Washed Away

Chapter 10 - Happy Birthday!

The next few days were hectic as everyone was preparing for Ky's birthday. Floors were swept, windows were cleaned and I couldn't get an ounce of sleep during to people's footsteps thundering up and down stairs, along with raised voices of where to put the decorations.

Well-wishers for Ky were constantly coming to the house almost every hour and soon piles of presents were building up. Apparently, turning 16 was a bigger deal than it was back home as it had something to do with Ky choosing a vita socium or something.I tried to get Amara to explain but she just smirked and told me I'd probably find out soon from Ky.

Speaking of whom...

"Hey, as anyone seen Ky?" I asked, stepping over a stray present. Syrena glanced over her shoulder at me, kneading dough violently.

"I think he went outside." She answered, wiping her forehead with her arm. Flakes of flour drifted down from her raised hand and spotted her clothes. "He does not like lots of commotion."

"Thanks." I replied, stifling a yawn and nimbly avoiding Ilaria who rushed out into the kitchen wielding a whisk like a dangerous weapon. Opening the back door, I peered into the dim alleyway and spotted a foot dangling off the edge of the roof.

"Ky?" I called, straining my neck to look upwards. "Is that you?"

The foot was immediately drawn back and was replaced with Ky's head.

"Oh, hello Elaina." He greeted.

"How did you get up there?"

He pointed down and I followed his finger to see boxes of wooden crates stacked neatly up in a corner. "I climbed onto those. Want to join me?"

I shrugged in response and walked up to the crates, gingerly placing my foot on one. It stood sturdy and I carefully placed my other foot on it as well.

"Doesn't seem so bad." I mumbled, placing one foot onto the next crate. I made good progress up till when I reached up to pull myself up onto the roof when the crate I was standing on wobbled. I froze and my fingers clenched the edge of the roof tightly.

Steadying myself, I tried again but as the crate shifted again, my fingers lost their grip and I would've gone tumbling to the ground if Ky hadn't grabbed my hand in time.

"Careful there." He said, grabbing my other hand and hoisting me up onto the roof. I almost face-planted the roof as I let go of his hands, my legs shaking from shock.

"T-thanks." I panted. "But next time I'm using a ladder!"

Ky chuckled and sat down next to me, swinging his legs off the edge of the roof like he was when I first came out. I copied his position and stared up at the hanging cages, mesmerized by the glowing substances inside them.

"I still cannot believe I am going to be 16 tomorrow." Ky muttered, shaking his head. I glanced at my watch and smirked.

"Actually, you're going to be 16 in 15 minutes." I corrected. Ky rolled his eyes and leant back, his hands by his sides and dangerously close to mine, I noted silently.

"By the way, what's a vita socium?" I asked, looking directly at him. His eyes widened slightly and his cheeks turned a shade darker.

"Oh... it is... erm..." Ky stuttered, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. "Basically, I have to choose a... erm... life partner."

"Life partner?" I asked, confused. It suddenly clicked and I gasped. "You mean a wife?!"

"Yeah... I suppose."

"But you're so young! What if it's the wrong person?" I exclaimed.

Ky sighed and rubbed his face. "You cannot separated once you have chosen someone, and it is not just the case of choosing someone you like. If two people are destined to be together, their lux navitas reacts different to each other then it would to any other person."

"Even if the two people hate each other?"

Ky chuckled. "Even if they hate each other. That is what happened to Mum and Dad, he used to bully her as kids and when they realised they were meant to be, let me tell you they were not happy."

"What happened?"

Ky shrugged. "Eventually they grew on each other and, now, here I am."

I smiled slightly and picked at a loose thread on my top. "What about Amara and Austan? Shouldn't they have their vita socium by now?"

"Sometimes it takes a while, other it happens almost instantly." Ky explained.

"So it would be kind of awkward if you had a girlfriend and it turned out your vita socium was her best friend or something." I joked. Ky laughed out loud.

"Yes it definitely would be!"

We sat in an companionable silence, in which I laid down, my hands resting on my stomach. Ky joined me a few moments later, placing his hands behind his head. I closed my eyes and listened to the hustle and bustle of the city.

For the first time in my life, I felt at peace and couldn't help a contented smile slip onto my lips. I heard a slight chuckle emit from my side and I cracked open an eyelid to see Ky smirking.

"W-what?" I asked, stuttering when I realised his face was mere inches from mine. He had changed his position so that he was leaning on one elbow, peering down at me.

"Oh, nothing." He replied. "You just look cute when you smile."

This resulted in me turning all shades of red and nervously start coughing, and then almost immediately started choking on air.

Wow, real smooth Elaina.

I sat bolt up-right, coughing my lungs up while Ky thumped on my back. Once it had finally sub-sided, Ky was clutching his stomach as he was crying in laughter. You could've fried eggs on my cheeks by the way they were flaming. I crossed my arms and huffed.

"Shut up." I moaned. Ky wiped away his tears of laughter and grinned guiltily at me.

"Sorry, it just didn't turn out the way I planned." He replied. I stared at him, confused.

"What do you mean, the way you planned?" I asked, just as my watch beeped. I glanced down at it, and realised it was 12am.

"Would you look at that! Happy Birthday Ky." I grinned, looking back up at him to be met with a twinkling pair of hazel eyes.

"Thanks." He whispered, before gently pressing his lips against mine.

***

Yay! They've finally kissed! I loved writing this chapter! =D 

Sorry for the long delay but I've had two weeks of work experience, and straight afterwards loads of exams that I needed to revise for. Believe me, it wasn't fun =(

Anywho, thanks for reading! =D xox