The Midas Touch

Ch. 37

Saturday, April 20th, 12:02pm

I kept my hand clasped with Kai's until we were safely out of the house. The whole place gave me the heebie-jeebies, and I could sense Kai was uncomfortable too.

We walked out of that office holding hands to a stricken-looking Sarah, and down the hallway to Aunt Krista, who simply took one look at Kai's face, nodded, and turned to go outside and unlock the car door.

I gave him a tight squeeze, but he still seemed out of sorts. Understandable. He just stood up to his homophobic asshole of a dad, and technically his step-mom, at least as far as I know.

We hopped in the Honda and I sat in the passenger seat and plugged in my address. Aunt Krista watched me do it, started the engine, and then kept it in park.

"Going home?" She asked, raising a singular questioning brow. I nodded, looking behind me to see Kai's reaction.

He immediately jumped out of his daze, eyes scared-looking as he bit his lip. "Are you? Really? Going home?" He asked, nervously tapping his foot.

"Do you not want me to?" I asked, genuinely confused. I truly didn't know what else I could do, and the guilt was swallowing me whole. I sure as hell wanted to go with him, but one, I didn't know if he would like that and two, I have no idea where the hell we're going.

"We going back to my house, together" Aunt Krista said at the same time Kai muttered a "Please?"

I took a deep breath. "Your house it is."

~

Turns out it wasn't technically his house (either of them), but Aunt Krista's. I guess I should've expected it. I exited the car and waited for Kai to get out before coming into the house through the garage.

It was a smaller house, but like mine it was filled to the brim, just slightly less...unorganized. I followed Kai up the small set of stairs to what I guess would be his room until further notice.

It was a small room, with a singular twin bed and a simple dresser along the far wall. Behind the peach-colored comforter was an antique-looking cream headboard, and a window directly behind it.

I awkwardly stood in the corner while Kai sat down on his bed. It seemed like neither of us wanted to address the elephant in the room.

Kai claiming we were in love and a couple in front of his dad came as much of a shock to me as it did to him. We hadn't labeled anything up until now, and with all the fights we've had recently I have no idea where he stands. I don't even know if I know where I stand.

"So...about that thing you said to your dad." I decided to break the silence. Kai's eyes were fixed to the floor, but I saw his hands clasp a little tighter. I frowned at him, slowly going over to stand in front of him.

"Kai." I said his name, but he didn't look up. "What you said to your dad...about us being in love. About us being...together." I looked away. "Did you really mean it?"

A few seconds of silence passed before I saw Kai lift his head in my peripheral. His eyes were shiny with tears, but he gave me a small smile and nodded. "I..." his voice cracked, "I did mean it. At least, I think I did. I don't know. I knew I needed to let go of my dad and all of his judgement, and I figured that would be the best way."