Devising a plan that included the boys trusting Kai not to do anything as stupid as he did the last time was hard, but he still managed to come through.
He decided that he would meet up with his father for a father and son day, in which he actually planned on doing rather than it being a plain lie. Kai went so far as to having his dad come up to their suite just to reassure the guys that he was telling the truth of his whereabouts. Which, to Kai, was rather sad, but necessary.
At least, this was half the truth.
After Kai had his couple of hours with his dad at his studio after getting pizza, Kai decided to pull out his brand new hoodie from his book bag, meticulously going out from the back exit door no one ever thought to leave out of.
The good news about coming from the studio was the fact that the flea market in Seattle wasn't far away. The walking distance had only been a mere two blocks. Kai decided a good time to start heading out towards the flea market was around four fifteen.
Walking down the sidewalks of Seattle and feeling the burning sensation of the sun on his back made him both sweaty and embarrassed at how others would perceive of him. What kind of person wears hoodies in the summer again? Oh yeah, Kai. But he had no choice at this point.
To add on to his little disguise, he decided to wear some sunglasses that his father had offered to him back at the studio, in which Kai silently thanked him for while walking, making sure to keep his head down and not look too suspicious than he already was.
Soon but not soon enough, Kai finally made it at his destination. He'd arrived around four thirty-five, and although he was five minutes off, it was in his best interest that he was. There were still people setting their tents, tools, and other things to make a profit off of back in the trunk of their trucks or cars. Among all of them, he could see Cinder, towards the far left.
Cinder, who Kai could've sworn was purposefully taking her time in gathering all her things.
Cinder, who was accompanied by Iko and some other guy trudging right behind her.
Cinder, who had a frown on her face. Kai assumed it was because things didn't go exactly as planned.
Cinder, who for the second time would get Kai preoccupied into getting caught again. Snapping out of his accelerating heartbeat and complete euphoria at the physical sight of her again, Kai dashed behind the huge blue garbage can, getting on his knees to make sure he would not be seen.
Although Kai despised all the flies zooming around him and the garbage can itself, it was worth the ten minutes just for him to see and talk to Cinder again about whatever she wanted to talk about.
Everyone had left at this point except for Cinder, Iko, and that mysterious guy that was so close to Iko. Kai decided to wait an extra five or so minutes just to make sure everything was in the clear before he stood up and walked towards them.
"Hey," he said softly. More so to Cinder than the other two.
It was already five o'clock, and the sun wasn't beaming as much anymore. But Kai would never forget that smile on Cinder's face that glowed up everything around him. "Hey, Prince Kaito."
Kai chortled at that. Prince being the given nickname from Cinder, and Kaito being his full name. He wasn't too fond of that name and preferred Kai better. He had told Cinder this, and what fun did she have tossing it around.
"Cinder, no one calls him Kaito." Iko scolded before looking towards him. "I prefer Kai better." She smiled.
"I'm glad we can agree," Kai grinned back, not wanting to grin too hard just in case that guy would try to confront him about it. He'd already noticed the way his arms looped through Iko's waist immediately after Kai came from behind the garbage can.
"Oh!" Iko gasped, getting out of his grip. "Where's my manners?"
Cinder turns back to Iko, looking at her expectingly. "Yeah, where are your manners?"
"Kai, this is my boyfriend Kinney. Kinney, you already know who Kai is but this is Kai!" She squealed.
Kinney Kai thought. It kind of fits him.
The guy was tall and lean. He reminded Kai of Jacin, as far as his stature and build was concerned. Kinney had tanned skin and wavy brown hair. Kai really couldn't detail his eye color from how close he was to Cinder and a little distance away from him and Iko. Needless to say, the sun was starting to go down.
"Nice to meet you, Kinney."
Kinney nodded. "You too," he switched his gaze towards a frantic Iko, heading towards her car while gripping his wrist firmly. "Well, we're on our way! Bye Cinder!" she winked. "Bye Kai!"
Both Cinder and Kai watched as Kinney and Iko disappeared into the almost-night, leaving Kai and Cinder to themselves. Kai knew it was the plan for Iko to do so.
