That Abercrombie Model

TWENTY SEVEN

"I don't want to fight. Will you leave me alone if I tell you that Friday was the anniversary of my parents death? Let me grieve in peace, please."

He turns and walks away. I watch him leave dumbfounded.

Asher appears from the same direction Kystan left to. "Let's go get lunch." He says when he reaches where I am still standing. I let him lead me back to the others. We meet Jade and she gives me my flip flops and clothes to put on which she brought for me.

"What happened?" Jade asks me.

"I'm still processing." I say. She nods and just leads the way. We take a nine minute walk to Côte Brasserie.

We sit at a table of six. Kystan is also here but he doesn't say anything or even look at me. I do the same too. I try to engage in a conversation with Jade but I find myself continuously glancing at Kystan. He catches my gaze once but he looks away immediately.

The food comes and I don't have that much of an appetite anymore. I manage to eat just a bit and pass the rest to Luca. He takes it happily.

After lunch, we head back to the beach. I swim for a while but then I get tired and sit by Jade.

"Jade. Am I a bad person?" I ask her.

"No. You're not." She answers without hesitation.

"How come I keep on getting a temper and hurting Kystan?" I ask.

"I don't know. But I know you're a good person." She answers with uncertainty about what I am talking about. "You'll work it out, okay?" She says and pats my hair.

By now it is getting late and we still have a two hour drive back to the city. Jade and I decide to leave early. She goes to say goodbye to her boyfriend as I pack our things and take them to her car.

We drive back while listening to Justin Bieber songs. She drops me off at my apartment and leaves. I pour myself some milk and take it with leftover muffins.

I am compelled to look through my drawers. As I am looking through the second drawer from the bottom, I notice a cloth peeking out but I can't put my finger on where I know it. I pull it out and I catch a whiff of Kystan's scent. I remember the jacket Kystan gave me that time in the hallway.

I can't believe how long it has been. Just two months ago we didn't know each other but look where we are now. Him grieving his parents death and me being a jealous monster who can't even be supportive but rather pick a fight with him.

I hold the jacket and fall back onto the bed and wonder how the heck I became like this. I think of going over but I can't right now. I try to text him but I'd rather say it in person.

The next morning, I wake up and get dressed in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. I have to work today but fuck it, I won't go. As I am doing my makeup, I see Kystan's jacket on my bed. I put it on too despite how humid it is. Maybe when he sees me wearing it he will be more inclined to understand?

I catch a taxi and head to the loft. I ring the doorbell twice before Asher opens and leads me inside. "Where did that jacket come from?" He asks with surprise.

"I had it." I answer.

"I thought he had lost it." He muses.

"Speaking of which, may you call Kystan for me?" I am nervous like heck.

He looks at me wearily, "He left early."

"Did he go to work or-?" I leave the question hanging.

"No. I don't think so. But I don't know where he is either."

"Oh. Thanks." I say "I'll get going." I say and head back outside.