ethereal (k.l.)

•TWENTY ONE•

•••

The next day, I groaned lightly as I sat down on the bus seat with Rachel next to me. I was in a slightly bad mood since the secret I had to keep was clawing at the corner of my mind and it was almost impossible not to let it out. But I knew I had to, because my friendship with Selena was depending on it.

I also didn't look that good today since my hair decided to do its own thing and disregard my wishes. Spiral strands were going in every direction, which Rachel said was cute, but I disagreed. My glasses were slightly smudged and every minute or so I was wiping the lenses on my sleeve. I just hope this day doesn't turn out to be as bad as it's starting out to be.

"Frowning will give you wrinkles." Rachel said to me with a teasing smile and then bumped my shoulder.

I rolled my eyes, "Of course you would worry about wrinkles at the age of eighteen."

The bus stopped in front of the school and we all started walking out and into the building. I made my way to my locker with Rachel trailing behind me. I did my combination, got out what books I needed, then shut the door and started putting my things in my bag.

"There's my beautiful girlfriend." I heard that familiar voice and then two strong arms wrapped around my waist. I instantly smiled, suddenly forgetting all of the bad things that took over my mind as soon as he spoke.

After he pressed a kiss to my cheek, I turned around and took in how amazing he looked. He's so perfect. Brown eyes, tan skin, pink lips. What more could I ask for? "And there's my handsome boyfriend." I said, causing him to grin harder than he already was.

"She had an attitude thirty seconds ago." We both turned at the sound of Rachel's voice. She was staring at us with her books laying in her arms.

Kian raised his brows at her, "Looks like I make her happier than you do." He teased. She stuck her tongue out at him and he did the same to her. I laughed at shook my head at the childish display. He turned back to me and started talking again. "Are you free after school?" He asked.

I nodded, "Yeah, why?"

"I have a little something special planned." Kian smiled mischievously. "And it's a good something, so don't worry."

"Oh, I'm still gonna worry."

"But you shouldn't."

"Whatever you say, Lawley..."

•••

Lunch was a bit awkward. I was the only one that knew about Selena's secret feelings, so it made it easier for me to tell when she was getting jealous or annoyed by Jc and Rachel's affectionate actions. Neither of us could do anything about it so we just spoke to each other through facial expressions from across the table. We would occasionally pop into whatever conversation was occurring, but other than that we were silent. I could tell Kian knew something was going on since he seems to know me better than anyone.

I wanted to tell him. Or Emilee, maybe even Rachel. Secret keeping has never been my forte. I can barely keep my own. How am I supposed to not say anything to my friends, my boyfriend, or my sister? How can Selena manage to keep it all bottled up?

Kian drove me home. But this time he didn't drop me off, he walked inside with me. With everything running through my mind all day, I completely forgot that he had something planned. I tried my best to focus on him and only him.

We walked upstairs and went into my room. I wasn't too nervous since Kian had been in here before. "Um, what's the thing you have planned?" I asked as I plopped down on my bed.