Cinder misted up a grin, all of her mechanical utensils and tent left in Iko's car. "So..."
"So..." Kai mimicked teasingly.
Cinder very lightly punched him on the shoulder. "Shut up."
Kai smiled at her like an idiot again before saying, "I'm glad to see you again."
Cinder smiled once more. "I could say the same about you, I don't think I will right about now after everything that's happened."
At saying this, both of their smiles faded, and Kai dropped his stare towards the cement ground. "I'm really really sorry for getting us busted. Heck, it's dangerous meeting you here right now. I never meant to cause any trouble. How are you holding up? Did your step-mom-"
-Cinder raised her metallic hand, signaling for him to stop his bantering. "It's-it's alright." She stuttered. "I was the idiot and the fool. I'm more so mad at myself for agreeing to meet you. I almost forgot," she trailed off before closing her mouth.
Almost forgot you were the Rampion Boyz Kai. That you were a superstar. Kai cringed at the realization.
Kai shook his head, trying to overcome the panic that was taking a toll on his body. This was not how their third meeting should go. "No, we're both at fault in some way. The thing is, we're back and we know better now. I don't want to talk about the last time we've seen each other anymore than you do. But I have to ask, how are you? Really?" Kai prodded.
Cinder shook her head, her brown eyes looking directly at Kai's. "I've been holding up all right. At first, it was initial shock. I wasn't too overwhelmed with emotion. More so, I was too worried about the death of my step-sister, Peony. And then my step-mom, Audri, who's already going through a rough time as it is and to hear about this... she transitioned from the grieving stage to raging with anger at me. Same with my other step-sister, Pearl. By the way, I was grounded. That person who sent you that last text from me about breaking up was Pearl. Surprise, surprise," she waved her hands, forcing herself to laugh at how absurd the whole situation was. "Audri took my portscreen as part of my punishment, and Pearl told me about what she did. Although I must say, I'm surprised at how she didn't ask you to meet up with her. And I'm pretty sure you know the rest from Iko." She finished, fidgeting with her gloves. Kai could see those signature dirt smudges covering her face and grease stains, and he didn't want her face any other way than that. He didn't want her to ever get a makeover. Kai liked Cinder for just how authentic and real she was.
On the other hand, processing all the new information from Cinder herself, he was glad that the text was not directly sent from her. Regardless of the predicament they were in right now.
"First off, Iko told me everything involving Peony. I am so sorry for your lost. And I must say, I am absolutely glad it was not you that sent the text, because I can't explain to you how heartbreaking that was. Then I got over it." Kai made sure not to say you. "Then I saw Iko. Then I thought of you. Then she told me everything. And that's when I couldn't stop thinking about you." Kai smiled from ear to ear, watching Cinder's face glow up from sadness at the mention of her late step-sister to happiness from Kai's last words.
Cinder placed a hand on her hip. "Poetic much?"
Kai squeamishly shrugged his arms. "I've been practicing my craft."
Cinder nodded her head slowly in agreement. "I can tell," she teased.
Kai playfully rolled his eyes. "Ya know, you had me writing a song about you. A song Cinder. That's how much you mean to me."
At this, Cinder's eyes widened. "Really? Over me?" she asked as if she was shocked and finally waking up to the fact that the Rampion Boyz Kai was interested and writing a song about her.
"Yes," Kai smiled. "The awesome, mechanic, wonderful, beautiful Cinder, yes."
Cinder walked up to him, making sure they were only a couple of inches apart and face to face with each other. "Don't you think it's strange?" her voice dropped low. Kai almost missed picking up what she was saying if it wasn't for the dead silence around them.
"What's strange?" Kai hinted at where she was going with this, but he wanted to hear her thoughts nonetheless.
Cinder shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know... maybe the fact of a maybe us? This stuff doesn't happen in real life-"
"-but it did." Kai pointed out, winking.
