(Ron)
“What was that?” I ask, turning to Olivia.
Kyle stands completely shaken and motionless on stage. He’s staring at the closed auditorium doors at the back of the room. He appears distraught.
“Did you see her hand shaking?” Olivia asks. “I have to talk to her. This has gone too far.”
“Didn’t you have a plan to find out what was happening?” I ask her.
Mrs Cole calls Kyle off stage and he goes over to talk to her.
Olivia sighs. “I do. I can still use it. But Malory’s in a bad place right now. She needs me. The plan can wait. Let’s cancel practice this evening. Since I have church at seven, I won’t be able to talk to her until much later tonight if we actually practice today. I’ll go see her at work instead. Talk to your best friend. I’ll talk to mine.”
Talk to him?
I don’t know what to say to him.
It’s shocking enough that he’s been trying to get into contact with me, but the truth is that his absence from my life has been rather pleasant and appealing -peaceful, even. I don’t stick around him like a pet, wondering and worrying about him anymore and I don’t find myself having the need to. Kyle does a good job taking care of himself anyway.
But Kyle’s expression is worrisome. He’s caught up in thoughts about Malory Lloyd. The same Malory Lloyd he’s been at war with for the past few years. Something serious and important must have happened for them to genuinely start caring about each other.
Kyle’s expression goes blank as Mrs Cole lectures him on facial expressions. I find it utterly ironic and scoff.