Kaiden

It's cold.

I feel around for the blanket and pull it up. Why is it so stiff? Sleepily, I open my eyes, shivering.

A bare chest is against my nose and an arm is around my waist. I blink slowly, making sense of my surroundings. It comes back to me and I realise I'm in Nathan's home, in his bed, cuddling him.

A warm feeling rushes in my stomach. This isn't the first time we've woken up like this but today, it feels very different.

I look up at his face and watch his thick eyelashes cast a shadow on his perfect cheekbones, hair all tousled, mouth open. He is just perfect in every way. I trace the scars on his torso lightly, his golden skin taut against my fingers. I'm tempted to run my hand through his hair.

I can't help but feel ashamed of myself for enjoying this. He's straight and here I am, fuelling my selfish fantasies.

He stirs a bit, pulling me even closer to him.

FUCK, THIS IS TORTURE!

I shake him awake, not able to bear the proximity anymore.

"Hm?" he hums, groggily. I shake him again.

This time he opens his eyes and looks at me.

"Kaiden?" He rasps, morning voice husky and low.

Fuck my life.

"Um, you need to let go of me. I gotta pee," I mutter, hoping and hoping that I don't look as elated as I feel. My crotch is beginning to feel uncomfortably tight.

He pulls back, an embarrassed blush on his face, apologizing profusely. I wave him off and run to the bathroom, sighing in relief.

It's going to be hard to pretend I like him just as a friend.

We drive together to school. Except for a few words, neither of us has spoken since we woke up all tangled with each other. We part ways in dead silence.

"You look like shit!" Bella says when I approach my group, on our usual spot near the stairs. Everyone is there, bundled up in scarves and beanies.

"Thanks. I feel like it too."

"Is that Nathan I saw? What are you, his personal chauffeur now? You left together yesterday as well," Ryan asks.

I stretch, feeling a kink in my neck.

Nathan's pillows were way too stiff for me and I couldn't get comfortable for several other reasons. One of them being, he was right next to me on his bed .

"Did you go to his place last night?" Daniel asks, looking a tad bit guilty.

"Yeah, I had to, since none of you bitches had the room for me," I laugh. They launch into simultaneous apologies.

"Chill guys, it's okay!"

Alex comes running to me. He looks ecstatic and I'm pretty sure Vanessa has broadcasted everything from last night already.

"Is it true?!" he laughs, unable to contain his glee. "Is it true that she asked you out and then rejected you?!"

My group looks at me questioningly.

"You sure hide a lot of stuff from us these days," Ryan taunts me. "Are you tired of being friends with us?"

"You guys don't know?" Alex laughs and I want to break his fucking jaw.

Aaron walks to us at that moment, looking really amused.

"Kaiden, man, what the actual fuck?" He snorts. "The whole of junior year is making fun of you! Our group chat was LIT last night!"

Alex laughs, hi fiving Aaron. It's not even 8 am and I already want to die.

"Can someone tell us what the hell is going on?!" Raven yells, annoyed.

Both of them take turns, narrating everything, unable to stop their laughter. Daniel frowns at the accusation of me wanting to get into Sasha's pants.

By the time they finish, all of my friends are crying tears of joy.

"Are you satisfied now?" I ask in a dull voice.

"Dude, you got fucking owned!" Alex wheezes, still laughing. "Oh, I'm never going to let you forget this. That's what you get for going after other people's crushes!"

"Was I supposed to know she was your crush?" I ask dryly.

"Well obviously!"

"Kaiden wait, tell us the whole story!" Raven says, composing herself, wiping her eyes.

"What good will it do? That little bitch has already made a fool of me," I mutter, walking away.

I don't feel like talking to any of them right now.

I have Art class today. That thought puts a little spring in my step. I put my books in the locker, feeling everyone's gaze on me. I even hear laughter.

Being laughed at for Sam's incident would have been better. At least I was involved in that shit.

I shut my locker and find Sasha walking super fast towards me.

"Dude, what is it I'm hearing from the kids? That you want to bang me?"

I groan and slam my head against my locker repeatedly, wanting to die.

"Kaiden, Kaiden stop, what are you doing?"

"If you want the truth, ask Seth," I mumble and walk away, leaving her dumbstruck.

It's not even nine and it's already been a long ass day.

******

"And then, we thought that they would be capsized, the waves were gigantic! But we managed to pull their boat in and rescue those three people," Dad finishes his tale.

"I'm glad you're back safe and sound, love," Mum says, resting her head on his shoulder. He kisses her cheek.