"Yeah-yeah it did." Cinder rolled her eyes at him. "What I meant to say was things like this doesn't normally happen in real life. A superstar on tour with a mechanic? A somebody with a-"
Nobody, Kai thought in his head.
"-with a somebody." Kai cut her off, detecting her insecurities. "No one is a nobody. Everyone is a somebody, regardless of what social ranking they may classify in. Everybody is a somebody. And yeah, I'm not oblivious to the fact that our situation is kind of bizarre, but people fall in love in mysterious ways. And usually, those are the best stories. I'm not blinded by our situation with how far away we've been from each other, but I'm tortured and blinded by thoughts and visions of you. Yes, Cinder, you and only you. I really really really want this to work out, and I don't want you doubting us and putting yourself down because of who I represent in society and not because of who I am. I know, a megastar is asking a lot from someone as normal like you, but that's the main reason why I'm believing in us. Because when you first interacted and saw me, although you may have thought I was anything but a normal person you would walk by on the street, you still treated me like a human being. And me being a human, I need love and someone who treats me like a normal guy too. I hope I'm not asking much of you, because I feel like I'm not due to how you are, Cinder. I'm not going to front and say I know you from the back of my hand, but I know you well enough." Kai ranted. Fingers raking through his hair.
Sweat on his forehead.
Heart beating relentlessly.
Eyes piercing back at his.
Cinder never ceased her stare at him. "I indeed can handle it. You just have to know that it's just all so new to me... to feel wanted, to be desired, to be noticed, to be a somebody. Of not just everyday people in general, but of you, Kai. A pop-star in the making. I'm an outcast and an outsider. Even I can get a little taken aback at times that you're really the Kai. But above it all, just know that I'll always and forever see you as just that. Kai."
The way Cinder said his name so softly, so simply made him want to kiss her. But he shoved that thought in the back of his head, saving it for the one and only thing he planned to do. Kai was no fool in letting Cinder slip away like this in what would probably be their last meeting. The Rampion Boyz would be heading to Wisconsin in two more days.
Kai cleared his throat, trying to ease the seriousness in the atmosphere before lightly punching her on her shoulder. "I hope you did not think I travelled two blocks just to talk everything out with you, right?"
Cinder furrowed her eyebrows at him in curiosity. "That's what a reasonable person would do." She stated slowly.
"Well," Kai reached for her wrist, dragging her along with him. "You'll soon come to find out that there's absolutely nothing reasonable about me."
Cinder shook her head, having no choice but to comply. "You're crazy."
"Crazy for you." Kai shot back.
"Crazy corny."
They both laughed.
"For the last time Kai, where are we going?" Cinder tried opening her eyes, but couldn't.
Kai currently had his hands over her eyes, always responding with a "I can't tell you" or "it's a surprise." Which only further encouraged Cinder's questions.
They'd been walking for what felt like forever to both of them. Cinder for her curiousness on what this mysterious place was, and Kai for the adrenaline and excitement of Cinder's face once she'd see the surprise.
"And we're here!" Kai pulled his hands away from Cinder's facing, letting her see again.
They were inside a older looking building in a ballroom where old couples took dancing classes in. Although the building itself was coming of age, along with its residents, the ballroom looked marvelous and renovated. The floor was a stainless marble, they were surrounded by white walls with intricate persian patterns and entered from glass doors. To top it off, there was a white, glittering chandelier that was placed above them, as humongous as could be. The instructor, a young Latino woman, rushed to them in assistance.
"Are you all sure you're in the right place?" she asked politely with concerned eyes, noticing the immense age gap between Cinder & Kai versus the elderly people.
Cinder laughed at the question. "I'm honestly not sure myself." Instead of saying Kai's name, she looked up at Kai, who still had his sunglasses and hoodie on, standing out even more.
"We're in the right place. I actually wanted to come here just to teach my girlfriend here some dance moves."
At the word girlfriend, Cinder risked a inquisitive glance up at Kai, before turning back to the woman and smiling.
"Oh. Okay then. I hope you all enjoy yourselves. By the way, my name is Alicia. You can always call on me if you guys ever need anything, okay?"
