Cuffs and Kisses

Chapter 26 - Into the Void

Kayne

I oversleep my alarm in the morning after a long night of writing briefs on Faulkner's party. I check my phone, expecting to see a text back from her. Last night, I figured she must have fallen asleep early last night, and I would get a text back in the morning. When I get to school, I am fifteen minutes late. I rush into the school, scanning the parking lot, but not finding Heather's car.

In between classes, I scour the hallways for her, doing my best to be discreet. When I don't see her in our mutual classes, I call her cell phone and am sent straight to voicemail multiple times. Then, I send her a bunch of text messages that never show Delivered.

Way past the point of desperate worry, I approach Ali at the lunch table to ask if she'd heard from Heather. "Ali, have you seen Heather today?"

"Why should I tell you after the stunt you pulled this weekend?" She scoffs, not even making eye contact.

Trying to keep my composure, although Ali's ignorance is annoying. "Ali, we both know she had a rough day yesterday. I just want to make sure she's okay."

Considering it for a moment, Ali's face softens. "Well, she's not at school. I talked to her last night. She said something about not feeling well. It must not have gotten any better if she's not here today."

"Thanks. I appreciate you telling me," I say, rushing off towards the parking lot.

"Wait, Kayne!" Ali says, getting up from the lunch table and running after me. When she catches up, she says, "You're not going to see her, are you? You can't just skip school."

"I have study hall next and I'll be back for my last class."

"Listen, Kayne. Before you go, I wanted to ask you if you wanted to go to the homecoming dance with me."

"Uh, Ali, I don't think that's a good idea," I say as nicely as I can. I'm in a rush to get to Heather. "Look, I've got to go."

"Kayne. We've been having fun together recently. Maybe we could hang out more."

"Ali, I'm really not interested."

Hurt covers her face at the outright rejection. "But you kissed me. At Fletcher's party."

"Yeah. I was upset and not thinking straight. Don't think too much into it."

Ali pauses, clearly deep in thought. "Upset about Heather?" She inquires and I can see a spark of intrigue at the prospect of gossip.

"Ali, I don't know what you're hinting at." I narrowed my eyes at her.

"Did Heather break up with Fletcher for you?" She asks, her eyes glinting with pride at her discovery.

I turn on my heel and walk away without answering her question. An act that showed more guilt than innocence in Ali's eyes.

I hop onto my bike and tear out of the parking lot, the rev of the engine moving me forward.

The whole way to her house, all I can think of is that she's had another panic attack after the events of this weekend and then the breakup with Fletcher.

The look on her face yesterday as she hugged me was miserable. I know it's because of me. She had to hurt Fletcher and herself in the process and I hate being the reason for that.

I don't bother to knock before walking into the house. Heather's car is in the driveway, so it is clear that she's at home.

I move through the house towards her room, calling out to her. "Heather?"