Two-sided

Chapter 21: poems and friends with benefits

I finally reached the coffee shop. I walked in and heard Jazz music, as the smell of coffee filled my nostrils with a hint of cinnamon.

I walked up to the counter and saw a girl with bright blue eyes and purple hair making an expresso.

"Hello, may I help you?" She asked in a sweet voice. "Um yes Kian Lawley sent me here?" I said as he eyes lit up. "Oh my gosh yes, yes. I know exactly what you'd like. Please have a seat, poetry night is about to begin if you'd like to stay while I get your specialty." I smiled and nodded

I got a booth near the stage and saw all these poets reciting metaphors with complicated meanings that had deep thoughts circulating in my head.

The girl with purple hair came up to me with a cappuccino with whipped cream and caramel, with a BLT and fried pickles. Why does this all seem so familiar?

"Thank you." I said. She had the widest smile. "Can I ask you a question?" She nodded. "Was this place once something else? Cause it seems so familiar."

"Actually we weren't as big as we are now. We have multiple locations in New York, Oregon, Boston, and Florida." my eyes widened when she said Florida.

"I was told that you're a regular on poetry night over in Florida." I blushed. "haha ya... I guess you could say that." I brushed some hair behind my ear.

"Well come now, give us a poem!" She pulled my arm over to the stage. She pushed me in front of the spotlight.

I adjusted the microphone and cleared my throat. "um hello everyone. I'm Nally." I felt my throat become dry.

"I'll be reciting a new poem... it's off the top of my head so I'm sorry if it doesn't make sense." I stood back paused and collected my thoughts.

I then stepped up and took a deep breath. "Monsters, or people.
Although my many attempts to hide my flesh, to replace it with a harmful poison.
And a venomous smile.
In retro spect it seemed quite normal. As to see all around me with the same snake like appearance.
Until I met the few who weren't.
They were kind, and had no scale like armor around their heart.
Once I shared the secret of my harmful form your eyes changed!
I no longer saw warmth! Or care! Nor did I see the same kindness!" I paused to collect my last sentences.

"I then looked in the mirror and saw a monstrous form, and realized, the real beast is the human itself." I stepped off the stage and heard clapping and whooping. I sat down and felt my heart pump extremely fast.

The girl with the purple hair rushed over. "That was amazing!" She said with a smile. "thank you." I smiled.

"JAMIE! YOU GOT THREE TABLES!" Yelled a hardy man. "Coming sir. I'll see you later" she gave me a quick hug then left.

I enjoyed my meal and a few poems. I saw a car light and headed for the door. It was kian and I ran for the car. My knee buckled but I ran with it any way.

I got in the car. Kian tuned the car around and we were on our way home. "Are you okay?" He asked "I'm fine... please tell you haven't seen Jc..." I asked.

"No, no texts or calls nothing." he stated. "okay..." I sounded relieved but in reality I was worried about him. I wanted to call him but I knew I shouldn't have.

I diverted my attention to Ally's contact. As I held the phone to my ear kian tensed up "who are you calling?" He asked nervously "Ally?" I said "she probably won't answer when I left she seemed... sleepy." I raised a brow, and hung up.

I stayed silent. "so look I'm sorry about what happened with you and J--" he stopped. "What?" I asked.

"Your knee!" He screeched and pulled the car over. He reached over me and opened the glove box and grabbed a large bandage.

He set it on my knee and rubbed the bandage in so it was secure. Then he stopped and stared at my leg.

"Kian what is it?" I whispered. "I don't like to see you hurt..." he went back to his chair and looked at me.

"Nally I know you may think any different but I'm telling you! I... I'm still in love with you!" He stated. My eyes grew wide. "Look I'm sorry I'm stupid..." I grabbed his face and kissed him.

He grabbed my waist to pull me closer. He kissed my neck as I squeezed his torso.

He lowered his hands to my lower back, I wrapped my arms around him. I then sucked on his neck a bit and he placed his hands on my ass.

It felt weird cause he use to do that when we would date. haha once my mother and father were out on a weekend trip and Kian came over.

We were still high schoolers, and I guess having a makeout session on the couch as your boyfriend squeezed your ass and your parents walking in isn't exactly the best way to make your mother happy.

Then there was a pounding on the window. "Huh?" I said. It was guy. "Woohoo aye y'all about to get freaky?" I sneered and sat back down, kian started the car and drove away.

It felt really hot in the car now. We finally made it to the apartment and as I wen out if the car Kian got out with me.

"So um can I come up?" He smiled and grabbed my waist. "Why not?" I giggled and we went upstairs.

As I opened the door I saw a mess. "What the?" The back of the door had dents. "What?!" I said dropping my purse. I went around the couch and saw Ryan and Ally knocked out and tied up.

I covered my mouth. I turned to kian and he simply said "I can explain!" I fainted.