Love in the Time of Corona

30

We headed to Caden's house. As much as I want to stay here at Cali, I have a gut feeling that I should just go back.

"Krys, are you ready?"

I simply smiled, "No." And even if I'm not equipped for what's about or go down, I tugged Kio by his arms and knocked into their door.

After some consecutive knocks, a lady opened up for us. "Oh, hello, you two."

"Rachel? Are we in the wrong house?" Kio asks immediately.

"Silly, no. Come in." She really seems glowing, and even if I don't say it, I know that she's the best for Caden.

"Rach, where's Mrs. Stoane?" I asked as I sat comfortably on the sofa.

"She ran some errands at the office." She goes to the kitchen. "Can I get you anything?"

Kio turned to me the same time I gazed unto him. I know we have the same hypothesis in our minds but we can't just jump right into it.

"Guys, stop. It's not what it looks like." Rachell says in front of us, carrying two glasses of orange juice.

"What is it, then?" I asked. I'm very delighted that I've left my diffidence somewhere.

"We're friends, like we were, before you." She replies. I was dumbfounded. So, all this time when I thought she's into him, she's just being protective of him?

"And yes, I just wanted to protect him from you." Rachell admits. "I heard a lot of bad things about you in middle school."

"Like?" Kio intervenes.

"Luring guys to be close to you and then leave them alone for no reason." She says. "Someone allegedly claimed that you did such horrible thing to him."

"Wow." Was all I said. I'm not mad. I'm just filled with confusion and astonishment.

"I apologize for judging you too soon, Krystal, but tell you what, I'd do it again." She sincerely declares.

"I hope you'll always do." I winked at her. "Where's Cade? Can I talk to him?"

"In his room." Said Rachel.

Kio whispers from behind me, "I'll go ahead." He pushes me towards the stairs.

I gulped. The last time I was here was when we were still together. We made out in his room for almost half an hour.

I didn't knock. I entered his room and saw him sleeping soundly. His snores are adorable and soft. I sat beside him. I tucked the hair that's blocking his face behind his ear.

"You're an angel." I uttered. I stared at his entirety. His brows are perfect. He's got a pair of lavishly long eyelashes, a pointed nose and reddish, soft lips. I gently traced his features and when my fingertip landed on his lips, he suddenly opened his eyes.

He grabbed me by the hips and quickly lay me down on his bed, with him on top of me.

"C-cade..." I looked directly into his eyes. My cheeks are burning up, I can actually sense that I'm heating up in general.

"What the hell are you doing here?" He said, in a raspy voice. I'm burning up even more.

"I-I wanted to talk to you." I bit my lip. I don't know how to react. He's still on top of me, for Pete's sake! How am I supposed to function properly?

"Why would you do that?" He sighs sharply and finally got up. He gave me a hand. I shamelessly pulled myself up from the bed.

"Do what?"

He was holding his temple while his eyes are closed. "I'm still a man, Krystal." He says shyly.