Kai nodded his head. "Sounds fine to me. Gracias, Alicia."
"De nada," Alicia smiled before walking back towards her class full of old couples.
Cinder turned her body towards Kai, feeling the warmth in his arms wrapping around her waist. She had no choice but to put her arms around his neck.
"Really, Kai? I must admit, this came as a surprise to me. If anyone knows me, I'm not exactly the dancing material."
Kai chucked in amusement, tightening his grip on her. "I am not the dancing material either, but I know a couple of moves."
Cinder quirked an eyebrow. "Oh, really?"
Kai grinned. "Yeah really. It's a slow waltz. And it fits perfectly with this jazz song they're playing right now! Follow my lead. One, two. One, two. One, two."
Both of them started chanting until Cinder started to get the hang of it, going from watching their feet to looking up at Kai's eyes.
They laughed when the other stumbled or said something totally random and at the whole scene playing out before them. They were dancing with the elderly.
"Nothing wrong with old people, they tend to be the best type of people." Kai replied.
Soon enough, they ditched dancing once they heard the ice cream truck come around with the little toon. It gave both of them a sense of nostalgia once they caught up with it.
Kai was glad he had a couple of crumbled dollars hidden deep in his pocket, handing it to the ice cream man to buy two strawberry shortcakes. Glad he went the whole day without getting noticed, they both sat on a curb in back of the old building where dance lessons for the elderly was taking place at. Kai and Cinder relished in blissful silence, causally saying a few things here and there before going back to eating their ice cream. They were both lucky they finished when it started to rain and thunder. When Kai realized it was way pass time for the both of them to get back to where they were meant to be. When reality called him.
They both stood up after flinging their leftover sticks to the side. As if things couldn't get anymore cliché, Kai reached for both of Cinder's hands and brung her close to him, invading both of their spaces.
"I'm not going to say love, because that's a little too soon in whatever we have going on." This time, Cinder initiated conversation. "But I will say, I like you, Kai. I like you a lot." She smiled that heart warming smile of hers.
"I'll take that as a compliment." Kai laughed softly. "I must agree with you, Cinderella. I like you, too. Way too much."
And with that, Kai immediately pressed his mouth over hers, engulfing her in his embrace. Although it was only a few seconds, almost a peck, it was still a kiss. It was still just as passionate. It still filled in everything they couldn't explain or say or express to one another. It still filled that empty void on what will happen next, on when they'd see each other again.
Cinder, to Kai's dismay, was the one who pulled back first. "Should we be doing this?"
"Why shouldn't we?"
"It feels too much of a goodbye."
Kai sighed, not wanting to jump into this conversation. "Whose saying goodbye? Why can't we say a 'see you later?'"
Cinder let out a close-lipped smile. "Sure."
Kai still held Cinder in his embrace, their bodies still pressed together and arms wrapped around each other despite the rain and thunder.
"Please, please say yes when I say this." Kai started, closing his eyes shut nervously.
Cinder already knew, her eyes glinting with a knowingness on what he was about to say. And despite the hope,
despite the longing,
despite the desire,
there was fear written clearly in her eyes.
That still didn't stop her for saying what she was going to say next.
"Yes. Yes."
I didn't expect to end with that ending for this chapter, but I guess you all can figure out what Kai was going to ask *wink wink.* I told you all that this chapter would be extra long (at least I hope it is). Please leave a review if you all liked this chapter, they really make my day! Also, follow and favorite if you like this story so far. We have ONE MORE CHAPTER LEFT! I'm so excited to have almost completed Kai's story, and I'm ecstatic about starting Wolf's. Also, please comment on your thoughts of how I depict Cinder and Kai in my story. Am I still staying true to their original character and/or characteristics? Basically, do they seem out of character to you or not? Please and thanks, I'd really like to know. I would also love it if you checked out the prologue to my upcoming story after completing this one called "The 1960's." Summary and everything is on the story, and I'd love it if you all would review your thoughts and opinions and follow and favorite!
QOTD: any predictions on what you think will happen in Wolf's story as we close off Kai's?
