A Locked Box

Chapter 17

   "Really?" he was incredulous.

   "Yeah," she followed Devin as he stood with his own plate and carried it into the sink. Devin still could not comprehend why she would want to willingly meet his friends. She pinched his forearm. "Are you scared?" she teased as she laughed.

   "No."

   Kat doubled over from her laughter.

   Devin playfully pouted as he rinsed the dishes.

   "I'm sorry, I just couldn't get over your hesitance,"

   He looked at her. "I didn't hesitate"

   Kat was silent as she calmed herself. "Yeah, you did,"

   Devin frowned. "I did not," he mumbled as he placed the now dry dishes in their respective places.

   "Are we going to meet my friends?"

   "Yeah, I want to see who you talk to other than me."

   Devin nodded, smiling warmly. "You're going to regret it,"

   Kat pouted slightly. "There are few things I regret,"

   Devin grinned. "Really?"

   Kat sighed, knowing she could not win. "Friends?"

   "Yes," he laughed out the word. Her persistent questioning was amusing for someone who was normally so confident. "But the majority of my friends will most likely still be asleep," he gestured to the stove clock.

   Kat smiled. "Then we'll have to wake them up,"

   Devin chuckled. "Good luck,"

   Kat smiled. She backed up a couple steps to fix her hair. She held her uniform tie as she rewrapped it; this time into a loose ponytail. She stood straight, her nose scrunched up in disgust. "I just realized how unpresentable I looked,"

   Devin laughed. "I think the word you were looking for is comfy,"

   Kat chuckled. "That's fair,"

   He smiled as he turned to her and leaned against the counter. "You obviously can't go in your school uniform,"

   Kat smiled. "No, I can not. So, I need to stop by my apartment before we go," she crossed her arms as she leaned against the opposite counter. The island in the kitchen left enough space for both of them to incline comfortably. Even for Devin's unreasonably long legs.

   He beamed. "Do you want a ride there?"

   "Nah, I can walk,"

   "At seven in the morning?"

   "Yep, it'll be refreshing,"

   "I'll go with you,"

   Kat snorted. "I'm not one to be a damsel in distress,"

   "I know," he crossed his arms. "And I didn't mean it like that. I was saying to make both of our lives easier, we can go together," he grinned. "You know, the word kind of implies two people,"

   Kat rolled her eyes, laughing. "I've been rubbing off on you,"

   Devin smiled. "Yes, you have,"

   Kat bounced up, whipping around to stare in the direction of the front door. She pointed to it. "Away!"

   Devin chuckled, raising a teasing eyebrow. "You seem so cheerful right now. It's scary,"

   Kat laughed. "No, you mistake my cheerfulness for the effects of the caffeine,"

   Devin grinned. "Wait a few minutes,"

   Kat sighed. Rolling her eyes, she stood aside so he could pass. He shot her a dimpled smile before skipping up the stairs to change out of his wrinkled clothes. He had pulled on a dark gray/black letterman jacket and black jeans. After shoving his pale lavender hair to one side in a neater fashion, he practically jumped down the stairs. Kat was slouching against the front door, messing with her uniform cuff. She looked up, straightening. Her uniform was now tucked in and looked more presentable. The black uniform blazer was draped over her shoulders. Her light brown hair fell around her shoulders; her black tie now neatly tied around her collar. "You took years,"

   Devin rolled his eyes. "Come on,"

   They stepped out of the condo and into the autumn morning. Walking side by side, Kat would subtly direct them towards her apartment.