Ablaze

Sixteen

Ashling's POV

Kaen hasn't been in school this whole week, except for Monday. He hasn't answered any of my texts, either. I tried to ask Del what was up, but he kind of just brushed it off. I know he knows what's wrong, but he won't tell me and I don't understand why.

If Kaen was having some kind of problem, he knows I would help him in an instant. He got so worried about me, so he must've known that I would be worried about him, too. Kaen seems like the type of person who would drop off the face of earth and not say anything... but I still can't help but be so worried about him.

It's Friday night, and Del's having another party. I didn't want to go because honestly, I wasn't in the party mood. I was too concerned about Kaen, and I highly doubt he would be there after going ghost all week long.

I'm going to do exactly what he did to me, and go to his apartment. I really hope he's home.

My mom got me a new car when she came back from her business trip, so I drive over there instead of walking. Good thing too, since it's thunder storming out.

I call him once more before knocking on the door, but he doesn't answer. I knock twice, "Kaen... it's me. Can you open the door?"

No answer.

"Kaen, I know you're in there... I can hear the music."

Suddenly, the music stops and the door opens. "What do you want?" He angrily says as he opens the door.

"You haven't been answering my messages... and you haven't been to school, I got worried. I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"I'm fine."

I peer my head over his shoulder and see the table that contains an empty beer bottle, and realize he's also holding one in his hand. "You're... drinking?"

"Yeah, what's it to you?"

"But... but you don't drink—"

"Look, I'm busy right now so whatever you came here for, I'm not interested. You can leave."

He closes the door but I stop it with my hand and walk into his apartment. "I don't remember inviting you in."

"I don't care. Look, whatever you're going through right now, I want to help you. So please... talk to me."

He puts the bottle down and walks over to me, "I'm not some little kid that needs saving all the damn time. I don't need you."

My heart sinks at his words. This version of Kaen... I didn't like it. I've seen him act like this before, but never directly towards me. I thought we were passed all of this... so why is he being so cold?

"Did I... did I do something to upset you?"

He scoffs, "You should go."

"No. I'm not leaving here until you tell me what the fuck is wrong."

"Alright, fine. You wanna know what's wrong? You. It's you."

"So... I did do something to upset you?"

"Dammit, Ash! Are you really that fucking dumb? You're telling me you haven't heard the rumors?"

"Rumors? What rumors? I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Seriously?"

I shake my head and shrug, "What rumors, Kaen?"

He sighs, "Apparently... people think we're dating."