Lethal Ways Not To Kill Yourself

Parent Pressure and Play 8: Elikai

This plan could either be Apollo 11 level astronomical or Apollo 13 level disappointing cousin who’s also probably gay. The difference of two shall be fulfilled by Kal and me.

Or so as I presume.

We hauled into the darkroom, all geared up and ready to shout, “FBI, OPEN UP!” I was hoping that was the plan really. To distract Kal with my pain in the ass jokes and distract him from the fact that he came walking to me in the middle of the night under objectionable circumstances and knocked on my door.

That reminded me, “Knock Knock?” I asked as we all were squinting our eyes, hoping it’ll dilate our pupils faster.

While Alex was navigating his way like a mummy, as if flinging his hands in front of him would bestow him with sensory receptors that seeped through his skin and provide him with an infrared vision, Kal was looking around. He was looking for someone, or as I hoped he did, but knowing him I knew he was evading eyes that’ll meet his with the sense of familiarity and acquaintance. He repels human interaction like a proton repels others. It was time to bind him with strong nuclear force.

 Right now, I only had an assortment of ‘knock-knock jokes’ as the gluons.

I cleared my throat and loosened the shirt’s grip on me that absorbed my sweat and words, drying up my throat, “Knock Knock?” My croaky voice almost matched the Nike shoes' squeaky noises.

“You don’t take a clue when someone purposely ignores you, right?” I could smell Kal’s shrug teasing and flaring my nostrils.

“Who’ s it?”

I smiled, then shut my mouth when I realised my lips are chapped and it might bleed, “Lena.”

“Lena who?”

I leaned a little closer, sure of the fact that he can sense my breath on his cheek, “Lena a little closer, I’ll tell you another joke!”

Leaning closer actually helped, Kal was trying hard to suppress his sheepish smile behind his intimidating persona that needed two-factor authentication. I am glad I entered the pin right.

“Come on,” I ribbed, “just tell me you loved my joke.”

“That’s why I came to your place,” I sensed his hardened smile melting to earnest warmth, “ I knew you’d make me forget the chaos I encompass.”

“No big words at night,” Alex said groggily, cutting in the conversation, “ You guys know my brain pumps alcohol at night that I never had?”

Kal’s eyes narrowed at Alex’s words. “Come again?” Kal puzzled.

“His brain forgets to function at night, almost like a drunk person,” I elaborated.

“Or is it that he concedes the fact that he’s dumb at night?” Kal chuckled, holding both of us and taking us to the ring centre.

“Do you know anyone who’s playing?” Kal asked, “It’s a team sport, right? Who’d we be pairing with?”

“Oye, didn’t you tell Kal about Leini joining us?” Alex trotted drunk. That’s why I don’t take him with me at night.

“Ah, that’s why you were beating around the bush.” Kal deadpanned, his sneer fogging his displeasure... “Nah, it’s fine, as long as Leini is in the opposite team I don’t mind playing. The sadistic side of mine would love to see someone tased to near abduction.” His lips twisted more than his words.

Alex and I swallowed hard together, then tethered our glances. Alex was the first one to break the already chilling ice, “and what are we annexing?”