Free Kendall

Chapter 23

Chapter 23 
Kendall's POV

They are hiding something

I lead Ari to class.
The two of us sit in the back of the classroom.

I noticed that something is going on with them and Alessio.
He didn't use to jumble them up this much but now...

Something's up.

I read through my notes, watching Ari when they're not looking.
They're beautiful. Handsome. Gorgeous. All the above.

As the bell rings for lunch, the two of us head back to the abandoned classroom.
We're the first there, and I sit on the couch. 
Ari sits next to me.

I let my hand rest on their thigh gently, in case they don't like it.
Ari just nuzzles into my side, and I breathe out.

We both eat our lunch quietly, while the others trickle in.
Nikolai quirks an eyebrow at the two of us, and chuckles.

Rayssa and Quinn give me matching death glares.
I gulp slightly, earning a small laugh.

"They already got me this morning," Ari says. "You're good, Palmer."
I nod.
"Got you for what?" Diana asks, watching curiously.

"Rayssa and Quinn had some car troubles this morning," Ari says, biting the inside of their lip to keep from laughing.
"And accused the both of us for it," I finish.

Everyone else nods.

"Let me guess," Hazel says. "No proof?"
"None," Ari replies.

He smirks.
"Classic Ari prank. You three can consider yourselves part of the Gays gang now."
Hazel high-fives Ari.

Tate pouts.
"What about me? I'm the last person."

"I'm positive that Jonas can initiate you in his own way," Ian says, making all of us wheeze and the two of them turn into tomatoes. 
"Shut up," Jonas whines, hiding his face in his hoodie.
Tate giggles quietly.

"Speaking of love," Rayssa says, smirking at Ari and me. "How was your date?"

"DATE?" The room yells collectively at the two of us.
I blush.
"Rayssa and Quinn tricked both of us. I went to Elizabeth's and was left there. Ari came afterwards. The food was nice, then we drove home and they dropped me off."

"Anything else?" Diana asks.

I'm about to talk about the pranks but Ari covers my mouth.
"Nothing else," They say.

Everyone nods, and we all return to the food.

"All in favour of family football extravaganza this weekend?" Ian asks.
"What's that?" I ask. 
Tate, Quinn and Rayssa nod at my question.

"Since Ari refuses to act like a decent American," Nikolai says, earning the middle finger from Ari themself. "They started a get-together with all of our families, and we all play soc- ack- football at the park near Diana's house." 

I nod.

"Who's coming?" Tate asks.

"My mom, Jonas's brothers and sisters, Hazel's doggo, Nikolai and his sisters, Diana and her mom, and Ari, and their Dad," Ian says.

"And of course," Jonas adds, "whoever you guys bring."
We all nod.
"Time?" Quinn asks.

"Start around eleven," Nikolai says. "Then we hang out until people have to leave."

We all nod again, and the bell rings.

I squeeze Ari tight, hugging them close.
This weekend is going to be exciting.