Chapter III
Kaori sipped her coffee in silence as she recalled last night's events.
* * *
Psymon had bid her good-night after they had their conversation, which consisted of Kaori's sudden change in attitude:
"Remember when you told me I'm...changing?" Psymon asked cautiously.
Kaori nodded.
"You're..." Psymon's voice trailed off, and he was once again at a loss for words.
"I'm what?" Kaori asked, amused.
"Well, you've changed too,"
Kaori was a bit taken aback at Psymon's words. "I have?"
Psymon nodded.
It was Kaori's turn to be speechless.
"Don't take that the wrong way," Psymon added hastily. "I was just saying..."
"How have I changed?" Kaori asked. She knew deep inside that she was changing. Her usual sunny bright attitude had slowly been fading away, and she never expected anyone to notice. No one had...except for Psymon?
"You're..."
"Yes?"
"You're...sad, Kaori," Psymon sighed, "I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but you just..." Psymon paused, searching for the right words, "Just...aren't you're usual self, you know?"
Kaori frowned and looked down at her tea. "I didn't think anyone would care...even notice..."
"I did."
Kaori looked at Psymon in the eyes and saw something that frightened her. He wasn't sneering at her, laughing at her, or even behaving in any childish manner... In fact, he was showing true compassion for her. He...cared...about her.
Kaori reached across the table and gently put her hand over his. "Thank you, Psymon, for caring about me."
Psymon almost drew back, but when he looked at her, he saw her smiling. It wasn't the smile she had been painting on herself since Mac left. It was the smile that Psymon saw all time when she was with Mac.
(But I'm not Mac,) Psymon sighed and took his hand back. "I better go," Psymon muttered. "It's getting late,"
Kaori was a little hurt, but nodded. They had once again had a late night conversation in her hotel room.
"Psymon..." Kaori whispered.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you for making me feel better,"
(I make you feel better?)
Kaori wasn't prepared for what Psymon did next. He grabbed her hand and brought it up to his lips. Never taking his eyes off of hers, he brushed his lips across the back of her hand and whispered, "G'night, kid," and left.
* * *
It was late into the afternoon, and once again, all of the boarders were bored. Aloha Ice Jam remained to be closed for minor repairs, just to make sure the course was in top condition. Christmas was tomorrow. Kaori had decided that she was going to ask Rahzel if they were doing anything for Christmas.
"Not that I know of," Rahzel replied simply.
"Wha-? What do you mean?" Kaori was dumbstruck. Rahzel planned to do nothing at all for Christmas?
"Well, to be frank, I didn't plan on anything special, Kaori. Why?"
"It's Christmas! How do you expect to not celebrate it?" Kaori demanded, "It's a holiday!"
Rahzel paused in thought. "Well, you never know. We might offend someone. Who knows?" Rahzel chuckled, "Stark could be Jewish."
Kaori glared at him, "He isn't! I know for a fact!"
"Oh?" Rahzel tilted his head, "How would you know that? You and Psymon aren't exactly 'buddies' if I recall,"
"Actually, he is! Psymon is my friend!" Kaori said loudly. "You do not know him!"
Rahzel stopped immediately. Papers he was holding fell out of his hand. He made no effort to pick them up. He just froze.
"What?" He whispered hoarsely.
"He is my friend."
"Right." Rahzel said. "Look, Kaori, I'm sorry I'm not doing anything for Christmas. Just...deal with it. Okay? I have a lot of stress riding my ass right now and I just can't even imagine to deal with more..."
Kaori's expression softened a little. "I'm...sorry, Rahzel. It is just that... Mac is not here and-"
"Mac is the cause of all of my stress!" Rahzel shouted.
Kaori stopped immediately. "Why? Mac is what?"
Rahzel sighed and bent over to pick up his papers he dropped. "Nothing. You'll understand later. Mac is just..."
"I am sorry. I will go."
Kaori left Rahzel then, leaving him massaging his temples and wondering if Hell really was freezing over.
(Kaori and Psymon are...friends?) He thought numbly.
* * *
Kaori was still rushing away from Rahzel when she collided into Elise.
