13

Kayler looked deeply into my eyes; there was something in his gaze. I shifted my gaze to his lips, and I don't really know why, but I felt an overwhelming urge to kiss him. It's... Kayler! The guy with airs of grandeur, the most popular guy in school, the one who seems like the leader of everyone, and I bet he's a womanizer; but I haven't seen him with any girl, except Paige, of course.

He moved closer, a little more until... The honking of a car startled us, I heard a curse from him, and he hid a laugh. I stood up to see who was responsible for such a great interruption.

Mom.

She got out of her car, smiling brightly and headed towards me.

"Carolina, my dear!" She hugged me.

What was the reason for her happiness?

"Mom... what's going on?" I asked, freeing myself from her grasp.

Her gaze shifted behind me.

"Oh, Kayler! I didn't know you were here, dear." She gave him a kiss on the cheek.

I rolled my eyes.

"How are you?" he greeted.

"Incredible!" She turned to me, "I have a date!"

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. My mom? A date?

"What?" I whispered softly.

She nodded, smiling, and headed upstairs.

"I'm going to change; he's coming in an hour!" she exclaimed as she headed to her room.

I frowned. Who could "he" be? I hope I like him because if not... Sorry, mom.

Kayler approached me and wrapped his arms around my waist; I glared at him.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, I just didn't think mom... would have a date after..." I stopped. I had no reason to tell Kayler anything about my private life.

"Let her be, she's happy. Let her be happy."

I raised an eyebrow at him.

"What are you and what have you done with the arrogant Kayler?" I pointed at him.

He laughed.

"Well, considering this, you've also been less rude; taking into account that I have my arms around your waist and you haven't done anything."

And at that moment I realized he was right, so I freed myself from his grasp and sat on the couch.

"I'm not in the mood to fight today," I admitted.

He sat next to me.

"Me neither."

I watched TV to avoid his gaze. I don't know what's happening to me today, but I feel... good having him by my side. I feel, in some strange and unusual way, complete.

"You should change your underwear," he said. I looked at him immediately. "I mean, so you don't catch a cold. Besides, you're soaking the couch."

I looked down where I was sitting and it was true! The wetness had seeped through my shorts and now I was soaking the couch. Mom was going to kill me. I got up immediately.

Kayler looked at me amused.

"I'll dry it later," I whispered. "I'll wait until mom leaves to change."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Do you want me to help?" he asked in his typical mischievous tone.

I smiled.

"No," I retorted.

After spending half an hour watching a comedy movie, mom came downstairs. She was wearing a knee-length dress, platform sandals, and her hair down.

"I'm ready," she murmured.

Kayler and I stood up. She didn't look so bad, and I think in this case, I'll listen to the jerk beside me and let mom be happy. She deserves it.

"I can see where Carolina got her charm from," he complimented.

Did he really say that?

Mom looked at him with an adoration that sparked... jealousy.

Oh my God! I don't even know what I'm saying.

"You're so sweet, Kayler," she whispered.

At that moment, a car horn sounded. She opened her eyes wide and started biting her nails, nervous.

"He's here!" she exclaimed. "God! I feel like a teenager on her first date."

I looked at Kayler; he had the same expression as me. Mom seemed more like my older sister than my mom. There were two knocks at the door, and she hurried to open it. A man about mom's age appeared in front of us. He had black hair, was tall, had good taste in clothes, and a very cheerful smile.

"Sweetheart, this is Mike," she introduced him.

He extended his hand to me. I took it.

"Hello, Carolina, it's nice to finally meet you."

I smiled.

"Likewise," I murmured.

"And this is Kayler, my daughter's boyfriend." Mom, so calm, so casual.

I opened my eyes in surprise. How could she...?

"Actually, we're not dating..." I hurried to say.

I could see Kayler's face. He was holding back laughter.

Damn, he enjoys seeing me in trouble.

"Not yet," he pointed out. I nudged him.

"They make a lovely couple, don't you think?" Mom said to Mike.

I glared at her. Before Mike could respond, I hurried to push them to the door.

"Well, mom, you don't want to be late, be careful. Don't come back after one, okay? Goodbye." Before closing the door, I addressed Mike, "Ah, Mike, take care of her."

I closed the door. Phew, I breathed a sigh of relief. Kayler laughed.

"Don't laugh," I said, hitting him on the shoulder. But it didn't hurt him; it hurt me.

"Ouch..." I whispered.

He laughed louder.

"Your mom sure knows," he commented.

I started climbing the stairs to change my underwear and put on my pajamas.

"No, she definitely doesn't know anything," I pointed out.

I reached my bedroom door and turned to look.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to change," I said, closing the door on him, but then reopening it, "No peeking."

He looked bored.

I grabbed clean underwear from my closet and headed to the bathroom. I quickly removed my clothes, then my bra and panties. I put on the clean underwear. I left the dirty clothes in a corner of the bathroom and went out to get my pajamas. The room was a bit dark, so I hurried to turn on the light.

I jumped and put my hand on my chest when I saw Kayler sitting on my bed with his arms crossed, watching me.

"What a lovely view," he murmured with a wicked smile on his stupid face.

"Kayler!" I grabbed my sheet and covered myself. Although he had seen me in this same situation a while ago. "I told you not to come in."

He smiled.

"I'm not one to follow orders."

Inhale, exhale. Calm down, Carolina. I went to the closet and took out my pajamas. Seconds after putting them on, I turned to him.

"Let's go," I said. I didn't want to be with him here in my room. At night. Alone. Apparently, I'll have company because I don't think he's leaving.

He stood up and smiled.

"The truth is, I'd like to stay here and continue what we left unfinished earlier," he murmured.

I stood still, looking at him. The almost kiss? Suddenly, I felt my cheeks burn.

"I won't let you kiss me," I said. "You can't provoke anything in me," I lied, trying to hide my face.

He smiled more.

"In fact, I've managed to make you blush. That's enough for me."

He placed one hand on my cheek and the other on my waist.

I looked into his eyes.

"But I always want more, so right now, I'm going to kiss you."

And without giving me time to say anything, he leaned in and kissed me. At first, I didn't quite understand what I was supposed to do, but Kayler's lips on mine took all my self-control, and I let myself be carried away by the sweetness and softness of his lips.