Fly High | ✅

22 | New friend, old foes

◈A D R I A N◈

"Here," I announced as I placed the tray on the small circular table for two.

Kelly dragged her gaze away from the window and glanced up, giving me a sad smile and said, "Thanks."

I nodded and settled on the seat across her, groaning internally when I realized I was facing the counter. Which meant I needed to be careful not to make any eye contact with a certain barista.

And that certain barista wasn't exactly being discreet when he was staring at me.

I decided to ignore him and turned my attention to Kelly since she was as silent and motionless as a statue. Guessing that silent comfort was what she needed, I kept quiet and got lost in my own bubble instead.

Thoughts of Logan kept popping up in my head, begging for my attention. My fingers slowly crept to the cup of tea and wrapped them around the hot beverage. The warmth felt comforting in the drizzling weather.

Kelly mimicked my action as she wrapped both her hands around the hot cocoa too. She blew on the steam, the swirl of hot air danced wildly before dissipating into the air.

"I didn't do it," she whispered after she took a tentative sip.

"Huh?" I mumbled, my head was still swimming in thoughts.

"I didn't spread my legs," Kelly said in a tiny voice, her gaze fixed on the table.

I was immediately snapped back to reality. Tongue-tied, I took a burning sip of my tea. The hot tea cleared my clogged airway a little, slightly easing my breathing as I pondered on the best response.

Kelly took my silence as disbelief and stammered, "I–I know you don't believe me." She then let out an uncomfortable laugh. "I mean who would believe me—"

"I do," I interjected.

She looked alarmed at my sudden response. I cleared my throat and tried again, "I mean who would want to have sex with a bald man with a beer belly. I believe you have better taste in men."

Instant regret filled me when I blurted that out. Kelly just stared at me with wide eyes, her jaws slacked.

"I didn't....I didn't mean you'll sleep with a teacher if he's hot," I pinched my arm as my brain-to-mouth failed to function again. "I'll just shut up now," I mumbled.

Kelly took a moment before she responded with a snort. And that snort slowly turned to a bubbly giggle. Nearby patrons were starting to give us the stink eye.

Has she gone mad?

"You're terrible with words, do you know that?" she said in-between laughs. Like a deer caught in the headlights, I stayed frozen in my seat. Kelly was still giggling uncontrollably as she dabbed at the tears with her sleeves.

Jeez, I'm glad I'm entertaining, I thought wryly as I waited for her to settle down. I was afraid she'll laugh hysterically again the next time I open my mouth.

She took a few unsteady breaths to calm down from her high. "I'm sorry. It's just...you're so awkward, it's hilarious."

I narrowed my eyes at her and replied sarcastically, "Yeah, thanks for the info. I didn't know that."

Kelly smiled at me as I stabbed at the teabag with fiery passion. The pouch tore under the assault and tiny pieces of the leaves floated to the top.