Page 10 of The NemeSis
With that off my mind, I close my laptop and lean back on the couch. The older patio furniture out here has been recovered a few times, but the framework is top quality and the cushions themselves are all too comfortable. It was something Apollo, Kyra, and I all agreed on years ago. We all took turns hanging out here with our friends.
It was all perfect, before that night. As if sensing she was on my mind, I watch as Kyra’s bedroom door opens out onto the deck. I choose to remain silent, keeping to the dark to see what she does.
Kyra carries a laptop and a mug to the small table near the middle of the deck and places them both down. She sits down cross-legged in her seat and opens up her laptop.
She’s just close enough that I can see the screen. I watch as she pulls up a document with a list of what looks like random things in ancient history. What is she doing researching history?
Kyra takes a sip of her drink, then moves the cursor to scan up and down her list repeatedly. This goes on for a solid five minutes before I finally have to make my presence known.
“What are you doing?”
Kyra jumps in her seat. “Jesus!” She sighs as she places her hand on her chest. “Ares, I didn’t know anyone else was out here. Sorry, I’ll leave you alone.” She moves to close her laptop.
“No,” I interrupt quickly. I walk over and sit down next to her. “What are you working on?’ My curiosity gets the better of me. I should let her leave. We need to avoid each other.
“An assignment for school. We have to write an essay and I need to turn in my topic choice by Monday.”
“It sounds like you have plenty of time.” She should just pick one.
“It’s a major part of my grade and I’ve had all semester to choose.” Kyra shakes her head. “How am I supposed to choose when there are so many possibilities? It’s for my Ancient History class, but that doesn’t exactly narrow down the ideas.”
“You’re taking an intro to ancient history class?”
She smiles softly. “I did last year. This one is even more. Everything is riding on this essay.”
“I think you’re exaggerating.” I remember my essays. If they’re well written, that is all that was required. “As long as you’re being thorough with your research and your grammar doesn’t suck.” I roll my eyes.
“Forget it.” She shakes her head.
I can see the disappointment on her face. It both delights me and it annoys me. “Why is it so important?”
“There’s this summer abroad course I’d really like to be chosen for. This essay is a major part of my grade. I turned in my application, now the rest depends on how well I can excel in this class. There are only five spots available and there are nearly one hundred applicants each summer.”
“Wait, are you a history major?” I don’t remember that ever coming up. Mom told me she was a social chair in her sorority. Knowing Kyra, I assumed she’d be studying something like sociology or business. Something basic.
“Look, it’s not your problem.” She closes her laptop and stands. “You were out here first. I’ll leave you alone. Like you said, we’ll just leave each other alone.”
My jaw clenches, and I step in her way.
“Right?” She peers up at me through thick lashes.
I hate the way she looks up at me with those light blue eyes, baby blue, nearly gray in this lighting—or lack of. The same eyes that used to beg me to let her tag along or play a game with her. At the time, I could never say no. Now?
Now, the problem is I want to both push her off this deck while I also protect her from the world. It eats at me. The spoiled princess always getting her way.
“Right.” I take a step back.
I watch as she runs a finger across her laptop before picking it up and hugging it to her chest. I should take another step back and let her walk away, but she hesitates.
“What?” I cross my arms.
She sighs and shakes her head. “Never mind, it’s not important.” Kyra moves to walk around me.
I turn and watch her. It bothers me, and I hate that it does. I don’t even know why I’m letting her get under my skin. I shouldn’t care. It’s been four years of avoiding her. Everything was fine.
She’s not mine to protect anymore. I’m not the hero in her story, I’m… this. Whatever the fuckthisis. The guy who made himself stay away, who pushed her away.
A growl comes out of me as I storm over to her door and throw it open. “What’s not important?”
