Deciding I’ve overstayed my welcome, I step backward, meaning to leave, but stumble and nearly take down a chair with me.
She immediately jolts awake, rising and staring at me in horror.
“Kai… What are you doing here?”
If I continue to back away slowly while maintaining eye contact, the predator may leave me be.
I continue backing away, not breaking our gaze.
She fully sits up and rubs her drowsy eyes while letting out a yawn and stretching.
Uh-oh. I must bereallywasted because I’m convinced that was the cutest fucking thing I’ve ever seen.
“And I repeat, for emphasis:what the hell are you doing here?” she asks again, irritably.
I stop backing away and lean against her doorframe to steady myself, crossing my arms in an attempt to look asnot drunkas possible.
Sober—the word I’m looking for is sober. Duh.
Wait, am I standing right? Do I usually stand with my legs crossed? Maybe I should cross my legs… I slowly begin to cross my legs and lose my footing, nearly stumbling again and covering my mouth to hide my grin.
Note taken—no need to cross my legs.
“You know, I liked you better when you were sleeping.” I nod, wearing a lopsided grin, my eyes flickering to her ensemble peeking out from under the blanket—a silky long-sleeved black blouse with matching silk shorts. I swallow a smile at how nicely our clothes mesh together on this fine evening. Suddenly, the temperature seems higher, so I unbutton another button of my shirt. Her eyes lock on my chest, then dart away.
“You know, that’s a pretty problematic statement,” she quips.
Sharp as a nail, this one.
I hold up my arms in defeat, nearly toppling over and letting out a laugh against my will. It’s like my mind knows this is the last place I should be in this inebriated state, but my feet brought me here, and they’ve remained planted despite my better judgment. “I just had to see what plans you blew me off for.”
I may be wrong, but I swear, I just saw her cheeks go a little pink. “I didn’t blow you off. I blew the party off. You said it yourself, I’m not a partier. Are you really that surprised?”
“That was reverse psychology, sweetheart. I thought you caught my drift, but alas, I was sorely mistaken," I sigh exasperatedly. "Don’t worry. Now that I’ve seen what you blew me off for, I’m good to go. I’ll get out of your air.”
Hair.I meant hair. But it’s better to leave it; I wouldn’t want to draw attention to my mistake.
She breathes out a puff of air and pats the seat next to her. “Sit.”
“Ever the flatterer, aren’t you, angel?” I chuckle, shutting my eyes and feeling a little dizzy. I walk over to her side, plopping down and sinking into her couch. At least it’s comfortable. I lean my head back, resting it against the wall, then look at her. She’s already turned on the lamp next to her and picked up her book to resume reading, leaning on the armrest away from me beside her lamp and wooden bookshelf. “What are you reading?”
“Just a silly love story about a princess and a masked bandit,” she answers quickly, turning the page, her eyes skimming the new one already.
“I love those.” I smile, closing my eyes. “Is it your first time reading it?”
“It’s my first reread,” she says nonchalantly. “Do you like to read?”
“I’m not a reader. I think I could be, though. I just haven’t found the right book. Maybe you could help me find it.”
I crack my eyes open and gaze into hers, the gold in her eyes more pronounced than usual. Those golden flecks remind me of shooting stars.
“I’d like that,” she whispers, continuing to avoid my gaze.
It’s interesting. During all our exchanges up until now, she’s never shied away from meeting my eyes. Tonight, her boldness appears softer.
Suddenly, my eyes feel heavier than cinder blocks. My head feels like a weighted blanket, too. I find myself tipping over like the Leaning Tower of Pisa until my head lands on something soft and warm. I cuddle into the soft spot, reaching my arm over to hold on to it tighter.
I hear a soft gasp followed by the faintest chuckle, so quiet I'm convinced I imagined it. I latch on to that magical sound, committing it to memory before darkness consumes me.
