and we hated

Fact no.28: Enemies-to-lovers is real

APRIL

The one person I was more afraid of when they would find out the truth was Kai. Cami doesn't know the history between Noah and me, she only saw us teasing each other every hour of every day. But Kai... Kai was there before Noah and I dated and after. Kai has always been there. And I guess I want him to accept my relationship with Noah.

"I don't know what to say", he tells me as we are sitting together on the stairs of the terrace that night. My head is tilted on his shoulder, making me feel his warmth. Kai has always been like a best friend for me. He and I always do the craziest things together. He always has my back and loves me unconditionally.

I love him more.

"I know", I reply. I've told him everything. The entire story between Noah and me. He's been silent since.

"You could have told me", he adds.

"I know", I repeat.

"Then again", he whispers, his voice shaky, "I could have told you I've known too."

I think I heard him wrong. He knew? He knew all this time?

I stand up straight and look at him. He meets my eyes.

"It wasn't rocket science", he adds. "Before Tokyo, you and Noah were barely talking to each other. You were like strangers. When I come back, you two are enemies and swore on killing each other. I figured out something must have happened. I just didn't know what."

I begin shivering and he takes my hand, giving it a squeeze.

"I am so sorry for what Noah did to you", he adds.

"Are you going to hurt him?", I ask. Kai has beaten guys that hurt me before. A kid from my class that called me ugly when I was in the sixth grade. A guy in the seventh who stole my bag. Kai, the sweet Kai, beat them up.

"I might punch him once. But he said I am allowed to do it", he answers.

I think my brain must be malfunctioning.

"Noah knew you knew?"

"I told him. As he confessed his love for you to me", he answers.

My brain is clearly malfunctioning.

"What?! When?", I ask. Noah told Kai he loved me.

"At the beginning of Summer", my brother answers.

"But we weren't even seeing each other then. We hated each other", I counter, my lip shaking and tears ready to burst out of my eyes.

"I don't think he ever hated you. I think it was all his way of showing you his love. I would have also been confused like you now, if I hadn't seen him say it. I've never seen Noah more nervous than the time he told me he loved you. He tries to act all though and cold, but he's actually all soft inside. Yet only for you."

"So, you agree with us two dating?", I ask him, understanding who I am, what I am and what just happened.

"I will always be afraid he will hurt you again one day", he answers honest. "But I can see how much he loves you. And how much you love him. I can see the way he looks at you. Like he wouldn't mind if the two of you were the only people left on Earth, cause you are the only one he would ever like to look that. I can see the way he smiles when with you. And the way he protects you, even in the small gestures. A few days ago, as you wanted to pick up that napkin that flew under the table, he placed his hand on the corner of the table so that you can't hit your head. You couldn't see that, cause he quickly took it away afterwards, but I saw it. I saw it and it told me again how much he loves you. As your brother and his best friend, I could tell you you deserved better. I could tell you he's not enough for you and that you should search for another. But I don't think you'll find someone who loves you as much as he does. For I know him. And who he is when he's with you...It's the best version he could be."

My cheeks are wet but I don't care. I know that I've been crying for a while now. Kai comes closer to me and has me in a hug.

"Be happy, April", he whispers in my ear. "And if he indeed turns out being an asshole, I promise I'll beat the hell out of him. But I have a feeling you two will be very happy. The happiest."

I sink my head in his chest and cry louder. "Thank you", I whisper. I repeat it until my head is full of it.

When I let go, I rush inside the house and start calling his name.

"Noah!"

"Noah!"

He is nowhere to be found.

"Noah?", I call again, more like a question now. Worries raise inside me and I start calling his name even more now.

Dia immediately strolls out from a room, Leo on her trail. Her headphones are on. Another sign Leo is not the one. He never has the headphones on with the ones she trusts. But she has them on with Leo. She even gave them off once when she was with Jacob. But she never did that with Leo.

Here comes my soulmates theory again.

"He's outside", my bestie tells me. "Told us he's out for a run. He left fifteen minutes ago, he should be back soon."

"Thank you", I tell her and rush outside, taking a sit on the stairs of the main entrance of the house.

I wait and wait and wait for him.

As I spot him on the pathway, I start running. Noah must have noticed since he now rushes to me too.

"Precious! Is everything alright? What happened?", he asks me worried, placing a hand on my waist. I start crying again at the sight of him.

But I have a feeling you two will be very happy. The happiest.

"Noah...", I breathe.

He looks even more worried.

"What happened, precious? What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Nothing is wrong. You love me...You have loved me all this time. You never hated me."

"I already told you that", he whispers. "I have loved you every minute of every hour of every day. Every breath has been for you. Hoping one day you'll be mine again."

I gasp and for once, I know what I want.

"Noah...", I mumble, my voice shaking.

"Yes, precious?", he asks me, more nervous than I have ever seen him.

"Come here and let me love you."

He smiles. A smile that gives me all the answers I need.

And as he comes closer and lifts me up in the air, his arms holding me tight, I know what I found. Home.

"I am yours", I whisper before kissing him. He lets our lips lock, then processes the words and puts some distance between us.

"What?", he whispers, his voice now trembling too.

"I am yours. I am yours, but please don't let me go. Know that I don't like sharing. I am yours. Would you be mine?"

He swallows hard, knowing what I meant. I am his, but he needs to stop seeing others. Getting laid with them. I am his, but he shouldn't cheat.

"I am yours too, precious", he answers, his voice so sincere, I understand he means it as a promise. "I am only yours. However long you'll have me. Forever seems good."

I chuckle at that and crash my lips onto his, savouring this moment. Us. April and Noah. Noah and April. The ones who loved then hated then loved again.

Maybe Nessie was right. Maybe enemies-to-lovers is a nice trope.