𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋

010

part 010
kiss kiss

Will'

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the horizon as we made our way towards the beach. The suggestion to head there came from Kai and Idris. Zayd and Suki led the way, their laughter contagious and echoing ahead of us. As we followed, I couldn't help but notice the subtle dynamics among us. Idris, Parker, and Kyran trailed behind the laughing duo. Parker now and then glanced back to ensure my comfort, a silent reassurance that didn't go unnoticed. Athalia, usually a constant presence by my side, walked a few steps ahead, slightly withdrawn.

Kai was walking beside me, his gaze flickered to Athalia every so often, if only she turned around to see him. He was clutching his white t-shirt in his hands instead of wearing it, his toned body for show. He carried the rucksack with the refreshments for our beach outing. "We deserve this." Kai murmured, his voice a comforting presence amidst the sounds of laughter and the gentle rustle of the breeze. As we continued along the path, the atmosphere shifted from the solid earth beneath our feet to the soft, yielding sand of the beach.

"Yeah, we do," I whispered, the concern evident in my voice. "Does Talia seem off to you?"

Kai's sigh carried a weight of its own as he nodded in agreement. "Yeah, she does. But she's not opening up about it, no matter how many times I've tried to talk to her."

The words hung between us, heavy with unspoken worry. I couldn't help but blurt out the question that had been nagging at me "You fucking her again?"

A chuckle escaped Kai "I fucking wish." He shoved his hands into his pockets.

He gripped the edges of his white t-shirt, the fabric bunching slightly between his fingers, his toned physique subtly accentuated beneath the fabric. The afternoon sun danced across his exposed skin, casting a warm glow that highlighted the contours of his form. With each step, his movements exuded a casual confidence, a silent invitation for Athalia's gaze to linger, if only she would turn around. Despite the vibrant energy surrounding us, Kai's attention seemed anchored to the space where Athalia walked. In that moment, it was as if time slowed, and the unspoken tension between them hung in the air begging for some sort of fixing.

As we continued along the path, the atmosphere shifted from the solid earth beneath our feet to the soft, yielding sand of the beach. With a resigned sigh, he let the rucksack slip from his grasp, its contents spilling onto the soft, sun-warmed sand alongside our scattered belongings. As we settled onto the towels we had brought, the group formed a circle.

Kai's relaxed stretch drew Athalia's gaze, her eyes lingering on him with a mix of annoyance and something else. Meanwhile, the vibration of my phone in my pocket shattered the brief moment. The weight of Parker's gaze bore down on me, her knowing expression a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken tension between Kai and Athalia. 

"What is it?" Parker asked, making everyone look at me. I groaned at the sight of my fathers name on my phone. God, I hate that man.

"Dad wants to see us." I sigh.

"Oh fuck." Kyran and Zayd laughed.

"Don't be mean." Idris whacked Kyran's arm, shutting him right up.

"Wait," I interjected, my voice cutting through the chatter. "You two," I gestured between Kyran and Idris, a sense of urgency propelling me closer to them, "are you... like, you know..."