Chase was being such an embarrassing idiot.

Again.

Kai couldn't count how many confused and annoyed and weirded out looks the two teenagers had gotten since they'd gone out for groceries again for Falte (this time not taking Abby so the same thing didn't happen). 

Chase had decided to look his weirdest for the shopping occasion, and Kai was very sure his friend was the weirdest person he'd ever met. Chase had grabbed two pairs of sunglasses on the way out of the door, a large "detective-looking" (Chase's words) coat, a checkered hat, and huge snow boots he'd found in Falte's closet. He'd put on a pair of sunglasses normally, but that was the only normal thing about him (other than the normal pair of jeans.). The strange-looking cap he'd snatched was sitting on his head backwards, the middle button was the only buttoned part of the coat, the winter boots looked positively ridiculous with that assortment, and the other pair of sunglasses was on the top of his hat. 

Kai had also lost count of how many times he'd mumbled an apology under his breath to confused passerby's. They either didn't hear him or didn't care; and a few of them even laughed at Chase's appearance. 

Chase picked up a can of beans and peered at it through the sunglasses, holding it far away from his face as if he couldn't read it up close. For the millionth time, Kai put his face in his hands and shook his head in embarrassment. 

"We don't need that, Chase, put it back." Kai poked his friend on the shoulder with gritted teeth, keeping his eyes trained away from the child that was staring straight at them with a confused face. 

Chase dutifully set the can back down, but right after picked up another one and peered at it. 

"OH my GOSH, Chase, we're wasting time," Kai seethed through his teeth. "Put the stupid can down and COME ON." He grabbed Chase's forearm, forced him to put the jar back, and dragged him down the aisle forcefully.

"YEeSh, chILl OuT!" Chase protested as he was pulled along. "Okay, I can walk on my own, you don't have to keep pulling me, ow!" He yanked his arm free and hurried to follow along with Kai, who didn't look back at him.

"WHY DO I LET YOU COME ALONG." Kai grabbed a bag of lettuce of a shelf as he speed-walked by, not caring to slow down. A few older women gave him strange looks as he passed by, and this time Chase being the one to mumble an apology. BUT STILL LOOKING RIDICULOUS.

"WHY IN THE WORLD DO YOU CHOOSE TO BE AN EMBARRASSMENT TO THE WORLD. WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME. EVERYSINGLETIMEYOUDOSOMETHINGSTUPID. WHYYYYY-"

"Okay, grumpy-butt," Chase said in a concluding tone, grabbing Kai's arm and pulling him to a halt. "I think you need to breathe for minute." 

Kai met his friends eyes and stared at him for a minute, clenching his hands at his sides so he didn't reach up and yank the hat, the sunglasses, and the coat straight off Chase. He breathed deeply through his nose, his shoulders tense.

"Jeez, you look like you're about to explode," Chase said, smiling nervously and raising his hands in a surrender gesture.

"I AM." 

"Calm down...?" 

"I AM CALMING DOWN THIS IS ME CALMING DOWN." 

"That looks like you trying to figure out which wire to cut so the bomb doesn't go off," Chase suggested. 

"JUST SHUT UP." 

"Yeesh, okay." 

"WHY ARE YOU SO WEIRD. WHERE THE HECK DO YOU EVEN GET THAT FROM? YOUR DAD IS NOTHING LIKE YOU." 

"Honestly, I don't know," Chase said with a shrug. "Mother wasn't weird either, and my uncle couldn't make a joke to save his life." 

Kai took another long breath through his nose, letting it out through his mouth as a sigh. 

"You're the weirdest person I've ever met," Kai said flatly.

"And the weirdest person you ever will meet I shall remain." 

~