Soldier

Chapter 19: Kairi

*Yaaaawn...*

It's been a long week. With all the confusion and fighting it's been really hard for me to just rest for a while. Even my moments of passion were exhausting. But, it's not like I didn't enjoy it.

I sat up onto the bed, and rubbed her eyes with her hands. With a loud yawn I said,

"I'm up Ale-"

Wait... where is Alex?

Where could he have possibly gone?! He couldn't have been-!

I sprang out of bed as quickly as she could.

Nothing happened to him di-

I noticed a small piece of paper on the blankets. He better not have gotten himself in danger...

I picked it up carefully and read it fearfully:

Kairi, I hope you didn't freak out when you notice I'm gone. I had to go with someone to do something... Come to the lounge later though. I should be there, by the time you read this.... I am really about this. .

Well, he has some guts. I let out a faint sigh. For a moment I thought that something bad had happened to Alex. He better know what's coming to him when I find him! He should know better than to just leave me a note... but then again he did the same thing when we were young...

I stood from the bed and walked into the bathroom to look at myself in the mirror. My hair is all over the place...

With my hand, I combed down my fizzed hair until it settled down. That should work.

I walked out of the bathroom and took a few steps toward the door. I still feel a little sleepy. Honestly, I would rather just go back to bed. But... when I wake up earlier then I would want, I tend to get grumpy and can't fall asleep again. The little surprise of a note is not exactly helping either...

I turned the doorknob and pushed it open, then walked out into the hallway. I shut the door behind me with a quick kick of the door. I looked both ways down the hall to see no one else around. Wonder where they are..... Or what time it is...

I let out another yawn as I started to walk down the hallway. It's actually a really nice looking hallway. Just like a hotel, in a way. Although this isn't that. Everyone's after all, in a war ship. A war ship...

I shouldn't think about it...

I continued to walk down the hallway. Slowly I felt as I woke up more. Eventually I reached two large doors with a sign posted above it that reads "Lounge" above them. Guess this is where I am supposed to go.

I pushed open the two doors to reveal a huge dining area. Or at least, that's what it reminds me of. A lot of tables are scattered around the place with people sitting around them and talking. A large stage is to the right side of the room with a few instruments placed on top of it. A set of drums are set up completely. A little concession stand-like place is at the far corner of the room. It's kind of loud in here with a lot of chatter...

I looked around the room and noticed my friend, Nat sitting at one of the chairs by the concession stand. I looked around the lounge for Alex, before I decided to walk to where Nat is.

I walked into a small ocean of people, and had to maneuver myself through it by squeezing my way out. I made my way closer to the concession. It kind of feels a little cramped...

It didn't take much for Nattily to notice me, even with all the people here. Nat nearly jumped off of her chair when she saw me and ran up to me, just as I got into the clear, and hugged me tightly.

"Kairi! I haven't seen you for a week! How are you holding up?"

"G-Good I guess..."

"Well, sit down so we could talk."

Nattily pulled me by the arm to the chair next to her.

I sat down and stared at her, as she started to say something but my eyes started to wander off as they looked around for Alex. Where could he be? Honestly...

Nattily noticed I wasn't very into the conversation, as she said,

"Just give him some space."

Hmm?

I turned my attention back to Nat. Please don't give me another one of your 'romance lessons'...

Well, not like Nat can hear my thoughts.

"Nat. Why are you minding 'my' business?"

Nat smiled and replied,

"Because it's fun!"

Fun? I shook my head and took a hard swallow. Maybe I shouldn't have said that. Nat patted me on the shoulder and said,

"My, have you two-"

My face turned red. Damn it Nat! Why can't she find something else to do other than try and embarrass me! I just about opened my mouth to say something to her as Nat continued,

"Ah, I hit a nerve did I?" In a sarcastic kind of way. She is really going to blow my lid off!

I looked away and crossed my arms instead. That's not right Nat... Why can't she pick on someone else?

"Nat. Where are you going with this?"

I looked back at her. Nattily grinned as looked back. She nodded with a cruel smile and asked,

"Well, if you want to skip to the fun part.... Have. You. Two. Don. Anything?"

That can't be it...

I stayed silent and let Nat continue,

"Anything naughty?"

Enough already!

"Nat! Please stop! Me and Alex haven't done anything-"

I lowered my voice as I noticed a few of the students around us dropped what they were doing and are staring at me. Ugh... Why Nat, Why?! I pouted and turned my head away from Nat and finished my sentence. "Yet."

Nattily smiled and rolled her eyes.

"You two have got quite a long way to go. But, you guys are like the cutest couple ever!"

I started to smile and turned back to face Nattily. She always has a way to turn things around. Just how she is I guess.

Nat continued,

"I mean, you two haven't seen each other for years, and now that you have... you guys fell in love in no time at all!"

My small smile grew a little bigger.

"Alex is always thinking about you first before him, not that bad looking at all and he really cares about you! You do the exact same thing with him! Know how lucky you are? Do you know... do you..."

Nat turned her attention to the top of the counter. She grabbed the end of the counter with her hands as she clenched her teeth.

Nat...? What's... whats wrong?

A few tears fell from behind Nattily's eyes.

"I wish I had someone like that..."

Nattily held onto her head with one of her hands and whimpered. Why is she so, so down? This isn't like Nat at all.... somethings wrong...

"What's wrong Nat?"

Nattily looked at me with sad eyes. She wiped away the tears in her eyes.

"Aww, thanks for worrying. I'm fine. Really ... I... I... I got to go. We'll see you Kairi."

Nat stood up from her seat and sped off towards the doors that I had come in through earlier. I stood up.

"Nat! Where are you...?"

Nat made it out of the crowd.

What's wrong with-it's about the war isn't it... I almost forgot... that's where we... where we are headed...

I'm sorry...