Miguel felt his heart break at the expression that crossed Kay's face. As she turned and ran Miguel wished that he could take back the words. In his anger and hurt he had lashed out at her ,but he didn't mean it. Kay was his friend, his best friend in the whole world. How had things gotten so complicated?
"KAY!" Miguel called after her. But Kay was off down the hall running in the opposite direction of her class. Miguel ran after her. "KAY!"
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Kay heard Miguel's voice and it only strengthened her resolve. She had to get away. She got to the nearest exist and ran through it. The air felt cool on her tearstained face. Kay kept running hoping she could out run the hurt. It had never felt this bad. Not even watching Miguel kiss Charity had hurt her as much as him ending their friendship. How could he? Without a thought to where her feet where taking her, Kay ran.
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Miguel could not believe that Kay was leaving school. He called after her a few more times, but she didn't seem to hear him. Kay had a head start. It took Miguel all his energy to keep up with her. Finally he realized where she was going. She was running to the beach. Miguel remembered that Kay had always said that the waves were very comforting to her. Once Kay hit the beach the sand slowed her down and he was able to catch her.
"KAY!" He said as he grabbed her and turned her around to face him. He saw her face was soaked with tears. Pain seared through his heart that he was the cause. Kay began pounding on him with her fists and sobbing.
"LET ME GO! I swore never again.." Kay said brokenly between sobs.
"Kay I'm sorry I am so sorry."
"NO! I tried to let you go...*cough* I was back *gasp* in my ..... why? Why do you affect me so? why.... can't you go away." Kay continued to pound on Miguel as he pulled her tighter and sank down into the sand.
"Shhh Shhh. I'm sorry I didn't mean it. I'm sorry." Miguel whispered tenderly to the side of Kay's head. Kay had stopped hitting him and was just sobbing in his arms. Miguel was rocking her back and forth as tears poured from his eyes.
Kay could hear Miguel's heart beating and the sound calmed her as her head rested on his chest. After a few minutes she pulled back to look at Miguel. She was shocked to see that Miguel was crying.
"Why are you crying Miguel?" Kay asked
"Because I hurt my best friend."
"Your friend?"
"The best friend I ever had or every will have. She's the most wonderful person I've ever known. I got mad at her. It was my fault and I said some things to hurt her but when I did I hurt myself even more. I don't know if she'll ever forgive me."
Kay leaned back in and once again rested her head on Miguel's chest.
"She probably shouldn't." Kay said. Miguel started stroking Kay's hair.
"I know, but I intend to spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to her."
Kay sighed as the last of her tears subsided. It felt so right to be held by Miguel. But what did it mean? He would never love her as she loved him. Tonight Miguel would go back to Charity, but for these few moments Kay was tired of thinking and just enjoyed Miguel's embrace.
"I'm sorry Kay. I didn't mean it. Don't hate me. Please don't stop being my friend I need you in my life." Miguel said sincerely.
Kay leaned back and looked at Miguel thoughtfully.
"I could never hate you Miguel. Sometimes I wish I could. It might make life easier but I'll never be free of you."
Miguel was puzzled by the way Kay was talking. But as he looked in her eyes he saw that they would always be connected. Suddenly his heart started beating faster.
"I'll never be free you either Kay. I don't want to be." Sitting in the sand with Kay Miguel suddenly felt the same as he had in the field that time.
"Kay ?"
"Yes?"
"I really want to kiss you and I don't know what to do about that."
Kay was in turmoil. Miguel wanted to kiss her? The thought made her heart dance, but there were things between them. Should she lie to him about her feelings? No she was determined to be true to herself.
"I want to kiss you too Miguel. Truth be told I have for a really long time, but what about Charity?"
Miguel sighed. It was true he was still with Charity and Kay still had her boyfriend. He didn't want to be one of those guys who played around. He had to end things with Charity before he could begin things with Kay.
"You're right come on I'll walk you home." Miguel said standing up and helping Kay up.
Kay groaned. Part of her wished she had just kissed Miguel and worried about the rest of it later. But she had sworn to be truthful and honest. So she stood up and prepared to walk home. But having Miguel this close to her... She reached out and took his hand wanting his strength. To her delight he gave her a hand a quick squeeze and held it all the way home.
Miguel was enjoying his walk with Kay. They didn't say anything but there was this sense of peace. They got to the porch at Kay's house. Miguel leaned over and gave Kay a small kiss on the cheek. He was intoxicated by her nearness, but he still had Charity to deal with.
"Good bye Kay I'll see you later?"
"Yeah later Miguel" Kay said trying to sound matter of fact about it.
Miguel turned and walked off down the path. Kay watched him go for a long time. "I wonder when I will see you again? Soon I hope. You hold my heart my heart Miguel please bring it back to me in one piece."