"Aaaaack!" Elise screeched when Kaori rounded the corner and slammed into her.
"Oh! Ellie! I am so sorry!!" Kaori cried, falling down immediately to help her friend up.
Elise groaned and rubbed her head. "What's up, girl? Where's the fire?"
Kaori stifled a laugh. "Nowhere, Ellie."
Elise and Kaori made their way down the hall together, on their way to the lobby where most of the boarders were.
"Remember when you were talking to me about Christmas coming?"
Elise nodded, "Yeah?"
"Rahzel did not have anything planned for a party. No party, no nothing,"
"What?!?" Elise screamed, "Is he insane? It's the holidays! How can someone be such a scrooge?!?"
Kaori shrugged. "There's nothing we can do..."
"No way!" Elise said angrily. "We are gonna do something for Christmas!"
Kaori raised an eyebrow. It was fun to see Elise angry. "Like what?"
"Secret Santa?"
"What's 'Secret Santa'?"
"You'll see," Elise muttered as she stomped off, "I'm gonna go have a little talk with Rahzel,"
***
"You what?"
"I dunno," Psymon mumbled, massaging his head. "I just..."
"Like her." Brodi finished.
"No, no,"
"Denial is to be expected, my friend,"
"Denial?" Psymon growled, "Look, I don't even know WHY I bothered to- "
"Simple," Brodi cut him off, "You were looking a bit 'under the weather'. I offered to lend an open ear. You spilled your heart out."
"I didn't spill my heart out," Psymon retorted, "I just..." Psymon's voice trailed off as he tried to search for the right words.
"She's only eighteen,"
"I know that!" Psymon snapped. "Buddha boy! You're not helping me! I just feel like everything just...went upside down."
"That is what you call love, my friend," Brodi smiled. "Here, have some hot chocolate."
Brodi pushed a little cup forward to Psymon. Psymon glanced at the cocoa and took a sip. He took a deep breath and continued:
"I dunno if it's love..." Psymon said quietly, "I don't understand what I'm feeling. Maybe it's some kind of 'big brother' thing, you know? I never liked Mac, but-"
Brodi's eyes widened at the mention of 'Mac', "Psymon, my friend, what about Mac? Kaori is in love with him, and she is only eighteen. You'd be ruining their relationship,"
"But Mac is just some punk kid!" Psymon roared. He paused, breathing heavily. He had lost control of his temper again. He tried to calm himself down as Brodi sighed:
"Psymon, Mac and Kaori are in love, whether you like it or not. You want her to be happy?"
Psymon nodded.
"Then just let her be."
"I...I..." Psymon paused, "I just can't do that, Brodi. It's like I need to be near her. It makes me feel...better..."
"I think what you can do is make your relationship with Kaori stronger. Just be her friend,"
"Friend?"
Brodi nodded. "You know, buy her something for Christmas. Treat her like a little sister for a while. If you're okay with everything after a couple of days and the feeling's stopped, then everything is alright. If not," Brodi looked at Psymon sternly, "Then it is love, and I cannot help you, Buddha,"
Psymon avoided Brodi's stare. Well, maybe it is just some kind of 'big brother thing'...
Psymon knew better, though. He would buy her a Christmas present. Just to be a friend...
***
Meanwhile...
"Yes, Christmas Party," Rahzel said once again.
"Really?" Zoe asked happily.
"Yes, Payne, really,"
"So what're we going to be doing exactly?" Eddie asked, "I mean...Christmas Party...cool and all, but where is it gonna be held at? And do we bring gifts for everyone?"
"Well," Rahzel paused thoughtfully, "Actually, I'm not going to break your neck to get you to bring presents, Wachoski. It's optional. Now, as for where it's going to be held...I'm sure it's safe to say that we can party at the indoor pool. Right? I'll talk with the hotel manager, and the party will begin tomorrow afternoon at 2o'clock sharp,"
"Alright, then it's settled!" Elise giggled, "Thank you, Rahzel, for seeing it on my terms,"
"Miss Riggs...need I remind you?" Rahzel glared at her angrily.
Elise only rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath.
