trying to get back to regular uploads, but I wrote this chapter like I get a dollar anytime I use the words "perhaps" or "surely"

Chapter 12

Kyoko was going insane. It was the only logical conclusion. Or perhaps she hit her head and was severely concussed, and simply forgot! (Perhaps because of the concussion?) Anything else was too much for her psyche to bear. How could she think such things about Ren? About Koga? About both of them? She had been so certain in the dream that it had been Koga in bed with her until she met Ren's eyes. What was wrong with her? Could she not decide which man she wanted it to be? Did she want it to be both of them? Was she running some sort of fever?

Wait, yes, a fever! That must have been it! Kyoko always had strange dreams when she had a fever; now she was probably just coming down with something! She pressed her hand to her forehead. It didn't feel warm, but maybe that was just because her entire body was feverish, so her forehead wasn't warm in comparison. Yes, surely all she needed was some cold medicine to set her right.

Kyoko must be cursed. Why else would she be hiding behind a display of pregnancy tests? That's not something that most people have to experience, surely. But she was the exception, not the rule. All she wanted was a bottle of cold medicine, but of course Koga was there, browsing the aisles of the same damn pharmacy. And of course that sent a thrill straight through her core. God, she really needed that cold medicine. But she couldn't help it, she panicked when she saw him and dove into the nearest aisle to avoid him. And now what was she meant to do? Come waltzing out of the aisle full of pregnancy tests and prophylactics? She just knew Koga would have something to say about that.

"My, someone's confident" he might say. "I'm not really interested in you that way"

And although Kyoko had done a very thorough job of convincing herself that she wasn't interested in him "that way" either, she also knew that it might truly destroy her confidence if he were to reject her here.

There was a display of diapers not too far away. Perhaps she could throw a shoe and tip it over. Draw his attention then make a break for the exit, and she could come back later to apologize to the workers? But then, she wouldn't have her shoe. That would be a bit conspicuous if Koga happened to run into her outside the store. Not to mention that they were the same shoes she had worn on their date– err non-date– the night before. What if he recognized them?

These thoughts consumed Kyoko so thoroughly, that she had never seen him coming. He was standing firmly in front of her, looking down at her with a half-curious, half-judgemental half-smile while she pressed her hands to the side of her face to steady herself, while dizzied by her own whirl of thoughts.

He leaned down to whisper in her ear and she nearly leapt out of her skin when his cheek brushed lightly against hers. Her skin was hot and prickled with energy where he touched her, and again where his hot breath brushed against her ear.

"Do you need help deciding?" He asked, a sinful smile in his voice. Kyoko was so acutely aware of his closeness, of the large, firm hands he had placed on her bare shoulders to bring them closer together, that she couldn't fully process what he had asked.

"Huh?" She said vaguely. She felt lightheaded. Her face was hot and she leaned into his hands, letting him support her slightly. She heard him let out a low, throaty chuckle. And another zing of heat shot through her.

"Here, let me help you" he took a hand off of her shoulder and reached to the shelf behind her. Kyoko didn't even check to see what he had grabbed for her. Her eyes were fixed on his face. She was always aware that he was handsome, but when he was hovering over her like this, she couldn't ignore it. His piercing brown eyes were half lidded as he peered across the items on the shelf, looking for the right one. The way his choppy, boyish haircut contrasted his firm and mature face, delicately framing his strong, angular jawline. And his smile. So often it was barely there. On anyone else it might look uncertain, but on him it held a sense of confidence, arrogance, even. And it was mesmerizing.

He placed a small box into her basket and caught her eyes, making her breath hitch in her chest. She felt she wanted to be smaller and she pressed into herself, folding her arms across her chest and pressing her thighs tightly together. If nothing else, just to keep herself all together in one piece.

"Well," he said, that same knowing smile spreading across his lips. "I'll be seeing you"

Kyoko couldn't do anything but stand there as he walked away, as if her brain had powered down. She was in a near trance as she checked out. That cold medicine would do her wonders. It wasn't until she was home, and retrieving it from her bag that she realized that she never checked what Koga had put in her basket. She just bought it without realizing. It couldn't have been so expensive, certainly she would have noticed if it was. But there it was, a small black box at the bottom of her bag.

She set down her bottle of medicine and retrieved it, turning it over in her hand to check the label. It was a 3-pack of extra large condoms.

Cold medicine would not be enough. Perhaps she should take up drinking.