Chapter 10
'Thanks for walking me back. I really appreciate it.' Jessica told Kai.
Kai shrugged. 'Hey, no biggie. It's not like I could have walked anyone else back anyway…' he added, a trace of bitterness in his voice.
Jessica smiled sympathetically at him. Poor Kai and Popuri. Earlier at the beach, the guys had been debating over who should send which girl home, despite the girls' objections that they could make it home in one piece without masculine protection. Tim was, of course, escorting Elli home and Rick, Karen. But when Kai offered to see Popuri home, sending Popuri into an abyss of bliss, Rick had stormed over and asked Kai to take a hike. Popuri had then been asked to accompany Rick and Karen to Karen's house first before heading home. Mary had asked Gray to send her home, since, Jessica assumed, she wasn't close to either Kai or Cliff. Ann had insisted Cliff go back with her, so that they could discuss 'Cliff's vocal talents'. So, looking a little forlornly at Popuri's retreating back, Kai had mumbled an offer to walk Jessica back.
'So…What are you gonna do about your problem with Rick?' asked Jessica curiously.
Kai shrugged again. 'What can I do? That guy's got it in for me. Damn, he sure can hold a grudge. It's already been so many years.'
Jessica's eyes widened. 'What actually happened between both of you anyway?' she enquired.
Kai noisily exhaled. 'Nothing much actually. Just that…years ago, when I first came here, I made the great mistake of flirting with Karen. How was I supposed to know that she was taken? She didn't tell me! That possessive freak just slugged me and has hated me ever since.' His clenched fist slammed against the foyer's pillar. 'Man! I apologized for that already! Why can't he just let it go instead of harping on it for years?!'
Jessica thought about how much Rick cared about Karen, sometimes to the point of possessiveness, and how much he loved his sister as well. She also recalled how Kai's behavior sometimes bordered on suspicious and his frequent lack of initiative towards Popuri.
'Umm…' she began hesitantly. 'I guess Rick is, on occasion, very stubborn about certain things and beliefs that he has, especially for things concerning his family and girlfriend. So maybe you should be more wary of how you act sometimes, you know, especially towards other girls… It could give the idea that you are…'
'What do you mean?' interrupted Kai, his eyes starting to flash.
'Well, I-I meant…'
'Do you think the same as Rick? That I'm a total flirt and a good for nothing?!' Kai's voice started to rise.
'No! Don't misunderstand me!'
'Well, that's what I interpreted it as! And I thought you were different from those judgmental characters. Guess I was totally wrong!'
'Wait! Kai! Please! Just hear me out…' Jessica cried out imploringly. Things were turning out completely wrong.
'What do you want me to hear? You evaluating me further? No thanks, its okay!'
'What?' Jessica's own temper was starting to rise as well. 'I said NOTHING about you being a good for nothing or a flirt. Geez, i'm trying to help you out here. If you'd just listen me out instead of making wrong assumptions, maybe you'd hear something that might help you deal with Rick. Don't you want things to work out for you? Don't you want Popuri to be happier?'
Kai's tone softened. 'I do want Popuri to be happier…' he said softly, almost to himself. He took a deep breath and looked straight at Jessica. 'Okay…what?'
'What?'
'To do about Rick.'
'Oh. Listen, you know that things here are slightly different from back in town. People are more conservative. So do yourself a favor and don't be too close to the other girls. Like me, Ann, Karen, Mary and Elli. Not saying that you ignore us or whatever, but just don't be too chummy. How's Rick gonna trust you with Popuri if he sees you being over congenial with us? Especially with his already lousy impression of you.'
'Oh. Is that it? I…guess I could try to not be too uh, close to you girls.' Kai looked at Jessica, at his feet, back at Jessica and took a few steps back.
Jessica laughed. 'If you're gonna do this all the time, people are going to think you are allergic to girls.' she teased.
Kai laughed as well. 'Thanks, Jess. And sorry about just now. Really.'
'Its okay. Really, I-...' That was all Jessica managed to say before Kai engulfed her in a big bear hug.
'You really are a pal, you know?' declared Kai.
Jessica giggled. 'Kai, this constitutes as being too close, you know?' she said into his shoulder.
Kai immediately released her and gave her a guilty look. 'Guess I just forgot that for a moment. Won't forget anymore, promise!' He held up his left hand and crossed his fingers.
Jessica was about to reply when she heard a creak by the front gate. She looked at Kai and both of them turned towards the source of the sound.
'Gray!'
'Gray!' Jessica echoed after Kai. 'What are you doing here?'
Gray was motionless for a moment, staring at the both of them. 'I just came to make sure Jessica got home fine.' he said emotionlessly. He looked straight at Jessica. 'Guess you did.'
He saw Kai hug me. Jessica realized instinctively. She guessed Kai did as well, since he muttered 'Oops. Sorry!' under his breath, hurriedly said goodbye to them both and scarpered off.
'Um…'
'I should go too.' Gray turned abruptly and began to move off.
At that moment, Jessica felt completely, utterly lost. She couldn't let Gray leave with that misunderstanding. If Popuri hears about it, she'll slaughter me with her corn sickle!!!! Gray CANNOT think that I like Kai!!!! Why in hell did Kai run away?!!!
Instinctively, she sprang forward and grabbed Gray's arm. 'Wait! Just hear me out before you go.' Jessica was stunned to hear the depth of desperation in her voice.
Gray halted in his footsteps. Then he turned, looking directly into Jessica's eyes.
Jessica winced. There was so much confusion in those gorgeous blue eyes. 'Listen,' she begun. 'Me…and Kai…'
'You don't have to explain anything to me. I'm not related to you or anything.'
'But you are my friend! And I WANT to explain it to you. There's nothing between me and Kai. You know Kai likes Popuri. That hug…that's just his way of thanking me for helping out with his problem about Rick. You know…it's really common to have a friendly hug with your friends…'
'I don't see Kai hugging me.' countered Gray.
'Err…well…that would be a bit uh….weird, right?' and gay. she added mentally, stifling a laugh as she imagined Kai pouncing on Gray, attempting to give him a hug. Gray would probably slug him too.
'Yeah…I guess.' Gray admitted.
An awkward silence hung in the air between them.
'It's late…you should get back to the inn before Doug locks you out.'
'Yeah. Okay.'
'You're not mad at me? Or Kai?'
Gray paused for a moment, his expression softening at Jessica's pleading look.
'Guess not.' He motioned behind him. 'I should be going. You get inside and remember to lock your door.'
Jessica smiled. 'I'll remember. Now, get going!' She waved goodbye as Gray left the farm, then went into her house and locked the door. Then suddenly, questions hit her from all directions.
What was that all about?! Why was Gray getting all worked up over me hugging Kai?! It can't be because he thought we were going out behind Popuri's back, right? Seriously...
She flopped down on her bed, absent mindedly stroking Benny as he leapt onto her lap, suddenly completely tired out. What had started out to be a relaxing day off from work had turned into an utterly confusing array of events. The gears in her brain kept turning and turning until…
There was confusion in Gray's eyes.
And something else.
Jessica sat up straight.
There was hurt too.
...
Don't tell me…
No way.
It cannot be…
It really can't be!!!
Does he……
Does Gray like me????????
Somehow, that thought wasn't as appalling as she thought it would be.
Here it is...chapter 10. (let's exclude counting the prelude...) Can't believe i've lasted this long. -smiles-
Well, here's to the next 10 chapters! Have a good february!!
