ethereal (k.l.)

•FIVE•

"Davina, please come downstairs!"

I closed my book and took my glasses off then jumped out of bed at my mother's call. I walked downstairs and entered the kitchen, not expecting what I saw.

Kian was sitting at the counter with my mom and sister.

I immediately wished I could cover up since I was only wearing a tank top and shorts. I didn't have my glasses on, he's never seen me without those. I wondered what he thought of me in that moment; seeing the nerd girl with most of her skin bare and her eyes not framed with glass and metal. At least my hair was tamed in a bun on top of my head.

"Hey, D." He said, his eyes locking with mine. He had a small grin that gave me the feeling that he was enjoying what he was seeing. It made me shiver.

"Hi." I whispered. "What're you doing here?"

"Well, Rachel saw him outside and brought him in." My mom said, giving me a sly look, silently asking what Kian was to me. "She said he's a friend of yours."

Rachel smiled, "Yep, they're really good friends." I rolled my eyes at her and my mom looked slightly confused and I could tell she wanted to question what Rachel was implying. I just shook my head lightly at both of them.

"Kian's my friend, yeah. We have classes together." I told her, trying to reassure her that he isn't like Grayson. Kian nodded and my mom looked slightly relieved. "So, what's going on here?" I asked them.

"Oh, we were just talking. Kian wanted to know if he could take you to Barnes and Noble." She said, her tone towards me suggesting that she thinks there is something going on with Kian.

I looked over at him and he smiled at me. "Wanna go?" He asked me.

I nodded, "Yeah, just let me get dressed." I said. I gladly left the kitchen and went back up to my room.

Does Rachel want me to die at my mother's hands? She'll make me get an abstinent ring just like Marisa Langfield if she keeps hearing about boys in my life.

Wait a minute, did Kian just ask me out? Or is this just going to a book store as friends?  I bet this is just a friend thing. I mean, this is Kian Lawley. Why would he ask me out?

I slipped on some denim shorts and a light pink t-shirt. I put on my white vans and then grabbed my glasses. After putting those on, I slung my bag over my shoulder and went back downstairs.

"Be back by five, okay?" My mom said to us and wrapped her arms around me in a small hug.

"Yeah, we will." I said to her as I pulled out of the hug. I gave her a reassuring smile and she sighed lightly. "Don't worry." I whispered so only she could hear.

Kian and I walked out of my house and began walking down the sidewalk. He lightly bumped my shoulder with his. "What was that all about?" He asked.

I sucked in a breath, "She's paranoid." I said.

"Why? About what? If you don't mind me asking." He said.

"Um, it has to do with something that happened at my old school. It's complicated." I wasn't being specific because what would Kian think of me if he knew the truth? Would he see me as they did? I couldn't handle it if he turned against me, too.

"Does it have to do with that whole 'being noticed before' thing?" He asked.

Damn, he picks things up quick. Or maybe I just haven't been very subtle with my secrets.

I nodded reluctantly, "Yeah, pretty much."

He looked at me with a puzzled look. "You're more mysterious then I thought." He said.