Naked (Wattys 2022)

Part 12

Kai shifted from left to right as I continued to eat the apples on the trey.

"Are you going to tell me your name?" Kai laughed and heat spread to my cheeks. I was being too much.

"I'm so sorry, also I'm Eli. Nice to meet you." I tried to hide my embarrassment but to no avail.

"It was fun watching you eat those red apples. Must be your favourite?" I nodded with a small smile. Kai was a little taller than me which made me look up a bit as he spoke.

"Hey! Eli!" I turned around and saw Calhoun walking towards me in the crowd.

"Call me later, I need to find Greyson." Wendy said dashing into the crowd. I nodded not too sure what their relationship was. Even though I came to know Wendy recently I couldn't help but be worried about her.

"I'm so sorry! I actually ditched half of the initiation to come and say hi." Calhoun grinned whilst ruffling my hair.

"No. It's not a problem at all. You didn't have to go out of your way Calhoun. Oh," I looked to my left.

"This is Kai." I smiled at him before continuing.

"And this is Calhoun." They greeted one another with a serious handshake. I stared with knitted eyebrows during the no word exchange not sure why they weren't saying anything.

"Are you busy right now?" I knew it wasn't lunch time. I was concerned about his initiation though. Skipping it for me was unnecessary and I felt as if it were my fault. If I hadn't been so anxious then Calhoun didn't need to accompany me anywhere.

"Don't you have to go back? I feel much better now. You should enjoy yourself." Calhoun gave me an odd stare and then shook his head before leaving. He was mad at me.

I searched my brain for an answer as to why he was angry, but I found nothing. Was he sick of my presence? I didn't really know. To be honest I wasn't comfortable as of yet but I wanted to see him gleefully head back, not with a frown on his face.

"Do you like music?" Kai pulled me out of my thoughts and I didn't know how to answer him. Music was something I rarely listened to.

"Let me show you?" it was difficult for me to trust someone. I was hesitant. Kai stepped backwards, giving me space to breathe.

"Are you okay?" He asked and I nodded. I followed him towards the studio where many artist were located.

Kai seemed out of place and it looked to be his first time there. He seemed... Introverted. Which surprised me. The first line he told me was quite out there.

My cellphone rang and I answered smiling.

"Hello. "

"Are you safe and have you eaten! Aunt May told us you didn't eat this morning. And you forgot the cash and card I left for you on your dresser." truth be told I did not forget it, I just felt as if I was taking too much from them.

Guilt slowly ate at me as I couldn't respond. I didn't like making her worry.

"Im sorry." I apologized.

"Dont worry I'll give your son some of my lunch!!" My eyes widened and I smacked Kais mouth closed with my hand.

"Who was that?" Emily asked in a jokey tone.

"Someone I met at campus. Nothing to worry about." I sounded nervous as if I were hiding something.

"whoever offered Eli a meal! Please do so! I will return the meal on a letter basis." She shouted and I pulled the phone away from my ear as Kai threw his head back laughing.

"Its not funny." I said looking away as I bit my lip.

"You're so cute when you moan." My eyes shot out of its sockets.

"Bye Emily. I'm sorry again." I rushed out before ending the call. The wording he used was utterly ridiculous! What on earth was Emily going to think?

"Why are you looking at me like that?" He chuckled and moved towards me.

"What did I do?" He whispered and I flinched, not because I was afraid. His presence was intoxicating and I needed time to breathe.

"How could you say those words in front of Emily?"

"Your mother?" I nodded.

"What was wr-" He bit his lip as he tried not to laugh.

"Kai!" I whined as I unconsciously stomped my feet.

He smiled softly at me before gripping his guitar.

"Can I play you something?" I nodded, curious to see someone play an actual guitar in front of me.

But before Kai could even strum his long white fingers across the strings my phone rang. I sheepishly looked at him with sorrow before answering.

"Hey Calhoun."

"Where are you??" Why did Calhoun sound so worried?

"I'm at the music department room 30."

"Lets go and eat lunch?" I remembered the red apples he'd packed and I couldn't help but smile as I recalled the memory.

I felt bad as I saw Kai waiting for me. For some reason I knew he'd be alone once I left

Lonely recognized lonely.

"Kai?"

"mmm?"

"Want to grab some lunch?"He nodded whilst smiling like a lost puppy and I couldn't help but reach out and touch his soft locks.

Realising what my fingers had done I retracted almost immediately.

I turned around and covered my mouth in order to prevent myself from screaming in embarrassment.

"Why was I like this?" I whispered to myself.