lilly is coming out of the bathroom. She gestures that if I want to use it I can. I headed to my room to grab a change of clothes and return to the bathroom. I hop in the shower, bathe, and hop back out. I go to my room and lay down. I wonder why Kai was so mad? I know Leon said don't worry about him, but I can't help it. He's a friend. I ended up having a restless night.
- Writer