Kaori sipped her coffee in silence as she recalled last night's events.
* * *
Psymon had bid her good-night after they had their conversation, which consisted of Kaori's sudden change in attitude:
"Remember when you told me I'm...changing?" Psymon asked cautiously.
Kaori nodded.
"You're..." Psymon's voice trailed off, and he was once again at a loss for words.
"I'm what?" Kaori asked, amused.
"Well, you've changed too,"
Kaori was a bit taken aback at Psymon's words. "I have?"
Psymon nodded.
It was Kaori's turn to be speechless.
"Don't take that the wrong way," Psymon added hastily. "I was just saying..."
"How have I changed?" Kaori asked. She knew deep inside that she was changing. Her usual sunny bright attitude had slowly been fading away, and she never expected anyone to notice. No one had...except for Psymon?
"You're..."
"Yes?"
"You're...sad, Kaori," Psymon sighed, "I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but you just..." Psymon paused, searching for the right words, "Just...aren't you're usual self, you know?"
Kaori frowned and looked down at her tea. "I didn't think anyone would care...even notice..."
"I did."
Kaori looked at Psymon in the eyes and saw something that frightened her. He wasn't sneering at her, laughing at her, or even behaving in any childish manner... In fact, he was showing true compassion for her. He...cared...about her.
Kaori reached across the table and gently put her hand over his. "Thank you, Psymon, for caring about me."
Psymon almost drew back, but when he looked at her, he saw her smiling. It wasn't the smile she had been painting on herself since Mac left. It was the smile that Psymon saw all time when she was with Mac.
(But I'm not Mac,) Psymon sighed and took his hand back. "I better go," Psymon muttered. "It's getting late,"
Kaori was a little hurt, but nodded. They had once again had a late night conversation in her hotel room.
"Psymon..." Kaori whispered.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you for making me feel better,"
(I make you feel better?)
Kaori wasn't prepared for what Psymon did next. He grabbed her hand and brought it up to his lips. Never taking his eyes off of hers, he brushed his lips across the back of her hand and whispered, "G'night, kid," and left.
* * *
It was late into the afternoon, and once again, all of the boarders were bored. Aloha Ice Jam remained to be closed for minor repairs, just to make sure the course was in top condition. Christmas was tomorrow. Kaori had decided that she was going to ask Rahzel if they were doing anything for Christmas.
"Not that I know of," Rahzel replied simply.
"Wha-? What do you mean?" Kaori was dumbstruck. Rahzel planned to do nothing at all for Christmas?
"Well, to be frank, I didn't plan on anything special, Kaori. Why?"
"It's Christmas! How do you expect to not celebrate it?" Kaori demanded, "It's a holiday!"
Rahzel paused in thought. "Well, you never know. We might offend someone. Who knows?" Rahzel chuckled, "Stark could be Jewish."
Kaori glared at him, "He isn't! I know for a fact!"
"Oh?" Rahzel tilted his head, "How would you know that? You and Psymon aren't exactly 'buddies' if I recall,"
"Actually, he is! Psymon is my friend!" Kaori said loudly. "You do not know him!"
Rahzel stopped immediately. Papers he was holding fell out of his hand. He made no effort to pick them up. He just froze.
"What?" He whispered hoarsely.
"He is my friend."
"Right." Rahzel said. "Look, Kaori, I'm sorry I'm not doing anything for Christmas. Just...deal with it. Okay? I have a lot of stress riding my ass right now and I just can't even imagine to deal with more..."
Kaori's expression softened a little. "I'm...sorry, Rahzel. It is just that... Mac is not here and-"
"Mac is the cause of all of my stress!" Rahzel shouted.
Kaori stopped immediately. "Why? Mac is what?"
Rahzel sighed and bent over to pick up his papers he dropped. "Nothing. You'll understand later. Mac is just..."
"I am sorry. I will go."
Kaori left Rahzel then, leaving him massaging his temples and wondering if Hell really was freezing over.
(Kaori and Psymon are...friends?) He thought numbly.
* * *
Kaori was still rushing away from Rahzel when she collided into Elise.
