When I called Mila last night and told her what happened, she immediately went to get me. I refused her offer at first. I wanted to go with Deon and Dustin to the hospital but Dustin yelled at me not to come. He was furious.
I couldn't blame him. I was indirectly responsible for Keelan and what he did was unforgivable. How could he do such a thing to Deon? Behind those kindness and charm... I was right all along.
Mila brought me straight to their home instead of going to the party. I don't know what Rems was up to in the party but I was too preoccupied to worry about him last night. Mila comforted me until I fell asleep. Earlier this morning, Remi came and visited us. He apologized for not being there for me. He had to take care of the party and he was inebriated to drive. I had to excuse myself and leave them. I planned to visit Deon in the hospital.
When I opened the door, I was relieved that Dustin wasn't there. I don't want to face his wrath for now. I just want to personally apologize to Deon last night.
"Hey." I greeted him sheepishly while making myself welcome to come in. I didn't expect any smile or the usual warmth we have when we are together but I was surprised when he gave me a soft small smile.
I sat on his bed all the while he adjusted himself so he could sit comfortably.
"How are you feeling?" I asked. My voice laced with concern. His face was filled with bruises. There was a cut in his lips and his nose was red, black and blue. He was a sight to see.
"In pain. Your friend had a good hit. Good hits actually."
I frowned. "I'm sorry. He wasn't supposed to be that kind of guy. I can't believe he would do something like that. Everyone says he's a nice guy, you know." I mused. "I guess even the nice ones have their own fuse too."
I watched Deon who was silent and spacing out. He looked like he was in deep thought. He never responded with my apology and it kinda worries me.
"De..."
"It's my fault, Kai." He then looked at me. I frowned, confused at what he was trying to say. "It's my fault. I provoked him."
"A simple provocation isn't still a reason for him to beat you like this. He beat you til you lost your consciousness." I exclaimed.
"That's because it's not just a simple provocation." He sighed heavily. "I lied to him, Kai, and if you would've known my lie, you'd never want to see my face again." I eyed in him disbelief. "I was angry last night. I was even mad at you for getting close to that guy or whatever your relationship is. But lying here in this hospital bed made me think..."
"What did you tell him, De?" My eyes were wide as I asked. I felt something that I couldn't describe as I grew worried of what he did.
He didn't look at me. His head was down as he suddenly found interest in the blanket that covered him. "I told him... you're mine, that I'm your first everything."
"What?!" I instantly got up and stood before him as I eyed him warily.
"First kiss. First- Kai, you don't understand. You don't understand why I said that to him."
"Then make me understand, De. Why did you tell him that?! We haven't even kissed. As far as this relationship goes, we are just friends!" I saw him winced. His face then morphed into a frown and hurt.
"I love you."
I stopped breathing for a second. There was no sign in his face that he was joking. He was serious. He was staring at me, waiting for my reaction. His eyes glint with emotions I couldn't comprehend.
"What?" My voice was breathless. The sound almost like a whisper.
"I said I love you, Kai. I have always been in love with you ever since I could remember. Maybe the first time I heard you sing or when we started to become close or when we first met. I have loved you for so long that it hurts to be with you. And you're so fucking naive about it. It's frustrating but you seem to be unready to have a relationship with someone. I don't even know if you'll accept me. I was content with being close to you even with just being friends."
I could feel and hear the hurt in these words. He was sincere about his feelings and it's making me feel confused. He still lied to Keelan. He proclaimed something that wasn't real.
I looked away. "You lied, De. Why would you do that?"
"Because for the first time we've been together, there was a guy who had a chance to steal you away from me. I was jealous, Kai. I was scared and jealous. I saw you two. You're very close and it was different when you're with me. I could literally see fucking sparks around you two and it's fucking painful." He exclaimed. There were visible tears in his eyes but it didn't fall down. I don't know what to do if it does.
"You should have told me what you feel." My throat suddenly hurts.
"I couldn't. I don't want to lose you." He said while looking down. His fist was clenching the white blanket.
"I like him." His head went up to look at me again. He was hurt. "And I like you, too."
He was staring and I did the same. There was a moment of silence before I continued.
"But this wouldn't have happened if you didn't lie."
---
"Hey." Mila stood against the side of my locker as I grabbed the books I needed for the class this morning.
"Hey." I greeted back without paying her attention.
"You alright?"
I finally turned to look at her. "Yeah." I paused. "No. My dad and I talked this morning. He reminded me about having dinner with the Hawkins this weekend." I raised a brow when her eyes widened.
"Kai, the festival is going to be this weekend, too. Saturday night."
"Fuck. The dinner's Saturday night, too."
"What are we going to do about it?" I could already sense a plan circulating around her head.
"I guess I'm not going to perform that intermission then." I sighed as I closed my locker. Mila suddenly grabbed my arm frantically.
"No, don't." My brows furrowed. "You are going to sing no matter what and I'm going to help you find a way with that marriage meeting of yours. We, and that includes Remi, are going to find a way. Screw your dad. You are going to fucking dominate that stage."
I grinned, agreeing with her plan. "Okay."
"Now, wanna give me a little sneak peak of your song?