Kaylah's POV

It was still ten to eight in the morning by the time I had finished tying up my hair, and the official school year opening wasn't until half past eight, which gave me more than enough time to get myself some Starbucks. I took another cursory glance at myself in the mirror, making sure the highlighter was just right and my eyeliner was even, and then proceeded to tug on my heeled sneakers.

I couldn't have been gladder to be home alone this morning as I pulled out a cigarette out of the pack and stuck it between my lips, letting it dangle there. I had never been much of a fan of aromas (tobacco was tobacco so deal with it) but ever since Ianie had talked me into trying the peppermint ones, they'd grown on me.

I shouldered my backpack as my mind began drifting to how I'd broken up with them last night. I kept it simple and to the point, and before I could backspace it I just typed out "I think we should break up". All they had to say was a simple "Okay" in return, which might seem awfully quick and detached, but given our dynamic, we both saw it coming.

Ianie was moving to Nice in a couple weeks, and we'd both agreed from the get-go this wasn't going to be more than a summer fling. Still, it had felt bittersweet. Not because I was in love with them (I don't think I've ever been in love like that), but because I'd found a real friend in them. Someone to shoulder all my hardships and keep me company on those long summer nights when the heat wasn't the only thing that kept me awake until dawn broke.

And of course, someone who would agree to come over whenever my mom worked the night shift, even if it only meant watching dumb rom coms or even shittier horror movies and laughing about their plot inconsistencies.

I shoved my headphones in and sifted through my Spotify until I settled on some Guns n' Roses and made my way to the elevator. It was still pretty quiet this time of the morning, the snobs I had come to know as my neighbours still dozing contently. The harsh white neon of the lift bounced off my nails, which I'd grown out and gotten painted onyx. While I was expecting them to be frowned upon by our director, an Arab lady in her late forties who always tried to compensate for her height with platform heels and a shrill voice, I wasn't much too worried. After all, I'd known her since I was four and she used to bribe me with candy so I'd complete my connect the dots drawing. I'm sure we'll come to a mutual understanding.

Although none of my smoker neighbours ever deigned to wait until they stepped outside to light their cigarettes, I suspiciously eyed the gas pipes lining the entrance corridor and decided I would rather not take my chances. I leaned against the glass door as I took a long drag, which earned me a very obvious side eye from the older lady passing by, dressed head to toe in black and sporting a cross around her neck.

I was watched as her mouth moved, no doubt spouting some nonsensical profanities, and I debated waving at her ironically, with the same hand I used to hold the cigarette nonetheless, when a familiar car caught my eye. I blinked twice, not sure what to make of the black Toyota parked in the lot that said "Beauty Salon clients only" and the driver dozing in the front seat.

Upon closer inspection, I noticed the headlights were on and the engine was rumbling, meaning that the keys hadn't made their way out of the ignition, and I began wondering how long he'd been here for. Now, standing next to the driver's seat window, I could clearly see Gage, body lax on the reclined chair, one hand cradling his head. Although I primarily felt confused, my anger was steadily building up, and I was pounding on the glass window forcefully before I could even think about what I wanted to ask.

He jerked awake somewhere between my fourth and fifth knock, head jerking forward and brown eyes wide and alert as he took in his surroundings. He's expression was unreadable as he opened the car window and stared at me wordlessly, as if I was the one who wasn't supposed to be there.

"Your engine's still on," I said, gesturing around with short and jerky motions, unsure how to proceed.

"So it is," he made no move to either kill the engine or move out of the car, so I took that as a sign to continue.

"What the fuck are you doing here at eight in the morning?" my voice was a mix of self-righteousness and frustration which seemed prone to rise in volume, but I kept myself in check, swallowing twice as I watched him take his phone out and check the time, as if he couldn't quite believe me.

"I needed to talk to you, but 2 AM didn't seem a very appropriate time, and I must've fallen asleep waiting. I told you before, it's about Ari," he hesitated for a second before adding, with some difficulty, "please."

I wondered how many nights he'd missed just driving around and dozing off in his car in the wee hours of the morning. The shadows beneath his eyes spoke of dozens, and despite everything, I had to admire his determination. I said nothing for a moment, taking him in. Gage was sporting a stubble, and his hair sticking up like a bunch of antennae, making him look oddly childish. However, what struck me was the pleading in his eyes. There was something unnerving about the urgency they carried.