They're so in love it's disgusting.

There's a fire crackling in the library and Benji is lying on the rug, furry paws in the air. I'm sitting in the armchair.

"Kaiden, honey, how is school going?" Dad asks, sipping on the coffee Nora made.

"It's good. I'm progressing. But I'm thinking of dropping Calculus and taking up AP Design."

Dad frowns.

"Son, I still think you should consider a career in either of mine or mom's fields. You know how little artists get paid!"

It's the first time he has ever objected to my work. It stings a little.

"But I don't like engineering or medicine! What do you suggest I do then?"

"Why don't you consider Psychology?" Mum gently asks.

"That's nearly ten more years of studying, I will lose my head! Also, I don't mind being paid a little less if it meant I was doing something I liked!"

"That's not how it works, Kaiden. You should consider your future right? When we're not arround you should be able to support a family, kids, buy a house!" Dad says.

"Of course I know! I could do it just as easily with a degree in design. There's so many other fields as well."

"You should think about what your mom said. At least start going to the hospital with her on weekends. Learn the environment. Speak to her colleagues?"

I frown.

"I don't think so. But I have a friend who would like to do this," I mumble.

"Huh?"

"Remember Nathan?"

"The sick boy you brought home?"

"Yeah. He wants to pursue medicine but his conditions are not great. It would mean a lot to him if you could offer him work."

Mom looks thoughtful.

"I will have to ask since he's not even in pre-med yet. But I shall ask, don't worry."

"And what about your career?" Dad presses. He doesn't look very happy.

"I'm sticking to design. I could even go to the marketing field later if pay is what concerns you. But placements are good in my field."

"Well, if that's what you want. You can always change your major once you get into college. Which ones are you thinking?"

"Everywhere. Even Europe or Australia."

Mom sighs but smiles.

"Ah, both my sons want to leave the nest!"

"Well, it's good exposure. See the world, do what you like. But like I always say - don't kill anyone and don't end up in jail!" Dad says, relenting.

"The murder part I can't guarantee. Besides, you're only sent to jail if you're caught," I shrug.

"Kaiden!" Mom gasps.

"I'm going to pretend what you said was a joke," Dad chuckles. "When is Kane coming by the way?"

Nora brings a platter of cut fruits to us and I grab some plums and berries. Dad thanks her. She nods and leaves.

"Winter break. He could come down for Thanksgiving but he says all flights are full already," Mom says, eating a strawberry.

"I bet he's just making up stuff. He always hated being home anyway."

Dad looks a little grim.

My brother and him have a strained relationship. It's because my dear Dad, Selwyn Pierce, is conservative about status and class and a little racist, despite having travelled so much with people of all nations. And Kane has been a free spirit.

"I didn't want to send him so far away, especially since I caught him doing marijuana. God knows what he gets up to. I haven't spoken to him since five months," Dad frowns. "Ungrateful kid doesn't even bother to keep in touch."

"Darling, he's doing just fine. He's juggling jobs and his master's. You need to have a little faith. Besides, it's not like you stay sober on that vessel. You would lose your head with nothing to see for months except blue seas," Mom says quietly.

That shuts Dad up effectively. I finish the berries and get up, stretching.

"I have to go to Raven's. Will probably come back later."

"I need you to drop off some medicines to my friend, Cassie. Her mother is very sick," Mum says.

"You've never told me to run errands before?"

"Ah well, she requested and I couldn't say no. She has a son who's about your age."

"Can't he come and collect the stuff himself ? Knowing your up-market friend circle, I'm pretty sure they have a lot of people at their disposal."

"Kaiden, just go!" Mum says, annoyed.

"Ugh, fine!"

*****

The address is in a fancy neighborhood, with magnificent houses. I drive through the gated community, with beautiful landscaping. I pull up outside a picturesque house with grey stone walls and a black tiled roof. The guard swings open the door and I drive in.

I grab the package and walk to the porch. It has a quaint wooden swing with nice bright cushions. I sound the bell once, looking at the lawns. There are dogs barking in the distance.

The door opens and a small boy, about nine, smiles at me.

"Hello, who are you?"

"Um, Dr. Madison Pierce, wanted me to deliver your mother's medicines?"

"Anthony, who are you talking to? Get back in here! I've told you several times, don't open doors to strangers!"

Footsteps approach and my eyes widen at none other than Sam Everton himself.

How did I not realise that? That's why his name sounded so familiar. Mum said she only does house calls for one friend of hers, Cassie Everton. Sam mirrors my shocked expression.

