ATWOTW HIGHSCHOOL 🧡🪴

Lo'ak

After my game with Rotxo I couldn't stop repeating the way into Tsireya's bedroom- west facing, with stars in the window. All I had to do was climb the tree and knock.

"Hey... you really think Kiri and Spider... would you know..."

"Dude enough about my sister- I love her but you can't stress this much."

"Yeah and what do you keep thinking about ? Tsireya maybe ???" The corners of his eye brows perked up as his gazed lingered on mine. Of course it was true that the only thing that occupied my thoughts were Tsireya. The way her hair curls and lays from her shoulders. The slightly vanilla yet refreshing sent that followed her around- like it leaks from her pours. How blue her eyes were reflecting off the water- and how passionately she sounded about sea glass. Something so simple yet so meaningful made her soul seemed fulfilled. I couldn't imagine anything making me that excited- or at least showing so much emotion. Showing a genuine interest in something...

"Ummmmmm earth to Lo'ak ???" My face felt numb and like it needed to breath. As if tearing off my skin and soaking it cold water would be the only thing to bring me back to life. To wipe away the tired feeling that follows me around- holding me back.

"Sorry- hey what about the swim team ? I know you and Aonung are captains so..."

"Oh- can you even swim ?"

"Yes ! In fact me and Neteyam are really good. Tuk is just learning but off to a good start. Are dad was in the military so he made sure that we could- but Kiri could never get the hang of it..." A fading image of Kiri monkey crawling around the pool came to mind, as well as all the times that me or Neteyam would hold her in the water so she would feel just a little safer. All the times she would cry on our shoulders or in the crooks of are necks from being so terrified. It reminded me of last night- what Spider did really hurt her - whatever that 'thing' was. "I fuckin hate spider. Making Kiri cry like that last night."

"What do you think he did ?"

"She was off- even for Kiri and her almost bio polar personality- she was off. She came in, and cried on the door. Then just got up and locked herself in her room. I bet she's still there..." I couldn't help myself but read his expression. He looked concerned- of course. But he didn't led on much more than that.

"Ummmm..."

"Ummmm ? Dude you have been eyeing my sister up and down- kissed her and then, what you got nothin ?"

"SHE kissed me- thank you very much. And yeah I like her, but I don't think I can handle her. This 'almost bio polar personality' is pushing on the almost front." His words stung deep, sending a pain down my chest. Like my heart physically aches at hearing his words.
Kiri has been through the ringer with all her self hate; and she can't handle anymore.

All the tension between us was building as I stared directly at him. Watching his eyes flicker between myself and the side walk in front. "So about swim... what are the requirements ?" Even I could tell how flat I sounded.

"The team is pretty solid, however if your strong swimmers then there's a chance at making it." As his words filled the air I couldn't help but let my mind wonder to the water. I always preferred basket ball or video games. But the idea peaked a new kind of interest- a fresh and compelling one.

"What do you think of my family ? Honestly- more than just Kiri or me or even Tey."

"Oh- I liked Tuk at the cafe- very creative..." the corners of his lips turned up as the memory replayed. "Tey's cool, him and Aonung are getting close. They were texting last night when we all got high..."

"What about ? " Stopping him mid sentence might have seemed rude to an outsider looking in- but I needed to see if this guy could hurt Kiri.

"I don't know. The texts I could see didn't say anything really."

"Okay and Kiri ?"

"You know how I feel about her."

"Dig deeper."

Rotxo's eye's narrowed as his head fell to one side. His pace slowed we reached my front porch, I'm sure he didn't know this is my house- just good timing.

"You gunna hurt my sister ?"

"If anything Kiri would hurt me."

Of course I knew how much of a player my sister could be. She deflects situations and will either have a personality larger than life or one that could be crushed by one over looked side eye. She can be careless by leading with the first one and non existent with the other.

I don't know much about the Kekao family- not really.

Aonung has been texting with Tey so maybe he can make some friends. Tey has never been good at that. Always protecting us and keeping up with school- he needs at least SOME social life.

I take a slow breath to steady my thoughts. Tiredly looking up and pointing towards the oddly narrow home. My new home. "This is my house."

"Can I come in ?" Rotxo's words made him feel small. Like a tiny puppy begging for some attention.

"Your not good enough for Kiri." It's not true. I know that if Kiri gave him a chance- a real chance- he would never let her go.

"I can be- about her being too much to handle... I don't know why I said that. I think I'm still hurting from last night."

"Yeah I can see the black eye." Taking the initiative, I started up the steps and into the house. Looking back to make sure that Rotxo was following suit.

"Kiri's room is up stairs. It's down the half- hallway and to the left. The one on the right is Teys and then the one down here is mine. I only got this one cause there's no closet- everyone else has a walk-in but it's just a square room."

"Thanks man !" We shared a look before he vanished up the stairs. Spotting around the boxes and other garbage that was scattered throughout.

But of course my thoughts just had to be drawn back to Tsireya. I wonder if she's even awake ? After a moment of contemplating, I became weak and caved.

Reya 💗🌺🎨:

Lo'ak- "Good morning Rey"

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