9

"Want some hot chocolate?" she offered, plugging in the kettle and getting two mugs. "You may switch the television on for Netflix." She heard him say something along the lines of 'cool'. After preparing their drinks, she went to go join him on the couch.

Her mouth fell open when she saw his ripped chest when he was busy removing his hoodie and the t-shirt he wore under rose up with it. "Oh, I'm sorry about that," he smiled sheepishly, fixing his shirt and folding his hoodie aside.

She shrugged it off, extending her hand over to him for his mug. He accepted it as he sat down and she sank on the couch beside him, both in a comfortable silence as they watched the movie he picked out.

However, she couldn't even name the title of the movie if someone stood over her with a gun to her head. Her mind was stuck on the tattoo she saw on his abdomen.

***

"Hey, wake up," Zeke gently shook her shoulder as he tried to sit up straight but her body was on top of his. He was starting to feel uncomfortable because blood was rushing down and he'd be damned if she felt him.

"Kárri, wake up. Hey," he said a little louder, shaking her slightly. At the same time, he tried slipping from underneath her, but it proved difficult.

"Need some help?" Denver asked when he walked in, yawning. "Geez, how much did you guys drink last night?" He asked as he looked at the coffee table that was overloaded with beer cans. Zeke groaned, remembering how late they stayed up talking about stuff he can't even remember.

"I should have gone home," he sighed heavily. Kárri became increasingly heavy the more she snored and he just wanted to fix his pants.

"Okay buddy, come here," Denver said under his breath as he bent down to pick her up and carry her to her bedroom. It was no use trying to wake her up because first of all, she's a deep sleeper and secondly, she's intoxicated.

Zeke was just finishing up with his shoelaces when Denver returned. "Thanks for not minding me crushing here. Kárri told me you guys haven't agreed on people sleeping over-"

"Those are her rules and she follows them alone. I've managed to sneak in a girl or two," Denver chuckled. "Coffee?"

Zeke laughed, walking closer to the kitchen counter. Denver placed a cup of coffee and toast in front of him. Zeke couldn't help but smile and thank him for his hospitality.

"How doesn't she catch you?"

"She never comes into my bedroom. They are off-limits. And as you can see, she's a heavy sleeper," Denver said, speaking freely with Zeke as if they've been friends forever.

After a moment of silence for a few bites, Denver spoke. "So, you like her?"

Zeke looked up like a deer caught in headlights. He sipped on the coffee to buy himself some time to think. "Why, why would you think something like that?"

Denver smirked, feeling proud but protective. "I've seen you around campus. I think we have one class together, English AP, but I changed the slots. Anyway, I think I remember catching you staring at her once or seven times."

Zeke chuckled, slightly embarrassed. "I must have looked like a creep."

"Nah, you're alright. I'm just looking out for her."

Zeke felt defeated. "Do you like her, too?"

"Too?" Denver grimaced, sounding offended. "Nope. I don't look at her that way. She's like a... How can I put this? Do you have an annoying little sister? You love her to bits but you also wouldn't feel bad for burying her alive, you get me?"

That interested Zeke; that someone would be able to live with a girl, and not just any girl but Kárri, and be able to not develop feelings for her. He mentally facepalmed. That's right, Denver's feelings will soon develop. He just needs some time.

"I don't know how you are not attracted to her."

"She is a good catch. She's just not my type. I mean, yeah, she's drop dead gorgeous and all of that, but there's just no romantic chemistry. I've tried. She shot me down bad," Denver exaggerated, making it clear that she's available. "Plus, she can't stand me."

Zeke chuckled, remembering that she told him about how little she can stand him and how often he gets on her nerves in the apartment. "Alright, man. I'll take your word for it. Thank you for breakfast. I'll be heading out now."

"It's not a problem. You're welcome here all the time," Denver said honestly, giving Zeke a small smile so that he knew that he meant it.

"Thanks. I appreciate that. I'll see you again," Zeke said as he walked out the door and into the bright sunlight. His eyes burned from the sudden brightness and he reached in his pocket for a mint in case he saw anyone he knew and who would want to talk to him. He didn't want his breath to smell like dark coffee.

***

Bri strolled through the airport doors and the wind blew her rose gold hair all over her face, making her look like she belonged on the front page of a magazine. As soon as she stepped onto the pavement, her eyes immediately scanned the rows of vehicles that were waiting for new arrivals. Her lips immediately formed a smile when she saw him.

He gave a slight wave in her direction and watched her skipped her way to him gracefully. "You dressed up well," she teased, giving him a side hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Still walking like you own the streets, huh?"

"It's my home," she bit back, handing over her suitcase before standing back to look around. She was taking it all in when she heard her suitcase hit the trunk of his Jeep.

"Hey, be careful! My valuables are in there."

"I'm sure you can replace them. What's in there? Stones?"

"Bricks," she corrected before pulling her tongue out at him.

"I hope you're gonna use them to build a better fashion sense," he teased as he closed the trunk and jumped in the driver's seat. She slid in the passenger side.

"Wait till I tell mom about this," she mocked as she straightened her thousand-dollar tailored dress.

"Oh, c'mon, Bri. You can't keep running to mom forever," he rolled his eyes before checking the mirror to reverse. He glanced in her direction and saw that she was lost in thought. He figured it was because of their upbringing; their mom never being there and their dad was an absent father, or so they were told. It always seemed to bother her.

They were raised in foster homes until she was old enough and got scouted as a model for a foreign country's fashion line. That made her be in and out of the country very often. She juggled modelling and school. She saved the money she made to chip in at home.

He lived as comfortably as a young man ever could. He was lucky that their scholarship non-tuition fees covered their costs. It's a surprise she graduated high school on time and moved back in with him so they could begin university together.

"I know that look," her voice interrupted his thoughts. He looked at her briefly, his eyes going back to the road.

"What's your plan now? You told me that you're looking for someone who took your childhood away. I'm just wondering-"

"I think you mean our childhood," she pressed. She couldn't forget their faces even if she tried to. She doesn't know what she'll do when she gets her hands on them, but the more she doesn't get her hands on them, the more time she has to think about her plan thoroughly.

"Whatever it is you decide to do, you have my full support, 'kay?"

She scoffed playfully. "Who else did you think was gonna support me?"

"Well, damn," he laughed, seeing her smile. "Just stay out of prison," he added after a moment, his eyes telling her what his mouth didn't dare say out loud.

"We're gonna be okay," she reassured him, taking his hand and giving him a light squeeze.