Xio bit her lip, pulling her hand back. “Sorry.” She glanced around to distract herself. There was nothing interesting to see. She shuddered at the smell. It made her sick.
Once outside she took a deep breath to clear her nose.
“No need to apologise. I just don’t want you worrying about me, okay?” Kyle took her hand and gave it a small squeeze before letting go to open the car.
“Can I not worry? Worry is good. It lets me keep you from doing stupid stuff.” She stated firmly. However, she did crack a smile at the gentle squeeze. She couldn’t help but to smile whenever he did such comforting things.
“Do you have free time today?”
Kyle sighed, knowing he wasn’t going to win the argument no matter how hard he tried and he slipped into his car.
“Uh, I think I have a little more time left before I have to go home. Why?”
She climbed into the passenger seat, buckling. “Wanna come over to my house for some tea? Chamomile is good for you. It reduces stress. And it might help your… cold?”
//I’ll be gone for about an hour. I have an activity to go to.//
(Okay, cools)
Kyle looked over and smiled slightly, “Sure, I’d love too. And it might help with… whatever this is but we’ll have to see won’t we? What’s your address?”
//Baaack//
Xio’s heart swelled. She hadn’t expected him to say yes. “You aren’t afraid or something of cats are you?” She asked softly after giving him her address, hoping he wouldn’t notice how ghetto the area around was.
“Because Milo is the sweetest little thing ever. But be warned, your shoes might be filled with hair by the time you go home. We aren’t allowed to wear shoes inside so I usually set mine by the door. Milo loves to sit in them. He’s a strange little cat. But he’s a dwarf so he’s just little.” She rambled, giggling at the thought of her beloved cat. “I get to take him with me when I move out.”
(Heyyy)
“No, I’m not afraid of cats, though I am a dog person.” He replied, smiling at her before punching the address into his phone and starting to follow the directions to her house.
“Cats are cute. I’m sure I’ll love Milo. Alba gets her hair over everything of mine so a little cat hair doesn’t bother me. And what cat likes to sit in shoes? Alba just eats them,” He chuckled softly.
//Heeeeyyyyyy///
“Oh he loves to sit in shoes! It’s some weird thing he does. But I love him. He’s a dwarf American curl so his ears curl backwards and he’s sooo cuuuutteeee.” She squealed softly, covering her mouth. She loved her cat more than life itself. “I loooove Milo.”
The closer they got to Xio’s house the more run down the neighborhood began to look. The houses turned into gray apartment buildings lined up close next to each other. Soon, it appeared the apartments had grown smaller and smaller, eventually turning back into houses so small and run down, they looked as if they had been abandoned at the beginning of Time itself. Xio grew uncomfortable.
“It’s… not the best. It’s what we can afford right now. My father works from six AM to three AM sometimes just to pay the bill. I might have to pick up a full time job to help.” She admitted. Most of her clothing was from thrift shops or donation stores. They were cheap and yet quite cute.
Kyle nodded in understanding. He knew what it was like to have little money to no money so he didn't judge, he wouldn't judge anyway, "If you ever need anything, don't be afraid to ask, you know," He said, gently but still firmly, "I'll help you out in whatever way I can and I'm sure Giselle and Damien will be happy to help too."
He knew they would help out. He might have gone on and on about her at dinner the other night and were dying to meet her properly. And they were kind people in general so they didn't care one bit.
“Thank you.” She said softly, smiling. “I’ll keep that in mind.” She grinned, rubbing her neck. “I’m sure we’ll be fine. Thank you though.” She patted his arm.
"I have no doubt you will be fine, but if you do need any help in the future then I'll be happy to help and I want you to know that." Kyle gave her a smile before tuning back to the road.
“And I’ll gladly ask.” She assured. Soon her house came into view. She pointed at it, sighing. “There’s my place.”
Xio shifted in her seat. Her father’s car was still gone. She didn’t know why she expected it to be any different.
Kyle nodded, pulling up to the curb and putting the car in park, “Welcome home.” He smiled and climbed out the car.
“Home sweet home.” She hopped out of the car, blowing her hair out of her face. The door to her place was opened for Kai, her soft eyes watching him with a kind expression to them.
“Welcome to my place. Remember to takeoff your shoes.”
Kyle nodded, giving her a two fingered salute, “Yes Ma’am.” He chuckled and did as told, taking off his shoes and placing them neatly by the door before he entered somewhat cautiously but casually.
