Obsessed

Chapter 53

"Hey," he says.

"Hey," I say.

He helps me back onto my feet. Even with purple bags under his eyes, messy hair and a dishevelled expression, he still looks beautiful. His green eyes never look dull. Both of us avoid eye-contact while we serve the customers.

As I pass a customer her change over the counter, Kyle and I brush hands. Even though it was brief, it's like a strange yet heated fire was ignited. A rush of memories burst in my head. That night we slept next to each other, our first kiss, formal...

But also the anger, the pain, the hurt... I can't stay here. I serve the rest of the costumers as quickly as I can and retreat at the back of the store where the big freezer is.

It never used to be hard to be around him. It never hurt thinking back to all the memories. He is both my favourite and least favourite person in the world right now. And I don't know what to feel. Should I hate him or miss him? Should I want him back or pledge to never be with him again? I'm torn between wanting to know how he feels and never wanting to hear his voice again.

The door to the back opens and Kyle comes into the tightly packed room. "I need you." He says.

My heart beat gets faster.

"There are too many customers."

And it slows right back down.

"Last week I was fine without you." I say. 

He flinches. 

"I'm sure you can handle the parlour on your own."

"You can't just leave me," he says.

I stand up with my purse. "Watch me."

"Kristen, we both know I'm not as capable as you are."

"Don't say that."

"Don't leave," he says again.

I push past him to the door but he grips my hand.

"Let me go," I say, without conviction. 

"Is that what you want?"

I pause. Our eyes lock onto each other's.

"Hey! My kid wants her ice-cream!" An impatient voice beams through the door. Kyle drops my hand.

"Stay." Kyle says again. 

I take a deep breath and put my purse back down. Unless I was hallucinating, I swear I saw a smile flicker across his lips.

***

I sleep most of Thursday. Around midday, Sierra calls me to make sure I'm coming tonight to the drive in. "Do I have to come?"

"Yes. We're sorting out the cars now."

"You should be a party planner."

"I can't. Too busy at the dentist."

"Oh yeah. What's it like being a secretary?"

"It's alright. A bit boring. I'm sure scooping ice-cream is more fun." There's a small hesitation before she starts speaking again. "Speaking of which... how was work last night?"

"Fine."

"Was Kyle there?"

"Yeah."

"Did you guys... make up?"

"Sierra, I don't think that's going to be happening anytime soon."

"Never say never."

***

I take a bus to the drive in and walk the other five minutes. I recognize Randy's and Harmony's cars parked closely but not next to each other. Sierra jumps on me in greeting. "Glad you could make it soul sister. Alright, you're in our car. With Toby."

"Yep." Joshes car doesn't look familiar. "Whose car is this?"

"My dad's. Please excuse the messiness. He's a bit of a hippy. There's a ton of junk at the back, feel free to move it."

"That's fine. There's tons of space back here." The middle seat and the right one are clear. The left is stacked with art supplies and boho trinkets. I see Toby making his way over. Kyle pulls him over. They talk for a few moments. Then Toby goes in the opposite direction, to Randy's car. And Kyle heads over here.

Josh opens the door for Kyle and he plops down next to me. Is he serious? "Josh!" I call but he shuts the door and connects the car to the amp things. Sierra sits in the passenger seat. "Shush, the movie is starting."

Josh and Sierra sit comfortably at the front together holding hands. While Kyle and I are crammed at the back. About halfway through movie, Sierra grumbles. "I want some more popcorn."

"I want some soda too, let's go." Josh says before I can offer the same thing. 

They both leave Kyle and I in the car. Alone.

I don't let my eyes wander from the screen. Except, to be honest, I haven't been paying attention to the movie the entire time. I've been too aware of Kyle's presence to focus on anything else.

I allow myself to peak in Kyle's direction. He's looking right at me. I turn to face him. "Can we talk?" he says.

"Everything is perfectly fine. Why do we need to talk?"

"Everything is not perfect."

"What are you going to do about it?"

"I don't know. But there has to be something." Kyle turns more and edges closer to me.

"I don't know either. Maybe we're a lost cause."

"I don't believe that." He keeps closing the space between us until there isn't any. He kisses me softly, lightly, but eventually it gets more heated. I start to let go, to enjoy the feeling of his hands gripping my waiste, pulling me closer and closer. 

"Kyle." I pull away from him. "Things don't just fix. Like that."

"Why not?"

"It's not that simple."

"Why can't it be?"

"Because..."

"Don't you want me?"

"Don't you understand that's not what this is about?"

"What?"

"You broke up with me remember? You haven't changed at all."

"I don't get it Kristen."

"Then this is how it has to be right now. I... I-" Three words. Three. Words. "We're drifting apart."

"How do I... How do we un-drift."

"Is that even what you want?" 

He pauses and looks away. "I don't know, kid."

"Like I said." I bite my lip. "We're a lost cause."

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:'( espresso depresso reading this 

Hope you liked this chapter.

Thanks for reading! Only 3 chapters to go!

xxx

Aurora