Shy

Kit

I lie on my carpet, staring up at my ceiling in quiet thought. Sleep has eluded me all night and most likely will till she leaves. But I can't wish this time with her away and I don't, not at all. Even though it's exhausting, I feel complete at the same time.

I frown.

Soulmates are messy, complicated things.

I twiddle my fingers, anxiously interlocking them and twisting them, noting that the sun is peeking through my curtains. I sigh, closing my eyes and revelling in the gentle warmth that falls on my face. My ears prick up at the sound of movement, and girlish squeals shortly follow.

"No! Don't wake Clara, I don't think she slept very well last night." I hear Kia say, presumably ushering the rest of the girls downstairs. I hear her tap lightly on my door as she goes and I reach out, tapping back and smiling at our childish code.

I turn my head back to the ceiling, my weariness suddenly hitting me like a brick. It doesn't seem to matter that she's only meters away from me anymore, my eyes can't stay open for a moment longer and I gratefully crawl to my bed, collapsing face first in the pillow with a slow groan of joy.

When I wake, the house is much quieter and the sun is beginning it's decline in the sky. I groan, pushing a hand through my wild hair. I sit on the edge of my bed, wondering if the house is safe to wander. I glance at my clock, pursing my lips.

5:00pm, definitely should be safe by now.

My stomach growls and I sigh, moving towards the door and pulling the chair away from it. I shrug on a black t-shirt and decide that my blue flannel pyjama bottoms can stay, my wariness easing with every moment of silence.

I lightly jog down the stairs, wondering where Kia has gotten to, or if she's even in the house.

"Kia?" I call, absently moving into the kitchen to rummage through the fridge.

"Finally, I thought you'd never wake up." Kia's voice echos from the living room and I roll my eyes, stuffing a slice of left-over margarita in my mouth.

"Oh, by the way, were you playing the piano in the middle of the night, or did I dream that?" She asks wryly, already knowing the answer. I go to retort when another voice interrupts.

"I asked him to play, I couldn't sleep." A voice says, and for a moment I can't help but admire how gentle it is. Then I realise.

My body freezes in place, my stomach churning at the knowledge that she's still here. Just moments away from me. They could walk in any second and this is how I would meet her.

The first interaction with my soulmate is something I have imagined time and time again. Never have I dreamt it to consist of me in blue flannel pyjama pants with a slice of pizza hanging out my mouth.

It's an actual nightmare. I'm going to throw up.

They've seen maybe the back of my head through the half wall that divides the kitchen and the living room, but not my face. She hasn't seen me. Not yet.

It's okay, play it cool.

I slowly make my way towards the stairs, the very definition of relaxed, and as soon as my foot touches the first step, all calm is lost and I run like hell back to my room. The floorboards creak and protest as I go, my door slamming shut as my breaths come ragged and uneven.

Way to play it cool.

_

I hunch over my algebra work, keeping my mind busy with a flurry of numbers and equations. There's a gentle knock at my door and I sigh heavily, glancing towards it. I didn't need to hear the front door closing to know that Clara had left, the ache in my chest being more than enough.