⚐Kairos⚐
a propitious moment for decision or action.

-

It all really started when I was in eighth grade, only thirteen years old with things just starting to fall into place. Louis had finally paid his Father's debts off, and his jobs were going pretty well, and we had just refurnished the apartment.

We were finally shedding the struggles that had been left for us to deal with, but I was still quiet and kept to myself, that is, until the day he appeared.

It was mid-way through the year, and I was just in class, doing my work when he walked in. The teacher had been expecting him, introducing him to the class as Jonathan Moore. We were supposed to be working in groups, but I'd asked to be alone, knowing that I'd only slow the others down.

I was singled out, in my seat that was placed in the corner of the room, sitting at my desk quietly. I had finally looked up, and found his piercing gaze on me. His eyes were behind dark rimmed glasses that were just a little bit too big for his face.

He was still for a moment, but then I saw him grin in amusement, and it was gone. If I blinked, I would've never caught it.

But that's the thing about Eden, he was never easy to look away from.

The teacher said some things, gesturing to me, and I snapped out of it. I could feel the warmth in my cheeks immediately and looked down at my book, quickly taking notes while the chatter started up again.

That is—until I felt a voice at my ear.

"Loner much?" His tone made me jump, his breath hitting my ear and making my skin explode with sparks. Maybe it was just the shock, but I was left staring at him, speechless.

Looking back, I must've seemed like an idiot.

"Does she not speak?" He smiled, finally looking away from me to put some of his books in the desk beside my own. Thankfully, now I could breathe properly and I responded more quietly than I wanted to,

"Why are you sitting here..?" He looked at me in confusion, the smile turning into a soft grin.

"Didn't you hear the teacher? Beside you is the only open seat." I realized this, remembering the girl who used to sit beside me left the school a couple weeks back, until his voice continued, making me focus, "Why are you alone?"

"I don't have friends." I shrugged lightly, moving my gaze to my notebook, "By choice... I'm not interesting, I guess." I tried to figure out how to draw the attention from me and responded, "And you, 'New Boy', you probably had a lot of friends in your old school, right?"

He shook his head, taking off his glasses and glaring at them, muttering something under his breath about dirt and wiping the lenses on his shirt. He placed them back on the edge of his nose, looking back at me with a calm look,

"Well, I just left a foster family, they located me to a new place. I avoid talking to the other kids so I don't cry like the others when I need to leave." He replied without care, and I couldn't help but relate.

In a place like this, a big city that had news of violence, shootings, and kidnapping cases that were often left unsolved. It was always in the news, and we hardly ever got notified that things turned out well.

But that's the thing, it's hard to get attached to people. Especially when so many have broken families, ones that are partly living in the streets, or one parent is in jail. Tragedy was suffocating, because it was everywhere.

This was normal everywhere, but in a place like ours?

The government paid no attention, they just ruled over us and wanted the money they needed in whatever way, as long as people aren't caught doing the illegal things. Bills were getting paid, and that was enough.

It was twisted and horrible, but it was normal to street kids that lived here. The rules were; keep your mouth shut and your head down, and you'll get through life with a chance of surviving.

We were also taught not to get attached. The next person you love could be gone in a couple hours. Held at gun point. In the news for dying like everyone else.

Thankfully, the only person I was attached to was Louis, and he was more than capable of taking care of himself.

"So, are you going to introduce yourself? Or stare at your book like you're reading something?" I snapped out of it, staring at him as I blushed lightly.

"Uh... Lauren... Lauren Hayes." He nodded, smiling and holding his hand out. This time I noticed how small dimples formed on each side of his cheek and it made me dizzy for a second.

"She already introduced me, but I'd like you to call me Eden." I gave him a weird look as I shook his hand, a bit confused.

"Why?" The bell rang and I pulled by hand away, beginning to gather my books as he did the same.

"Because, my friends call me Eden."

And next thing I knew, he was out of the classroom.

That's how I met him. Sudden and reckless. And yet, impossible to forget. Those words ran through my head as I laid on my bed, staring at the ceiling.

After running away like an idiot, I was glad to find out he didn't chase after me. I stopped in front of the gym doors, where Louis was looking around for me.

I could see the question in his eyes as I let out heavy breaths, but I had simply shook my head. It wasn't important—at least, not to him.

We drove home, and things continued on just as normal. He went to go shower and make dinner and I started on homework. As I flipped through flash cards over and over, I eventually lost interest for studying.

Now they were left in a neat pile at my side, and I was staring at the ceiling. Now there really wasn't anything to distract myself from him, and how he had looked.

His eyes, not them exactly, but the bags under them seemed to have worsened. He must've barely gotten any sleep, and was used to it by now.

His hair, a rough black color, but seemed like it'd be as smooth as silk if I could get close enough...

The tattoos that made themselves permanent on his skin? They looked so delicate, so beautiful... but they sent shivers through me all at once.

Jonathan Moore... it was a name I hadn't heard in so long. Yet it raced through my head over and over again, and there seemed no chance of it leaving.

A voice rang out, making me snap out of it as I sat up. I looked at the door, hearing Louis call my name. As I came back to reality, the smell of steak made me hum in delight.

I departed from my room, and walked down the small corridor, reaching the kitchen in seconds as I grinned,

"Smells amazing." I commented softly, moving towards the cabinet and getting two plates. I looked at the stove where wonderful, tasteful heaven stood. I stared down at dinner hungrily, before glancing at him for permission to chow down.

"I'm a chef for a reason, Blondie." He replied, his cockiness just slightly brushing over the surface. I jabbed him in the side, and other than a laugh, I knew it barely affected him.

I piled my food onto my plate, feeling Louis follow every action I did. I ate little compared to him, and I figured he was just carbo-loading as we sat down at the table.

The comfortable silence between us lasted awhile, and I was left in my thoughts as I ate. Louis glanced at me every once in awhile, and I realized it was from holding my breath.

Unsurprisingly, I've always had breathing problems, but it was more of an instinct than an issue. I didn't always keep a steady breath. While thinking I often held it, before letting out a labored breath, breathing normally for a couple seconds and then starting up again.

To put it short, it drove Louis nuts. I already had asthma, and he fears I'd stop breathing eventually if he wasn't careful on watching over me.

Thankfully, they were usually only triggered when I was panicking—which didn't happen very often.

He opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted by a rough knock on our door. I jumped, instinctively gripping my knife tightly.

We never get visitors. Especially not at this time.

Louis gave me a look to stay quiet, and he got out of his seat. He went and opened the door. At first I couldn't see who it was, until Louis shifted slightly and my eyes landed on a familiar face as it flickered into my view.

And unfortunately, a familiar yet painstakingly mocking grin.

-

Ash Stymest as Jonathan Moore