A Locked Box

Chapter 9

   "One homemade lunch for Kat," Devin said cheerfully as he placed a beige container in front of her. Beside it, he placed a pair of chopsticks before sitting down in his seat across from her.

   Kat picked up the chopsticks, silent. She had been too upset to argue that the deal did not include homemade food. She had been specific with the 'bought' part of the deal.

   "So, are you ready for my daily question?" Devin asked as he poured a sweet sauce over his food.

   "I don't have a choice," Kat grumbled as she broke the egg yolk. The yellow goo oozed out and spilled into the white rice below it. She imagined her heart in place of the delicious sunny-side-up egg.

   Devin noted her miserable tone. "Why do you sound like your cat just died?"

   Kat looked up, smirking. "That was your question?"

   "No, but as a general one,"

   Kat rolled her eyes. "None of your business, now tell me your real question,"

   Devin thought for a moment. "Do you really hate everyone?"

   "Yes," Kat answered bluntly. She shoved a bite of rice and meat into her mouth. She chewed it happily, her mood lifting slightly. "Did you make this?"

   "No, my friend did," Devin said, clearly occupied on other things. "Why do you hate everyone? You can't possibly hate everyone on this earth,"

   Kat shook her head. "You're right, I can't hate everyone," Devin looked hopeful. "I can't hate everyone if I don't hate myself," she added, cracking a smile at Devin's defeated looks.

   "So you don't hate yourself?"

   "Oh no, I do, don't think otherwise for a second," she focused on the second bite of her food and ignored Devin's concerned gaze. "You would too if you looked into a mirror and saw a complete stranger staring back," she mumbled, Devin barely hearing her.

   Devin was speechless for a moment. This was not what he was expecting when he asked the question. He had expected a one worded answer and that would be the end of it. "I'm sure that's not true," he said hopefully.

   Kat met his eyes, now dead serious. "Really?" she cocked her head like Devin often did. "Do you want to see what I see every day? I don't think you would last one day,"

   Devin fell silent. He could not fight with her. He had no clue as to what she had dealt with and what she was dealing with now. It would be just cruel to try and act as if he knew. They finished eating, their conversation now over.

   Kat sighed in content, her belly full. "Your friend is a good cook," she said making Devin perk up.

   "I'll tell him that,"

   Kat felt like talking. It was an effect from being alone so long. "It reminds me of my childhood,"

   "Did your mother make you a meal that resembled that?" Devin asked, now intrigued.

   Kat shook her head as she balanced it on her palm. "My mother died when I was five,"

   Devin was shocked. "I'm sorry that I brought it up,"

   She shrugged. "It doesn't matter anymore," she said it so nonchalantly as if she believed it herself.

   Devin trodded lightly. "What happened?"

   "To what?"

   "Your mother. I mean as in how she died,"

   Kat smiled weakly. "I don't remember,"

   "Why are you smiling?" Devin was slightly unnerved by the unusual reaction.

   Kat met his eyes. "Those are the kind of blissful moments I yearn for," she was speaking so casually, it actually scared Devin. "I'm scaring you," Kat muttered, suddenly ashamed.

   Devin was shocked by the unusual action. He had never thought Kat could be capable of such a human emotion. "Kind of," he admitted.

   Kat sighed, mentally scolding herself. She ran a hand through her dark hair anxiously. "Sorry,"

   "Why are you apologizing?"

   "Because I made us late for class," there was an amusing note to her voice.