Naked (Wattys 2022)

Part 17

"Hello Calhoun." I greeted with a smile and noticed how agitated he was. His happy go lucky behavior was nowhere to be seen and it worried me.

"Calhoun?" I asked as he kept staring in the review mirror.

"Was that Kai?" He asked and I smiled whilst nodding. Calhoun seemed to be more upset after hearing those words.

"Why weren't you honest to Asher?" I regretted asking as soon as the question exited my lips. I knew he wouldn't want to talk about it now.

I shook my head.

"You don't need to answer. You're not obligated to. You must've had a good reason." I stared at the scenery as I thought about a way to apologise to Kai.

"I'm sorry." I turned towards Calhoun confused.

"I'm sorry for being a douchebag and doing this without asking for your consent. I-I just didn't know how to handle the situation." I smiled at him.

"It's okay, we will fix this together." I reassured him best I could before we drove towards the parking area.

I got out and immediately I spotted Kais bike. I was about to head towards him in order to apologise but Calhoun gripped my hand and interlaced out fingers.

I bit my lip hoping that he'd not see.

We walked in the direction of the uni where all Calhoun friends were waiting.

"You're seriously dating?" Son said staring at me as if I should've known better.  This lie was going to get out of hand.

"I thought you were straight? What's going on?" Sarah said shocked. I felt uncomfortable. I didn't like to lie.

"Whats going on here? If they're dating why do you guys have to be so sour about it? It's none of your business. You cannot force someone else to have feelings for another person." my eyes widened as I saw Wendy next to me.

Everyone quickly kept quiet.

"Calhoun I'll head to the art department with Wendy okay? I'll see you later." Calhoun surprised me by wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me closer for a hug.

I wasn't use to affection, especially public displays of it. My heart faced uncontrollably however I knew he was acting and that everything from here on out was nothing but a lie.

I nodded and walked away.

"Thank you." I looked at wendy and she seemed upset.

"I know you aren't dating him though." I bit my lip not knowing what to say.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. Just, don't let this carry on for too long. You might just get your heart broken." she hooked her arm around mine and I couldn't help but overthink.

I was use to heartbreak but this seemed to be a different kind, a more lethal kind.

My train of thought got interrupted by the sight of Kai. All I wanted to do was tell him the truth, but I also wanted to avoid him. I didn't want to lie to Kai.

"Eli!" I knew whose voice that was. I spent hours on the phone with him.

"I'll get Greyson." Wendy smiled at me before pushing me towards Kai.

"Kai." I smiled feeling happy that I was finally in his presence.

Suddenly Kai took out a towel and began drying my hair. I stared at him with knitted brows.

"When I touched your hair this morning it was soaking wet." I gently took the towel from his hands and did it myself.

I didn't want to disappoint Calhoun and give everyone the wrong impression.

I was torn as Kai smiled at me.

"Are we still on for Friday?" He asked as we walked along side one another. I wanted to know Kai better. I wanted to spend more time with him.

"Yes." I said without thinking much.

"How's your song going?" I asked since we spoke about it prior.

"Funny enough, I got so much on paper after you fell asleep." He chuckled and I blushed. 

"I'm sorry." I chuckled.

"No no you don't need to apologise. You were a major help. You still want to try the guitar?" I nodded. Any type of art assisted in my escape.

And the reason why I fell asleep was because of kais soothing voice and guitar. It was memorizing.

I stared up at Kai and admired his tall build. He was really good looking.

"What are you staring at?" I shook my head. He was really something else.

"Bye bye, see you later." I coughed as kais laughter could be heard in the near distance.

I touched my heart and could tell it was beating unapologetically, without caution and without hesitation.

***

Class ended and as I came out of the lecture room I bumped into Calhoun.

"You're free?" I smiled and he nodded whilst grabbing my hand.

"I got you a milkshake!" Calhoun said doing a little dance and I burst out laughing.

I was touched by the little gesture. He stepped closer and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear.

"You look cute today." He whispered and my cheeks flushed crimson. Why was he being so- I turned around to see Kai looking at us. He had a bag in hand and then proceded to hide it once my eyes landed on it.

"I'll see you later?" He mouthed and then turned around.