No Aliens Allowed

- Twenty -

penn

I'd stayed up all night.

As I suspected, she was gone when I finally went back to the house. It was unusually quiet.

Nalani and Alana, her sisters, gave me dirty glares when I walked in the house.

To be perfectly honest, I deserved them.

The way I treated her —

I shook my head. I promised myself during my fifth cigarette that I wouldn't think about her.

Allen fucking Starboard, though.

I knew it. Behind my back, she and him were doing it.

The way she said his name when we kissed. She'd pulled back, this crazy, wild look in her eyes.

There was something wrong, though. Something wrong about the way she stumbled back, gasping, like something had hit her in the stomach. I could see that something had broken deep in her mind. Her pupils had dilated, and she looked terrified.

It was even worse when I started shouting.

It was like a reflex — to lash out, to blame everybody except for me. Burning, bitter words spilled from my mouth and I watched her flinch.

I knew I was an asshole.

But knowing and fucking doing something about it were two different things entirely.

And thanks to me not doing anything, I'd lost her forever.

I hadn't even told her I loved her. I was sure I did.

I watched her father's jaw tighten. I swallowed, shoving my hands in the pockets of my shorts. I smelled like smoke and alcohol.

I went into the guest bedroom and threw all my stuff back into my bag. I would just stay in a hotel until the flight three days from now, after New Year's Day.

And then, I'd go home and never visit Hawaii again. And never see Kali again, either.

She hated me at this point. I could tell.

And she ran to Allen fucking Starboard.

I was just about to leave when I saw a small package on the bed.

To Penn, love Kali, a label said.

My throat closed up. I picked it up tentatively, gently peeling back the wrapping paper. Inside was a picture inside a frame. It was a shot that Catelin had taken of me and Kali a few weeks after we had started dating.

I had my arm around her. She was wearing a pretty blue sweater and her hair was down. Catelin had somehow caught me smiling and Kali laughing, her eyes squeezed shut and her cheeks wrinkled.

She looked so happy it was heartbreaking.

Guilt washed over me. I had fucked up badly.

There was another picture in there, too — this one just of Kali. I'd taken it right after our second date, which was dinner at King's, the fanciest restaurant in town. She was wearing a gorgeous dress. I'd taken the snap right when she'd turned around. There was a twinkle in her eyes and a smile on her lips.

And, finally, a note.

Penn,

First off, thank you so much for coming. I've had a really great time with you on this trip. I'm glad we get to spend New Year's together, too. There's a really fun party down at the beach today. I was thinking we could go.

Secondly, you. You're the best thing in my life right now, no matter how crazy we drive each other. You're a good person at heart and I feel very lucky to be the one to see it. Thank you for letting me in.

I love you with all my heart.

Merry Christmas,

Kali xx

The letter crumpled underneath my tight grip. But wait — there was a post-script, clearly written this morning.

P.S. clearly this Kali was a naive, oversensitive, dewy-eyed girl. You, Pennsworth, are distrustful and arrogant and you never let me even explain. You jumped to conclusions. And look where that got you. 

I hope that you find someone that you can trust. 

Good luck and have a nice life. Don't talk to me again. You lost that chance last night.

-Kali.

I balled the letter up and threw it into a corner. I packed the pictures, though. Just to have. 

I wouldn't go into a depression, I decided. I'd go on like nothing happened. 

But something obviously fucking happened, you idiot, my mind said. 

I scowled at my packed clothes, shoving the pictures under a pair of jeans. 

Out in the kitchen, the remaining Mahelonas were eating breakfast. 

"I'll be staying at a hotel until we leave," I said. Mr. Mahelona nodded. 

Nalani scowled viciously at me. "You fucker," she said. "How dare you."

Mr. Mahelona said something in Hawaiian to her.  

Alana looked sorry for me. Somehow, that was worse. I turned away, the stupid lump in my throat reappearing.

It was overcast when I walked outside.

I started off, going nowhere. My mind was lost under regret and sorrow and anger and the fact that I'd lost her, I'd lost her.

I wanted to shout at the grey sky, wanted to scream and punch and run until I couldn't any more, until I broke down and died, forgotten and alone.

The words from last night echoed in my head. They tasted like regret, sour in my mouth.

But then there was Starboard. What did he have to with anything?

My phone buzzed, and I pulled it out quickly, my mind going to the one person I knew wouldn't ever text me.

But it was only Cade.

CADE: Dude. What the hell did you do to Kali?

Uh oh. I texted back.

PENN: I did nothing! Ask her, cheating bitch.

CADE: You didn't even let her talk.

PENN: She said his name while we were kissing.

CADE: No way

PENN: Yeah. Now it's over. End of story.

CADE: She texted Eason a couple hours ago. They're meeting later.

I pocketed my phone. Soon enough, I'd be seen as the bad guy. Kali would make me look awful, playing up her side so she could put herself forward as the victim.

Against my better judgement, I sent her a text.

PENN: don't make me the bad guy.

She didn't text back, as I expected.

I hailed a cab and found a hotel, checking in. The manager seemed wary, probably due to my black mood. He didn't ask many questions as to why a minor needed a room for two and a half days.

Upstairs, in the bedroom, I threw all of my stuff in the corner and sat down on the bed. Only then did I let my emotions, for once, to control me.

Pain, pain and more pain.

That's all I was.

——-

Short chapter, I know — but that's twice in one week, baby!

Next week will be normal. We'll be back to Kali's POV and everything.

-talking_to_nobody.