Kashmir [BxB]

Chapter 31 - Prelude to a kiss

You've checked out "Kade", haven't you? It's an entire novel from Kade's point of view, being written at the same time as "Kashmir"! If you like this book, I think you'll really enjoy that too:)

I burrow down under the covers, sinking into the living room couch as the fireplace crackles, warming me from the outside in. Coming home felt like getting a load of weight lifted off your chest, and as I sunk down into the couch, I thank the gods.

Thank you for keeping me alive. Thank you for keeping Esme alive. Thank you for keeping Nate alive.

My legs felt powerless against the stairs, but I'd have to go up there eventually. I'd just rest here for a while, close my eyes to the sound of the fire and my family chatting in the kitchen.

Dad had already called school to inform them of my expected absence. Even walking today had apparently been too much for my body and the aftereffects were making themselves known.

Concussions apparently didn't take too well to being agitated - who would've thought?

Kashmir: Hey, how are you? Just got home and I'm doing okay.

Esme: I'm okay. How's Nate?

Kashmir: Paralyzed, but the injury pretty far down I think. Maybe he'll even walk someday, he said.

I bite my lip, waiting for a reply that doesn't come.

Kashmir: He asked for you, you know. Doesn't have his phone, but he wanted me to tell you how he's doing

I have to wait a few minutes before the next message comes through.

Esme: Did he seem mad at me?

Kash: Not at all! I told you, it's not your fault!

Esme: He should be mad at me.

I'm left on read once again, sighing as I put my phone down and close my eyes. I was so, so tired.

Everything felt a thousand times more exhausting to bear than usual. I'd offered to help Kade and dad pick up his stuff from his now ex-house, but in all honesty, I'd been kind of relieved when they forbade me from coming. I don't know how I'd remain standing if I did.

"Do you want some tea, sweetie?"

I nod, keeping my eyes closed but giving mum a smile of gratitude. The couch sinks on opposite ends from my head, and I glance at Ravi who's looking attentively at me.

"How're you feeling?"

"Better.", I reply, smiling through the sleepiness, "I'm so tired, but I don't want to sleep yet. It'll mess up my rhythm if I sleep during the day."

"You're not going back to school for a while, it'll be fine."

I shrug, going quiet as mum's scrambling from the kitchen fills the silence. To be honest, this feeling of just resting was one I rarely experienced. I was too tired to worry about anything, busying myself with nothing but laying down under cozy blankets as my family made small talk by the open fire.

Even with Kade getting kicked out, I didn't feel stressed. I mean, I felt bad, but there was no sense of urgency. Like my body physically couldn't muster another crisis response so soon.

"Here you go. Be careful, it's hot!", mum warns as she puts a steaming cup down on the coffee table, handing Ravi one as well before sitting down on our other couch. I'd feel bad about taking up all the space on the three-seater any other day, but for the moment it felt fine.

"When's dad coming back?", I mumble, trying to gather enough energy to inch myself up and take a sip. Didn't want to risk spilling boiling hot tea all over myself - I'd had quite enough of hospitals for a while, thank you.