AN Alright, so I won't leave you hanging that long. I just felt like writing and finished the next chapter quickly. Why wait with publishing, right?

In close quarters

Part six: Closer?

Kai:

Never mind. I'll just read my newspaper.

Well, if that isn't disheartening. That's the problem of growing up. As an adult one is expected to be worldly and allow oneself to be confronted with the world as it is. As a child, all I knew was the Abbey. As lonely as that was, most of the time it was uncomplicated. Do as your told, and you don't get in trouble. It was all you were bothered with. Compared to the things posted in newspaper I had an easy childhood.

Enough with the gloomy thoughts. Contrary to popular belief, I'm not a fatalist. And speaking of...

What is he doing now? I swear, has Tyson made it his number one hobby to bug the hell out of me? He's crouching on the carpet on the other side of the coffee table, staring intently at the front page of the newspaper in my hand. Shall I bug him in return by closing and folding it? Nah, too childish. Just ignore him. He'll go away.

"Ooh! A baby giraffe! That's so cute!"

As if I didn't know that. I'm trying to read the newspaper in peace, Tyson. Ack, what are you doing?!

I guess he wanted to get a closer look at the picture. Get your hand off of my thigh! Warning! Danger, danger. Tyson, get off, please!

I have to think of a way to get him out of here.

"Tyson, could you get me something to drink, please?" Was that rushed? Or strained? I can't have him suspecting something's up. Uh, no punt there. And I still have some control over my hormones, thank you. It's not that bad!

"Sure, Kai!" he backs away a little, removing his hand. Thank god! "What do you want?"

Groan. Enough with the innuendo! Kai, you have a wicked mind. As punishment you have to drink tea. Yech, I hate tea. But coffee is out of the question right now, and I don't have much else in stock. "Just some tea." Besides, that should keep him busy for a while too. Now I can go back to reading.

Except that he left the kitchen door wide open. Which means, I can admire LOOK AT him bustling around. Damn, he's distracting.

Don't get me wrong. I'm very grateful he stayed to look after me, no matter how much I find the concept of such needed supervision humiliating. I don't think anyone else hut him would have volunteered for the job. And it's not his fault he distracts me, it's mine. I do know how to pick them, don't I? I mean, look at him, leaning against the counter, tapping his foot to a tune he's humming, fingers playing with the teabag. He's a bundle of energy, always seeking ways to use it. He's so opposite from me. Maybe that's why I like him so much. His boundless energy is something I never had.

Maybe if I raised my sugar intake? Not a good idea.

Tyson:

Since when does Kai voluntarily drink tea? Aks for it even? I thought he was a coffee guy? Not that I would give him that, not while he's still recovering. I did register him eating only crackers this morning. Ugh, I have this really annoying tune in my head and it won't leave. Don't you get that sometimes? I bet Kai doesn't. I bet his thoughts are as strict and ordered as he tried to make the team to be.

You know, I think he has a really hard time captaining us. We're a difficult bunch. Maybe we shouldn't b so rebellious about the whole training thing. I mean, what's the harm in getting a little training done in-between tournaments? It keeps us in shape, and so far, we haven't lost one tournament.

Sounds cocky, hey? But ti's true. The Bladebreakers have never lost a tournament yet. Maybe it helps that we don't split up, at least not anymore, and just all stay in Beycity during downtime. It's nice having them around, attending school with the whole lot. Makes things a lot more interesting. The times Max and I...

Is he staring at me? Did I pick the wrong clothes? Is he angry at me for accidentally taking his favorite shirt or something like that?

Oh, water's boiling. Better make that pot now. At least it's real Japanese tea, not those ready made paper bags of tealeaf dust sold in supermarkets. And these disposable paper bags to be filled by oneself are really handy. There, boiling water over it, and just leave it for a few minutes. Now, where were the teacups? Oh yeah, top cabinet, right from the sink. Better set up a tray.

Hang on, does Kai take sugar in his tea? Better ask, in case I have to walk back to fetch.

What is he staring at? It's a perfectly normal question. And all it requires is a very simple answer. Yes, or no. And if yes perhaps some kind of measurement as to how much.

"Yes, one teaspoon." See? That wasn't so hard. What kind of idiot drinks their tea with sugar. Totally ruins the taste, if you ask me. Then again, Kai works in mysterious ways. Now, where is the sugar? No, no, no, not there either. One would think next to the flour, tea and coffee would be a logical place.

"Kai, where is the sugar?"

Well, that's not very polite. People usually require a more pronounced answer than 'hn'. Oh, hello, Kai. Whatcha doing here? Shouldn't you be relaxing, you know, getting your strength back? Oh, you're here to help me find the sugar. No, it's not there, I already checked. What did I tell you. It's not there.

"Did you move it?"

Are you accusing me of ruining the set-up of your apartment? I would never. "No, but I haven't seen any sugar these past four days, so I don't know where you keep it."

"Oh, great!"

Come on, it's not that bad. It's not the end of the world. Maybe it's in one of the top cabinets. It's worth a try. No. Just cups. Plates. What's that? I don't think I want to know.

Something tells me, we're not doing this in the most logical way. Ow, that's my foot!

"Sorry."

"That's okay." Hey, it's rare Kai apologizes for something. No need to yell at him for it.

Yikes! Heheh, clumsy me. I guess this morning wasn't a one time occurrence. Now I knocked the milk carton over. I thought it was empty. Guess it wasn't.

Ai!

...

Oops, sorry. Didn't see you there, Kai.

...

Uhm... This whole... pinning to the fridge door... thing... wasn't my idea.

...

Wow, his eyes are really red. I just thought the light made them look like that sometimes and that they were really brown.

...

Pretty eyes.

...

Uh... Did I just kiss Kai?

AN Please understand that I am laughing my ass off right now. I am horrible for leaving you guys hanging like this, huh? sadistic smirk You guys are hating me right now. I know! I'll write more as fast as I can. If you want more, review. snicker