This is Euphoria

-18-

an: i'm back! please make sure to read the note at the end of this chapter; it's important.

ATHENA

"Great. We should good then," he concludes.

"Let's go," I agree. I grab a small black clutch from the white counter top. I tuck my phone into the biggest slot, as well as a couple twenty dollar bills.

I follow closely behind Kai as we leave the apartment building into the warm day. The sun is low in the sky. Light pink and orange paint the vast sky. My skin feels warm.

Kai opens the passenger side door and motions for me to get in. I oblige, adjusting my dress after sitting. Kai follows into the vehicle and I cross my legs. He reaches into the back seat. I can't see why until he retracts with a bouquet of white roses in his hand.

"You got me flowers?" I say, surprised. I graciously take them from him. I bring them to my nose, inhaling the fresh scent.

"Of course I did," he says quietly. I barely heard him. He shrugs off the suit jacket and throws it into the back seat.

"It's hot," he explains.

"Oh," I say plainly, because no other words seem to string along in my mind.

What happens next occurs so fast and subtly that I can't quite comprehend or explain it.

I watch him, infatuated. He's perfectly centered with the sun, the rays directly aligned with the side of his body.

His now tan skin was golden, working with the sun. His eyes were definitely green now, the iris full of life. Even his mocha hair glinted golden flecks.

The white shirt was now transparent, revealing the many intricate tattoos under the thin material. A silver chain hangs down his neck, and I'm sure it's the only thing that isn't gold.

"You alright?" he says. I realize how intently I must have been staring at him.

"What? Of course," I quickly say. I stretch both of my arms, clasping my wrists, then quickly drop them and add, "I just hope we're not going anywhere fancy."

He looks dazedly between the two of us, our elegant attire, then looks back at me, amused. "No, of course not. What gave you that idea?" he entertains.

"I just feel a bit sick, that's all," I feign. I bite the inside of my cheek, hoping he'll oblige. I run a hand through my hair, stoping midway throughout and resting against the window.

"Mhm," he acknowledges suspiciously, "Where would you like to go then?"

"Anywhere," I say nonchalantly.

"A restaurant?" he suggests.

"Mmm..." I murmur.

"How about a movie?" he says.

"Uh," I contort my face in uncertainty.

"Why don't we just drive around until you figure it out?" he says.

"Yeah!" I holler enthusiastically. I catch myself, and cough, "that'll be good."

AN: YOU GUYS!! sorry for the short chapter! I'll update soon, I'm so excited for the next chapters to come. Anyway, I have a question;

Surprise! I've been working on a second draft for some time now. I'm going to be honest; it's different then this one, like, completely.

Would you guys want me to publish it? I mean, would you read it? (I changed Kai's character's name, and honestly a lot more too).

Don't worry, I'm still publishing this one too.

Thank you for all the support.