Kaiden

I flip the pancake and keep it in the hot plate. The oven beeps, signalling that the quiche is nearly ready. The bacon sizzles and I plate it with the deviled eggs.

I feel like a fucking Michelin chef in this kitchen. Harry brought all the ingredients and helped me with the quiche, eggs and cut up the fruits.

Troye Sivan is playing on my phone, the sun streaming in through the giant windows, seagulls in the distance.

I can hear the door clicks from the others getting dressed upstairs. I had a quick shower after the surfing and got to breakfast.

Normally I wouldn't be so generous with food preparation but I'm happy right now. Nothing can ruin my mood.

"Mm, wow, what is that amazing smell?!" Sam asks, walking in. He pins me against the counter and kisses me deeply.

"Good morning, again," He smiles against my mouth. I pick up a strawberry and feed it to him.

"Morning," I whisper, kissing him again. He smells amazing and it turns me on a bit.

"I could get used to this." He smiles, sitting on the high stool on the island counter.

"Don't. I do not like the labour, it's very rare that I would want to go all out like this."

He laughs.

On cue, the other four walk in. Ana smiles smugly at me and I roll my eyes. She must really be gloating over Seth.

"I'm almost done. Could you please take everything to the table?" I ask Sam.

Everyone carries a plate of food outside to the deck. Soon, we're all eating happily.

"This is giving me a foodgasm!" Pax moans.  "How the fuck do you cook this well? I could burn boiling water!"

"Yeah man, this is really really good. You should give classes!" Ana sighs.

"Thanks," I blush. "Harry did help though."

My phone buzzes. Raven's name pops up on the screen and I hit answer, going back in the kitchen, excusing myself.

"Good morning, happy Sunday!" I smile, biting into a strawberry.

I look at the others, laughing and having fun. I watch Sam chuck a strawberry at Ana and she throws a tissue at him.

"Good morning. Um, please don't be mad at me but I may have, kinda, sorta accidentally told Nathan you and Sam are a thing."

Oh fuck no!

"You did what?!" I snap lowly, walking out into the living room.

"I'm sorry! I didn't think it would matter! It was totally accidental! I forgot he wasn't there at Sasha's party! I didn't think you hadn't told him!"

"I don't care if he was there or not, it wasn't your place to say anything!"

I am trying so hard to not yell.

"He didn't even know that Sam was at the party! For fuck's sake Raven, there was a reason why I didn't tell him that!"

Didn't I just say nothing could ruin my mood? This. This definitely can.

"I know, I'm sorry. I will totally get it if you hate me. But I don't understand why Nathan got so angry though. Does he know Sam? What is it you aren't telling me, Kai?"

I exhale deeply, pinching the bridge of my nose. Sam looks concerned. Seth and Ana walk in too.

"What's up?" Seth asks.

Sam shrugs, rolling his eyes.

"There's a lot of things you don't know because I don't know them either," I grumble. "Maybe I'll tell you when I find out myself."

"Oh okay. See you when you get back? I will do anything you want I promise! I'm sorry and I mean it! I didn't expect him to go apeshit!"

"Yeah yeah it's... no, it's not okay, but I know it wasn't intentional on your part."

She sighs in relief.

"Thank fuck I thought I was going to graduate high school without my best friend," She says.

"You're on thin ice," I snap and end the call, head reeling.

God, what the fuck did you put me into Raven?!

"Do you wanna tell us what happened?" Sam asks cautiously.

I look at the others, all intently listening.

"Nothing, just Raven being an idiot," I shrug. "I'm sorry I interrupted your breakfast! Did you eat well?"

Everyone nods, Ana and Gabriella launch into praise immediately. I plaster a smile on my face. Pax is still biting into strawberries.

"I'm glad you guys enjoyed it. I'll eat now, I am fucking hungry! Maybe you can rest and we can play cards later?"

Ana looks at me, as if asking if everything is fine. I nod, smiling in reassurance that I don't completely feel myself. 

"Me and Pax were thinking of going down to the boardwalk for some shopping and photos. You want to join us?" Gabriella asks Seth.

He yawns.

"I'm sleepy. You want to go, Ana?"

She shakes her head. Soon, Pax and Gabriella leave while Seth and Ana retire to their room.

Harry is in the kitchen, cleaning up everything. He has neatly put the leftovers in a separate plate. I thank him and he leaves, wishing me a good day.

"Are you sure you're fine? We can go back early if there's a problem?" Sam says, bringing me a plate of food. "You should eat first."

He brings a piece of pancake on a fork and I eat it. It's really good, even if I say it myself.

"You want me to feed you?" He grins.

"Ew no, that's just too much," I laugh and take the plate from him, sitting at the table.

It's silent for a while. I finish my food and put my plate away, washing it.

Sam scrolls through his phone and snaps a picture of me.

"Aw cut it out, I probably look messy!"

"Nah, you're perfect," Sam smiles. Then he sits beside me and tells me to take a selfie.

"Why me?"

"You have longer hands!"

I show him the photo.

"It's blurred! Why do you have such shaky hands for an artist?!"

"I don't know. I've never been a selfie kind of person I guess. I don't know what to do with myself in a photo."

"So what did Raven say? You looked pretty upset for a while there. Thought you were going to throw something!"

"Yeah well, logically it's not her fault, it's mine. I didn't give her all the facts so I guess it's okay that what she did is unreasonable."

