HIS ROOMMATE

HIS FRIENDS

CHAPTER 3

ADRIAN'S POV

I sighed and turned to Valerie, trying to explain. "Val, it's not what it looks like. I hit her with my car, literally. She was crossing the road in the rain, and I couldn't stop in time. I pulled her into the guest room, and Mrs. Chen's been keeping an eye on her."

Valerie's expression softened slightly, but her voice was still tight. "I know it's not my business, but... she's not just some stray, Adrian. She's got a whole attitude problem."

I chuckled, rubbing the back of my head. "Tell me about it. She's got a concussion, and she's still managing to give me grief."

Kai poked her head out of the kitchen, a mischievous gl gling in her eye. "Hey, I can hear you, you know."

Valerie rolled her eyes, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "I think the whole neighborhood can hear you, Kai."

Mrs. Chen intervened, ushering us into the living room. "Okay, let's get everyone calm down. Kai, you need to rest. Adrian, you need to talk to Valerie. And Valerie, dear, let's get you a cup of tea."

As Mrs. Chen herded Kai back to the guest room, Valerie turned to me, her voice low. "We need to talk, Adrian. Alone."

I nodded, feeling a knot in my stomach. "Yeah, we do."

We stepped out into the garden, the rain-soaked air clinging to us like a damp blanket. "Val, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"

Valerie cut me off, her eyes flashing. "You didn't mean to what, Adrian? Bring home a stray? You always do this, you take in every broken thing that crosses your path, and you don't think about anyone else."

I flaced, her words stinking a nerve. "That's not fair, Val. Kai's not just some broken thing. She's... complicated."

Valerie's gaze narrowed. "Complicated? She's got you wrapped around her finger, and you don't even see it."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Val, that's not true. I just... I don't know, okay? She's just... different."

Valerie's expression softened, and she reached out to touch my arm. "I know, Adrian. That's what scares me."

Valerie's words hung in the air, and I knew she was right. Kai was different, and that's what drew me to her. But it was more than that – she was a force of nature, barreling into my life and leaving a trail of chaos in her wake.

"Val, I promise I'm not trying to be reckless," I said, trying to reassure her. "I just... I saw her, and I couldn't just leave her there."

Valerie nodded, her eyes searching mine. "I know, Adrian. That's what makes you, you. But sometimes... sometimes I worry that you're trying to fix everyone else, and you're forgetting to fix yourself."

Her words hit close to home. She was talking about my parents, about the guilt that still lingered. I looked away, trying to process.

Just then, Kai's voice floated out from the kitchen, singing some off-key rendition of a pop song. Valerie's lips twitched, and I couldn't help but chuckle.

"See, that's what I mean," Valerie said, smiling wily. "She's like a hurricane, and you're just standing there, getting swept up."

I grinned, feeling a spark of defensiveness. "Hey, I'm not that easy to sweep up."

Valerie raised an eyebrow. "Really? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're already gone."

Her words hung in the air, and I knew she wasn't just talking about Kai anymore.

As we stood there, the tension between us was palpable. I knew I needed to make things right with Valerie, but I wasn't sure how. Not with Kai's presence looming large in the background.

"What do you want me to do, Val?" I asked, my voice low.

Valerie's gaze locked onto mine. "I want you to be honest with me, Adrian. And with yourself. Can you do that?"

I nodded, feeling a weight settle on my shoulders. "I can do that."

Valerie smiled, a small, sad smile. "Good. That's all I can ask for, I guess."

As we headed back inside, I knew things were far from resolved. Kai was still here, and Valerie's doubts lingered. But for now, I just needed to take it one step at a time.

KAI'S POV

What does that barbie think of herself. I'm only being nice to her because her boyfriend is housing me for now. Classes would start soon, I need to find a job before that. Maybe I can ask Adrian for help.

I smirked to myself, wiping the counter with a dirty cloth. Adrian's little girlfriend was already getting territorial, and it was only day two. I almost felt bad for her – almost.

As I finished cleaning up the kitchen, Adrian walked back in, looking like he'd just had a chat with the principal. Valerie was nowhere to be seen, but Mrs. Chen was hovering by the stove, brewing a fresh pot of tea.

"Kai, we need to talk," Adrian said, his voice low.

I raised an eyebrow, leaning against the counter. "About what, Ken? The state of your kitchen?"

He shot me a look. "About your job search. Classes start soon, and you need to get sorted."how on earth did he know I was looking for a job?. Did I talk sleep again?

I shrugged. "I was thinking about hitting you up for some connections. You know, use your 'I'm a good guy' vibes to get me a job."

Adrian rolled his eyes. "You don't need my vibes, Kai. You need a plan. What's your major?"

I hesitated for a split second before answering. "Business."

He raised an eyebrow. "Business, huh? You don't strike me as the corporate type."

I grinned, pushing off the counter. "That's because I'm not. I'm the 'take-over-the-world-with-caffeine-and-sarcasm' type."

Adrian chuckled, despite himself. "Alright, I'll bite. I have a friend who owns a café near campus. They might be hiring part-time."

I perked up, interest piqued. "A café? Sounds like my kind of place."

He nodded. "I'll set up an interview. But you have to promise me one thing."

I narrowed my eyes. "What's that?"

"No burning down the café."

I laughed, popping the 'p'. "Scout's honor, Ken. I make no promises about the customers, though."

Adrian shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "I'll get you the contact info. Just... try to behave, okay?"

I saluted him, all innocence. "Me? Never."

As he turned to leave, I called out, "Hey, Adrian?"

He looked back, expectant.

"Thanks, Ken. I owe you one."

He raised an eyebrow. "Just don't make me regret it, okay?"

I grinned, wily. "Where's the fun in that?"

Later that day some guys visited. Four of them, Adrian had gone out and Mrs Chen was also out. I was left all alone in that hunted house....

"Who the heck are you?" one of them asked

"Are you Crazy... I should be asking you that, you walked in here like you own the place and now you are asking who I'm?" I yelled

I stood my ground, gazing up at the tallest guy, my hands on my hips. "Seriously, who are you people? You just barge in here like you own the place."

The guy's expression shifted from amusement to confusion. "Dude, this is our spot. We're the ones who should be asking questions – who are you?"

I raised an eyebrow. "This is Adrian's house, and I'm his... guest. You, on the other hand, are trending on the 'uninvited' scale."

The group's leader, a tall, lanky guy with a messy grin, stepped forward. "Adrian's? Man, you're not his type."

I smirked. "Good thing I'm not trying to be, then."

The group exchanged looks, clearly unsure how to handle me. Finally, one of them piped up, "Dude, we have a game tonight. We're here to pick up Adrian's stuff."

I crossed my arms. "Well, Adrian's out, and I'm not letting you take anything without his say-so."

The leader chuckled. "Look, sweetheart, we're now asking nicely. Just get out of the way."

I raised an eyebrow, my grin spreading. "Sweetheart? Okay, let's try this again. I'm not moving, and you aren't taking anything. So... how about you try to get past me?"

The group's eyes widened, and for a moment, they looked like they might actually try it. Then, the lanky guy burst out laughing. "Dude, I like her. She's feisty."

TBC