Broken Souls Don't Cry

Chapter 13

Kai

Kai sat there dumbfounded. Too shocked to say anything, yet his mind was going a thousand miles an hour. If what she said was true then he was the biggest jerk in the world. They'd make monuments that said Kai, the biggest jerk in the world. Kai felt sick.

Despite what he had originally thought, Sara was nothing like that person. He watched her climb out of his truck, making a beeline for her apartment. He couldn't let her go without saying something, doing something. Anything, to show how sorry he was.

"Sara!" he quickly opened his door to follow after her. "Sara, wait!"

She continued without looking back. This time he didn't let her just walk away. He quickly caught up to her and gently grabbed her upper arm.

"Sara, please?" she stopped walking but kept her eyes down. "I'm sorry, I had no idea that all happened. I was a jerk then and I was a jerk yesterday. I shouldn't have pushed you to do something you weren't comfortable with, and I definitely shouldn't have made fun of you for it."

He motioned for her to sit down on the stairs leading up to her building. "Let's sit down, okay?"

"Okay" she said in the smallest whisper that he barely heard it.

Taking a deep breath Kai decided to just talk, not about anything in particular, but he'd start first with what she had told him in the car and then just keep going. "So, I know I've said this a million times already today, but I am truly sorry. If I had known I wouldn't have done what I did in high school and I would have stopped everyone from talking about it. Kyle—" he heard her breath hitch, "he always was the big man on campus and wanted everyone to think that he was constantly getting laid, even by college chicks. Which, looking back now, was ridiculous that all of us, me included, idolized him. I've known him since we were little kids, yeah he's a jerk and should be in jail. Did you ever go to the police?"

Sara nodded, then quietly said "There wasn't enough evidence to press charges. By the time it was reported a rape kit wouldn't have worked and it was my word against his and seeing that his family could afford better lawyers..." She trailed off. "My parents tried involving the school for the bullying and harassment, but they wouldn't do anything. They turned a blind eye for the basketball star. So, my parents pulled me out and I home schooled. It's also why I moved out here, I had to get away from California and any chances of seeing... him."

Treading lightly Kai asked, "Do you remember every detail? You don't have to answer, but I need... want to know so I can punch him if I see him again"

She gave a disbelieving snort, then became serious, "Yes, I remember" her knees curled up to her chest and she hugged herself tightly. "Usually, date rape drugs knock you out, so you don't remember. I was fully conscious but couldn't do anything to fight him off. I remember his weight, the pain, the fear. I've never been able to have sex because I still feel his hands all over me, in me, violating me. Sometimes I wish it had knocked me out, so I don't have to remember." Several tears fell down her cheek and she quickly brushed them away.

"You know," he said, trying to change the topic, "my parents think I'm going to take over the family business, but I really don't have any desire to run it. They also want to arrange a marriage for me"

He let those words hang in the air. Only his siblings know about each impending arranged marriage the three of them have. He was surprised he was telling Sara about it.

Her eyes quickly darted to his in surprise. "Really?" she asked, "I didn't realize people still did that in this day and age"

"Oh, they do" he said dryly. "Any marriage a Jenson has, has to be beneficial for the company or for our social status. It's a marriage of convenience."

"Do you know who—"

"Yes," he cut her off, "her name is Chelsea. Her parents own Dale Tech."

"Oh..." Sara's voice drifted off.

"Thing is" Kai said, "I don't want to marry her, and I don't want the company. I'd rather be the black sheep of the family and find someone who makes me happy."

"I think that's what most people want" She chuckled

"Yeah, my parents are sending her out here in a few days, heck maybe even tomorrow, to check on me. Make sure I'm following orders. That's why I came to school out here. To get away from my parent's and their marital expectations."

Kai's foot shuffled around. He really didn't want to see Chelsea. She was all for their marriage and he never liked giving her the time of day and especially didn't want her getting any ideas that he liked her.

"Well," Sara said bringing her legs back down from her chest, "If you need an excuse not to see her, making yourself busy, we can always work on the project."

This time Kai was surprised. "Thank you, I may take you up on that".

More silence. Comfortable silence. He glanced at her and saw her looking up into the sky. It had become dark enough that stars were starting to poke through the sky. Her dark hair fell to the ground with her head tilted back. She looked beautiful. His heart started to beat faster.

"Sara, thank you." He said quietly, "for telling me."

She didn't respond just continued to look into the night sky.