Free Kendall

Chapter 21

Chapter 21
Kendall's POV

Is Ari okay?

We all continue through our classes that day, making the people around us nervous.

I set off a few pranks with Nikolai in the restrooms, and other places around the school. It was hilarious.
Ari and Diana did some in the other restrooms, and some classrooms.

At the end of the day, Nary comes to pick me up.

"Did you have a good day, Kendall?" They ask.
I nod.
"Yep, it was exciting."

"Nice outfit," They comment.
And we drive away.

***

The thanksgiving break passes by quicker than I imagined.

My cousins, Emi, Bennie, and Amalie came down.
They are our only family members who aren't phobic of me.
Bennie stayed in my room while Emi and Amalie stayed with Rainne.

Once they left, it was our whole family's job to clean up the house.
We dusted, tidied up, and put all the decor away and finally brought out the best season's boxes.

Christmas.

Christmas is my favourite holiday.
Other than Halloween.

Our house looks so pretty.
The tree is decorated with coloured and white lights.
There are ornaments on the tree made by Rainne and I.

Dad hangs the garland around the staircase, and the lights outside.
Nary helps, even though they are shorter and cannot reach.

Once everything is put up, Nary finds the mistletoe, and the doorbell rings.
Lifesaver.
Rainne opens it and two of her friends standing in front of Rayssa and Quinn.

"Hey guys!" Rainne says, squealing. "Come on in, but ignore my parents. They are making out under the mistletoe."

All of us make an 'eww' face, and the three of them go to Rainne's room.

"Hey Kendall!" Quinn says. "We were wondering if you wanted to join us on a little outing."
I raise my eyebrows.
"Oh? Where to?"

"It's a surprise," Rayssa replies.
Her hands are fidgeting and I know she is hiding something.
"Fine," I reply, giving in. 

"I'm going out!" I yell.
"Okay," My parents reply.

I grab my wallet and run out with them.

***

We reach a small restaurant called Elizabeth's near the main shopping centre.
Rayssa parks, and we walk in.

"What are we doing here?" 

Quinn shrugs.
"Table for four, please."

The person working as a host nods, pulling their dirty blonde hair into a ponytail and leads us to a booth.
They set down silverware and the menus, walking away.

I sit, and the two of them walk away, explaining how they forgot something in the car.
I chuckle, thinking they're just going to the car to make-out.

I glance at the menu, and I hear the doors open again.
I look up and see Ari standing at the door. They're confused, asking the host something.

The host looked at me and pointed to the table where I am at as a reply.
Ari doesn't see me yet, and I quickly duck back under the menu.

They reach the table, and I let the menu drop.
They make an incoherent noise.

"H-hi Kendall."

"Hi," I reply back. "You want to sit down?"
They nod, gulping slightly.

I see Rayssa and Quinn driving away from the parking lot, and chuckle to myself.
They set us up.
Ari seems to have made the same conclusion.

"I'm sorry-" We both say at the same time.

They laugh.
"I didn't think they would actually do that. But the restaurant has pretty good food."

I nod.
"Wanna stay?"

"Sure."
They pull out the second menu, looking around it.

I put mine down, watching them since I already know what I want to eat.
Ari's hair is curling around their cheekbone, and I reach over without thinking, curling it between my fingertips.

They freeze, and I see a visible blush go across their face.
I put it behind their ear, and sit back.

"Sorry."

They flush more.
"It's alright."

The server, Mayra, comes over and we both order water as our drinks.
Mayra brings over bread and oil, along with butter.

"How has your break gone?" They ask, putting their slice of bread in the garlic.
"It's been quiet since my cousins left. They stayed for the Thanksgiving days. But we have started putting up Christmas decorations. That's my favourite part."

I put butter on my bread.

Ari nods.
They smile.

"What about you?" I ask.

They shrug.
"Dad, Eliza and I hung out, we ate, and same with the Christmas decor. Though I cannot reach most of the higher decorations."
I chuckle, earning a glare from them.

"That's cool," I amend.
They kick my ankle and I wince, making them chuckle.

Mayra comes back over.
They ask what we would like to eat.

I order a house salad with ranch, and Ari ordered a caesar salad with chicken.
We were both quiet as Mayra was still there, awkwardly stammering when we had to speak.

Once she left, we both burst out laughing.

"Why are we like this?" Ari asks, giggling.
I shrug.
"I don't know."

"She probably thinks we're insane."
I nod.

Mayra comes back over with the food, and we both dig in.

"Are you angry with Quinn and Rayssa?" Ari asks, eating a crouton.
I shrug.
"A little bit. But I enjoy hanging out with you, so it's not too bad."

Ari's face turns red slightly.
"You're not too bad yourself."

We both eat our salads, blushing.

***

The two of us walk out of the restaurant, hopping into Ari's car.

"That was enjoyable," I say, smiling.
"It was," Ari replies. "Now I have an idea."

I raise my eyebrows.

"Since Rayssa and Quinn tricked us, I think we should prank them back."
I chuckle.
"That sounds good to me."

They drive out, and we head to the Dollar Tree a couple stores to the left.
The two of us grab good spray cans, washable car paint, and other necessary pranking materials.

We go to their neighbourhood, where Rayssa's car is parked in front of Quinn's place.
Ari opens xyr car with a spare set of keys.

I put in some of the pranks, while they paint several teasing sayings on the window.
We both quickly work, then pack up and drive away.

Once we reach my neighbourhood, I breathe out.
"That was exhilarating."
Ari nods.

We reach the driveway and hop out.

"Thank you for the good evening, Ari," I say.
"Thank you as well," They reply, bowing jokingly.

I wave as they drive off, before walking back inside.

My phone starts buzzing like crazy.
This was a great day.