I pursed my lips as we drove, what Emily said made my body heat up.
"Eli you're so red, are you okay?" He asked and I nodded rolling down the window.
"It's cold out, are you sure you're okay?" I nodded immediately telling him not to worry.
I cooled down as I stared at the night sky and breathing in the fresh air. The atmosphere was beautiful. I looked over to Kai and appreciated his side profile as much as I could.
His smooth skin, cute nose and those eyes of his. Kai had extremely long eyelashes which made his features more exotic.
I clutched my seatbelt and asked myself whether I deserved all this affection.
I constantly thought about what Kai would say when and if I'd tell him about everything.
I shook my head trying to not be a Debby downer. I wanted to smile and laugh with Kai as much as I could. Good things disappeared easily when it came to me.
"Hey we are here." Kai smiled and ruffled my hair. I stared at him longily. I looked away, realising how well Kai could read people. He was quiet, but very observant. He chose to study the environment with an open heart and in doing so he captured things I'd hidden abyss deap.
"Hey." Kai called out gently and even though he said it so quietly the base of his voice sent vibrations through me. How could he speak that way knowing how good he sounded?
I watched Kai unbuckle his seatbelt.
"I want to open the door for you." He said firmly before doing just that. He opened the door and I got up still staring at him as if he were to be someone that didn't quite belong amongst the human race.
Why did he have such a kind heart?
"Are you ready?" Kai interrupted my thoughts. I giggled and jumped in an up and down motion, I stopped as soon as I realised that I was acting very child like.
"Please do that again I need to video tape it." I chuckled and hit him gently on his arm.
We walked side by side towards the mall and I gasped at the enormity of it.
It was massive.
"Are you sure you don't need me to pay for anything?" I asked worried that it'd cost too much money.
"No, I'm taking you out."
"Then let me buy you some frozen yoghurt?"
"I like ice cream more." Emily bought me frozen yoghurt recently and I completely preferred it over ice cream.
"Then I'll buy you some ice cream okay?" Kai pushed a hand through his hair and lowered to reach my height.
"Yes, please." my inner being was nothing but calm. I scrunched my face and poked his forehead, pushing him away.
I needed to breathe. He stared at me with glee in his eyes before bumping his shoulder against mine.
"Let's go?"
"Mmm" I smiled at him and he ruffled my hair before walking ahead.
I kept on his leather jacket as we maneuvered our way through the crowd. Kais hand suddenly found mine and I didn't know how to function.
"Hold on tight, we're almost there. Are you okay?"
"Y-yes yes Kai I'm okay." his hand was bigger than mine and so soft. I could feel the plaster that was on his finger.
Once we got there I gripped his hand again unconsciously examining his finger.
"Are you okay? How did you get hurt?" as I was staring closely I couldn't see Kais facial expression but when I raised by head I saw him looking at me with surprised etched on his face.
"Theres something flying behin-" I basically jumped into Kais arms. I wrapped my legs around his waist and clutched him to me.
Kai chuckled loudly as I embarrassingly held onto him for dear life. The memories I had with flying cockroaches were not pleasant.
"It's a butterfly." I instantly dropped to the ground and turned away from Kai.
"Hey," He chuckled before continuing.
"There's nothing to be ashamed about, I can't stand worms." I turned around and Kai tilted his head sticking out his tongue at me.
I chuckled as we walked to get our snacks since Kai bought the tickets online.
"Red or black liquorice?" The woman asked.
"Red"
"Black" Kai and I looked at each other and chuckled.
"Both please." Kai asked and I could see that the woman was trying very hard to keep in her smile as well.
Kai had that effect on people.
When we reached the snack side my eyes nearly budged out of its sockets. They were colorful and full of life.
The picture made me happy. I was excited to experience this with him
Once we got the popcorn, various candies and coolaid we left to the theatre.
Once we entered the lights were still on and my gasped as I took in the enormous screen.
"wow" I said as I took a step, Kai gripped my arm before I could fall down the stairs.
"Thank you."
"You really haven't been to a movie theatre before?" I shook my head.
"Thank you for taking me."
"One of many." He smiled and I didn't know how to interpret his words.
Once the movie began I looked around as the sound could be heard from every direction.
"This is so cool." I whispered and Kai chuckled.
***
As I watched the movie my heart ached with sadness. Why was love so difficult? The various woman and men in this movie experienced great pain because of it. Because I liked Kai the romance between the two young adults resonated with me deeply.
I kept staring at Kai in the dark trying to decipher his mood but ended up giving up because it was pitch black.
The film was informative and so romantic. I respected the directors vision. He did an exquisite job on the emotions behind each character.
As Lucas pushed Jasper outside of his home due to all the hate he was getting for being gay Kai held my hand.
I didn't know what he went through but I interlaced my fingers with his. telling him that I was here.
***
The movie didnt end well as Jasper left not being able to handle Lucas's nasty temper. Lucas's defense mechanism was spouting hurtful words at Jasper knowing that the anger wasn't actually directed at him but more himself.
Jasper just didn't know how to love himself for who he was and for who he loved.
It was saddening and one could see how it affected our mood as we exited.
Kai turned me around and wrapped his arms around my shoulders. I knew he was affected by the movie. My arms snaked around his waist pulling him closer.
My cellphone went off as soon as I put it on.
There was a bunch of texts from Calhoun so I figured I'd just call him when I got home.
"Ice cream." I stated and as I saw smile my heart warmed. Even though he was bigger than me I wanted to protect him.
"Thank you" Kai said and I turned around.
"for what?" I smiled.
"For being you."
YOU ARE READING
Naked (Wattys 2022)
RomanceTorn apart, broken in two, shattered and dragged, I met you. Dark thorns pierced, I stumble and fall, would it be enough to be with you at all?