Feelings, Motions and Confusion
Sschschhhchhschhhh…"Mmmhh…" Relaxed, I stretched my limbs under the warm water.
"Rei, hurry up a bit or we are going to be late."
"Uhh!" Okay, I guess Tala was right. So I said good bye to the pleasurable thought of continuing to shower and turned off the water. I looked around for my towel, but realized that I left it on my bed. Angry about this mistake, I started thinking about a solution to the problem, when the door of the shower was opened and something fluffy was thrown at me. I caught it out of reflex and identified it as my towel. Then I looked up, just to see Tala standing right in front of me and inspecting my body with interested eyes.
"Ahh," I screamed angrily, hastily trying to cover up that specific part of my body with the towel, and flushed madly. "TALA! What the hell do you think you are doing here?"
He smirked, letting another look muster me. "What's wrong Rei? You know that I have a boyfriend, so there is nothing to be afraid of. And you definitively do not need to be ashamed of your body. You are sexy."
Still as red as a tomato, I looked up. "Really?" [Arrrgh, what the heck did I just ask?] Now angry about myself, I barely noticed how he nodded to confirm his statement. I blushed even harder, if this was possible. Staring at him, I tried to hide my bewilderment by shouting "That doesn't give you permission to do THIS!"
Obviously very amused by my reaction, he responded completely relaxed "Oh, come on Rei-Rei. Just looking is no offence." And with a grin on his lips he turned around, telling me to "Get on with it!" before he left the bathroom. Still angry, I toweled myself, put my clothes on (black pants and a mathing, elegant Chinese three-quarter sleeve with embroideries in gold and red) and then took care of my hair, today tying it to a neat plait with a long, white ribbon. While braiding, my mood improved considerably because of the calming monotonous activity. When I was finally done I went to the living room, where Tala leaned against the sofa's backrest, holding my jacket in his arms.
"Let's go." he said, passing me firstly my jacket and secondly a sandwich for breakfast. "We are already late."
After the boring introductory event in the main building, which unfortunately lasted the whole morning, Tala (he had nothing to do, so he stayed with me although he already was in his second year) lead me to the canteen to get something to eat for lunch. On the way there he reattempted for the umpteenth time today to start a conversation with me.
"Are you going to be mad at me forever, Rei? You said scarcely anything in the past hours."
I focused on him. "Maybe…" [It demanded a great deal of self-control not to burst out in laughter, but Tala fortunately didn't realize that I was joking.]
"Are you kidding me? … You are, Rei, aren't you? …" He stopped to walk. "REI!"
"Hmpf." I took a glance over my shoulder, just to see Tala trying to catch up with me again, making a face like a child whose favorite toy has been taken away. When I saw that I wasn't able to hold back my amusement any longer and grinned broadly.
A second later, my life was in serious danger. Tala had caught a glimpse at my face and was therefore tackling me. Before I could say another word I was pushed down and both Tala and I were rolling on the green. His strong hands gripped my arms and pinned me down. He was half lying, half sitting on me and his lips formed an evil grin.
"So kitten, what are we going to do next?" he whispered in my right ear, sending shudders up and down my back. He, of course, noticed my reaction and his grin got even more evil. "Am I turning you on?"
I flushed and hotness spread in my whole body, but I at least managed to breathe "Just a little bit…" [HELP! Where is the instant ice?]
"Ah… I see. Let's see how you are going to deal with this, than…" the wolf said, bending down his head again; this time aiming to kiss me.
"Hn." The disapproving noise let Tala stop to death. "Tala. Bryan. Can't you two at least leave your fingers of each other in public?" I felt how I froze under the redhead, shocked by the sudden realization that flooded my mind. That voice was…
"Kai." - "Good to see you, too." Tala slowly stood up and turned around to look at me.
"Hn." "Don't you want to pick up your lover, wolfy?" I saw with amusement how he gritted his teeth and glared at me. I stepped forward to help Bryan, who was still lying on the ground, but stopped when I recognized the person to my feet. Before I could suppress it, a silent cough slipped out of my mouth. I saw how Tala shot a surprised look at me, but for his fortune he didn't say a word. Still in shock, I looked at the golden eyed man again. "Rei…" I almost whispered. When I said his name it was as if invisible chains had been removed from his body. He jumped up and stared at me with a deep red face. I saw how Tala focused on him now, waiting for a reaction.
"Kai", was the hesitant answer. He looked up and our eyes met and I was hypnotized by the liquid gold I looked at. A second later, we both started to talk – a desperate try to break the silence.
"It wasn't what it looked like…" "I didn't recognize you right away…" "Tala was just making fun…" "I didn't mean to insult you…"
We glanced at each other. Then Rei smiled shyly.
"Wow. I think we can do better, don't we, Kai?" He stretched out his hand. "It's good to meet you, old friend."
I sighed and then returned the relieving smile. I grabbed Rei's small hand and pulled him into a brief hug. When our bodies touched I had this unusual feeling in my stomach again. It felt good, even comfortable. When I released the Chinese after a second my view riveted on Tala.
