“Wherever you want, babe.”
“Hmm, I’ll think of something.” It would have to be somewhere that serves large portions or he’d be hungry five minutes later. “I’m gonna go. I’ll text you in the morning, okay.”
“Alright, speak to you tomorrow. Have a good day at sixth form. I love you.”
“Thanks. Night,” I said. I hung up and carried the drinks back up to my room.
“Thanks,” Kai said as I handed him his drink. “You going back to sleep anytime soon?”
I shook my head. “Can’t. I’m nervous as hell so I know I won’t be able to sleep yet. Want to watch another film until I’m tired?”
“Sure,” he replied, more than happy to chill at my house until the early hours. We were so comfortable around each other that we could sit for hours and not even speak. I’d known Sophie and Adam a lot longer but there was no denying that I was closer to Kai.
We finished watching another film and it was almost midnight. I really needed to sleep but I didn’t feel at all tired.
“I should go and let you sleep, Tegan, or you’re going to feel like shit tomorrow.” Kai sat up and I pouted.
“I’m not tired. Can you just knock me out?”
Chuckling, he shook his head and swung his legs off my bed. “I don’t think I’ll be doing that.”
“Ugh, you’re a sucky friend. At least sing me to sleep.”
He sighed loudly, pretending to be annoyed. “Fine, I’ll sing to you then you can stop your whining, princess, and get some bloody sleep.” I could argue with him calling me princess this time and I didn’t even really care as long as I got some rest before sixth form. “Lay down.”
I did as he said and he laid against the wall. My face was by his arm and I stared at Isaac’s tribute on his skin. It really was beautiful and showed just how much Kai loved his little brother and wanted a constant reminder on him.
I wasn’t at all surprised when he started singing Just the Way You Are. Maybe it was the only song he knew, although Kai was more into rock music so it was probably the only soothing one he knew.
His voice was gorgeous, low, deep and sexy. He could sing professionally but I knew there was no way he’d ever want to do that. By the time he started the chorus for the second time I was out of it, falling asleep with a smile on my face.
***
I woke up in the morning late. My first day back and I was going to be bloody late, rushing around and so nervous I couldn’t eat through fear of seeing it again as soon as I’d swallowed.
School was only a two minute walk so the second I was ready I headed out. It was the beginning of June, a lovely hot day, and I only had about seven weeks to catch up before the summer holidays. I was determined.
My phone rang on the way, Bruno Mars told me it was Kai calling. “Hey,” I said into the speaker.
“Morning,” he said.
“So, what time did you leave last night?”
“Just after you fell asleep. I just wanted to call and wish you luck for today, not that you’ll need it.”
“Thank you. I need to go now though, I’m just coming up to the gates.”
“Okay, and the offer’s still there, you know, if you need a ride just call me.”
“Thanks, but I’ll be okay, I’ll call you later.”
“Bye, princess.”
“Bye.”
I stopped dead as I spotted Lucas’s car parked between two others. What the…?
He got out as I approached and leant against the door. “Hey, babe.”
“What’re you doing here? Not that I’m not happy to see you.” I walked straight into his arms and held on tight. All the worrying evaporated as he held me.
“I wanted to come and wish you good luck in person. I knew you’d be freaking out.”
“Thank you.”
His lips sealed over mine and he kissed me softly for a long time. It was completely inappropriate and I hoped no one was watching but I didn’t really care that much. He was here and that was all that mattered.
I pulled away when he tried deepening the kiss. I actually needed to go into school, like five minutes ago. “I’m running late, I have to go.”
“I know. Have a good day.”
“Thanks. God, I can’t believe you came all this way just to wish me luck.”
“Call me when you can and I’ll see you tonight.” He released me and I waved over my shoulder, walking towards my group of friends who were waiting by the door to the sixth form building. They looked very interested in what they’d just witnessed.
I took a deep breath. Well, at least Lucas would be a good icebreaker.
It was awkward as hell. Seeing me with my boyfriend wore off quickly and we were back to having nothing to say. Josie, Lauren, Lance and Billy stared at me. I wanted lessons to start already because these people were supposed to be my friends. We had ten minutes and I was counting down the seconds.
“How’re you doing?” Valarie asked, dropping down in the seat next to me. Valarie was in everyone’s business all the time. Her follower, Alsa, sat the other side.
“Fine,” I replied tightly.