We Are Similarly Different

Je'Kai Arden

Who knew that at the tender age of ten would be the only time you'd have and also lose a good friend who made you feel like you meant something special to somebody? All throughout his school career Je'Kai only acquainted himself with the couple of people who he preferred to call business associates. His only friend was Vincenzo Tesco. The entire community had become aware of the pair and even called them the Delinquent Duo.
Je'Kai hated the idea of falling in love while he watched his friend Vincenzo attempt to hold a steady relationship. They were polar opposites when it came to love. He preferred parties and hook-ups. It's not that he was scared, it just didn't seem like it was a good idea. He was smothered with childhood memories with a girl his parents hoped would become a love story to be told for centuries.
"It's the first day of our last year, how about we hang out and check the potential eh?" Je'Kai rolled his eyes drastically and answered with disinterest. "Yeah we could do that." The pair then walked into the halls of the school. Even if the Delinquent Duo were a force not to be reckoned with, the boys had alot of female attention coming their way. Ooh's and aahs or even a holler of either one of their names.
"It's the hair, it's got to be the hair." Vincenzo muttered under his breath as they shoved their bags into their lockers. Je'Kai scoffed and threw a glare into his friends direction. Ever since he was old enough to do as he pleased, Je'Kai had dyed his hair blonde from black and as a result of keeping the bleach in his hair for too long, his roots had also changed colour. When he was questioned on his reasoning his parents knew right away that it was because he's missing her although he'd never admit it to himself. "Sorry dude, I just love beefing with your hair." Vincenzo threw his hands up defensively.
Je'Kai hated a lot of things from his past, hence the reason recolouring his hair, he realised too late that the colour only made things worse. It was her natural hair colour. He remembered when they were in the backseat of her fathers Volkswagen she'd asked him if he'd dye his hair blonde and they could be Rapunzel and Jack Frost on Halloween nights. A pity that never happened. They'd always called one another Jack Frost and Rapunzel since then
He also hated the nickname Kai, everyone besides Vincenzo who refers to him as Arden after being beaten to a pulp, calls him Je'Kai.
His parents thought that a therapist would help, Je'Kai spat in her face because he refused to talk and the woman forced. She called him an unruly misfit who has no manners and refunded the Ardens of their deposit.
Although he'd grown out of the denial stages, he'd turned into quite the bad boy rebellion and much to his parents disapproval, he enjoyed it.
"Mr Arden, Mr Tesco, you're late for registration. It would be great if you two got to class." Principal Connors ordered as the pair strolled into the classroom.
"Welcome boys, please find a seat?" their registration teacher and guidance counselor Dr Lot spoke sternly. The class seemed full and the only two desks that were not occupied were two on opposite sides of the room. "It's best we decline your offer." Vincenzo spoke as he and Je'Kai leaned against the wall. The teacher gave a disapproving glance before she continued.
Je'Kai and Vincenzo occupied themselves on their phones while the rest of the class spoke about their time off. "Why are we here again?" Vincenzo whispered. "It was your dickhead idea." Je'Kai answered, not averting his gaze from his game of Bubble Witch Saga. He couldn't understand why such great game had so many feminine names. "Why do all these games sound like some Barbie animation?" He asked. Vincenzo glanced down at his phone while answering. "Arden, it's logic. You like playing it, just like you do the female species." Je'Kai lifted his head, a wide grin plastered across his face before he burst into a fit of hysterical laughter.
Dr Lot shushed the class. "Thank you Je'Kai, if you could calm down please." Je'Kai did as asked before Dr. Lot continued to speak. "We've got a new transfer student from somewhere in the UK." Je'Kai's head snapped in the direction of the front of the class. She moved there seven years ago. His eyes scanned the curvaceous blonde haired girl and recognised her almost immediately.
When his ice blue eyes met her own, he knew that it was her and he could tell that she knew who he was. He couldn't be in the same room with her, he didn't want to seem stuck up but she'd left and caused so much damage. He knew that it was by no means her fault, he just wasn't the same boy she'd spent time with, he was a different person and he didn't think that she'd approve at all.
A smile appeared on her lips. He was stuck in one spot, she grew up so beautifully, he stared at her as if she were Medusa and he'd been turned to stone. He was in undeniable awe of her beauty. She had porcelain like skin, her eyes were electric blue. He fought off the urge to run his lengthy fingers through her long strawberry blonde hair. He was so compelled by her that he had no control over what had come out of his mouth. "Rapunzel." His breath caught as "Jack Frost" escaped from her lips, just like he remembered. Vincenzo was enraged, He knew the consequences of making that reference, yet he didn't know the affect it had on Je'Kai when it came from Azariah.
Je'Kai had trouble deciding whether he should stay and entertain her or avoid her for as long as he could. Deciding on the latter, he walked up to Azariah deliberately brushing his arm against hers. "Kai I..." The class gasped in disbelief. He allowed her to freely call him all the names not even his best friend could use. He followed her wandering eyes. Everybody watched them. Vincenzo looked as if he'd been expecting the worst to happen but Je'Kai couldn't be mad. He loved it when Azariah called him every name under the sun, even to this day, a lot more now thanks to the English accent.
He gripped her face into his hands, pulled her forehead to his lips and kissed her softly. "I missed you too." He said, reading her mind and admitted the truth to her. He felt his throat close. "Stay away from me Aza." It had to be the most difficult thing to say, right after saying goodbye all those years ago. He walked out and beckoned Vincenzo to follow. "Dude, what the fuck was that?" Je'Kai didn't respond. He felt far too guilty for doing what he'd done. It was the total opposite of what he'd wanted. It's for her own good. He continously repeated, drowning out Vincenzo's voice.