Talk to me,stay with me.
833 Words
“Hi, Bren.”
Bren reads Kaia’s lips. The heavy metal music blasting through his AirPods doesn’t allow him hear her. Heavy metal isn’t usually his kind of thing. But what is his ‘kind of thing’ anyway? These days, it seems like nothing is his kind of thing. He shuts his eyes again, hoping Kaia doesn’t go away even though what he’s doing sends exactly that signal. When he opens them, Kaia isn’t in front of him. She’s beside him. That makes him take one AirPod out.
“Don’t worry. I won’t bother you. I know what it feels like to need space. From everything and everyone. Carry on.”
Bren stares at her in sincerely utter confusion. She didn’t leave? She actually stayed here with him even when she has zero idea why he’s alone under a tree at the end of the school field? He feels heat rising up his neck and cheeks and he looks away before his betraying skin gives away a blush. The air between them is silent. Everything is silent. Except for the music from his AirPods and the occasional rustling of leaves above.
“Congratulations.” Kaia breaks the silence.
“What for?” he asks despite already knowing.
“The foundation. And the hospital. That’s—amazing.”
Bren licks his lips. Proximity to Rosco has made him pick some habits. Oh, friendship. “Thanks.”
Kaia adjusts her body till she’s facing him completely. “You’re welcome. You don’t sound excited though.”
“I’ve always known. It’s a shock to you people. Not to me.”
“I see,” Kaia nods calculatedly. “You said you didn’t know what you wanted to do in college. Where did the pre-med dream suddenly come from?”
It’s not sudden, and she knows it. Could she just spare him the trouble? “Why do you suddenly think that I owe you details and information about my life?” He switches to his intimidating, grump mode.
“You don’t.” She stares at him for a moment and her eyes are intently studying him. “This isn’t your choice, is it?”
Bren huffs. Freaking big brain. She got him all figured out in mere minutes. Well, thanks to his big mouth and the powers of the midnight that makes you vulnerable. “Don’t play detective with me, Kaia.”
“I have no desire to. I just—wanted to see if you’re okay.” She starts to get up when Bren grasps her wrists, firm. Too firm. She drops her gaze to their attached limbs. “What are you—”
“Do you really?”
“Do I really what?” she sputters.
“Know what it feels like to need space. From everything and everyone.”
Her eyes do that studying thing again, and then she nods her agreement slowly. “I do. I also know what it feels like to suffer the consequences of a choice you didn’t make. So if that’s what’s on your mind, it’d hurt. Sure. But you’d heal.”
“I don’t want to heal. Maybe if I keep hurting, they’d see it too. The pain. The freaking sores and scars. They’d feel my hurt too.” Bren realizes how pathetic he sounds and flustered, he draws his hands away from her wrist and puts distance between them.
“Bren,” she doesn’t close the distance between them. “Are you—suicidal?”
Brat! She really has him all figured out and he should end this. Right now. This instant. But he can’t. He doesn’t want to.
“I’m just tired. Sleep deprived. By the way, chamomile tea is a miracle potion.”
“Didn’t you throw it out?”
Bren snorts in mockery. “Supermarkets didn’t stop selling chamomile tea just because I threw yours out.”
“Haha,” she deadpans. “Bren,” her voice takes on a serious and concerned tone. “If you want to—”
“No. I’m fine. I don’t need to talk to anyone because I’m fine.” He states with firmness and Kaia opens her mouth again when—
“Brennon Kang! Are you crazy?”
She turns to see Rosco walking briskly towards them. Shira’s there too.
“Why aren’t you answering your phone? Do you know how many times I called.” He holds his phone in Bren’s face.
“I’m not dead. Chill.”
“Chill?!” While the boys start light banter, Shira just glowers at Kaia.
“What is she doing here?” Shira refers and stares at her like she’s vermin.
“We were talking,” Bren says and feels Kaia’s shocked eyes on him. Shira’s angry ones too.
“You were talking to her when your best friends were going about looking for you?”
“I didn’t get lost!”
Kaia gets up and Bren grasps her wrists again, pulling her down. “Stay. Please.”
- Writer
