Lacuna

Chapter 23

Kahli awoke to multiple tinging sounds. She grumbled to herself as she turned over, blinking in the sunlight as her eyes opened. It took her a moment before she realized the sound was coming from her window. She trudged over with a yawn and peered out to see Emily tossing pebbles at it. She opened it and leaned out, glaring at her through the messy locks that fell over her eyes like she was a possessed girl in an old horror film. Emily had to stifle back a laugh.

"You gonna sleep all day?"

Kahli blinked at her, unaware of just how late in the morning it was. She could tell by Star's impatient nicker, however, that it was well past breakfast time for the animals.

"Maybe," Kahli grunted.

"Come on. I'll buy you coffee."

Kahli grunted in response. "Two minutes." She closed the window and dressed, then regarded herself in the mirror with a blank expression. She sighed and quickly ran a brush through her hair. She moved to pull it back, then decided against it, and let her hair fall around her shoulders. She looked around her room for a jacket, then saw Arlo's still on her bed.

"Oh, fuck," she muttered to herself. She moved to the side of the bed, picking it up and holding it to her nose. She inhaled, sighed, and smiled, then threw it on quickly before trotting down the stairs and meeting Emily by the front door.

"What a transformation," Emily laughed. "Hungry?"

"Not as hungry as Star," Kahli said as the horse kicked at the barn door impatiently.

"You take care of her," Emily said. "I'll throw some grain for the girls."

Within twenty minutes, the animals were fed, and Kahli and Emily headed to the Round Table, sitting at the bar and making conversation with Sonia and Django.

"You're usually an early riser," Emily commented. She put her chin in her hand and grinned at her. "Late night?"

Kahli hesitated, then shrugged. She averted her gaze and sipped at her coffee. "I dunno. Not really."

Emily turned her eyes to the ceiling and scoffed.

"Do you have something you want to say?" Kahli sneered, glancing at her.

Emily shrugged. "I dunno. Do I?"

Kahli sighed. "I'm too tired."

"I'm asking you! I hadn't seen you at all yesterday. I'm just curious as to what was more important than hanging out with your best friend."

Kahli didn't know how to respond. She wasn't sure if she was ready to tell them what had happened. She wasn't even sure what had happened. What did this mean for her and Arlo, anyway? Were they a thing? Or was it just a one time... thing? What kind of thing was this thing supposed to be?

To her relief, the door opened, and Emily turned her attention to Sam as she strode in.

"There she is," Sam said, grinning at Kahli. She moved toward the bar, pausing for a moment. "Oh, that looks like Arlo's jacket." She took the seat beside Kahli while both Emily and Sonia stared wide eyed at Kahli.

"Okay, just one cup today," Sam said. "Arlo's making me run around like a -" She paused and glanced up at Sonia, who was still staring at Kahli. Sam turned her gaze to Emily, then followed her gaze to Kahli. She blinked, her brows furrowed.

"Uh," she started. "What's going on?"

"Kahli slept with Arlo!" Emily blurted out.

Sam nearly jumped at this, standing upright and knocking her stool back. "Oh my god!" She shouted. "That's where he was all night!" She bounced on her toes as the pieces came together. "Oh my god. Remi said he was out. He was out all damn night. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god!"