eighteen

                                    

                                          
RUEL
                          
my mind is in a whirl. i just kissed kate.
                          
even as she tells me she needs to go back to class, my head spins with lyrics, rhythms, and melodies that i just need to write down.
                          
even as i trek back home —feeling empty from missing kate's presence but also filled with affection from the past hour— my mind can't stop feeling?; no, drowning in emotions.
                          
once at my house, i try and nonchalantly walk through the front door, wary of my family noticing how long i've been out of the house.
                          
however, like usual, my cover is blown over. 
                          
"looks like someone's been hanging out with a lot of friends recently..." coco states, emphasizing her words to my mom who's sitting next to her.
                          
both of them are on the couch watching some drama tv show, but my mom pauses it and turns around to look at me. i sense her staring me down, like she's looking for something to nag me about.
                          
"you look... disheveled," she says after a moment.
                          
i quickly find a mirror, and take a look myself.
                          
my hair has gone in all different directions, the bottom of my shorts lightly stained of salt water, and my skin pressed with a mixture of sand and sweat.
                          
and to think that kate still wanted to kiss me while i looked like this...
                          
i reluctantly accept defeat, and join my mother and sister in the living room, both pairs of eyes waiting for some form of explanation.
                          
"i... went to the beach," i finally state, sprawled out on one of those comfy reclining chairs.
                          
"oh really," coco laughs sarcastically. i throw an eye roll in her direction.
                          
my mom sits up a little taller while simultaneously replaying the tv show. "ruel, go change and shower and then come back down here," she says lovingly.
                          
hoping that she'll let me off easy, i do as my mom says and head upstairs to freshen up.
                          
—————
                          
by the time i stumble back down the stairs my mom is already in the kitchen preparing lunch. she slides me a sandwich on a paper plate and motions for me to sit down at the table with her and eat.
                          
i'm not that hungry, but i take a bite of food anyways. besides, i've always enjoyed my mother's sandwiches so it would be unlike me if i refused.
                          
"a little birdy told me you've been hanging out a lot with a girl recently?" my mom says, not even hesitating to get into the subject.
                          
there's no point in lying to her, so i reply with a subtle "yeah".
                          
"what's her name?"
                          
"kate".
                          
"is she nice?"
                          
"yes".
                          
my mother must notice my reluctance to share more information, but she continues. "you know, ruel, i try not to be restrictive, but it's important that you talk to me about these things so you stay safe." 
                          
i take another bite of the sandwich. 
                          
"just make sure the girl knows what she's getting into..." my mom states with a smile.
                          
"it's not even like that, mom. we're just friends... i think," i finally say. 
                          
she laughs lovingly in reply. "i ment regarding publicity, dear. she needs to know that you are 'famous'," she says in air quotes.
                          
"right. yeah, i actually told her about that today", i tell her.
                          
"oh, that's great! well, you finish your lunch," she says, walking out of the kitchen and grabbing her keys. 
                          
"i'm headed out to have a girls-brunch and afternoon outing with your sisters and some others. your dad will be home a little later tonight so just hold down the fort, will you?" she aks.
                          
standing up to give her a quick hug, i tell her i will.
                          
"oh and ruel, i bet kate is a lovely girl. i'd like to meet her sometime, yeah?"
                          
"sure thing, mom. i'll ask her."
                          
—————
                          
KATE
                          
as i suspect, i find it difficult to concentrate in school after everything that just happened. the only thing on my mind is ruel, but hey, i'm not mad about it.
                          
even after i eventually flop on my bed once i get home, i can't stop thinking about ruel and our kiss. in a way, i'm glad it happened because now i know he feels the same way...
                          
but on the other hand, i'm nervous about what it means for our friendship. can we even consider it a friendship anymore? definitely not.
                          
New iMessage:
                          
ruel ~ i'm bored...
                          
me ~ hi bored
                          
ruel ~ no but like actually :(
                          
me ~ hmm me too. we could ft?
                          
ruel ~ sure
                          
me ~ oh wait, sorry i cant x
                          
ruel ~ *pouty face*
                          
me ~ i promised my new friend elise id help her with her homework. maybe we can ft in an hour????
                          
ruel ~ okie i'll be waiting
                          
 ————————-
                          
heyyyy everyone! sorry for the really boring chapter today, i just had to set the scene for the next few. anyways, i made a new cover for this story (got kinda tired of the old one so i though id give it a makeover). 
                          
stay safe and stay positive, y'all. <3
                          
i'll always be here to provide you with your weekly dose of ruel lol.