Lovesong

Chapter 2

I wasn't one to watch, but oh my god....what was I seeing before my eyes. I blurted out seeing the way Soobin was kissing Kate, "What the fuck?! Did he not have any idea what she came down the stairs from doing with Gyu? How could he just kiss her...again...like that? I whispered, "Kit Kate." It was like she heard me and shoved Soobin away hard. My heart sank. I'd always had a crush on her, and seeing her like this with Soobin just tore down all my walls. I could see why Soobin was so absorbed with her. We all were, I think. Tae, I'm not so sure. He's so hard to read. It was always hard of me to accept when I saw her and Junnie together...but Soobin? It didn't make sense. He hurt her. Damaged her even. Almost destroyed her and Gyu. And yet, here he is lip locked with her. Poor Gyu...my own best friend. Soobin grunted, "Red, you'll pay for that." He stumbled passed me, smirking. "Always the peeping Tom. Huh, Kai? Did you get your eyeful? Get you some while she's still hot." I raked  a hand through my blond hair, glancing back at Kate. Was he serious? I tried to keep my crush on her a secret. Only Gyu knew. How did he even know I'd been watching her? Damn. Yes, Kate knew I had a crush on her as well. In fact, I'd sent her a picture of me during a Vlive along with a message that stated "I think I'm falling in love with you." And not too long ago we spoke and I almost kissed her. I had my chance, but she reminded me of how precious our friendship was, and did I want to destroy that with a kiss. Yes, Kate thrills me, and having her around brightens my day. And I'm so glad to know that we'll be recording my song when she goes to California...after she gets settled in. I'm really looking forward to that. It'll be a breath of fresh air from the monotony of being around here. Kate hopped down off the counter, "I swear, that man drives me to drink," she opened the refrigerator, "I know I had some wine in here somewhere." I cleared my throat, refreshing her memory, "Kit Kate, you drank it all last night." She pouted, "Hi, Kai. Dang. Red Bull. Yes. Junnie won't mind." She took a can out and popped the ring, taking a drink. She searched the cabinet for a bottle of Belvedere vodka. Oh lord, now she's into the hard stuff. She poured herself a shot and threw it back, shaking her head. Dear god...she didn't need to be wasted. She filled a glass with ice and poured in the can of Red Bull then added two shots of vodka. Stirred it up and took a drink, "God...that's just what I needed," she moaned. I'd always been sweet on Kate, keeping my emotions at bay. Growing up with her was always a daily treat, especially when her and Gyu started showing signs of love and affection. Even though I was tripping on her, I always encouraged Gyu to follow his heart. The guy was a nervous wreck. He was so lovesick for her, but afraid to tell her. Of course, he showed her in certain ways, but never came out and told her. Me, on the other hand, I just buried my crush within the walls of myself. Today, I put it out there in little ways now that we're older. Now she's with Gyu, committed to him. And walking in on this sight really knocked me off my feet. And look at her now she's drowning herself in alcohol. Not good. I walk over to her and take the glass from her, "Kit Kate, let's talk. What was all that about with him?" Her glassy eyes stared at the holes in my black T-shirt. Geez, the alcohol is clearly kicking in. Kate reached for the drink, "Kai, thank you for walking in." I held it further out of reach, "Kate, answer my question? What if I'd been Gyu?" She patted my chest, "Have I ever told you how much I appreciate you?" I licked my lips, "I appreciate you too, Kate. Now talk to me." She turned toward the counter, seeing I was not going to give her the glass of Red Bull and vodka back anytime soon. She poured herself another shot of vodka, and threw it back in a gulp. She coughed as it burned, setting a blaze from her throat to the very core of her. She shook her head, "Kai, I lost it. He pushes my buttons, and I lose control." Then I heard her sniffle, "Please don't say anything to Cookie." I dumped the glass into the sink, "Kate, you don't need this to hide the way you feel. You'll just regret it in the morning." She whipped around, " Kai, really. You have no idea how much I needed that." I reached around her for the vodka bottle, "No need for you to drink Junnie's good stuff. You're already tipsy as hell." She wobbled, "Kai, how can you say that? I've barley had anything. Please one more shot." She was so darn cute when she begged. No wonder Gyu could never resist her. I asked her, "Have you eaten? You can't drink on an empty stomach. I think Tae saved aside some of his famous spaghetti." I checked the refrigerator and located the container. While I had my back turned, Kate was helping herself to another shot of vodka. I chuckled, "Kate, as much as I love you, you are one stubborn woman." She shook her head and stomped her foot, "Ugh! I can't get the taste of him out of my mouth." I seriously did not want to know. I opened the container and warmed up the leftover spaghetti in the microwave. I grabbed us two forks and asked her to join me at the table. Through bites of food, I advised her to stay away from Soobin. Then I reached for her hand, so delicate, so soft, just as I remembered. So electrifying. I took a deep breath when her green eyes met with mine, "Kate, I don't know why you're here, but you need to go to California. Get as far away from here as you can, especially from him. Why did you come back?" The fork in her hand hit the container, and splattered onto the table. She sobbed, "For Cookie. I don't want to be away from him." I nodded, "Precisely. Then if you love him, you'll get the hell out of here. Gyu will be fine. We all will be. This is your time, Kit Kate. It's ok to let go...if only for a little while. We'll be here safe and sound. I know it's scary, but you're love with Gyu is so strong. It's the invisible thread that ties the two of together. I'm so proud of you, Kate. Look at how far you've come. And Gyu, he supports you 100%." A tear slid down her cheek, "Kai, I can't let go. It hurts. I'm not ready to step out on my own. Cookie and I have always done things together. My life is here with him." I stretched out my other hand and brushed away her falling tear with a small smile on my face, "And you're life will be here when you get back. Trust me, Kate. We're not going anywhere." And I winked at her. Wth. It was just something I always did. It was innocent flirting to her, but to me it meant so much more. My hand fell away from her flawless face. Even as I stared at the tears in her eyes, I was getting sucked in, and there was not a damn thing I could do about it.
Kate's eyes fell to her lap and she smiled with a little laugh, "Kai, where are you always so good to me? You always seem to know exactly what to say. I appreciate you for that." I wish I had on my favorite gray hoodie so I could hide my head away. My cheeks were starting to feel flushed. That's twice today she's told me that she appreciates me. I clear my throat trying not to let the compliment go to my head, "Kate, I care about you, and I just want to see you safe. And staying here is not the answer. Gyu knew that. He witnessed the way Soobs acted this morning. That still wrecks my brain. Just promise me, Kit Kate, stay out of his line of fire. Don't go looking for trouble. Stay close to Gyu until you leave...ok?" Kate looked around for something to drink, but instead her tears, "Kai, I'm not going to California." I fell back into the chair, surprised, "What? Kate, no. Why are on earth would you pass up something like this?" She looked at the rings on her left hand that served as a sole reminder, her commitment and love to Gyu, "Because I have everything I need right here." I leaned forward and lifted her chin with the crook of my finger, "Kate, please understand this is a chance of a lifetime. You said so yourself. Things like this don't come around twice." Her mesmerizing green eyes met with mine, and I tried like hell to keep a tight grip and my racing heartbeat. How in the hell did I get here? How did I allow myself to fall for my best friend's girl? I've asked myself that question a thousand times. Did I want her to go to California? No. None of us did. Sometimes you have to break free in order to grow. She sniffled, "Kai, I'm aware of that. I'm staying in Daegu and just continue on doing what I've always done." A look of sheer disappointment fell over my face. She turned down the offer. I gazed at her solemnly, "Honestly, Kit Kate. You have so much potential. So much you can offer those people. You can give all of them a run for their money. You're one hell of a performer." Her fingers curled around my wrist, "Thank you, Kai, for believing in me. But I've made up my mind. Cookie comes first. He always has. Cookie before everything." Heaven help her. When had Kate become so absorbed with Gyu that she no longer thought of herself? I found it sweet, and wished I had someone like that...Someone like Kate. I sulked, "And I was really looking forward to recording my song with you." She sighed, "I'm sorry if I disappointed you." I shook my head with a half smile, "You never disappoint me, Kate. I'm just  amazed by you." She swooned, not at me, but thinking of Gyu, "I just love him so much."