Sparks Reignited

29 | Memories

After the mini episode of my memory playing in my head, I can't stop thinking about it.

I've been too busy with getting back on my feet, school and my relationship with Kyle that I haven't really had the time to think things through. But now, I do. From what Lily and Aunt Abbie have shared with me, neither of them believe that Mom and I would have left town without leaving a note behind. Because of this, I can't shake off the suspicion that there's something amiss. Something which I can't quite figure out.

Why would Mom want us to leave in the first place?

And there's the problem with my father. I should be thankful he hasn't appeared in front of me yet, but when he does, I want answers about the claims he's making. I want him to leave me alone.

After lunch, Kyle and I are hanging out in his bedroom. I see him scramble about to clear the mess in his room, even though it isn't as bad as I would have thought. He shoves a couple of clothes into the wardrobe and comics underneath the bed before turning to me with a boyish smile.

"Want to watch a movie?"

The idea is tempting. "Maybe later? I've assignments due tomorrow."

Even though he clearly looks disappointed, he gives in immediately when I show him the big fat 45 marks scrawled in red at the top right of my quiz paper, which I took last week.

"I didn't mean to fail it," I blurt out guiltily. "I just...didn't feel smart on that day."

He laughs and flicks my nose. "Silly. I think this is justifiable considering you started school not too long ago. How much do you remember about the subject?"

From here onwards, he is my personal tutor. Apparently, he's one of the top students in his batch and he's taking his finals at the end of the year. When I attempt to decline his suggestion, mainly because I don't wish for him to waste more of his time on me when he should study, he gives me an odd look, one that's clearly wondering if I'm insane.

His decision is final—he's teaching me and that's it.

We end up occupying his study desk with our books flipped open. There's just one problem though—I can't concentrate when he's too near to me. It's illegal to be this good-looking and smart at the same time.

He catches me looking when he's trying to explain how to solve an algebraic equation. He nudges my shoulder once, his face too close to mine and his dark face spilling over his forehead.

"Riley? Are you alright? You seem really out of it."

"Oh no, I'm good," I answer, except that I don't sound convincing.

He frowns and thinks I'm troubled by something else. "You told me you couldn't sleep last night. Are you ready to tell me what's going on?"

Right, my father. I can't believe I forgot to tell him.

"Kyle? Someone came to my house the other day. My aunt says it's my father."

He stiffens. "Your father?"

I understand his confusion and relay all the details that Aunt Abbie has told me. When I'm done, Kyle goes into his full protective boyfriend mode. His eyes blaze with anger and concern. "You're telling me this now? You didn't come to school alone this morning, right?"

"No. Aunt Abbie drove me in her car."

A worried frown crosses his face. "That's it," he decides. "I'll drive you to school and back home starting from today."

I don't argue. I let him pull me into a hug, feeling his hands around me. His fingers slide into my hair and cradle my head. When I look up, his face is inches from mine, his lips less than a breath away. I'm reminded of the kiss we last shared when I confessed to him about my memory loss. The experience was short but nice, sending tingles down my spine.