Rewriters [Completed]

Chapter 6: Open your Heart

The next day, Kaleo was up early, albeit slightly groggy, waiting for Lysa outside her apartment building. Having awoken by piercing noises at six in the morning - again, his head was pounding.

"Why are you here?" Lysa asked, her sudden appearance causing him to jump. He couldn't hear her coming due to the constant ringing in his ears.

"Waiting for you... um... in case you get lost?" He let out a nervous cough, hoping that she would buy the excuse he made on the spot. In reality, he just wanted to get out of his apartment.

She gave him a doubtful gaze. Without another word, she put on the hood of her jacket and walked away.

"Wait!" Kaleo called, running up to her. "That's the way to the seaside park."

She stopped and let out a resigned sigh. "Oh."

"I remembered the way, so just follow me," he said confidently. When she did not make any move, he reached out and took her hand gently. "Trust me."

Taken aback, Lysa did not attempt to pull her hand away from his until they were a street away from their destination, where she abruptly froze on the spot.

He looked at her in confusion. "What's wrong?"

Upon closer inspection, he realised that her hands were shaking and heard her accelerated heartbeat. "Are you nervous?"

"Have you forgotten?" she asked quietly, looking down at the pavement. "I'm... a-"

Kaleo strode forward. "You don't have to worry. I'm here with you, remember? We are in this together."

She was still avoiding his gaze. He pulled off the hood covering her hair and met her surprised face with a determined glint in his eyes.

He smiled. "You are finally looking at me."

In response, Lysa reached for the hood, attempting to put it over her head again.

"Wait, you don't have to hide your face from me," he said. "I... um... think your hair is beautiful, so... I feel that it's sad if you keep it hidden."

She stared at him, utterly speechless from what he said.

Hold on a second, did that just came out of my mouth?

Embarrassed, Kaleo whipped around. "N-nevermind what I said," he stuttered, taking off. "Let's go before we are late."

Why did I say that? he moaned in his head, feeling like chucking himself into the nearest hole right now. If anyone had witnessed it, he figured that they would be laughing at him.

Lysa increased her pace and caught up with him. From the corner of his eye, he noticed that she had followed his suggestion and kept the hood off.

"I will try," she finally spoke. "It's... a habit of mine."

He was about to say something in response until he found that they had arrived at the book club building, where Helen and Cailin were waiting for them.

"Hey guys!" Cailin greeted them cheerfully while Helen gave them an awkward wave. "You two are just on time."

Kaleo glanced around. "Where's everyone else?"

"They know how to get to the venue, so they don't have to meet us here," Cailin explained.

"Thanks, and sorry for the trouble," he responded gratefully.

"Not a problem. Let's go."

•••

The location for their voluntary service was closer than expected. Kaleo was surprised to find that it was being held in a childcare centre; he did not look up or ask about the details beforehand as he was preoccupied with other things.