Shattered Reflections

Chapter 8

December 15, 2023

Fae and Kai strolled down the school hallway, their laughter echoing off the lockers as they flirted shamelessly, oblivious to the sideways glances from their classmates. They ducked behind the bleachers, standing close enough that Fae could feel the heat radiating off Kai's skin.

"So, uh, there's something I gotta tell you," Kai started, his voice tinged with a hint of nervousness.

Fae's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Oh? What's up?" she asked, trying to keep her tone casual despite the butterflies fluttering in her stomach.

Kai hesitated for a moment before blurting out, "I broke up with my girlfriend from outside of school."

Fae's jaw practically hit the floor. "Wait, you had a girlfriend this whole time?" she exclaimed, disbelief coloring her voice.

Kai nodded, a sheepish look crossing his face. "Yeah, I guess I never really mentioned her," he admitted, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.

Fae couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy shoot through her chest. "So, uh, why'd you break up?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Kai let out a sigh, his expression clouding over. "Honestly, she wasn't ready for a relationship, besides," he confessed. "I've always been drawn to girls who are the complete opposite of me," Kai we are complete opposites, Fae thought to herself  "but I know I'm a total red flag I'd never want to ruin or hurt those girls and if i did it would be an accident. My ex didn't listen to my warnings tho and the whole thing was toxic."

Fae's heart sank at his words, a knot forming in her stomach as she struggled to process what he was saying. "But why?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kai shrugged, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. "I guess I just don't want to keep hurting people," he replied, a hint of sadness coloring his tone.

Fae reached out to comfort him, her hand hovering in the air before she pulled back, unsure of what to do. "I'm sure you're not as bad as you think," she said softly, her heart aching for him.

"Fae, I'm way worse. I'm a terrible person and I know it. You dont have to glaze it." He said it so calmly.

Kai gave her a smile before pulling a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. "Hey, want one?" he asked, offering her a cigarette as he lit up his own.

Fae hesitated for a moment before accepting the offer, the warmth of the flame casting a flickering glow over their faces. As they stood there in the shadow of the bleachers, the weight of Kai's words hanging in the air between them, Fae couldn't shake the feeling that their relationship was about to take a dramatic turn.

Kai leaned against the wall, a playful smirk playing on his lips as he studied Fae. "So, have you ever had a boyfriend before?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity.

Fae shook her head, a wry smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Nope, never been in a proper relationship," she confessed, a hint of bitterness creeping into her tone. "Just dealt with a bunch of toxic situationships."

Kai's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Seriously? A girl like you never had a boyfriend before?" he remarked, his gaze lingering on her.

Fae shrugged, trying to play it off. "Yeah, well, that's life, I guess," she replied, her voice tinged.

But then, to her surprise, Kai's expression shifted, a spark of something dangerous flickering in his eyes. "You know, Fae, you are as innocent as I thought."," he said, his voice low and husky.

Fae felt a shiver run down her spine at his words, a thrill of excitement coursing through her veins. "Innocent, huh?" she replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Trust me, Kai, I'm far from innocent. I don't date cuz I get bored, easily."

Kai's eyes widened in surprise, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Is that so?" he murmured, taking a step closer to her. "Well, then, I guess I'll have to watch my back around you, won't I?"

Fae grinned, feeling a rush of adrenaline course through her. "You better believe it," she replied, her voice low. "Because when it comes to playing dirty, I don't mess around."

When two players come together, it's like striking a match. Each move is calculated, every word a carefully crafted seduction, until they've both fallen too deep to turn back. But in the end, it's always a game of risk and consequence, and when one of them finds themselves in too deep, drowning in the tangled web of emotions they've spun, they realize too late that they've played with fire for too long.

Fae's curiosity bubbled up, and she couldn't help but blurt out, "Do you consider me your friend?"

Kai's response was quick and affirmative, "Of course, Fae. We're close, aren't we?"

A tiny smile tugged at Fae's lips as she nodded in agreement. But then, her curiosity piqued further. "But have you ever believed in friendships between guys and girls?" she asked, her tone tinged with curiosity.

Kai's brow furrowed in thought. "Honestly, no. I've always thought it was impossible," he admitted, his voice tinged with conviction.

Fae's eyes widened in surprise. "Why's that?" she pressed, genuinely curious to hear his reasoning.

Kai shrugged, a hint of frustration flickering in his gaze. "It  just seems like there's always some kind of... complication," he explained, his words careful but firm.

But Fae couldn't help but shake her head in disagreement. "I don't think that's true," she countered, her voice steady but firm. "I have plenty of guy friends who I'm really close to, and it's never been a problem."

Kai's gaze softened as he looked at her, a hint of admiration flickering in his eyes. "Maybe you're not mature enough to understand that yet." he replied, his voice gentle but firm.

But Fae shook her head adamantly, refusing to back down. "I don't think that's it," she insisted, her voice growing stronger. "Friendships are possible if both people are willing to try, regardless of gender."

Kai chuckled softly at Fae's retort, a playful glint dancing in his eyes. "Ah, Fae, one day you'll understand." he remarked, his tone light but genuine.

But Fae wasn't about to back down, her determination shining through in her words. "Seriously though, Kai, you're only two years older than me," she pointed out, her voice filled with playful exasperation. "Don't go making yourself out to be some wise sage just yet."

Kai's laughter echoed through the air, a warm, melodic sound that made Fae's heart flutter.  he replied,"But mark my words."

Fae rolled her eyes playfully, unable to suppress the grin that tugged at her lips. "Yeah, yeah, we'll see about that," she shot back, her voice laced with affection.