Kaiden

"You're afraid of lizards?! I thought you weren't afraid of anything!" I laughed.

Disgusted, Nathan scooted closer to me in the Ferris wheel seat until he was practically on my lap. I tried to ignore our hands touching.

The girl opposite us laughed too.

"Come on Nathan, it's so tiny!"

"Still a lizard!" he grumbled, not moving from my side.

The wheel descended and I screamed at the swooping sensation in my stomach. Nathan laughed, his beautiful curls flying in the wind.

"We're going to the rollercoaster afterwards!"

He was like a child set free, beaming and happy.

"Aren't you tired?" I laughed as we left the Ferris wheel.

"Tired isn't in my dictionary! Besides, it's not like anyone would miss you back in camp! Let's just have fun!"

We had escaped camp grounds under Nathan's expertise. I bought tickets for the rollercoaster.

"We're sitting up front okay?"

"What?! No!"

"Come on, it'll be so fuckin cool!"

I couldn't resist his big doe eyes and laughed.

"Fine. If I die it's on you!"

"You're in for the best experience of your life!" He grinned excitedly.

It was. The wind rushed in my hair and the madness of Nathan's yells and his contagious happiness, made me realise I wanted to see him like that. Always.

"Dude, where are you lost?" Raven snaps her fingers, startling me.

"Nothing, just thinking," I mutter, realising I'm on the Ferris wheel with her and not Nathan.

"You're literally not enjoying yourself, what is the matter with you?" she pouts.

"I'm fine, I just zoned out!" I assure her, smiling and pull her into a sideways hug. "Come on, let's get caramel apples! My treat!"

That puts a smile on her face. We walk to the stand where Bella is already there with Max. Raven and Bella talk to the vendor. After we eat the apples, Max asks what we want to do next.

"Let's go do the balloon shooter!" Raven gushes happily, running ahead.

Bella reaches out for Max's hand and he follows her.

I walk behind leisurely, looking at the pretty neon lights. There is a hay maze where a lot of kids are having the time of their lives.

I reach the balloon booth to see a familiar person with the blue streak of hair, happily chatting with Raven.

Oh god, no.

I approach the pair hesitantly.

"Kai, meet Sam Everton!" Raven says, trying to keep the laughter out of her voice. The taunting gleam in her eyes annoys me.

"I believe we've met," Sam says, offering me his hand. I shake it briefly.

"Kaiden Pierce. Nice to meet you again, Sam."

He smiles and I understand why I did the things I did with him.

Sam Everton is one sexy motherfucker. His baby blue eyes give me a once over, a cocky smile on his face, his slightly crooked nose upturned. He knows he looks good.

"Well, I guess we're shooting balloons then!" He smirks, turning away.

"Can I go first?!" Raven laughs. He nods, handing her the rifle with fake bullets.

"So you play Lacrosse?" I ask, my voice coming out gravelly. I clear my throat.

"Oh, sometimes," He says, faking modesty. "When I'm not pursuing pretty women."

Is he insinuating I'm a pretty woman? He could mean anything, why am I thinking it's directed to me? Fuck. He probably thinks I don't remember anything about that night. I won't bring it up either if he doesn't.

"Your friend is hot," he says quietly, watching Raven's ass. "Is she single?"

I choke on the caramel apple and he eyes me weirdly as I cough. Wasn't he supposed to be gay?!

"Yes she is," I mutter, regaining my composure.

"Fantastic. For a minute I thought you two were a thing," He chuckles before moving to her.

Raven's aim is shit.

He puts his arms around her, adjusting her posture and helps her hold the gun steady. She's blushing profusely and gives me a confused look.

I shrug and walk away from them.

Sam is clearly interested in her. He probably wasn't thinking either when he kissed me or I was a dare or an experiment. It was just a kiss. No need to get so worked up.

But what if... what if we really did have sex?!

I need that piece of information and tell him to kindly keep it to himself.

Guess I have to attend the lacrosse game after all.

******

"Kaiden Pierce, stop zoning out!" Raven yells, startling me. "Pass me the paint bucket if you're done with the damn thing!"

We're on social work day and the senior year has been assigned a task to beautify an orphanage in the next town.

My friends conveniently chose to paint the compound wall so that we could be together and have fun.

"Oooh, are you having sex flashbacks?" Bella sniggers and my whole group hoots loudly. I flip them off, rolling my eyes.

"Seriously though Kaiden, you don't remember anything?" Ryan asks, dipping his brush in the whitewash.

"No. I am not sure if I wanna know either," I sigh.

"Why not? I mean, it's surprising you don't feel the slightest bit inquisitive about him?" Alex taunts me, a smug smile on his tanned face.

"Honestly, why do you guys seem more interested in him than I am?" I ask, lying through my teeth.

"That's exactly why. I mean, you gave us zero fucking hints and then you go make out with a guy?!" Raven says. "And it doesn't help that the said guy kept hitting on me all of last night!"

There are cries of surprise from everyone.

"Sam was flirting with you?!" Ryan gasps. "I didn't see him in the carnival!"

Raven narrates the whole thing, making everyone ooh.

"Maybe it was a dare?" Alex says.

"Just drop it guys. It was a mistake! Things happen, I was drunk. Let's leave it at that!"

They groan in disappointment and go back to work.

My mind goes back to Nathan. He is absent again and it worries me. I hope his sorry excuse of a Mum isn't being too hard on him.