"Aaaaack!" Elise screeched when Kaori rounded the corner and slammed into her.
"Oh! Ellie! I am so sorry!!" Kaori cried, falling down immediately to help her friend up.
Elise groaned and rubbed her head. "What's up, girl? Where's the fire?"
Kaori stifled a laugh. "Nowhere, Ellie."
Elise and Kaori made their way down the hall together, on their way to the lobby where most of the boarders were.
"Remember when you were talking to me about Christmas coming?"
Elise nodded, "Yeah?"
"Rahzel did not have anything planned for a party. No party, no nothing,"
"What?!?" Elise screamed, "Is he insane? It's the holidays! How can someone be such a scrooge?!?"
Kaori shrugged. "There's nothing we can do..."
"No way!" Elise said angrily. "We are gonna do something for Christmas!"
Kaori raised an eyebrow. It was fun to see Elise angry. "Like what?"
"Secret Santa?"
"What's 'Secret Santa'?"
"You'll see," Elise muttered as she stomped off, "I'm gonna go have a little talk with Rahzel,"
***
"You what?"
"I dunno," Psymon mumbled, massaging his head. "I just..."
"Like her." Brodi finished.
"No, no,"
"Denial is to be expected, my friend,"
"Denial?" Psymon growled, "Look, I don't even know WHY I bothered to- "
"Simple," Brodi cut him off, "You were looking a bit 'under the weather'. I offered to lend an open ear. You spilled your heart out."
"I didn't spill my heart out," Psymon retorted, "I just..." Psymon's voice trailed off as he tried to search for the right words.
"She's only eighteen,"
"I know that!" Psymon snapped. "Buddha boy! You're not helping me! I just feel like everything just...went upside down."
"That is what you call love, my friend," Brodi smiled. "Here, have some hot chocolate."
Brodi pushed a little cup forward to Psymon. Psymon glanced at the cocoa and took a sip. He took a deep breath and continued:
"I dunno if it's love..." Psymon said quietly, "I don't understand what I'm feeling. Maybe it's some kind of 'big brother' thing, you know? I never liked Mac, but-"
Brodi's eyes widened at the mention of 'Mac', "Psymon, my friend, what about Mac? Kaori is in love with him, and she is only eighteen. You'd be ruining their relationship,"
"But Mac is just some punk kid!" Psymon roared. He paused, breathing heavily. He had lost control of his temper again. He tried to calm himself down as Brodi sighed:
"Psymon, Mac and Kaori are in love, whether you like it or not. You want her to be happy?"
Psymon nodded.
"Then just let her be."
"I...I..." Psymon paused, "I just can't do that, Brodi. It's like I need to be near her. It makes me feel...better..."
"I think what you can do is make your relationship with Kaori stronger. Just be her friend,"
"Friend?"
Brodi nodded. "You know, buy her something for Christmas. Treat her like a little sister for a while. If you're okay with everything after a couple of days and the feeling's stopped, then everything is alright. If not," Brodi looked at Psymon sternly, "Then it is love, and I cannot help you, Buddha,"
Psymon avoided Brodi's stare. Well, maybe it is just some kind of 'big brother thing'...
Psymon knew better, though. He would buy her a Christmas present. Just to be a friend...
***
Meanwhile...
"Yes, Christmas Party," Rahzel said once again.
"Really?" Zoe asked happily.
"Yes, Payne, really,"
"So what're we going to be doing exactly?" Eddie asked, "I mean...Christmas Party...cool and all, but where is it gonna be held at? And do we bring gifts for everyone?"
"Well," Rahzel paused thoughtfully, "Actually, I'm not going to break your neck to get you to bring presents, Wachoski. It's optional. Now, as for where it's going to be held...I'm sure it's safe to say that we can party at the indoor pool. Right? I'll talk with the hotel manager, and the party will begin tomorrow afternoon at 2o'clock sharp,"
"Alright, then it's settled!" Elise giggled, "Thank you, Rahzel, for seeing it on my terms,"
"Miss Riggs...need I remind you?" Rahzel glared at her angrily.
Elise only rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath.