She let a gasp roll off her tongue. “You poor sheltered child! Last year? We are sooo getting more smoothies from now on.” She grinned again, flopping over onto the table, head resting on her arm.
She stared out the window for a moment, a light blush turning her pale face pink. “Can we do this again? Please? I’m having a lot of fun.”
Kyle nodded, offering Xio a small smile, "Sure, we can do this again," And then his smile dropped when a thought occurred to him, "W-What about your other friends? Don't you want to hang out with them?"
He didn't want to take her away from her other friends because that would make him feel so guilty. He already felt bad because what if Xio had wanted to hang out with her friends today? But she wasn't because she was hanging out with him?
“What friends? You mean Jeremy? He’s my only friend. And he’s… sick right now.” She lowered her head, groaning. “I don’t know when he’ll be back and it’s scary…” she admitted, biting her lip.
“Im not too popular either, Kai. The other students tend to ignore me. I might have ticked off a few people with a lot of power. People think I’m strange, or murderous, and I’ve even heard them say I hook up with every guy I meet. They say when I’m being friendly I’m just wanting for attention or being flirty.”
"M-Murderous? Like Zodiac killer murderous?" Kyle raised an eyebrow at her a took a sip of his drink. Some people really were dumb at their school.
"At least you have a friend to talk to, even if it is just one," He sighed, "S-Sorry, I'm being insensitive." Damn, you could really tell he didn't have good people skills.
She grinned and leaned in close. “Wanna know how much your kidneys sell for on the black market? Or how Ted Bundy killed his victims? Or I could tell you about how Jack the Ripper left the intestines of a women he killed on her nightstand?” She ran a hand through her hair, flopping back in her seat. “Sadistic maybe, but me as a serial killer? Not likely.”
With a sigh, Xiomara nodded. He was right. “No, you’re right. I know I shouldn’t complain at all. People have it worse than I do but, sometimes I feel like I have the right to complain. Maybe then someone will take pity on me.”
Kyle shook his head, "Everyone has the right to complain. Some more then others yes but that doesn't mean you can't," He looked out the window, "Some people just get lucky and others don't, it's just how life goes."
He knew that first hand. Kyle had had enough bad luck for a life time and it had driven him to a point where he didn't think he'd be able to function normally but here he was, having a normal conversation. Maybe he was finally getting some good luck.
Xiomara started at him, her eyes soft and kind. “Can I hug you? You sound like you’ve been through too much to handle on your own.” She said without thinking. Her face went bright red. “Oh! That wasn’t meant to sound so weird and rude! I’m sure you’re perfectly strong and amazing and can do a lot but, sometimes you need a little comfort in life.” She added quickly, taking a sip of her drink to stop herself from talking.
She pouted silently to herself. How was this kid so calm? He had to be stronger than hell to live his life. Hiding a power, being bullied for that power, worried that everyone would hate you for it. Her fingers moved to trace along the back of her neck where her scars were hidden under hair. Maybe he had learned to hide it well enough no one could tell he was hurting.
Kyle chuckled. He actually chuckled for the first time in a very long time, "Yes. You can hug me," He said softly, turning back to her with a matching smile, "And you really don't know half of what I've been through but that's a conversation for another day."
Maybe one day he'd tell her what's happened to him. He had no doubt he would if they continued to hang out like this. And for once he didn't hate the idea of spilling his life story to someone.
“Careful, I might actually take you up on that offer.” A relieved breath escaped her. She hadn’t realized she had been so tense. “Maybe I will take that.” Xiomara honestly felt natural around Kai. He was one she could open up to and talk about more than just the skin-deep topics.
“No seriously, can I really hug you?” She was serious this time. She didn’t want to accidentally step into some boundary he would hate. “I’m not going to let this go, so…”
"I already said you could," Kyle replied gently, "If I said so you can."
Even though he didn't want to admit it, he was kind of touch starved. Yes, he got the occasional hug from Giselle and Damien, his foster parents but that was it. He had no other friends to hug and MAria was gone so no more of her amazing hugs either.
Xiomara smiled. She tilted her head back and let out a small laugh. “Then I’ll repay you with a hug. Y’know, for the drinks.” She was hesitant at first but soon got over her fear, sliding over to give him an awkward side hug. “You caught me off guard. Usually I give waaaay better hugs.”
Her smile returned to her face. The genuine smile. “You’ll see in time. I’m good at it.”
"I'm looking forward too it," Kyle smiled back and took a few more sips of his drink, "I'm not the best at hugs, mainly because I don't have to give them that often." He shrugged.
Even though the side hug received he was glad he had had some form of physical contact which was strange for him but he enjoyed it anyways.
“Pfft. You really are shealtered. I give them to anyone and everyone. In a way it’s my downfall.” She chuckled nervously, running her hand through her hair. It was a mess by down. She was still a little nervous. Things were going well and she didn’t want to ruin it. She was such a people pleaser.
“Maybe next time we hang out I’ll show you my hiding spot.” She said causally, leaning back in her seat and biting her lip.
"Not my fault I'm sheltered," He mumbled, sighing though his nose. It was partly his fault, but mainly the events that caused him to be like this. Through he wanted to change that, at least just a little.
