Chapter 34 Enjoy Me
THE RIDE BACK in Kang’s car turns out to be less awkward than I’d anticipated.
Diego tells us about all the crazy shenanigans that went on at the party; it’s as if he knows that the moment silence falls between us, we might begin to feel awkward.
Ellie continuously steals glances at Diego, and Perla laughs nonstop.
As for me, I ride up front, trying to avoid looking at Kang, because every time I do, all I can think about is his face so close to mine and the feel of his soft lips. My heart hasn’t been beating at a normal rate the entire car ride, but I’ve kept my cool.
I glance nervously at Kang and, at that very second, he looks over at me and our eyes meet.
His lips curve upward and he winks at me before he looks back at the road in front of him.
Something warm and electric settles in my core.
I never realized positive emotions could cause so many physical reactions.
We drop Perla off at her house first since it’s on the way to the soccer field.
Once in the parking lot, Kang stops and Diego gets out of the car, followed by Ellie.
My matchmaking plan is working so far. I lower the window.
“Get Ellie home safe,” I say to Diego with a wink—or, well, an attempt at a wink, because I’ve never been able to get it right.
He gives me a quizzical look. “What’s wrong with your eye?”
I clear my throat. “Good night,” I say, then add in a whisper so that only he can hear me, “Cangurito.”
“Klara!”
I roll up the window, letting out an evil laugh. As I straighten up in my seat, I feel Kang’s heavy gaze on me. “Did you know Diego before?” Kang asks, his voice neutral.
“Yeah, something like that.”
“Something like that?” Kang raises an eyebrow.
“It’s a long story,” I reply, realizing that we’re now alone. The last time that happened, we ended up kissing.
I give Kang my address and he drives in silence, the smell of his cologne mingling with the scent of the air freshener tree hanging from the rearview mirror.
I take a deep breath and let out a long sigh.
“So, how was your first party?” Kang asks, stopping the car outside my house.
“Not bad. Hot chocolate, a fight, maybe a new friend, and…” I swallow, but say no more.
“And?”
“All in all a good party, with some highs and lows.”
Kang turns to me in his seat. “Aren’t you forgetting something?” He smiles and his dimples melt me, yet again.
“What?” I ask, nervous. The kiss is something I will never forget, but I can’t bring myself to say it.
“I guess I need to remind you of some of the things that happened tonight since you seem to have forgotten.” Kang unbuckles his seatbelt and leans toward me, his face approaching mine slowly, allowing me to take in every detail of his handsome features before his lips meet mine.
I’d like to say that I’m somehow magically an expert kisser, but I’m not; although it’s easier than before, I awkwardly follow his rhythm.
I put my hands on his shoulders and kiss him, my heart beating in my throat and in my ears.
It starts slow and gentle, our mouths finding the perfect pace.
Then, Kang tilts his head to deepen the kiss and I follow along.
My grip on his shoulders tightens as his tongue enters my mouth.
This is not gentle anymore, it’s passionate, and I can’t get enough of it.
Heat spreads through my body as our breathing becomes heavy.
Kang wraps his arm around my waist to pull me closer and I don’t want this to end.
Kissing him is awakening so many sensations I didn’t know I was capable of experiencing.
The only reason I stop is to catch my breath. We pull apart, and Kang smiles against my lips.
“Do you remember now?” he says, out of breath.
“I think so…”
He straightens up in his seat. “What kind of movies do you like?” he asks.
And I don’t even know how to talk, how to breathe, how to anything. “Um… normal movies.”
What kind of answer is that, Klara?
“Normal movies?” Kang laughs and I join him.
“I mean, there’s not one particular type of movie that I watch exclusively. If the plot sounds interesting, I don’t care what genre it is.”
“Well, check the movie listings this week and pick one, okay?”
I look at him, confused.
“I’d like to go to the movies with you, Klara.”
“Oh.”
“It’s a date.”
“Oh,” I say again.
Kang laughs, and it stirs something inside of me; I wish I could make him laugh all the time.
“How about Wednesday, after the show?”
“Yeah, sure. I’ll let my sister know.”
“Great.”
We’re momentarily blinded by a pair of headlights.
It’s my sister pulling into the driveway.
Kamila gets out with two grocery bags; she’s the type of person who goes shopping after eleven o’clock at night.
Walmart, which closes at two in the morning, is a godsend for her.
Kang tenses up at the sight of Kamila rounding her car to go into the house.
“Kang?” I say.
He doesn’t answer. His gaze is fixed on my sister, eyes wide with surprise. Does he know her?
“Kang,” I say again, and this time he looks at me.
“Do you know my sister?”
“Something like that.”
“Something like that?” He’s echoing my words from earlier.
“It’s a long story.”
I decide not to pressure him or demand an answer, because he didn’t do that when I gave him a vague response about Diego.
“I better get inside,” I say. “Good night, Kang.”
“Good night, Klara with a K.”
I get out of the car, then stand on the sidewalk waving goodbye as he drives away. I shove my hands into my pockets and head for the front door, unable to keep a smile from curling on the edge of my lips.
What a night!
With each step I take toward the door, my grin grows wider. Kamila comes out of the house to get more bags from the car, but she stops in the doorway, watching me.
“What’s with that smile?”
I shrug as I walk toward her, so distracted that I don’t see the layer of ice covering part of the path. I slip and fall on my ass in the snow.
“For God’s sake, Klara!” Kamila rushes over to help me up, but she slips too, falling and crashing into me. We both burst out laughing.
“Are you okay?” Kamila asks with a giggle.
“I’m perfect,” I say, my teeth chattering and my clothes soaked from the snow. I feel happy.
Kamila takes my face in her hands.
“It’s been so long since I’ve seen you laugh like that.” Her voice is full of emotion. “You look beautiful.”
I put my hands over hers.
“I’ve been battered by so many storms, but right now I can enjoy the beautiful view.”
We laugh, sitting there on the cold ground, because the beauty of life is that the simplest moments are often the most unforgettable. Moments like these remind us, no matter our weaknesses, no matter our burdens, that we’ll be able to laugh again one day.