Amy and Andrew remained adamant that what they saw last night, the reflection in the bedroom window they saw through the car, was Luke. On the other hand, Luke remained adamant that Luke had a severe fever that left Luke confined to bed. They both maintained their statements until finally Rei, timidly, changed the subject.
“Erm, guys, looks like we should have dinner now. I, um, I got pizza and… fish fingers … and mac cheese… erm, and pizza. Haha…"
Responding, Luke, Amy and Andrew immediately ended their previous topic and sat down. Starts trying the food Amy brought for dinner as a small tribute to her. It wasn't long before Amy and Andrew were at Luke's house, about two hours later Andrew remembered that he had to go pick up his mother. Luke was grateful they were gone because Luke felt his feet getting cold and his back feeling hot. Looks like there will be another fever tonight.
But Rei did not leave. He was putting dirty dishes in the kitchen when Luke walked Amy and Andrew to the front door, then when Luke returned, he met Rei at the bottom of the stairs. Tilts head as if looking for something on the second floor.
" What's going on , Kit? Did you see anything? Is there something wrong with my house?”
Rei suddenly turned around. His shoulders slumped slightly and with a slight stutter, he refuted. “N-no. I don't… erm, yeah, I think your house is unique.”
"Not unique, really. It's like any other house," Luke replied quickly.
Rei grinned widely. But for Luke his behavior was a bit clumsy. So Luke asked him to leave, gently shooing him away. Luke grabbed both Rei's shoulders and pushed him towards the front door.
" Well , Kit, thanks for the dinner. It tastes so good and I don't care if you buy it or make it yourself. But it's almost night, I'm not feeling well, and I want to sleep as soon as possible. So you can go home now, Kit.”
They were five steps away from the front door when Rei swiftly held his feet so they wouldn't move even one step.
"What did you say just now?"
"I said, you can go home now, Kit."
" No ," Rei turned around. His little face contorted strangely. “What you just said, Luke. Are you feeling unwell?”
"Yeah, and I want to sleep early tonight. So can you go home now, Kit?”
He didn't seem to hear Luke and was preoccupied with his thoughts for a few seconds. Then Rei looked back at Luke with a smile.
"Can I stay the night here?"
"Not." Luke answered quickly.
"Why not?"
“Because I don't like having people in my house. I mean… in my grandparent's house .”
"I'll sleep on the couch." Rei pointed to the living room sofa, he still maintained that clumsy smile.
Luke rolled his eyes. Maybe Luke seems stingy and cold, but really, Luke doesn't want to be bothered right now. Rei's existence was enough to get here and he hoped he would come home. It's not that Luke hates Rei—in fact, Luke likes the perfume he always wears—but tonight, Luke wants to be comfortable at home even though he has to be tormented by a fever alone in bed. That's better for Luke. But Rei again asked for permission regarding the same thing.
"You know, right, if my parents are also away and I'm home alone—"
"I thought you said your mother's sister was at home, you know."
“Erm… indeed. But, tonight he has personal business that can not be left behind. So, I'm scared at home alone. I mean… we can take care of each other, Luke. Two is better than one .”
Luke returned Rei's smile and still opened the door. Embracing Rei's shoulders and intending to drive him out onto the terrace, but that didn't happen because it was right in front of him. In front of Luke's porch, there is the girl in the jacket. Hooded with cool piercings. Yeah, after their meeting at Zemba Lake, Luke wasn't worried about seeing him suddenly appear. But, let Luke remember his name.
Cooper?
Cobby?
Collin?
Conrad?
Nicholas? I don't think so.
Erm… Connell?
Jade? Yes, there it is!
“Jade Marrison?” said Luke mentioning his name.
"Co-Jade Morrigan," Jade corrected, awkwardly. “Hi, Lu… Ehmp!”
Suddenly, Jade looks stunned. His forehead was furrowed and even though Luke couldn't see part of his face hidden by the black mask, Luke could tell that Jade was holding her breath. Yeah, it's very clear from the hanging sentence.
“You again, Jade. What is it?" he asked.
Slowly, Luke noticed that Jade was frozen looking at Rei with a reluctant look and her steps were slowly backing away. Very, very slowly, until Luke thought he was moving backwards an inch a minute. He also covered his nose with both hands.
Then Jade replied, “Oh, no… I… erm, just now I… happened to be passing by… here and… I thought I could… pay a visit to… your house. But, you have… guests apparently. If so, I… go first, bye .”
Like someone who is being chased by debt, Jade immediately turned around and ran toward the car that apparently he parked near my house. Then, with the screeching of tires hurting my ears, Jade drove the car away. Very fast.
Even so, it seems that Jade's presence just now made Rei even more worried and didn't want to leave Luke's house.
"See, right?" Rei said panicked, "There's a strange boy in front of your house!"
"Her name is Jade, Kit, and she doesn't sound familiar to me."
“Do you know him? Is he your friend?"
“Yeah, I mean… not really.”
"You know where his house is?"
"Not. Well, stop it, Kit! Why are you asking such a thing?! It is my business whether I consider him a friend or not. You're not even my mother, Kit.”
For a moment, Rei's eyes widened with a look full of sadness. Luke felt a little guilty and thought back to the hurt feeling caused by Mrs. Bowles this afternoon. Moreover, Rei is an adopted child and he never tells about his family of origin. Ah… looks like Luke went too far, so Luke apologizes.
“Okay, I'm sorry. I also have no parents, you know . I didn't mean to…” Luke shrugged “I mean, you don't have to go this far to worry about me. Okay, I'll be honest, Kit. You know, we're friends, didn't we ? However, I think that you are a bit overly concerned about me.”
“Because I owe you one, Luke. Besides, you're my first friend."
"Who knows. That's a bit absurd. May I ask one thing, Kit? It'll be a little sensitive .”
Rei's cat eyes suddenly flashed curiosity.
“ Well, are you a lesbian? ”
Instantly, Rei opened his mouth wide and his small eyes narrowed like two rulers. He shook his head with all his might.
"What? Why do you think that, Luke?! I… you… what ?”
“Yeah… because the attention you're giving me is a bit… erm, overdone and weird and… kind of preposterous. It makes me less comfortable. sorry .”
Now Rei blinked. He looked at me, into the house with the door open, then down the street, and back at me again.
" Well , Luke. I don't know how to explain this to you. But… I guess you are someone I should take care of .”
***