Begin Again (Book One Of The Kingston Series)

Chapter Thirteen: Friends?

Chapter Thirteen: Friends?

"Friends are the family we choose."

"What the hell was that?" I blurt as we get to a deserted hall. Killian is chuckling to himself. I turn to him at my last nerve. "Stop faking laughter. You're a horrible actor." I glare at him. He smirks at me. Dick. I take in a deep breath. This school thing is a little much. We just got out of class. Kol grins and winks at me.

"We just made a hell of an ally. Along with being badass." He says the words smoothly. Like comments on the whether. There is a chance of rain, but I'm not worried.

"Why? What was that Killzone comment about? I want answers." Kol's face tightens and he looks at Killian with worry in his eyes.

"Maybe we should talk about this alone?" Kol suggests but I've had it.

"I'm not going to go somewhere with you. I want answers right here. Right now." I clench my jaw steeling myself. "I'm not living a life of secrets."

"Why are you so closed off?" Kol spits out. He puts himself in between me and Killian.

"What?"

"Why do you let your mom treat you like trash?" He continues not skipping a beat. His expression is fierce. His eyes an electric blue. "Where you sexually abused? I've seen the signs. What about Kelly? Have you spoken with her? What are-"

"Stop." I snap pushing his chest and taking a step back.

"What? Am I being invasive? Am I picking at the skeletons in your closet?" He tells me. He has a scary grin on his face. I push down tears and look away.

"I want your brothers and yourselves out of my house and my life."

"No, you don't." Kol tells me softly. His hands reaching for my face. He cups my cheeks.

"I do." I tell him. My voice defeated. He licks his lip piercing.

"You can't ask about our past and not tell us yours." He shakes his head. "Ma douce disparition, I promise once you tell me about all your dirty laundry I'll tell you mine."

"I'm sorry I'm just stressed." I tell him. Swallowing. He is making sense. I'm being unfair.

"We should find that kid and-"

"Christian." I say absently. We are both turned towards where I asked Christian to wait.

"What?"

"His name." I say. Moving toward his lean figure. "His name is Christian."

"Oh." Kol says quietly. Christian sees me and he relaxes against the wall. His dark brown hair is a little ruffled. Like he ran a hand through it. I smile at him. I have this overwhelming urge to protect him.

"Jasmine." He does this cute little grin. I grin back. Shaking my head. To rid the contagiousness of his smile.

"Christian, we are off to..." I trail off. Thinking. "Art?"

"Yes." He nods. And he starts to walk towards the class. He sneaks looks at me. I hide a smile. He's adorable. He pushes his glasses up. We enter the room and I look around for the teacher. No adult appears. I furrow my eyebrows.

"Do you know where the teacher is?" I ask Christian. Catching him staring at me. His face flames into a dark red. I try not to laugh. He pushes up his glasses.

"She is always late. She likes to be... Fashionably late." The way he says 'fashionably late' like they aren't his own words. He's probably quoting the teacher herself.
"Why? This is work." I tell him squinting at him.