After the picnic we had at The Falls, Klaus didn't return to school the next Monday. He didn't return Tuesday, or Wednesday, or the rest of the week either. In fact, he was out of school for two whole weeks, and I was going crazy wondering what happened to him. It wasn't just because he was my lab partner and he was missing out on work, or because I found those anti-depressants in the pocket of the jacket he loaned me before he kissed me that night. It wasn't even just because of that kiss, or how it made me feel when he kissed me, or how I'd lied to Santi just to be with him that night. It was all of those reasons, and more. I was really worried about him.
When Klaus finally returned to school and took his seat beside me at our lab table, acting like nothing happened, I was pissed. I demanded answers. "Where have you been the past two weeks, Klaus?"
"What?" klaus asked sardonically, "You come here every day?"
"Seriously," I pestered, not at all in the mood for his sarcasm, "Where were you?"
"Let's not talk about this here," Klaus requested, "All right?" He opened his notebook and motioned towards Mr. Morgan so he could ask what he missed while he was absent. I was annoyed that he didn't seem to care he worried me, but I didn't bug him any further.
After class, I followed him out of the classroom and down the hallway. "What is wrong with you? Why would you disappear like that? What are you, like a drug addict? Depressed or something? Nuts?! Tell me!"
"Since when do you think you know so much about me?" Klaus asked bitterly, clearly avoiding my assault of questions.
"Since I had to go snooping around!" I admitted. I'd called his phone an embarrassing amount of times the past couple of weeks looking for him. I'd asked our Chemistry teacher, Mr. Morgan, what was going on with him and gotten very few, vague answers. One of which was him informing me that Klaus wasn't just assigned to be my lab partner, but he chose me. I didn't know what that meant. I'd stopped by a house that I thought was his so I could see him and give him some of his work, only to learn he gave me a false address. "I was worried about you! You left these in your jacket," I handed him the pills I'd been carrying around in my purse for the past two weeks. "And thanks for lying to me about where you live. What else did you lie about? Do you even have any brothers or sisters? Is your dad really a lawyer? Did you even tell me the truth about anything?"
"What does it matter?" klaus shrugged, continuing to walk away from me even though I know we already passed the room his next class was in.
"It matters to me!" I yelled, not caring at the moment that I was getting strange stares from my fellow classmates.
"Well, stop caring so much," Klaus suggested before slamming open an emergency exit door, setting off the alarm, and stalking to his car.
Later on, I got into an argument with Santi over my very public dispute with Klaus earlier. I guess the rumors started pretty fast when people heard Rodialyn West shouted at the weird kid, Klaus Swedlund. Santi finally admitted that he had grievances over my friendship with Klaus, only he did it in the worst possible way. He shouted at me and called me a stupid, naive girl. He made me feel like a cheater and a liar, and I realized that he wasn't too far off. I had lied to him. I had been kissed by Klaus. I promised myself I would never be that person. I would never intentionally hurt Santi or any boyfriend by being unfaithful. I apologized, but I don't think it really made a difference. The damage was done. Santi didn't break up with me, but he should have. I deserved that. Instead, he wanted to give me another chance, but I couldn't let him do that. I knew it wouldn't work. I ended it.
klaus avoided me after our confrontation. I tried to corner him a few times, but he always found a way to escape the conversation. Even in lab he ignored me. No cunning remarks or annoying questions. Nothing. I never thought I'd prefer Sarcastic Klaus over Silent Klaus.
Finally, I had to take drastic measures: I snuck into the office at school and looked up Klaus's correct address and phone number. I drove to the house after school and knocked on the door. When I was ready to give up, a man surprised me by answering. He was older, with graying hair and many, many wrinkles on a face that appeared it should look younger. I came to the conclusion this man must have lived a stressful life.
"Hi," I waved hesitantly, unsure of myself since I'd already gone to one house before that was the wrong address, "Is Klaus home? I'm his lab partner, Rodialyn. Rodialyn West."
"Hi, yes," The man replied, seeming shocked to have a visitor. "Come in. I'll see what Klaus is doing."
"Could I...ask you a question?" I queried softly, hoping not to offend. The man nodded in response. "Does Klaus have any siblings? Is his mom...in his life?"
Solemnly, the man replied, "No, it's just the two of us." He disappeared down the hallway for a moment before returning, face down-cast. "I'm sorry," He shook his head, "klaus doesn't want to see you."
I nodded, figuring as much but still feeling disappointed. "Okay. Thank you."
I didn't know what I'd done to make klaus so angry with me, but he was clearly not changing his mind any time soon. I was tired of waiting around for him to forgive me for whatever it was I did. I decided to wait him out. His car doors were unlocked, as he always kept them, so I climbed in the back and laid down on the seat. If I knew anything about Klaus, and I did despite his denying it, he'd be going somewhere tonight. Maybe he'd go out looking for vampires. He did tell me he liked to do that sometimes when he had nothing better to do. Maybe he'd even go to The Falls. It was his special spot.
I was right. Klaus did get in his car and drive to The Falls not too soon after I 'left' his house. He parked right next to the waterfall and got out of the car. I waited a minute before I snuck out, as quietly as possible, hoping not to alert him of my presence until I was ready. I stepped up behind him, watched his back tense as he became aware I was there, and put a hand gently on his shoulder.
"What's going on with you?" I mentally willed him to be quiet as I spoke, needing to get out everything I had to say. "I know secrets are sort of your thing, but can't you just let me in a little bit? You forced your way into my life almost five months ago and now you just want to pretend like you don't even know me. I'm sorry for asking about your medication; I don't care what it's for. I don't care if you're crazy, really, I don't. I just...want to be with you. Everything is different when I'm with you, and I don't...I don't want to lose that."
In an instant, He stared into my eyes like he could read my mind and he was making sure what I said was the truth. It seems he believed me, because he was soon kissing me furiously. And I was kissing back. I let him guide me to his car and throw me in the backseat without ever taking his lips off mine. I liked the way his lips tasted and I wanted more. I knew what was going to come next. Klaus peeled my clothes off my body slowly, drinking in every feature with his gorgeous blue eyes. I had never felt more beautiful. I wasn't even a little nervous when he took his clothes off next, and even though it was my first time, I was eager to get started. I loved his fingers on my skin. I loved how close I felt to him, and how every touch was perfect. I loved everything about him. I loved Klaus Swedlund. And we made love that night.
.