I sucked in a deep breath. "Alright. Remember the café we met in last time?" he nodded mutely, "Be there at 2. I won't wait around," I didn't wait for a response before I turned on my heel and marched in the opposite direction.

"Thank you," the words were not quite shouted, but they carried such immense relief he might've as well screamed at the top of his lungs. I paused, if only for a moment, and half turned towards him. I'd never heard him thank someone before.

"You'd better move that car of yours soon. My neighbour gets pretty worked up if someone parks in his spot."

xxxx

As I had expected, the school's front yard was packed; a thrashing sea of concerned parents, frantic teachers, wailing kindergarteners, and resigned faces of older kids, already counting the weeks of hell to winter break.

"Hi. Just us for now?" I kept my voice high and excited, trying to mask the concern brewing beneath the surface.

"Hey. Yeap seems like it," she visibly relaxed as I came to stand next to her, arms crossed defensively. Suddenly I felt a pair of arms land on my shoulders, and a voice full of fake cheer and fondness fill my ears, uncomfortably loud even in the mayhem around us.

"Helloo! What's up gal?" I didn't miss the way Skyler's smile didn't reach her eyes anymore as she spoke, and how Anna was sitting quietly and perhaps annoyed, looking as if she'd rather be anywhere else despite wearing a grin to rival Skyler's.

"Oh you know, same old, same old" I rolled my eyes at the awkwardness, starting to get irritated, and was trying to figure out a way to get Ari and I out of there, when I spotted our class teacher, who was frantically waving a "Grade 12" sign above her head.

"Ah, there's Miss Andrea. Well, we better get going. See ya!" I waved in their general direction, not waiting on a response, as I grabbed Ari's arm and waded my way through the crowd.

"Girls! How's it going?" I was suddenly enveloped in a big hug, warm arms wrapping tightly and squeezing just enough to make me feel somewhat lightheaded. "Oh well, could've been better," she'd been our class teachers from the get-go in freshman year, and she had become akin to a second mom to me. Albeit much friendlier.

Before she could say anything else Malik and Seth's laughter caught my attention. They hadn't changed much over the summer, although Seth's hair was longer now and his glasses' frame was rounder, which made him look similar to Harry Potter. If Harry would've gained about 20 pounds and had blue eyes.

"Au revoir guys!" I could not help rolling my eyes, silently thanking myself for wearing shades today, and tried to keep myself from cringing at my former boyfriend. I've never been gladder to be dumped.

"You know that means goodbye right? It's bonjour if you're planning to act as if you're bilingual," he seemed to only acknowledge my presence after I spoke, and nodded distractedly once, already turning back to laughing out whatever Malik had said. Typical.

Normally by now Ari would have had some clever quip to put say or conveniently bring up how I had dated him for almost four months, but she he kept scanning the crowd, and suddenly she tensed, eyes glued to a certain someone.

Ariana and I have always had very different taste in terms of partners, so naturally when Ari had described Nate, I hadn't paid much attention. But descriptions had never been her forte, and I've never had a very long attention span as it is.

He stood by the main gate, casually chatting with the gatekeeper as his eyes landed on Ariana, and his face broke out into a smile so wide it threatened to tear his face in two. Excusing himself, he walked in long, determined strides, jean clad legs deftly manoeuvring through the crowd while his eyes never left Ari's frame, almost drinking her in. As his eyes landed on her unbuttoned t-shirt buttons, he almost looked as if he stumbled, his shoulder knocking into a mother holding a screaming toddler. Men.

As he came closer, I noticed a pair of curiously green eyes, the colour of freshly cut grass, and wind mussed hair. He quickly enveloped Ari in a hug, which she promptly melted in, his shin resting on top of her head. I was starting to reason that I'd only been paranoid about him, until his eyes turned onto me. There was nothing soft in his stare as he looked me over, and gave me a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, extending his hand.

"Hi, you must be Kaylah. I'm glad to finally meet you after hearing so much about you," his tone was airy and slightly aloof, but his handshake was strong and firm, cold, long fingers digging into skin. As I angled my head to stare back, I was met with a look I had often seen in my father when he had taught me to play chess. Assessing, calculating, and unsparing.