"Kaiden?"

"H-Hi!" I clear my throat, annoyed at the flustered sound that escapes me.

"Hi. I came to deliver these medicines."

"Oh right right, they're for grandma," he says, taking the brown paper bag from my hands. "Why don't you come in?"

He walks inside.

"Um, no, I have to be at a friend's," I mutter.

I wasn't ready to see him this soon!

I don't even know what to say to him. I fidget with my fingers, wondering if I should ask him about the thing today or wait till his game. Knowing that my mum is friends with his family, just complicates things more.

"Aw come on, you came all this way, least I could do is offer you coffee. I didn't think Doc would send her own kid!"

He walks to the huge pristine living room. I follow, curiously looking around. It's much like my own house, however the decor is very Scandinavian. He sits on the couch.

Anthony sits beside him, looking shyly at me. He's a cute kid but he looks nothing like Sam.

"What happened to your gran?"

"She fell and fractured her hip. Plus she contracted jaundice, due to some liver complications. She's bedridden and it's a lot of effort to move her around. So Dr. Madison kindly agreed to see her here," Sam says.

"Oh, okay."

There's a silence.

"You like Dinosaurs?" Anthony asks me. I'm tempted to make a snarky comment because, you know, kids.

"I used to. I really liked the T-Rex! What's your favourite?"

"Spinosaurus!" he yells excitedly, running inside to get his toy dino no doubt.

"How do you like your coffee?" Sam asks. He looks very cosy in his grey sweats and black tank, fluffy white slippers on his feet.

"Milk and one spoon sugar."

"Ew. You really are a pussy," he laughs.

"I'm guessing you like black coffee since you're so masculine," I smile sarcastically.

"Actually, I don't like coffee at all, it makes me constipated." He laughs, blue streaked hair falling on his forehead.

I grin at his weird confession.

He pours the pressed coffee into a mug and adds the frothed milk. I perch on the bar stool on the island counter, watching his back muscles.

He places a plate of cookies and the coffee in front of me. Instead of sitting in the chair, he sits on the counter, cross legged.

"So, Kaiden Pierce, I thought you forgot who I was!" he says, bending so that his face is level with mine. I jerk back, my gut doing somersaults.

"I was too hungover that day, okay? Besides, it's not like you're the talk of our school or something," I lie, biting into the cookie. "I didn't even know you existed until the party."

"Didn't you?" He smirks and sips on a glass of water.

I drink my coffee instead of answering. It's excellent and I sigh at the warm roasted taste.

"Good, huh? My aunt sent it to us from Ghana. There's also amazing cocoa from there! Damn, should I have made you hot cocoa? You'd have preferred that?"

"The coffee is great, don't worry."

Anthony is running around, imitating fighting noises with two dinosaur figurines.

"I didn't think you would have a sibling. You seem like a spoilt brat," I laugh.

"I was, for seven years, until this pain in the butt came along!" Sam laughs, chucking a kitchen cloth at Anthony's head.

"Sam!" he groans. "I will put shaving cream in your toothpaste again!"

I laugh when he throws the rag back at Sam and runs off, to do whatever it is kids do.

"He's cute."

"Yes he is. It runs in the family, don't you think?" Sam winks.

I bite my lip, smiling. He's such a smooth talker.

"So, how's your friend Raven?" He asks as I finish the coffee and put the cup in the sink, feeling his gaze on me.

"She's good," I nod.

"Tell her I said hi. It'd be nice to see her again."

"Sure I will. Well, I must be going now. I said I would pick my friend up after her shift ends."

I can't ask him about that night. It's probably a mistake on his part too. He can't stop asking about Raven. I should just dismiss what happened.

"Why are you so red?" Sam says, walking towards me. He places a hand on my cheek.

"It's nothing! It's the hot coffee. It's hot!" I mutter.

"Don't lie to me, Kaiden," He whispers, his face inches from mine.

"I'm fine!" I huff, pushing him away, heartbeat thundering.

"If you say so! Anyway, I have a game on Friday. I don't know if you know but I'm kind of a big deal, in my school."

"Wow Sam, so humble!"

"Well, I want you to come! Can you make it? Don't tell your lacrosse team though," he says, laughing.

"I will try my best to keep it a secret," I smile, getting in my car. "Goodnight Sam."

He stays there, watching me till I am out of their gate. It's dark outside. I exhale loudly once I'm out of sight and scream at my steering.

I'm a chicken.