SOLACE

twelve

       Cali didn't tell me anything for the past week that I've been asking her. I would've thought that she was going to be excited to tell me about what happened, not that I wanted to know though.

I just wanted a confirmation that it really happened. As per usual, Kai was distant around me although I tried to bargain again with him about telling Henry. Still, he didn't change his mind.

It has been also the longest time I haven't seen my mom at home. She never texted but, I still always receive the allowance she left me.

Ever since the incident with Eli at the party, his usual smug face became an annoyed one. I don't really get it, he breaks up with me and he's the one mad? Childish ass.

It earned a smirk from me every time he glances my way during the class. What he said to me hurt but thinking about my worth was more than enough to stop myself from it to even cross my mind.

I knew that even though the two-year relationship was nothing for him, I learned my lesson already. The tears aren't worth it for him. Not anymore. It didn't even bother me anymore what the people think about me, I knew myself better.

I only had two classes with Henry and whenever we would meet, it wasn't like before anymore. Not that we talked in class before but the way he greeted me was different now.

He probably thinks Kai and I are together but, why would he be bothered by that?

Oh, yeah. I remembered. Everyone is threatened with Kai. With his long black hair like Johnny Depp from the '90s that he always like to part in the middle, he really thinks he's a badass. It definitely looked more like he's homeless.

My hair was different from his. So, I wouldn't blame them if they don't see any resemblance between the two of us. Mine was dark brown and wavy on the end that ended just above my chest. We only had the same amber eyes as our mother's.

I always told him before to keep it short to make him look more clean and groomed. He didn't listen.

Now, I hate the effect that Kai brought to everyone. He really did partly do me a favor when he told me not to let anyone know we're related.

"Hey," I whispered from behind. Henry was seated in front of me. "Are you mad at me?" I asked. This is the only time I approached him ever since that day.

He slightly turned his head to me, my lips lightly grazing his skin because of me being too close to him. I backed away a little before he spoke.

"No, of course not. Why would I be?" He whispered, his eyes soften when he looked at me.

"It just seemed like you're being distant with me," I pouted at him.

"I just don't want to intervene between you and Kai. He might think you and I have a thing," He slowly gulped as he spoke. In my head, I'm already cringing a lot. This is the first time someone thought of us as a couple.

"Well, you're not intervening with anything. We're friends. Trust me, okay?" I answered back. He was quiet for a moment before giving me a nod.

"Okay. I trust you," He softly says with a reassuring smile as he turned his back against me and continued to write on his notebook.

       Franco was driving the car going to the coffee shop we liked to go to because it was just a 15-minute drive away from our school. They also make really good matcha lattes and pastries.