the return

Chapter 28

            I always told myself I wouldn't be some depressive cliché like eating ice cream and watching cheesy romances. But here I am, eating ice cream with streaky mascara on my face. All the guilty pleasure of feeling as if I put Kendra in place has disappeared. Now I feel like dying in this hotel room. It doesn't sound too bad, but I know at least one person will care.

  As I fall into the bed, I get a call from my phone. I figure it's just one of the party guests about to roast my ass for being a punk. But to my pleased surprise, it's Kai. "Kai, hey," there's a glint of hope in my voice. "Hey, pook-ster. When should I book my flight?" His voice I deep and comforting. I could practically imagine him here. "Now, please," the words start as a joke but turn into a quiet cry. "Huh? What's wrong? Did something happen at the party?" Kai sounds urgent and concerned. I wipe the tears away and put my ice cream on the nightstand next to the bed. "Yeah, a lot." I feel ashamed for kissing Tanner even though I had no control over the event happening. "Maybe we should talk about it when I get to Florida. Or not. We can just watch movies and eat snacks." I sniffle a little, "I think I'm in love with you." "I'd hope so 'cause I'm trying," I could hear a smile creeping on his face. Kai eventually hung up and then it was just me and my ice cream.

I realize I should probably clean up my appearance if I'm meeting Kai in the next twenty-four hours. I put the shower on warm and filled the bathtub with vanilla bubble bath. It sounds childish but is relaxing.

I decide to wash my makeup-worn face before getting into the warm tub. As I finish up with moisturizing my face I hear a knock on my door. It can't possibly be Kai, that's impossible. I peep through the hole in the door. There's Patricia awkwardly standing at the door with Milano cookies. I open the door confused, "You aren't here to harass me, are you?" She smiles uncomfortably. "No, I'm not going to harass you. I came to see how you're doing." At first, it sounded sweet but then I had one more important question. "How'd you find me?" Patricia is still standing at the door. "You have shared location on your phone, so it was pretty easy to find." I nod and let her into the room. "I was about to take a bath..." I trail off pointing to the tub. She looks shocked and embarrassed, "Sorry, I can go for now." "Oh no, you can just wait on the extra bed."

After my refreshing shower, I settle down on the bed so I can talk to Patricia and explain everything that happened tonight and the nights leading up. "So, what happened between you and Tanner?" Patricia asks concerned. "He pulled me into a cleaning closet and started making out with me," Patricia widens her eyes and covers her gasping mouth, "But before that, he confessed his feelings for me, and I was like 'We shouldn't be lovers,' and blah blah blah. Well, he wasn't happy about that and called me a hoe," I roll my eyes at that. "Wait so why wouldn't Kendra believe you?" Patricia's question was genuinely good and deserved an answer. "I'm not sure... probably because Tanner was lying and being a dickhead," I said very matter-of-factly. "How'd you stay so calm when putting Kendra in her place?" I shrug, "I never really was the type of person to yell at others. I'm more of a crybaby," I laugh at myself then sigh. "Do you believe me?" Patricia shows a sympathetic frown, "Of course I do! I'm so sorry for trying to set you up with Tanner. Also, what did you mean by saying she's obsessed with herself?" I take a bite of one of the Milano cookies, "I haven't mentioned this much but whenever I try to help with the wedding planning, she kind of yells at me. She keeps trying to add random things to make an impression on the guests. Her fiancé doesn't even like some of the stuff for their wedding. Not to mention the guilt and manipulation she's been using on me." Patricia reaches over to hug me. "I'm not sure why I even came back to Florida. I thought I'd make amends with Kendra. And I did until tonight happened..." "I'm in Florida now so let's try and make the best out of it." I nod and we both just lay in the hotel bed. Her just accepting my sadness.

"I didn't tell you, but Tanner and I also kissed when we snuck out to get drinks." Patricia jumps out of bed and stares at me. "What? So, why you about tonight?" I give her a death stare. "Kidding, kidding... but how'd you two almost kiss? I need details." I try to push her off the bed but that doesn't work so I have to tell her about what happened. "We were at a red light, and it felt like time just stopped. We were staring at each other and slowly moved closer to each other like we were opposite pulses of a magnet." "Nobody talks like that." I roll my eyes, "Do you want the rest of the story?" She gives me a puppy dog stare, "Yes! Sorry..." "Then the light was green, and someone honked." Patricia looked disappointed, "Oh... so that means you definitely like Kai." I laugh, "And I definitely like Kai. He should be in town by tomorrow night."

Patricia and I ended up talking the whole night and unfortunately finishing the whole bag of Milano cookies. But it was worth it, it felt good to have a deep talk with a best friend rather than a taxi driver.

***

Thankfully Patricia was smart enough to drive her car over to the hotel. "Are you sure you want to come pick up Kai with me?" I figured Patricia would rather do something more practical with her time rather than drive her best friend and almost-boyfriend around. "Of course, I want to help! Plus, I get to meet Kai and make use you two don't do anything I wouldn't," Patricia smiles at her sneaky remark. "Gross... the most we'd do is kiss for your information." Patricia rolls her eyes and we both get situated in the car. Patricia was an absolute saint and quickly picked up some clothes at Target for me so I wouldn't have to wear a tear-stained party dress.

"Do I look good?" I ask Patricia as I look into the sun visor's mirror fixing my lip gloss. "You always look good. Except maybe when your makeup was all runny... but that doesn't count," Patricia nervously laughs to which I sigh. "I haven't seen Kai in three months, so what if he thinks I'm ugly," I say that last part very dramatically. "Ugh, I hope he does." I gasped and mockingly put my hand on my heart, "How could you?" "Because you're being ridiculous. He's called you so many times." I groan as we pull into the airport parking lot. "Go text him and then go find your man! I'll wait in the car for you," She winks at me.

I get into the airport and the place is huge and packed with people. I've always been happy being around bigger groups of people, but this is overwhelming. Nervously I look around the giant building hoping to see a cute tan surfer boy. To my amazing luck, I can't see him.

I find a seat and then stare off into the abyss until I get a text from Kai. "I know I said we landed but they aren't letting us off," he proceeded to add an unnecessary amount of crying emojis. I sigh and decide to walk to a coffee shop into a coffee shop. I skim through the countless options then decide it's not worth it. As I turn to head back to my seating area, I bump into someone. "I'm so sorry! Are you ok-," I look up and see the most handsome guy. "My pookie bear muffin strawberry shortcake," he looks at me so endearingly. "Oh, stop it asshole," I say trying not to smile. Kai pulls me into a hug and laughs. "I missed you so much," I say into his ear as we continue to hug. He pulls away and grins, "I missed you too. But my arm is about to fall off. It'd be amazing if a beautiful lady were to help carry something." I roll my eyes and grab a bag of his, "Sounds like someone needs to hit the gym." Kai gasps offended to which I laugh, and we head to Patricia's car.