"Wish I could say the same, but Ari here hasn't really told me much about you other than that you're good in bed,"

"Kaaayy! Oh my god why are you like this?" she seemed flustered, which I'd expected, but it was his reaction I waited for. He seemed momentarily stunned, which was quickly hidden behind a mask of cool amusement as he chuckled, twice.

"Well I suppose I felt a bit of a lasting impression then," his eyes were back on her, and she gave him a sheepish smile, looking adorable and irreversibly infatuated. I did my best not to stiffen as her tucked her to his side, wrapping an arm around her midsection. At least with Gage, I'd known his ticks and tells. Overall, Gage was simply a bit too impulse driven and slightly lacking in mental capacity to avoid it. But I could tell that Nathan was a man of patience and more than that, an opportunist.

I was excused from any conversation as Skyler and Anna noticed Nathan and proceeded to make kissy noises while peppering the two with questions. I slinked away silently and went to the only person who'd have at least some interest in Ari's wellbeing.

Mateo and I had always had what you could call a complicated relationship. With his tall slender frame and slicked back hair, I could call him handsome, save the aquiline nose which seemed to be the thing everyone fixated on. As my best friend's ex, I probably shouldn't enjoy his company as I much as I do, but since him and Ari seem to be on equally good terms, I figured it's not that big of a deal.

There's also the fact that he's never fully gotten over her, and even close to two years later I think he still believes that keeping me around will give him some kind of shot at getting her back. Although I can't say I'm not bugged about being a means to an end, I don't blame him. We all keep most of our school friends around for the same reason.

"Is he the BMW guy?" he tried to seem nonchalant, lounging against the main staircase with his hand in his pockets, but his voice gave him away. A tad too high pitched, the way it always was whenever he was much too invested in something.

"Yeap, that's the one. Now quite acting like you don't care and tell me if anything seems off to you," at that, his eyes shot up, looking around as if woken up from a particularly bad dream.

"Idiot. I meant if something seems off about him," I used a single black fingernail to point his chin in the right direction. I half wanted him to dismiss my concerns and look at me as I were crazy. But the longer I waited for him to say something, I felt a lick of cold travel down my spine, making me shiver despite the overly warm weather.

"Well?" I tried to keep my voice neutral and cringed when I heard impatience and fear creeping into my voice. I briefly thought of gage, and the desperation his own voice, and silently cursed.

"He moves kind of weird. Also, that's a stupid grin," Since I wasn't expecting more than a shrug or a one-word answer, I was slightly taken aback by Mateo's response. Probably noting my shocked expression, he spoke again.

"Look Kay I know I might not be the most observant one, but I sure do notice more than Seth over there," he pointed at my ex, currently staring into space while listening to music in headphones , "Especially when it comes to people I care about," probably realising what he'd just admitted, he went quiet, but was saved by Anna beckoning him over.

"Well, um, see you around," he spoke without making eye contact, and practically ran away, stumbling into multiple people and muttering half hearted apologies along the way.

If this were a normal day, I would've probably gone after him, or at least chuckled. But today, I took my time watch the way he moved, and it didn't take long before could see it. The way that he stood perfectly upright, spine straight and chin slightly elevated, but still somehow managed to appear casual even surrounded by slumped figures. The way he shook Mateo's hand in the same way he'd shaken mine, only once, before placing his hand back in his back pocket. And although his voice didn't carry, I could swear he spoke in the same cool tone. As if he were putting on a performance.

"What time are we free to go today?" I asked Miss Andrea, who seemed to be milling around impatiently.

"Already looking forward to leaving huh? I don't blame you kid.," she gave me a good-natured pat on the back, "Shouldn't be longer than 11, 12 at most"

I took my phone out of my pocket, and opened Gage's contact.

Me: Change of plans. Pick me up at 11:30 by the corner shop by the school?

He didn't question my change of heart as he agreed to pick me up, right before sending me a picture of his car and a very upset looking bald man in his early forties angrily talking on the phone, hands blurry as if he were gesticulating. I stifled a grin.

Gage: I might be a bit late though.

Me: I told you to move the car. don't worry about Mr. Sandman tho, that's how he reacts every time.

Gage: Is that really his name? Mood.

My eyebrows shot up. I didn't think he was much of a metal fan.

Me: Ikr?