"Dude, is that Vanessa?!" Alex says excitedly. "Is she coming here?!"

"Who?" Daniel asks, distracted.

"Vanessa Sterling, the hottest girl ever!" Alex says and I laugh at his starstruck face.

"She's coming here, fuck, do I look good?"

"Alex, you look fine!" Raven huffs, annoyed at Vanessa getting the attention. I watch her walk to us.

"Hi Kaiden!"

She ignores everyone and walks straight to me. She gives me a hug and I feel tingly when her tits press against my chest. So, I'm still attracted to girls then. That's sort of a relief.

I pull away first, looking quickly around for Adrian. I do not want to get mauled.

"Where did you disappear the night of the party?" She pouts.

I was with Vanessa that night as well?

Drunk Kaiden sure loves to put me into awkward situations.

"Um, I was with my friends?"

Ryan and Bella nod vigorously, a very obvious smile on Ryan's face. He's going to take the piss out of me afterwards, I can just feel it.

"I was looking everywhere for you! Why did you leave after the cig we shared? We should definitely do that again together!" She says, smiling.

"Sure, definitely," I mutter awkwardly.

"Well, my friend has a gig today at a club. Me and a few of my friends are going, why don't you join?"

I blink in surprise. Alex looks disappointed.

"I'll let you know. I have plans."

I was happy with her attention at first because it pissed Adrian off, but I don't want to be her side piece and her advances are too pointed to be just friendly.

"Oh okay. I put my number in your phone, so you know you can find me! See you then!"

I am suddenly aware that I'm about to get interrogated to the end of the earth.

"I can explain!" I mumble, raising my hands in surrender.

"You had better! She asked you on a date to a freaking concert!" Alex gasps, shaking me by my collar.

"It's not a date!"

"What were you doing with her? After everything Adrian did, do you have a death wish?!" Daniel asks, his eyebrows high.

"Nothing. I am not doing anything with her, I swear! I don't remember anything, I already told you! Alex, let go of me!"

He releases my shirt and I straighten myself.

"You have her freaking number!"

"Oh my goodness, why do you have to act like I'm cheating with your girlfriend!"

"Because - because, that's what it feels like!" Alex whines.

Ryan hits him upside his head, annoyed at his whining.

"Jerk!" Alex pouts.

"Must be nice huh Kaiden, getting all the girls and guys now?" Bella laughs.

"Trust me I would much rather be called Fattycake again," I mumble.

I have never wanted to be more invisible than I do now.

*****

I reach home in the evening, to find quite a lot of cars and commotion. It strikes me as odd. I walk in, with my bag over my shoulder. It's a tea party. I'm guessing it's mom and her doctor colleagues.

"Kaiden!"

"Dad?!" I grin.

I had totally forgotten he was going to be here, too caught in the emotional frenzy that is my life right now.

He walks to me and pulls me into a hug, a kind smile on his weather beaten face. I hug him back, feeling like a little boy again.

"You've grown taller than me!" He says, ruffling my hair anyway.

"Hah, I am sure I surpassed Kane at this point," I laugh.

He looks so different out of uniform but fit as ever. His age doesn't show on him and I thank his Asian genes for that!

"How are you son? I have missed you!" He smiles, patting my back.

"I've been great!"

Mom is going around, making sure everyone is comfortable and eating, playing the perfect hostess. Looks like she took off work tonight.

Dad introduces me to his colleagues. Some are Koreans and Chinese. They have flights to their homes so dad invited them to crash at ours for the night.

Mom pulls me to the side.

"Is it possible for you to go at a friend's for tonight? There are six people staying over and all our rooms are full, yours too."

I roll my eyes but nod anyway.

"I need to get my stuff at least. If I go now, I'll be back after school tomorrow."

"Why? Stay for dinner!" She says. "One of dad's seniors has a beautiful daughter. I think she would fit perfectly for Kane. What do you think?"

She looks radiant. I smile at her urge to play matchmaker for my elder brother.

"Mom, Kane is twenty two. I don't think he's even thought about the M in marriage."

She frowns, sighing.

"You're right. I can't help but worry you know?"

"You're still too young to have grandkids, Mother! Hell, I'm still a kid!" I laugh. She hits my arm, pouting a bit. I give her a side hug, grinning.

"Why aren't you staying for dinner?"

"I have a concert invite. It's my friend's gig. Then I'll go to Ryan's, mostly."

Might as well go, just to escape from Dad's friends who will be getting sloshed and smoking cigars, talking about stocks.

"Oh, okay then. Stay safe okay baby?" Mom says, kissing my cheek.

"I will!"

I trudge to my room and dial Raven. She picks up on the fifth ring.

"I'm at the bakery Kaiden, I'm busy!" she snaps.

"Oh okay. I have a situation. Can I crash at yours tonight?"

"Um, my mom's family is over, there's no room! I really have to go, see ya!"

I dial everyone but nobody's house seems free tonight. I roll my eyes, contemplating whether I should just sleep in the gym but then I would have to interact with the stuffy old people here.

Weighing my options, I dial Nathan.

The call goes straight to voicemail. A little worry settles in my heart. I hope he's okay. Fuck this, I will just sleep in my car or the recliner in the home theatre.

I freshen and dress in a leather jacket and denims with laced up Bottega Vennetas. I call Vanessa on my way out. She sounds ecstatic that I accepted and sends me a Maps link to the venue.

I pull out of my house, wondering if I'm doing the right thing by accepting her invite.