Simple Kisses, Little Lies, and a Cup of Tea

Chapter 27 It Was Always Complicated

Finally Friday rolled in, letting me relax with the weekend. I managed to convince my mom to let me have a small party. Jacob was against the idea, but mom reminded him he was once a teenager who partied.

"Are you sure this is going to be enough snacks?" I ask Makenna, looking at the chips and other mumchies.

"When is there ever enough?" She answers with one of her own questions.

I secretly planned this party, hoping for Kale not to show up. My mind and heart have mix feelings about him, and going out on a limb isn't my thing. The house was ready for a party, now we just need people. Makenna and I began texting all our contacts sending them an invitation for the party. Within minutes the door began knocking, and filling with teenagers. Music is blasting and beer is spilling from cups into mouths and droplets go to the floor.

"Hey ladies Jacy smiled at me while putting his arm around Makenna, kissing her on the cheek. How cute!

"Beer?" I ask, taking a bottle of Jack Daniels off the counter.

  "Yes please!" Jacy holds his hand out, waiting to receive the bottle. Opening the bottle, with the cork falling to the ground, I lift the bottle to my lips taking in the liquid and swallowing. Removing the bottle from my lips, I pass it to Jacy who gulps back the beer. Why is it that men can drink so much at once? Makenna too drinks some, before taking Jacy's hand and leading him towards the music to dance, leaving me alone with the bottle. Maybe it wouldn't have been such a bad idea if Kale came. I polish off the bottle and grab another one, cracking it open. Its my party and I'm the weirdo with a bottle of beer in the corner...

I walk over to the lounge, taking a seat on the couch next to Blake who puffs on a bud.

"Where's pretty boy?" He asks me, looking at the bottle tightly holded in my hands.

"Where's curly?" I answer him with a question of my own.

  "Drink some of this, it's stronger and helps." Blake pulls out a silver flask from his jean pocket, and hands it to me. I open the flask and poor the liquid into my mouth... Maybe to much? My face squishes up in sour as I swallow.

"Drink small amounts." Blake rolls his eyes at my face.

"I think I got that."

  I watch Blake as he lifts the cigarette up to his lips and inhales. He saw me watching, and lifts his eyebrows. "Wanna try it or something?" He asks.

"Maybe. I guess." Taking the cigarette from his lips he hands it over to me, I inspect the thing first, then begin to lift it up to my lips.

  "Don't you dare smoke that shit!" A bitter voice said, as a hand ripped the cigarette from my hands and lifted to his own lips. A pair of bronze eyes met mine. Kale. He was here! But how? He removed the cigarette from his lips exhaling the smoke, handing it back to Blake.

My eyes are wide as I look up at him confused. "Why are you here?"

"Because I r-really... really like you." His words numbed my mind.

Everything slowed down, like it was the slow motion part in a movie. People dancing moved swayed slowly, the voices zoning out. Is this what its like to die?

I'm brought back to life when a pair of strong arms wrap around my waits, picking me up and throwing me over the shoulders. Where is Kale taking me?  I look around at the people behind kale as he continues to walk off somewhere carrying me. 

Next thing I know, cold chills make my goosebumps rise on my skin. Are we outside? The door slams shut behind us. Kale sets me down off his shoulders, but grabs my hand holding tightly.

"What are you doing?" I ask.

  "Let's leave. Don't you think this party is a drag?" He looks deep into my eyes.

"Hey! It's my party you know." I disagree with him, yanking my wrist out of his hands. I turn around and go to open the door, but something deep inside me won't let me budge.

"Please don't go back in there." Kale's words are a whisper.

"Where else would I go?" I bicker, but don't face him.

"Come with me." He speaks up.

I quietly turn around, stalk to his truck and wait for him to unlock it. I probably look foolish, like a five year old throwing a tantrum. He smiles lightly, a real smile and unlocks the truck and gets in. I open the door and also get in. Once the engine is on and running smoothly, he backs out of my drive way. The radio plays Immortals by fallout boys softly. I tap along, looking out the passenger door window.

"I meant what I said earlier." Kale speaks up, ending the silence between us.

I cant look him in the eyes right now. My face is a deep crimson red, while my eyes fill with salty water. I hug my chest tightly, continuing to look out the window silently. I like you too. But why is my heart so confusing? Why cant I tell him what I feel?

The truck pulls into his drive way, and parks. The big house sits in my view. The late night sky looking down at us. Before I know it I'm back inside the large house. Kale takes my hand in his, as we walk up the stairs to his room. Inside, I take a seat on his white sofa, cuddling my knees to my chest. Why do I always wind up in this room? Kale takes a seat down next to me, sitting muted.

Kale's POV:

Athena looks like a fragile ornament. If I touch her she'll brake. She looked so disappointed when I showed up at her party. She's been avoiding me and she knows I know. How can I not, when she acts weird around me, and always looks down when were left alone.

I cant just let her take it out on herself. What ever pain I'm causing her is ending now! I shuffle in my seat, moving closer to her. My lips kiss hers. Expecting the tender kiss to be pushed away, she kissed back. Putting her hands on my shoulders. She wanted the kiss?

Athena's POV:

Why does it always end like this? His lips caress mine, as his hands move to my lower back. I can feel hot heavy tears leaking from my eyes, but that won't stop me. But it did stop Kale.

"Why does everything have to be so complicated Ray?" He looks into my eyes, as he wipes away my tears with his thumbs.

  "Its complicated." I mumble.

"Classic." His voice irritated.

"Things happened, a while ago." I try to explain.

"What? You fell in love for someone else, but played me!?" Kale tried to put words in my mouth.

  "No, but I did fall in love and also slept with the wrong person!" I shouted as more heavy tears ran down my face.

  "Continue." Kale shifted his body forwards, facing in front of us. He stares at the black TV, as if watching a football game or a movie.

"Noah and I had sex, okay!" I screamed madly. I grabbed a pillow and hugged it tightly.

"And you fell in love with him..." Kale muttered more to himself.

"No, I fell on love with you."  Choked out, bawling.

Before I could recover from my tears, or our fight, his arms wrapped around me tightly.

"Why didn't you say so?" He whispered, nuzzling the crook of my neck.

"It was complicated, remember?" I rolled my eyes, mentally laughing.

This time I kissed him, which lead to us making out....