ATWOTW HIGHSCHOOL 🧡🪴

Rotxo

Even from so far away I could tell how much she wanted to talk. Taking in a deep breath I took in what I could. The saltiness of the sea, the cool crisp air, how my skin felt raw and dried out.  That my feet where bare against the little rocks. I was preparing myself to face her. Last time I almost broke down in front of everyone. It hurt.

I slowly maneuvered around Ao, "I got to talk to Kiri..."

"Okay Goodluck man."

"Hey wait ! I wanna see Tsireya." I shot Lo'ak an eye roll as he trailed behind me. My legs were fighting the current, breaking every barrier of water. At this point the small tingle in my gut had enhanced to a full on circus.

Kiri's slim figure became more recognizable as I became closer. She didn't look directly at me as I fought my way towards her- no. Instead she just looked to the side, holding her arms around her body. I could tell she was uncomfortable and maybe even nervous.

My pace slowed as I approached her. Though she still didn't look at me- she looked everywhere but me.

"Kiri" I whisper in the softest voice I could physically handle.

Even with my slowed pace I continued towards her. Soon enough she was inches from me. We hadn't been this close since the parking lot.

Something powerful and slightly narcissistic came over me. I gently placed my hand under her chin- lifting her gaze off of the sea and into me. Where it belongs.  I lowered my neck towards her ear, cheek to cheek, as I repeat the same voice, "Kiri what's going on ?" I didn't move my position. I felt confident enough to stay just how I was.

Without warning Kiri unraveled her arms from her body and onto my neck. Crawling her fingers upwards towards my face. I folded instantly. Any confidence once there was lost.

"I'm sorry for yesterday- and the past week." I watched as her eyes wondered around my face. As I replaced my hands on her lower back she slightly breathed in. Her hips started to relax onto me- leaning for support. 

"Kiri" I whispered one last time just to pull her attention back to my eyes. I stared directly into hers- the emerald green glow was alluring.

Kiri stretched her body up to mine, wrapping her hand deep in my curls she became even closer to me. We hesitated for a moment, still staring into each others eyes. The two us kept eye contact until the last possible second. Are movements were incredibly slow- though inevitably Kiri lips graced mine. What began as one person being concerned for the other ended as the most meaningful moment in are relationship thus far.

Kiri pulled alway first, dropping her gaze towards her chest she stepped away. 'I'm sure she just didn't expect this' I'd tell anything to myself to make this pain seem any less real.

"BEEP","BEEP" I jumped in my skin once hearing a familiar car horn- spider.

"Let's go sexy thing !" His entitled ass voice screamed towards Kiri. She had a blank on her face. While opening her mouth to say something she bit her bottom lip. Letting her top teeth drape over the skin I just shared myself with. I couldn't help but feel betrayed. I've always hated Spider and this just added to the list.

Without a word I watched as she headed towards his massive truck. Kiri kneeled on the beach to throw on her cover up and grab her bag. Just as she was about to leave I watched as Neteyam and Lo'ak started to race over. They appeared out of nowhere trying to stop their sister. Tsireya and Aonung hung back giving puppy dog eyes. But I watched- observing. After a minute of what seemed like pointless fighting Kiri left. Spider glared a smug look directly at me before speeding off with my Kiri.

I brushed past empty feeling and returned to the rest of are group. "Hey, guys. What you wanna do ?" my words sounded energetic and happy. Like I was overcompensating to seem like my normal self.

"Well it's getting kinda late, so you guys wanna grab something to eat ?" Lo'ak seem pretty phased by the whole Kiri leaving but also tried not to show it.

"Sure ! I know a really good taco truck around the corner." Tsireya was always great at masking her emotions, it appeared that she didn't care at all. But I knew her well enough to know that she was worried for her friend.

"Sounds good !" Aonung started to lead us all off the beach. Him and Neteyam were at the front walking side by side. With Tsireya and Lo'ak in the middle. Then there was me just in the back. I felt so alone, like I was the only one there. But instead of pushing past this and pretending like it wasn't happening I embraced it. Letting myself feel what I needed to feel. This same void had occurred countless times in my life- first with my dad leaving, then my moms death, then randomly. Like when I fail a test or stop talking with a friend. But I never really dealt with it- just pretend like it wasn't happening. But maybe if I just let it take over then next it wouldn't hurt as bad. I know Kiri doesn't owe me anything- nothing at all.

"Hey man are you okay ?" Lo'aks empathetic voice filled my sorrow ears.

"Yeah, I'm okay." I don't mean it, but he doesn't need to know I have huge crush on his sister.

"Okay sure... what you want ?" The tangy scent of spicy flavors tingled on my taste buds. They already knew what was coming.

"I'll take two red hots"

"Kk"

We found our selves huddled next to tree. Devouring are tacos in perfect silence- by now we were all comfortable enough around each other that we didn't need to make conversation.

"Kinda wish Kiri was here." Tsireya now sounded like herself. Not hiding the pain that Kiri created.

"Nah- she couldn't eat here anyways !" Lo'ak blurted out, which was followed my Neteyam elbowing him so hard you could hear his breath become shaky.

"Why ?" Aonung seemed genuinely curious.

"Shes vegan." Neteyam said so bluntly it was clear thats were the conversation should end.

"Cool." I muttered before shoving more spice down my throat. The pain Kiri caused was still there- though it didn't sting quite as much.

"Hey mama's boy !" Spider's voice echoed. I truly thought it was all in my head till I could see him powerfully coming towards me with Kiri following behind.

'Shit' I thought.

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1119 words

I have sooooo much passion for writing about Kiri & Ro but literally none for Ao & Tey or tsireya & lo'ak 🤦‍♀️