"And I'd love if you showed me you're hiding spot next time." He smiled softly at her and rested his arms on the table. Kyle let his eyes quickly scan Xio's features as he hadn't had a real chance to look yet. Eventually he looked down because he realised he was staring.
"I know it isn't." Her eyes softened for the smallest of moments. "It makes it more fun to show you things." Xiomara was determined to change his sheltered life. It seemed like a good way to make him a friend. She hoped it was at least.
Her eyes narrowed for a moment as she thought, chewing on the inside of her cheek. Her eyes followed a pedestrian crossing the window's path. Her face fell once again. She thought she had seen Lynnette for a split second. That woman was everywhere now.
"I'm not sheltered but I am picky. I've never had ice cream before." the words were more to distract herself.
Kyle tilted his head to the side and his eyes widened just slightly, "You've… you've never had ice-cream?" Even he'd had ice-cream before. Granted it was always in small amounts but he'd had it, "Next time we're getting you ice-cream."
He looked out the window with her, his eyes locating what she was seeing but couldn't find anything interesting. Instead he looked around the small room and, knowing no one was watching, blew some snow flakes at her.
She smiled apologetically, laughing. "I've just never really wanted any. I'll try it though." Ice cream was just something she tried to avoid. Mostly because Lynnette tried to bribe Xiomara into living with her using a tub of ice cream. Xiomara was determined to show she didn't want to go with the druggy.
She gasped in surprise, her eyes wide. Not only had the snowflakes surprised her, they were cold. They had caused goosebumps to rise on her arms. A wicked grin flashed across her face. "Wait until it snows again. I'm soo going to get you back for that." She paused, watching a few of them. "They're pretty. I can't believe people hate this."
Kyle shrugged, "People hate what they can't understand. Humans are scared of what they can't explain so they're natural reaction is to either run or shout. If it's unknown then you can be sure someone will disapprove."
He rested his head in his hand placed his other palm up on the table. He let snow fall onto it, glittering blue mixing with the pure white, "But if people actually looked rather then running," He sighed, "Maybe people wouldn't hate the unexplained."
"At least know I don't hate you." She replied quietly. The rest of her smoothie was abandoned. "Might just be me and my hopeless romantic side but I think you're unique and meant for something better in this world. Maybe you're like, I don't know, some sort of ice bender come to save the world?" It was a joke, but her eyes were wide in excitement.
"You're the chosen one Kai." She couldn't help but to laugh this time. Hurrying to the depths of her backpack she pulled a small journal and a pencil out. As she scribbled down her thoughts she giggled to herself. "This is a fun idea. I feel like writing again. Goodbye writer's block!"
Kyle smiled slightly, "Feel free to quite me on whatever you want," He muttered, keeping his eyes on his snow, "I don't mind if it helps you with writing ideas."
He found it really humbling that someone thought that he would be good inspiration for a book. It was insane! He never thought someone would actually want to write a book inspired about his powers. After all, most people just thought he was crazy or hated him for it.
Her sporadic writing came to a sudden end and the journal was set aside. Her hand remained over its cover, almost as if she was afraid it would disappear the second it left her hands. "I guess you're my new muse." She paused, blushing in embarrassment. "That sounded weird, ignore that."
Her eyes studied his face and figure with intent. "I'll have to change up the appearance just a bit." She murmured to herself. When in her writing mode, she was quite lost in her own thoughts. She blinked out of it, however, remembering her new 'friend.' She already considered him her friend but was uncertain of how he felt.
Kyle stopped his magic and closed his palm, shivering a little bit though he didn't mind, "I don't mind being you're muse. But I'd hope to be your friend first and foremost." He smiled softly at her.
He sipped the last of his drink and pushed the empty cup to the side, "Do you need me to model for you?" He joked, letting out a small laugh. He really was coming out of his shell around her.
"I'd say you're already a friend." She mumbled under her breath, her brown eyes wide and innocent. "A muse sounds strange." Her muse? She really did need to put a stopper in her energy.
Her head shot up, face more red than before. "Model? N-no, you're fine, fine." She let out a nervous chuckle, running a hand through her hair. "I'm ninety percent sure that if you modeled for me, I'd end up in a ditch. My father would murder me.” She laughed at the thought. “He’s alright with me hanging out with guys but I think he draws the line at having a male model for me.” Xio’s face lit up mischievously. “Then again, that depends on what type of modeling. School photos, maybe; shirtless, oh then you’ll find my body in the dumpster.”
Kyle chuckled and shook his head slightly, "What of he knew I was just a friend?" He raised an eyebrow.
Yes, he didn't really like the way his body looked but he didn't hate the idea of showing off his body. I mean, maybe not to Xio right now as they'd only just met but still.
“Then maybe. You can go against him if you’d like.” She offered, smiling. Her father was just a big teddy bear. He really wouldn’t harm anyone. Or so she thought. After the whole Marx incident he looked ready to murder. She wasn’t so sure anymore. “But then again, he doesn’t come home till late.” She added soon after, resting her head on the table. “Just as long as you don’t freeze me or anything you’ll be fine.”