Evelyn

❇︎ Chapter Six ❇︎

- Kai -

  His heart was tired and his bones were heavy. His hands reached for his favourite cotton shirts, gently folding them into squares and laying them onto his bed. His mind was spinning, like a whirling tornado. It was strong and picked at his thoughts, sweeping up the rest of the residue into the whirlpool of confusion and agony. A quiet groan left his pink lips. He looked down, eyes narrowed at the edges in pain to see the little wooden dagger from when he was eight, beginning to splinter in his bloodied palm. The hilt had snapped and the wood had begun to furrow into his wintery skin. 

  "Kai, your mom said lunch was ready. You need to come down from your - oh my god, Kai, what did you do!" Harper's voice raised from one to a hundred. She raced to his side, her gentle hands warm. Her fingers brushed his wrist, viridian eyes shimmering with worry. It was like the vivid colour had been washed, over and over, until it achieved a paler, much softer shade of green- less like a gemstone and more like the tiny baby leaves just sprouting from a twig. But as he studied her irises, he noticed that a band of brightest emerald still curled around her pupil, and that slender strands of gold still pierced through the green like spokes around a wheel. "Kai, what did you do!" Harper's voice was raspy but pained. Concern was clearly painted throughout every single different shade of green in her eyes. Kai felt his heart twist for Harper. Guilt filled up his lungs, pushing the oxygen away. He felt as though he were choking. But no one could see it. 

  "I-I don't know," Kai managed, letting Harper fuss over his hand. Harper's breath was sugary and sweet and she laid her lips to his forehead. Kai's eyelashes fluttered as he looked down at his hand. Anything to avoid looking at Harper. He couldn't. He just couldn't. 

  "Stay there, I'll be back," Harper promised, her slim fingers letting go of Kai's colder ones. Kai watched as her flaming burgundy hair left the room. Kai took the moment of solitude to look at his hand. Crimson blood had began to pool in the middle of his hand, tiny flecks of brown just visible through the blood. His mind was plagued. Plagued with memories he wish he could forget. Roseate lips touched his skin. Delicate fingers wrapped themselves around his hands, placed themselves on his face as those rose coloured lips connected to his. It had been a few years ago until he  began to notice the beauty behind her eyes. When the sun shone down in them, they looked as though they were deep enough to hold a universe. They sparkled like a bright, clear emerald lit by the flames of beauty itself. Green tendrils circled her pupil, filling up her iris with every wonder in life, intoxicating him with their depth. A deep curve on her lips makes the world stop around her. a smile that brings back a million memories in a split second. The precious dimple that crinkles skips a beat.. but everyone knows smiles that bring memories back are the hardest smile on the earth. Then it was all over. The smiling, the laughing, the kissing, the holding hands, the eyes, the memories. Because she was back. His hand was on her lap and her viridian eyes were focused as they wrapped moved his hand from her lap into a bowl of water, the clear substance turning red. His hand came out, red and streaky. Harper dried it with a cloth she had brought up and tried the cloth around his hand. "Does it still hurt?" She asked, her eyes peeking through the long curtains of onyx lashes. Kai swallowed, shaking his head. His hand had never hurt. It had always been his heart. Ever since he had been thirteen and she had been twelve.

  Harper was staying the night. She wanted to spend as much time with Kai before he left. Her head was rested on his chest, their breathing in sync. But everything had never felt so wrong. Like it was a crime for her to be here. Like it shouldn't have gone that far. But Kai knew if he could turn back time, he still wouldn't have been able to say no. 

  "Kai," Harper's voice was serene and quiet. He looked down at her to see flecks of willow green in her eyes glimmering in the moonlight as he looked down at her. He hummed in response. Harper drew in a shaky breath. "I need to tell you something." Harper drew closer, their warmth being distributed evenly as they spent their last night together. "I love you." Kai shifted, shocked. Harper took this chance to sit up and Kai hastily followed suit. Her eyes were luminous in the cadaverous moonlight. Her sable lashes seemed to flutter in slow motion, brushing against her flawless skin. Her eyes were as green ever, shining with emotion - no, love. Love shined through every segment of her body and Kai could only stop to admire her. Kai opened his mouth but nothing happened. He had so many things he wanted to say. So many things he needed to say. But he couldn't. He closed his eyes and shook his head. He closed his mouth, a taut line forming where a smile should've been. His fingers brushed her cheek and gently cupped it, caressing it as if each were the stroke of an artist. 

  "Kai," she breathed, leaning into his touch. Kai brought his eyes up to hers. Her green eyes seemed the picture of perfection, slicing into his soul. There was a momentary flash in them a sparkle, reminding him of the day we first kissed. Those green eyes reminded him of dew grass freshly watered. A unfamiliar warmth rushed through his body. A perfectly round tear raced down her face. Her muted green eyes glistened with sorrow. She was here. Kai smiled, a tear running down his cheek too. Harper let out something that sounded like it was almost a laugh. It was like a gurgle in her throat and Kai smiled, resting his forehead to hers. God, why did it have to be so hard? He looked at her once more, counting every time he had lied to her and he before he could say anything, Harper reached forward and kissed his forehead. "My love, I know. You're going away. But we'll make it." Kai sighed and brought her body close to his. Her head rested on his chest, her hands clasped in his. Her breathing deepened within minutes, a smile on her face, even in sleep. He cast one more look down at her before looking out the window, watching the moon.

  I'm sorry, Harper.