There's a four foot wall separating the girl locker rooms from the boys. Maybe she'd be more comfortable if I waited for her to shower.
"You're right" she nods.
I lift my eyebrows but follow her into the showers anyways.
I grab her some clothes and a towel.
"Thank you" she smiles.
I grab my own and head to the boy's showers.
I strip down all my clothes, turn the hot shower on, and step underneath it. It feels amazing to have water that doesn't give you frostbite. I have the temperature at its highest, steam surrounds me, my pale skin is already turning bright red.
And from the corner of my eye, I can see Alia washing her hair under her shower.
If I were to turn my head right now, I'd be able to see her whole chest.
Fuck.
She turns, so her back is facing me, probably realizing that possibility.
"Hey man" a voice suddenly says.
I jump and turn to see Kenji in the next shower, butt naked.
"Jesus" I curse.
"You know I thought it would take longer for you to move on from J, I gotta admit I was pretty worried about you" Kenji says.
"What are you talking about?" I question.
"You know, you and Ali are dating, right?" he asks.
"Where the hell did you hear that? And lower your voice, she's right there" I say quietly.
"Its pretty obvious, isn't it? Juliette's even been wondering what's going on you two" Kenji says.
"Nothing is going on" I say.
" Oh" he nods. " .....you know its been a long time since we've had a conversation this long without you yelling at me" Kenji smirks. "I missed you".
" ...yeah right" I smile.
"No, I mean it. We used to be best friends, it hasn't been the same without you"
" ...in that case, I missed you too" I say and slightly smile at him.
A wide smile spreads across his face.
"Well if I don't believe it, the ol' Adam Kent is BACK!!" Kenji smiles, he's about to hug me but I step back.
"Woah, bro, we're kinda naked right now" I laugh.
"Right, right. Well after we shower, you owe me a goddamn hug. You put me through some deep shit these past few months" Kenji says.
" ...I'm sorry, I guess I just needed some space after...,you know" I shrug, referring to the breakup and the destruction of Omega Point.
"And damn, you've been here--what? Like three days. Alia managed to bring you back in three days!?! Yo Ali!!" Kenji calls.
Alia looks over her shoulder.
"How'd you do it?! What's your secret to bringing my boy Adam back??" Kenji shouts.
"Kenji" I growl through my teeth.
"What are you talking about?" Alia shouts back.
"Alright, alright, you two can play dumb all you want, but you can't fool me. I know exactly what's going on" Kenji laughs.
"What?" Alia asks.
"Kenj, we're just friends. Don't tell Juliette anything, okay? I've had enough with the drama for once" I sigh.
"Never thought I'd here you say that" Kenji laughs. "So you still have feelings for Juliette or something?".
" ...what has she said?" I question.
"Something about you being too serious and that you'rs water and you grow toxic or something after a while, and then she said something about wanting waterfalls, I don't know, I can't remember every single detail" Kenji shrugs.
"The hell is that supposed to mean though?" I laugh.
" .....that you were holding her back or something" Kenji quietly explains.
I frown.
It was me all along. What did I do wrong? I thought I was doing everything right when we were together. Was she unhappy the entire time?
"Don't get me wrong though, of course she cares about you. I mean, you're so much less complicated than Warner" Kenji nods.
" ...are they dating?"
"J and Warner?"
I nod.
" ....I don't think so" he says. "But what do I know? They sleep alone in the same room, they're always staring at each other, she talks about him a lot too. If they're not together, they probably like each other".
I narrow my eyes as I stare off into space at the ground.
Out of all people, it had to be him? Has she forgotten what he did to us? I don't understand what she sees in him. He won't be good for her.
"Kent?" Kenji says and knudges my shoulder.
I blink and focus back on Kenji.
"You alright?" Kenji asks.
Alia's shower turns off and I look over my shoulder to distract myself from Kenji's question.
I dont know whether to look away or keep staring while she isn't looking.
She reaches towards the rack for her towel, unintentionally flashing me half of her chest.
Or well, her breast.
It'll be hard to remember we're friends after tonight.
