It's been 2 days since the rooftop event and I was confused as to what Zayden and I was, I am currently sitting on the floor of his dorm room, using his laptop and WiFi to do my assignment while he had stepped out to deal with some Croix business, I felt relieved and grateful even though I felt like I am taking a debt that I will have to pay, Zayden have been super close, closer than lurking around, he says few words but his actions speaks thousands of words to me, he cared, he wants to take care of me, he wants to make sure I lack nothing and is safe, his constant need to touch didn't go unnoticed though I don't feel uncomfortable but it makes me feel a type of way.
"Did you get much done?" He asked looking over my shoulder and I have to hold to my breathe at the close proximity and his breathing in my ear, I nodded anyways, he walked around and opened the brown take out bag he brought with him.
"Thought you might be hungry," he whispered, going through the bag.
"I don't know what you like, I got burger and fries and lemonade, the....." He kept ranting on about the food while I just stared at him, at how he looks so carefree going through the food, how he talks like it was something he was meant to do, like he's used to being caring, he looked up and our eyes locked.
"I can make something quick if you don't want this" he quickly said and I smiled at him, a little smile that I wish convey my thoughts, that I want to give him the warmest of hugs and thank him for surviving and accepting me, the sister of his family killer.
"Thank you Zayden" I said and he nods, he ran his hand through his hair and then stood there acting very nervous, wiping his hands on his jeans and I can't help raise my brow.
"Are you ok?" I asked, and he nods, he was going to speak when my phone rang, unknown number.
"You should answer that," he said before leaving, I picked up.
"Hey cry baby," I blinked at nickname, only one person.
"Jude?" I whispered, Zayden walked back in.
"Yeah, it's me," jude mumbled on the other end, I ran my hand through my hair and tried to process what was going on.
"Where did you go?" My voice cracked, I haven't seen him since the funeral.
"I am sorry, everything was too much, I just took a break," he explained, and I understood him, He's like kairo's twin. They were everywhere together.
"I went home, and I was told you left for college, I got your number from your mom," he added, and I nodded.
"Yeah, I got a scholarship," I whispered, he sigh.
"I am on your campus right now. Can we meet, I didn't mean to just drop by unannounced. I just...
"No, it's fine, I can come meet you, where are you?" I asked, packing up my papers, Zayden moved closer, and I caught his questioning eyes.
"Starbucks," he replied.
"I will be there in some minutes, wait for me," I said. The call ended.
"Who's that?" He asked, and I didn't think I was excited to meet someone from my life off campus, someone closer to kairo, someone who actually can be my kairo ever if it's just today.
"Kairo's best friend " I said excited and the drop on his face made me realize what I just said, for brief second there I forgot myself, our situation and how kairo is entangled in between, I swallowed.
"I am sorry," I whispered. He moved closer, and I don't know why I stepped back but the hurt that crossed his eyes.
"Why do you keep thinking this of me?" He questioned immediately.
"I am sorry," I apologised. He sighed and packed the food, and he grabbed his car key.
"I'll drop you" he said leaving without even waiting for my answer, I followed him quietly, the elevator ride was very silent and loud, and the car ride to Starbucks felt suffocating, he followed me in and there I met jude, I don't know why I teared up at his hug but it felt so good, he pulled away and wiped my tears, taking hair away from my face just as Kairo will.
"Who's this?" Zayden's voice broke our little moment, and I frowned, I told him, I turned to him, and he doesn't look happy, I know he knows who Jude was, but I introduced then.
"Jude, meet Zayden, Zayden, this is jude, Kairo's friend," I whispered the last part.
"Zayden?" Jude questioned, extending a handshake.
"You look different from your pictures," jude said, and I frowned.
"Pictures?" I asked.
"You can never miss a Croix when you see one," jude said, but I felt a shift in the air.
"Nice to meet you again," jude said with a tight smile, and I looked between them. Do they know each other? But Zayden looked confused, too.
"We've met?" He asked jude, who chuckled.
"Yeah, a long time ago," jude smiled. They kept shaking hands, though.
"I don't remember much," Zayden suddenly sounded intimidated, and I felt the need to defend him.
"Come on, jude, let's all sit." I break their handshakes and drag Zayden away from there, but jude pulled me back.
"What are you doing with him?!" Jude hissed at me, I have never heard him sound so pissed and mean before, and I began thinking maybe I don't know what I am doing.