Handling His Existence

•• Chapter Twenty-One ••

Chapter Twenty-One: Handling The Best Friend.

I took a deep breath, calming myself as I forced myself to ring the doorbell of the Dunn residence.

Mrs. Dunn answered almost immediately, "Oh, Kailee," She put a dramatic hand to her forehead, "Thank god you came. Come in, come in."

I did as she told, my arms shivering at the sudden drop in temperature, "Hi, Mrs. Dunn. I don't mean to be rude, but—"

"Kailee?"

I jerked my head towards the end of the lengthy hallway, where Lena popped her head out from, a blanket wrapped around her.

I didn't even have to ask her mother for anything—just the sight of Lena suffering was enough for me to rush towards her—and Mrs. Dunn seemed to have busied herself with something else.

"Kailee, what are you doing here?" She asked as she buried herself in my arms, her face wet.

"Why wouldn't I be?" I asked her, now pulling back as she tiredly walked into her room, "You're my best friend. After Sasha and—"

"Did you find Dan—" She cut herself off almost immediately, like she was afraid of saying his name, "—him?"

I nodded, "I almost punched him," Her eyes grew wide at this, "Don't worry, Lena. Theo stopped me before I—"

"Did something stupid?" She laughed bitterly, "Can't be worse than me trusting him, or Sasha."

"You're not gonna just sit around and mope, Lena," I burst, my voice former and interestingly convincing, "I won't let that bastard ruin everything!"

"Well, what do you propose we do?" She asked with a small frown, arms folded childishly across her chest.

I only smirked as a reply.

• • •

"No way."

It was Lena's doubtfully unpleasant gaping mouth that reminded me how extraordinarily funny my friend's reaction was with each visit to my karate dojo.

I grinned at the familiar sight in front of me, before Charlie came rushing forward, his blonde hair sticking to his forehead.

"Kailee," He panted, gray eyes moving between the two of us, "Hey. I didn't think you'd come today."

"I actually brought my friend for some... stress-relief," I said awkwardly, while a look of surprise passed his features, "Lena, this is Charlie. Charlie, Lena."

"Pleasure to meet you,"

"Same to you," Lena smiled politely, now nudging me, "Um, I still don't get why I'm here."

"Come on, we'll start at the punching bags," I grabbed her arm, "See you later, Charlie."

As we walked towards the further end of the dojo, Lena whispered, "He's cute."

"He has a girlfriend." I replied bluntly.

She pouted, "Just great."

"Go on," I motioned towards the punching bag, "Punch it."

"I don't feel like it." She shrugged.

"I don't care," I seethed, now pushing the bag towards her, "Punch it."

"I'm not gonna—"

"For God's sake, just punch the freaking bag, Lena!" I growled unwillingly, "Think of what he did to you!"

At this, Lena harshly punched the bag, "Stop it!"

"Think of the lies he told!" I yelled, while she gave the bag another rash punch.