Xio did the same, placing her shoes on a mat inside the house. The second the door was shut, a curly-eared silver cat bolted through Xio’s feet. This was Milo.
Milo sat carefully inside of Xio’s shoes, purring. He must have liked the warmth or something. If not, she had no explanation for his behavior. Milo stared at Kai with big green eyes.
“Hi Milo baby! How are you my pretty kitty!” Xio cooed, runnin her fingers through the cats thick fur. “I love you Miiillooo.”
Kyle chuckled, adjusting his beanie before he knelt down and scratched under Milo’s chin, “Hey buddy, nice to meet you.” His fur was so soft and it reminded him of his own dog at home only smaller.
//Sorry had to get my little brother//
Milo purred loudly. Xio hummed happily. He was such a social cat. “He’s my pride and joy.” She said over her shoulder as she moved to a door to the left of them. It was opened to reveal a kitchen. A small table sat under the window, it’s length perfect for two. Two chairs were stuck under it, their wood twisted and old.
“I’m going to put some water on. Do what you want as long as you steer clear of the bed rooms.”
Kyle nodded and smiled a little at her, “Okay, gotcha.” Once she was out of view, Kyle wandered over to the table, running his hand over the surface delicately as if it might break at any moment. He sighed through his nose before turning to look out the window.
//Brb, going to my classes again//
Xio busied herself by seeking out the tea kettle. It was usually placed back in a smaller cupboard but today, her father had replaced it on a higher shelf. She grumbled to herself and stretched out, standing on her tip toes to pull it down.
(Okay, don’t know if ill be here when you get back. I ahve drama class and then have to bus home but I’ll repky when I can)
Kyle removed his glasses, cleaning them with the bottom of his blue flannel. If Xionwas here she would have noticed the freckles lay in there. They were generally hidden by his glasses. He frowned, wanting to get rid of them but he put them back on, focusing on the area out the window.
//Ok cool!//
A small park could be seen a littles ways down the street. Xio hated seeing it. The curtains were usually drawn and closed so it was strange to see them open.
Once she had filled and set the pot on the stove, Xio returned to Kai. She grinned, sneaking up behind him. “Whatcha looking at?”
Kyle jumped three feet in the air and frowned at Xio for scaring him, “Stop doing that! One day you’re going to scare me and I’ll hit you,” He willed his heart to still before looking back to the window for a second, “I was just looking at the view.”
“Pfft I’ll just laugh it off.” She grinned, nudging him gently. Her eyes followed his to the window. A scowl pulled at her lips. “It’s not the best view…” she mumbled, looking away.
Xio made her way to the couch, flopping down onto it with a loud sigh. “Tea sounds so nice right now. My body is sore.”
Kyle chuckled a little, turning back to Xio before sitting down in the space beside her, "I don't mind the view. I kinda wanna paint it in all honesty…" He admitted, rubbing the back of his neck while he shrugged.
“Do you paint?” She asked, slightly shocked. Kai was such an interesting person. She longed to have a life like his.
Xio turned herself so she could rest her head next to where he sat. She dangled her legs off the arm of the couch, taking and throwing her scarf onto the coffee table. She stared up at Kai, curious and innocent.
Kai nodded, face flushing red from embarrassment, "Y-Yeah. It's… been one of the things to help me through the past years of my life." Again, he shrugged a shoulder.
Even though it hadn't helped all the time, it helped most of the time and that was all that mattered. He was getting better and that was enough, even though it was slow. Very slow he was getting better and painting helped.
“Good! Keep painting.” Xio couldn’t paint nor draw for the life of her. She longed to be able to. She could give her characters life then.
She studied him for a few silent moments, not aware she was staring. “You are exactly what I need in my life.” She finally commented. A blush turned her face pink. “You’re a hecking good person to me, you offer help and comfort, you dealt with what you’ve seen so far of me, and you just have a good soul.” She closed her eyes for a moment.
“I’ve never had someone so supportive and comforting. Jeremy sucks at comforting.” She laughed a little but her tone was not joking. “I almost feel I don’t deserve you. But I know that’s silly because you’re here. Obviously I deserve you if you’re hanging around me, right?”
Kyle went something warm and gooey settle in his stomach at what she was saying and he was sure he had the goofiest smile on his face. He hadn't heard words like that for a very long time and he almost wanted to cry from happiness but he didn't.
"Honestly I don't think I deserve you. I've never had someone be so nice to me before and… in truth I can't decide whether the terrifies me or makes me so happy. Probably both. So let's just settle on that we both deserve each other."