My breath caught in my throat, and my eyes start to water. Is this his surprise? My lips tighten, and shake my head. I take a step back, and walk into a warm, hard body. I turn around and find myself staring at familiar, dark brown eyes. He looks concerned.
“Why do you look like you’re going to cry?” He asks. When I hear his voice, I feel weak. I feel only relief.
“Kai!” I say. I hug him, and a tear escapes. I wipe it off quickly, not wanting him to see and feel burdened.
“Damn. I guess we can’t have our quiet time here.” He mumbles. He guides me away, and I start to laugh. I feel so silly, and I cant believe I even for a second thought that guy was Kai. Kai looks at me, with a puzzled look on his face.
“You ok, there, Teej?”
“Yeah. Better than ok.” I grin. Kai grins back, and I feel such over whelming happiness and relief.
“I’m glad.” He says softly. “Let’s go somewhere else.”
We walk out of the park, and to the small hill where he asked me out. I walk to the barrier, and stare out at the buildings. Kai walks up to behind me, and places his arms on either side of my hands that are on the rail. He leans forward and rests his chin on my shoulder.
“How are you?” He murmurs.
“Feeling amazing.” I say, and rest my cheek on his. I feel him smile, and then he says, “About that surprise...”
“Yeah?”
“It…kinda melted.” I turn around to face him.
“What..?”
“Well, I skipped last period to buy us some ice cream, but then it turned out there was still half an hour left before you would get out of school, and it started melting, so I ate it.” Kai laughed sheepishly and scratched the back of his head. I chuckle. Really, what else could I do?
“You’re so silly!” I say. Kai grins, rests his forehead on mine and plants a kiss on my lips. Life couldn’t possible get any better.
We stayed on the hill all afternoon, talking and watching the townspeople. It was fascinating seeing them wander around, seeing couples meet up and watching friends walk around. And then we watched the sunset. Neither of us talking, just sitting in comfortable silence, waving goodbye to another day. As the last rays of light dwindled away, Kai stood and offered me a hand. I take it, and we both begin walking to my house. As we reach the driveway, I notice the light shining through the glass of the front doors. My parents were finally back from their 3-week trip to Australia. They were aware that Kai and I were dating - Kai had even asked for their blessing. So we enter the house untroubled.
The scent of soup and lamb immediately engulfs us the moment we enter.
“Mum? Dad?” I call out.
“She’s home!” I hear dad cheer. He runs out from the kitchen and gives me a big hug. “I missed my little girl! How are you?” He says.
“I missed you too, dad. I’ve been good.” I hug him back just as tightly.
“Kai! Thank you for looking after TJ. You’ll stay for dinner, won’t you?”
“Ahhh, I don’t want to be a burden!” Kai says, shaking his head and stepping closer to the door. “I just wanted to take TJ home, and then go.”
“No no no no! Stay! Take it as our way of repaying you.” Dad insisted. And in the end, Kai gave in. We all troop into the kitchen, and I hug mum too.
“The presents! Get the presents!” My mum says excitedly. She pushes dad out of the room, and he hurries to get the presents. When he returns, he carries with him a plush toy of a strange duck thing and a shirt. He gives the shirt to Kai, and the duck thing to me, but Kai shakes his head and goes red.
“I couldn’t take this!” He gives it back, but dad would have none of it. In the end, Kai accepts defeat and takes the shirt, and it turns out, the weird duck thing is actually a weird animal called a platypus. Australians sure are weird!
Eating dinner with everyone special to me isn’t a feeling that can be easily replaced. I’m extremely grateful, and feel very lucky that I even have these people in my life. After dinner, I take Kai to the door, and with a wave, he leaves.
I go up to my room, take a shower and then lie on the bed in a state of euphoria. I pick up my phone and slowly browse tumblr. I didn’t even realize when I had fallen asleep. But I do know that I read Kai’s last message just before falling asleep.
Sleep tight, don’t let the platypus bite hahaha. I’ll see you tomorrow <3
