Love at First Fight

Chapter 13

The next morning, Indi hopped out of bed with a smile on her face. It wasn't until she'd dressed and walked outside that she'd remembered Karmen had her jeep. She quickly texted her friend and confirmed that she was going to pick her up. She was waiting on her porch when Karmen pulled up. At the same moment, Aiden and Kai emerged from their house.

Noticing Indi hadn't left yet, Kai called to her. "Why don't you ride with me?"

Indi gave him a confused look and pointed at her car.

Kai laughed and said. "Aiden can ride with Karmen. I'm sure he wouldn't mind."

"Not at all." Aiden said with a grin.

Karmen had jumped out of the jeep in time to hear this exchange and glanced over at Indi with her eyebrows raised. "Will you survive?" Indi asked her.

Karmen rolled her eyes saying, "I've survived much worse than him."

Aiden laughed and hopped into the passenger seat, letting Karmen drive him to school.

"You know we have to stop for coffee, right?" Indi asked Kai.

Kai rolled his eyes and grinned. "Of course."

Indi had never seen inside Kai's truck before. It was strangely clean for a boy's vehicle. Or any teenager's vehicle for that matter. Who was Indi kidding, her own was a wreck. Kai only had a few empty bottles and his and Aiden's karate bags in the back.

Kai plugged his phone into his auxiliary jack and selected a song. All Time Low by Jon Bellion started playing and Indi gave Kai a funny look.

"What?" He said. "You don't like him?"

"No, I do." Indi said. "I'm just surprised you do. Actually, I'm surprised you know who this is at all."

"Why?" Kai asked, looking shocked.

"He's just not that popular!" Indi defended.

Kai laughed. "He is in some circles."

"I guess you're right." Indi smiled back, his laugh warming her all the way to her bones.

On the way to school, Indi asked Kai a million and one questions about himself. He answered most of them, seemingly amused at her ability to come up with question after question. When Indi stopped to think, Kai took advantage and returned the favor.

When they stopped to get coffee, he raised his eyebrows at her order. "That's basically just sugar." He said, eyeing the monstrosity she'd ordered.

She laughed and said, "I know, right? I'll drink it any way they're willing to make it, but this is my favorite." She sipped her drink and sighed in content.

Kai grabbed her hand and led her from the cafe.

When they reached the school, Karmen and Aiden had waited to meet up with them. They were leaning against Indi's jeep, studiously ignoring each other. Indi raised an eyebrow at her friend. Hand in hand, her and Kai walked over to them.

Before Indi could say anything, Karmen grabbed her other hand and tossed over her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Kai, but we have to go." With that, she pulled Indi away.

Indi pouted at Kai over her shoulder and he sent her a wink. She couldn't stop the answering grin that spread over her face. "Ow, Kar," She said. "Slow down a bit."

Karmen slowed down, but didn't lose the annoyed set to her face. "What is going on?" Indi asked her friend, her tone growing serious.

"Ugh, Aiden makes me crazy!" She said, her dark eyes shining with anger. "He thinks because he's so cute and charming, that he can get any girl he wants." Indi raised her eyebrows at Karmen's description, but wisely kept her mouth shut. 'Well, it's not going to work on me." Karmen muttered, more to herself at this point.

Indi hummed. Karmen stopped in her tracks and stared at her best friend. "Out with it, Carter."

Raising her hands defensively, Indi said, "I was just thinking that maybe Aiden really likes you. He doesn't seem to go after anyone else the way he does you."

Karmen scoffed. "Yeah, right. All he sees is the chase. He doesn't like to be told no."

"I've seen the way he looks at you, Karmen. And why shouldn't he? You're amazing, as well as gorgeous."

Karmen's eyes turned mischievous. Uh-oh, Indi thought, that look means trouble. "Well, he won't have his thoughts on me for much longer."

"Karmen? What have you done?"

 Karmen laughed evilly. "You'll see. Oh, you'll see." And with that, she skipped off to class.

Author's note: I'm sorry this chapter is super short and kind of crap, but I was having trouble segueing back to normal life after the drama of last chapter! Anywho, thanks for reading and let me know your thoughts! Vote if you like it!