15

Kira's POV

I closed the door and leaned back on it. Why does it still feel like I haven't said enough? Why do I feel like I'm holding something back; like I'm hesitating to say it? I won't shed more tears because of Kian. I can play it cool with him for a while. I have to keep a keen eye on him.

I go to the kitchen, grab two apples, a bottle of stilled water and a packet of ginger biscuits and go upstairs. This should get me through the afternoon. Gretna left a while ago, anyway.

***

I was chatting with Dylan and Lyha when I heard a knock on the door. I quickly jumped from the desk and into my blankets. I turn around so that I'm facing the door in order to see who comes in. I cover my face and pretend to be asleep when I hear the second knock.

Kian opens slowly and stands by the door for a while, staring at the bed. I try not to breathe too loud or else he'll notice I'm awake. He then walks over to my desk and I can't see what he's doing. Please lock yourself, I try to say to my phone. I don't want him snooping around. Why did I leave the darn thing on the table in the first place?

Ever so sleepily, like the weirdo I am, I turn around while yawning and keep my eyes closed for a while. I open them slightly and see that he's scribbling something on my glitter sticky notes. He pulls it off and tears it in half. He didn't! Those things cost me £0.40. He writes on another one and sticks it on the wall and then opens my laptop. I do not have a password. I'm finished, klaar, fertig, finito, terminado, fini, -

He closes the laptop once he's done and takes my phone. I could just jump and attack him right now. You know, a surprise attack. He wouldn't know what hit him. He puts my phone down after a good few seconds and looks at me. He runs a frustrated hand though his hair and looks around my room. Then he mutters something before walking out.

Once I'm sure he's gone, I get up and go to the table. This is the part in movies where the villain opens the door again and catches you in the act, but I've watched more movies to know that I could just pretend I was sleepwalking. I sit down and take the note on the wall. I bite back the smile on my face as I read,

Hey, just wanted to let you know I regret what I said. Because we'll be house-and-schoolmates,

I connected your phone and laptop to the Wi-Fi.

I also downloaded and set up the RPHS social network. I can

help you create an account and profile whenever.

KG

That's the moment I realised we have the same initials. I catch myself smiling like a maniac while holding the note. Sure he is an asshole, but aren't we all? Don't answer that. I admit I do need help with getting around the school and starting fresh in a new place, so why not start now?

Ladies, in-betweens and gentlemen, meet Kira Gonzales. The stupid girl that can't hold a grudge for more than a week, against a good-looking hunk, if I may add. And what is she going to do right now? Talk. Yes, you heard me, she's going to talk to Kian. Friendlily. Is that a word I can find in an English dictionary? It doesn't matter because it still carries my point across.

I put on my grey and white Puma secret socks with the logo in baby blue. They're my favourite socks because the colours make me happy. I close the door and walk to Kian's room with my laptop, phone and textbook on one hand. I'm about to knock on his door when I hear him say something.

"Yes, Miguel, I did. I also apologized. I don't know how I feel about her, but it's similar to- yes, her. She's asleep right now. Dude, I bet even Larry will say she's really beautiful. Yes, the blind Larry," I hear him chuckle. "Yeah, cool. I'll wait for her to wake up." There's hushed whispers before he speaks up again. "I'm playing it safe, okay? You can bet on that." What is he playing safe?

I don't hear anything anymore. I raise my hand to knock on his door when his words come across my mind, "this is the first and last time you step foot into my room." All of a sudden my bright mood disappears and I take a step back, ready to return to my room. I was a few steps away when the door opened and Kian stepped out, his face is a little between shocked and confused.

"You're awake," he says as he looks at me and my stuff.

"Yeah. I just woke up," I lie.

"Did I wake you up?" he asks. "I'm sorry about that," he says as he pushes the hair that fell over his forehead away from his face.

"It's no problem, really." He smiles. "I got your note," I say in hopes of changing the topic. I'm actually pretty good at this, I think silently. He stares at me briefly before gesturing towards his room.

"You want to come in?" he looks uncertain.

"Downstairs, maybe?" I suggest. He shakes his head and takes my stuff from my hand.

"Come on in," he says, holding his hand out. I look from his hand to his face and see him bite his lip, waiting for me. I nod and fold my arms across my chest as I walk beside him. Frankly, I'm quite surprised to see a messed up room. Shirts hanging form the love chair, shoes on the carpet and under the desk, papers rolled up around the dustbin. Seriously? Is it too much work putting the papers in the bin?

"A tornado flew around my room before you came, excuse the mess it made," he winks as he throws his shirts into the closet.

"Frank Ocean, eh?" I tilt my head as I pick up the paper balls.

"Yeah, I sort of like his songs," he says as he throws his socks in the bathroom. He walks out wearing Adidas ankle socks. A black one foot and a grey one on the other.

"Who's your favourite artist?" he asks me. I finish tidying his desk and turn around.

"I don't have a favourite, but I'd say The Script."

He gives me a knowing look as he lays back on his bed. "For their looks or their songs?" he wriggles his eyebrows and leans on his arms behind his neck.

"Well, you can't deny Danny is cute," I chuckle when I see his disgusted face. "But no, not for their looks. I like their songs too."

"Such as?" he asks and I lean against the desk and stretch my arms to the either sides.

"Such as Rain, Breakeven, Hall Of Fame," I tilt my head as I think of more songs I like from them. He's making it a tad difficult for me to not loose track of my goal. I have to get that account set up and get studying.

"What about Nothing?" he asks me and I beam, nodding.

"That's a great single as well." He looks at me for a good 20 seconds before smirking. And I so did not count down the seconds. I have better things to do.

"You don't have the English accent, do you?"

"No," I shake my head, "I can imitate it though." He nods and straightens up, sitting by the edge of the bed.

"Where'd you grow up?"

"Around," I giggle as I scratch my forehead. He smiles as he stares at me, making me more nervous. Don't get sidetracked, my inner bitch reminds me.

"I was born in Eritrea," I say and he creases his eyebrows in confusion, his mouth is seductively partly open. "It's a country in the Horn of Africa," I try explaining but he shakes his head. "It's in east Africa," I shrug and he smiles as he nods.

"Then we moved to San Francisco when I was two. We lived there for 8 months, I think, before moving to the UK. How about you?"

"Let's see. I was born in Madagascar," he frowns and I chortle. I can't help think of the movie Madagascar. "I lived most of my childhood years between France, Italy and Spain before moving here when I was nine."

"Were your parents married?" I ask carefully.

"Not that I'm sure of," he shakes his head. "Mom never spoke about him and well, I consider Matt as my stepdad now," he bites his bottom lip as he looks into my eyes. "Were yours?"

"Yeah, grandma says they were married for three years before having me, and they passed on in their sixth year," I say, my gaze involuntarily falling to the floor. It's sometimes easier talking about them, but other times the pain hits me like it's fresh.

"Thank you for telling me," he says softly and I smile, holding back tears.