Started As Strangers, Ended As Lovers

nine.

As I stood outside the salon waiting, I couldn't help but to feel restless and walked in circles, anxiety filling up in my chest.

Brody, sensing my discomfort, said nonchalantly, "Chillax. It's going to be okay. Stop going in circles, you're making my head hurt."

Frustrated, I threw my hands up and stared with a are-you-serious? look

"I can't just 'chillax'. I'm literally walking on a tight and slim string that may or may not snap the moment Kara comes out." Thanks to you, I added mentally.

Brody sighed and crossed his buff arms over his chest.

"I really don't get girl problems."

"Me too."

Silence filled the air above us as we waited for Kara to come.

I continued to fidget and Brody just leaned against a wall behind him with his eyes closed, like he's deep in thought.

After what seemed like an eternity, Kara finally came out, with a spring in her steps. The curls of her hair bouncing as she does so.

Why is she so...happy?

"Hey Sky! Sorry about what happened earlier, I don't know what got into me, will you forgive me?" Kara apologized as she wrapped her arms around my own and stared at me with what seemed like sad puppy-dog eyes.

Overwhelmed by the sudden mood change, I didn't know what to do and how to respond so I just stuttered out an "okay" and glanced over to Brody.

He had went back to a standing position and was looking at Kara questionably.

Kara let go of her grip on me and laughed, "I'm such an idiot. I can't believe I went crazy over a guy. Sorry guys," she glanced to Brody, making her point "Well, I'll see you guys tomorrow at school then. Bye!"

With that, she skipped off without another word and started singing a tune that I don't recognize.

"Well, that was..."

"Unexpected," Brody completed my sentence and I nodded, totally agreeing with him.

I suddenly remembered about the promise I made with him back at the auditorium and wanted to talk to him about it, since he was already here, why not start it now?

I opened my mouth, ready to tell him about the change of plans when his cellphone rang.

He apologized and took out his phone and answered the call, but not before walking away from me so that I wasn't able to eavesdrop.

Not like I actually would in the first place.

But I couldn't help but feel curious as to why he had to shield himself from me with a simple phone call.

Was it his girlfriend? His mom? His grandparents? Someone important?

Suddenly, I found myself getting strangely attracted to this guy, but not in a romantic way, of course. Just curiosity.

I watched his profile as he spoke to the mysterious person on the phone.

He looked troubled.

His back was leaned against the wall again and he kept ruffling his hair, messing up his hair further. His head was hung low as he stared at the ground, listening to whoever was talking on the phone.

I don't know about you, but that looked like he was having problems with his girlfriend and they were about to break up.

Or something.

Suddenly, his head snapped up and he looked towards me with a look I didn't recognize.

He whispered something into the phone and his face was hard, a look of anger replacing whatever emotion he had on his face earlier.

I furrowed my eyebrows, what the heck is happening?

I scanned the vicinity and saw nothing out of the ordinary, but somehow Brody seemed very interested in the view and kept craning his neck to get a better view of something.

Or someone.

I shuddered at the thought.

He said his last words and ended the call, walking towards me and grabbing my wrist.

He started to drag me to where we had came from without saying a single word and kept looking around, his movement stiff.

I couldn't contain it anymore and burst out, "Brody, what the heck is going on?"

He winced at the sudden increased in volume compared to the quietness surrounding us, despite hearing a few cars zooming past us, heading to their destinations.

I repeated my question, more agitated by the second.

He sighed and rubbed his neck with his other hand, "Look, you don't have to worry about anything okay? Trust me, everything's fine. Let's head back home, I'm kinda beat and I need to unpack my stuff at home."

I knew something was up, but I couldn't fight back, so I reluctantly said, "Okay."

Really, what else was I suppose to say? That I demanded a response from him? I don't know anything about this guy, nothing, nada.

I figured it was for the best anyways.

He was going to leave soon enough, he's already popular with the girls, no doubt he'll be the same with the boys soon enough and forget all about his 'Kitten'. There's no point trying to start anything with him.

And strangely, that makes my heart hurt and eyes water every so slightly.

———
author's note:
how's everyone liking the story so far?? :))

pls vote!!

xoxo, angela
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