"Was it something significant?"

"I won't find out until I get back home."

"Well okay then. So, what do you want to do now? We can go out in the water again, just us, it's sunny enough," he asks, stretching.

"Yeah in a while, I just ate. This house is amazing by the way. Do you rent it out?"

"Yeah. Dad has his corporate parties here mostly. It gets a lot of attention during New Year's and stuff because of the location. It's a good investment but all of the money goes on maintenance since it's so big."

"Um, when you and Nathan were friends, did you come here often?"

Sam looks thoughtful, a small smile on his lips.

"Yeah. All the time, every summer actually, until the last when he left."

"Why did you fight with him?"

"Is that what he said?"

"No well, both of you haven't told me anything. It was Seth who said that you guys had a falling out. He didn't say why though."

"Nathan didn't tell you?" Sam asks quietly.

"He acts the same, as if you don't exist. He never mentioned you, not even once until you showed up at the cafe. He did say I should stay away from you. I asked why and he just totally clammed up!"

His eyes widen.

"But you didn't listen?"

"Of course not, there is no valid reason for me to avoid you. You've been nothing but nice to me. I enjoy your company."

He smiles and kisses me, unexpectedly, cupping my jaw and his hands pulling me closer than physically possible, until I'm in his lap. It's slightly awkward on the wooden chair but his sinful lips make it all bearable.

It's different from his usual kisses. It's urgent, feverish and gentle all the same. He bites my lower lip and opens his eyes, gazing into my own.

"Kai..." he whispers, his nose against mine. "I'm sorry."

"Hm?"

"I'm sorry, I can't let you be with this other guy you like," He says softly, eyes shining. I blink in surprise.

"I am a selfish person Kai. I know you don't feel that way for me yet, but I know you will eventually. Just, don't choose that person over me. Don't."

"I don't understand...." I whisper, pushing his hair away.

"Even if you love that guy, I want you to be with me. Please?"

"Sam..." I whisper, my hands on his shoulders.

He doesn't let me finish, capturing me in another kiss. I sigh in his mouth, my fingers grabbing his neck. He pulls away, resting his forehead against mine.

"What the fuck?!"

I leave Sam's lap immediately and stand up, a sharp sense of dread going down my spine.

I know that voice!

Did he... Is he actually here?!

Nathan's standing there, eyes bloodshot and nostrils flared. Sam's eyes widen, a stifled gasp leaving his lips. He stands.

"Nathan?! What are you - how the fuck-?!" I stutter.

To my horror, Nathan walks rapidly towards Sam and punches him right in the face.

Sam stumbles back.

This is fucking unbelievable.

"You sick bastard!" Nathan yells, shaking Sam by his collar. "What do you think you're doing?!"

Another punch.

Blood spurts out from Sam's nose or lip I can't say which. This time, I lunge, pulling Nathan off of him.

He fights me and I let him go.

"Stay out of this!" He yells, eyes blazing.  The rage in his voice is unmistakable.

"You asshole! Do you think you can waltz in and ruin his life too?!" Nathan shouts, walking to Sam again but this time, Sam punches him first.

"Guys, what the FUCK, stop fighting!" I yell, pushing myself between them, firmly dragging Nathan away.

Sam wipes the blood from his lip, blinking slowly, his shock overpowering his anger. So is mine.

He drove all the way here?!?!

"Fucking stay away from Kaiden, you piece of shit! He deserves better than you!"

What?!

"You have some nerve?! Coming up here to my house and telling me who I deserve or not?!" Sam sneers.

It's like an entire personality switch. The doe eyed person who was begging me to choose him, has vanished completely. Sam looks ice cold and rigid, jaw ticking.

"I do. I won't fucking stand you bowing your way out of this like you did with me. What? Did your father have a change of heart?! Does he approve of you being a fag now?!" Nathan snaps.

Sam grabs Nathan by the collar.

"Let go of him!" I snap, pulling Sam away.

"Stop acting like hooligans! If there's a problem, sort it out like human beings! If either of you touches each other again, I will hit you both!"

"I told you to stay out of it, didn't I? For once, shut your goddamn trap and listen!" Nathan shouts, making me wince.

Seth and Ana come out hurriedly, confused at the commotion. Great, now we have an audience.

"What's going on - oh my gosh - Nathan?!" Seth gasps.

Nathan completely ignores him. He is livid, his scathing glare not leaving Sam.

"I'm disgusted by you. If you, ever again, even look in Kaiden's direction, I swear to you, I will go to your father and tell him about all of your escapades personally!"

Sam's face hardens.

"What do you know of my escapades? It doesn't concern you now, does it?"

"It concerns Kaiden. Come on Kai, we're leaving. Whatever it is you had going with him, has to end. Right now."

Nathan grabs my hand and pulls me with him. I stay put, anger rising in me.

"I'm not your fucking plaything!'' I snap. His grip leaves a red mark on my wrist when I yank it away. I rub it and his eyes soften.

"Do you think I want to be with you when you're literally a confused mess? At least give me an explanation!"

Nathan scoffs, looking slightly manic.

"You want one? Fine, I'll give you one. The reason I left Westbrook is because his dad threatened to kick me out and ruin my life!"

Seth and Ana gasp. Sam looks at his feet.

"We were in a fucking relationship!"