detention

twenty four - elliot

i wake up slightly confused, and very groggy. looking around, i notice that i'm very clearly not in my own bed since i don't feel my pj's or my fuzzy socks on me. and this bed is a lot more comfortable than my own.

i bring up a hand to rub my eye, and my movement causes a chain reaction from the sleeping boy next to me; who brings his own hands up to his face.

i watch him carefully, trying to recall our conversations last night.

i remember kai lying, and being very bad at it. i remember my internal debate when kai had asked me to stay. and i remember watching looney tunes for a while.

however, i do not remember snuggling up to kai, or falling asleep with his arm draped around me.

i sigh, and hesitantly sit up. but the arm of the boy next to me only tightens and pulls me back down with a tired groan.

at first, i resist, but then my sleepy brain decides to go with it. so i lie my head back down, shuffling even further into kai for warmth.

after a while, i become aware that he's very much awake. so i ask the one question which hasn't left my mind all night.

"why did you lie?"

i hear his shallow breaths pause before he answers. "i didn't want to, li."

at this, my thoughts fade away and i'm not sure what to say. he admitted it! he also didn't want to lie to me? what does that even mean?

"it's complicated, please stop thinking about it and go back to sleep." he whines, reading my mind.

"why can't you just tell me?" i ask him, craning my neck to take a peek at him. one of his arms shield his eyes, and the other is wrapped around me.

he sighs, "because."

"because?"

"because, i don't want to hurt you." he whispers, taking his arm away from his face to look at me with a frown.

he quietly moves around and turns onto his side, wrapping his other arm around me too. he shuffles a little closer before draping the covers over us again, which had fallen down sightly over night.

"please, kai." i whisper back, trying to hit his soft spot.

he stays silent for a while, and the only sounds are the faint buzzing of monitors, birds outside, and our breathing.

"graffiti." he says, and doesn't bother expanding on his statement (which- and i'm sure he knows- doesn't make any sense to me, whatsoever.)

"huh?" i ask, trying to probe any kind of response out of him.

he sighs again, running his hand over his face. i know he doesn't want to tell me, and me pushing him must be bothering him.
am i being selfish?

"can i tell you another time?" he pauses, "please?"

i think about it for a while, but agree reluctantly upon seeing kai's tired face. so i quietly nestle my head back down and wait.

after what seems like forever, i'm convinced kai is asleep. his even breaths fan my face lightly, and i blink my eyes open, ready to get up.

i sit up slowly, not really wanting to leave the comfort of his warm and cozy bed, but i desperately needed to shower and change. (and find out what's going on, i guess.)

i quietly put my shoes on, and i grab my bag. slinging it over my shoulder, i somehow manage to sneak down the stairs, across the hall, and out the front door.

when i open the door it creaks a small amount and i'm sure that it wakes kai to warn him i'm leaving; but when he doesn't call out, or get up to find me, i can only sigh in temporary relief as i walk outside.

i gently close the door behind me and mentally smack myself upon realising that i left my jacket in his room. but i figure i can retrieve it another time.

i forget about my jacket when i begin my journey home and my thoughts begin flying all over. questions, anxiety and general confusion filled my head, and i hardly realise when i turn onto my street that i'm almost home.

and that some of my questions may finally get answered.

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word count: 727
*edited*
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(story has changed so this may not make sense to new viewers but i'm leaving it here because it makes me happy)