"Wash that stupid grin out of your face, wolfy" I said, having back my normal, cool voice.
"Sorry dude, but that's impossible at the moment." And before I could respond, he said "Let's go and eat now. I'm starving. Join us if you like, Kai."
"Hn."
"Good idea, Tal. Please accompany us, Kai." Those unbelievable sweet eyes fixed me and I simply couldn't refuse the offer any more.
"Ok, I'll go to lunch with you." For this response I earned to looks: a happy one from Rei and an incredulous, weird one from the tall Russian. I didn't show any reaction to it, because I didn't want to start another argument with Tala. So I nodded in direction of the canteen and started to walk. The two followed me.
Oh my god, what a day! I can't believe that I met Kai, especially not the way how I met him. What an embarrassing situation… Lost in thought I nibbled on a piece of bread that I was holding in my hands. At the moment the two Russians were talking to each other -well, Tala was talking and Kai listening, so the conversation was more or minder lopsided- and I was glad that my feelings had some time to settle down. The war inside my body was slowly reaching a bearable point. I looked at the handsome, dual haired man opposite of me. He was the reason for my confusion. I haven't heard a word of my ex-team captain since almost three years; and for about the same amount of time is he stuck in my head. I thought of him way too much in the past. And now we are both here: living next door to each other, taking the same courses, seeing each other every day… I don't know how I am supposed to hold back my feelings for him, when I'm so close to him every day… Why does life need to be so complicated? Couldn't I just see a good friend in him?
I barely listened to Tala. My head kept working on another issue, by name Rei. This awkward situation from a short time ago kept stuck in my head. My feelings… On the one hand I was honestly glad to see Rei. He was the person I trusted most of the Bladebreackers, my former team. Well, to tell the truth, the person I trusted most of all the people I know. I don't even know why… it's just…it… On the other hand, I felt that insecurity inside me. What kind of feelings are those? I hate it to feel vulnerable and that was exactly what happened when I met Rei today. I had the feeling that he could see inside me, behind my protective wall… I felt so weak, and though, it was ok… Unbelievable how one person turned my whole life upside down in a second.
I looked at him now and met his gaze. He looked tired and troubled.
"We should leave. It's already 3am. What do you two think?" I asked, without taking my eyes of Rei.
"Sounds good," he responded wearily and Tala, too, agreed after some seconds. So we took our stuff and went to the exit.
"I'll be there in a minute. I need to go to the bathroom." Rei said and went in the opposite direction, leaving Tala and me alone.
The red haired turned to me.
"Finally, I thought that I would never get a chance to talk to you alone."
I glanced at him suspiciously. "You talked to me for almost two hours. Wasn't that enough?"
"No," was his firm response.
"Hn. What do you want?"
"Not so hostile, please. I'm your friend, remember?"
"Exactly that troubles me."
"Thanks for the flowers." He grinned. "So…"
"So what?" I asked impatiently.
Smiling even broader, he asked "So, what was that with you and the little one today?"
I stared at him. "I don't know what that would have to do with you."
"Easy, if you don't want to talk about it"
"No, I don't!"
"You don't need to interrupt me that rude."
"I do what I want."
"Yeah, as usual."
"Hn."
"So, you like him, huh?"
That was way too much! "Shut up!" I whispered with a deadly tone in my voice. Unfortunately Tala was used to it and, contrary to 99 percent of the people around me, not scared of - yet.
"Your bark is worse than your bite." [That stupid grin again.] "At least you confirmed my guess, phoenix." That he used my secret nickname didn't calm me down today. I was about to 'bite' when Rei walked around the corner. I stopped mid-action, what earned me another of Tala's amused looks. I turned away from the red-haired man and looked at Rei, nodding in direction of the door. He looked a bit confused because of the sudden tension between Tala and me, but didn't ask for the reason. He just said "Let's go" and we left in direction of the dormitory.
When we arrived there I left with the excuse that I had to do something very important and hurried in direction of the library.
When we entered the flat I went directly into my room and changed into my sportswear. "I'm going to run a bit. See you in an hour." I informed the slightly confused Tala while passing (he sat on the sofa and read a book) and vanished through the door a moment later. When the cold air filled my lungs, I felt much better right away and with every powerful step I did, my thoughts settled down a bit more.
Puh, I'm done. ^^ OMG, what a long chapter. I can't believe that I wrote all that stuff. ;) Hope you enjoyed reading it and thanks a lot for the interest in the story. For those who are interested in how it goes on: the next chapter is going to be about a certain party..um..so…
I would love to get some feedback, means reviews^^, as I would like to improve my style of writing and of course my story and its future chapters. So please tell me what you like or dislike, when it gets too boring/long/much into detail or whatever you can think about. I'm open to every kind of fair, constructive critic and I DON'T bite reviewers. [Well, now that I come to think of it… ;-)]
Best wishes,
Moony