Chapter 26
KAI
When I woke up this morning, I felt tired - the kind of tired sleep doesn’t fix. My body ached more than usual, and my head felt heavy. I’d slept fitfully, tossing and turning, my brain refusing to shut off.
I kept seeing Alex outside school yesterday. His mum drunk. Coming onto us. And him standing there looking so small, so embarrassed, like he was barely holding himself together.
Part of me wanted to encase him in bubble wrap and hide him from the world. I don’t know what I expected when I heard about his family - I guess I thought it was just his brother. But his mum clearly had a drinking problem.
Who turns up to a meeting with the headteacher drunk if they don’t?
And Alex had been so worried about that meeting. I just hoped she hadn’t messed it up for him. I hoped he hadn’t been expelled.
God, I hoped he’d still be in school on Monday.
A sweet smell drifted up from the kitchen. Pancakes. Mum always made them on Saturdays - her late shift meant she had time. Most days I just had cereal or porridge, but Saturdays were different.
My stomach rumbled as I pulled on a plain white shirt and grey trackies, before heading downstairs.
“Morning, pet,” She said brightly, flipping a pancake in the pan.
“Morning,” I smiled, sliding onto a bar stool.
Her eyes narrowed. “Aw, are you not feeling too good?” She put the pan down and pressed her palm to my forehead.
“I’m fine, Mum,” I sighed, swatting her hand away. “Just didn’t sleep great.”
She studied me for a moment before letting it go. “Alright then, if you’re sure.” She paused, then softened her gaze. “Something on your mind?”
I pulled the chair closer and poured myself some orange juice. My thoughts drifted back to Alex. I wondered if his mum ever woke him up with pancakes. I wondered what he was doing right now. If he’d smile today. Or if the world would give him another reason not to.
“No… uh, yeah, actually,” I said, surprising myself. “Remember my new friend? The one I’ve been studying with?”
“Alex?” she said, stacking pancakes onto our plates with surgical precision.
“Yeah… Alex.” I watched her place berries and honey around the rim of the plate. “I think he’s… sad.” It was the only word I could find.
“Sad? What do you mean?” Her concern sharpened. “Like depressed?”
“I dunno. Maybe.” I spun my glass slowly on the counter.
Her brows raised. “Well, that could be very serious, Kai.”
“He seems okay with me. Just… when I see him around, he looks sad.” I shrugged. “I don’t know how to explain it.”
“Maybe he just needs a good friend,” she said, sliding my plate toward me.
“Thanks.” I nodded. “Maybe you’re right.”
She studied me for a moment with a warm expression. “You are a special boy, Kai,” she said with a smile, coming around to sit beside me. “Now eat your pancakes. And before you ask - yes, I made them with the protein powder you like. No sugar. Only a drizzle of honey.”
I grinned and cut into the stack. “You know me so well.”
“I should think so. I incubated you for nine months and birthed you.” She mused.
I froze mid-bite. Appetite gone.
“Uhh, really? While we’re eating?” I pushed my plate away, suddenly the stack of pancakes looked unappealing.
“Oh, don’t be dramatic. It’s only natural,” she laughed, nudging the plate back.
“Just because it’s natural doesn’t mean I want to think about you giving birth while I’m eating pancakes,” I muttered, though a laugh slipped out.
“Alright, I won’t talk about the miracle of life,” she teased, eyes rolling back momentarily.
“I would appreciate that,” I said, taking another bite.
“Or that you weighed so much the doctors joked I’d given birth to a watermelon.” Her shoulders jerked as she giggled.
“Mum!” I dropped my fork.
“It was that little head of yours - well, I say little - your dad used to call you a bobblehead.” She laughed again.
“Right, that’s it. I’m eating upstairs.” I stood, plate in hand.
“Oh, don’t be like that. You’ve definitely grown into it,” she said, barely containing her laughter. “We were worried you wouldn’t at one point. Even as a toddler you kept toppling over.”
“Yeah, I get it. I had a big head,” I huffed, backing toward the stairs.
“Top-heavy was what we used to call you. Your father would say you looked like you’d skipped leg day . ” She laughed into her mug of coffee.
“I’m leaving,” I said, already halfway out the room.
“Fine - but before you do, invite Alex round.” She paused. “I know you said you’re not close, but the worst he can say is no.”
“Yeah… I guess so,” I said, heading upstairs.
“You’re a good boy,” Mum called after me as I rounded the corner and headed for my room.
My phone buzzed just as I sat down on the edge of my bed.
“Alright, mate?” I answered automatically - I didn’t even need to check the caller ID. Only one person ever rings me this early.
“Cap, just the person I wanted to speak with on this fine morning,” Callum said, sounding far too cheerful for an early Saturday morning.
“Oh yeah?” I said, already smiling.
“You’ll never guess who got their keys back.” He chimed, excitement practically jumping through the phone.
“You’re joking.” I laughed, taking a bite of my breakfast. “Jackie’s gone mad, hasn’t she?”
“I asked her last night, didn’t I? After she’d had a few.” He sounded proud of himself, the grin obvious in his voice. “So now I’m getting out of the house before she wakes up hungover and changes her mind.”
“That’s smart.” I shifted my phone to my other ear, already half-smiling.
“I’m a fucking genius, what can I say?” I could practically hear him shrug. “Anyway, I’ll be at yours in five.”
“What? No, you won’t, mate. I’m not even dressed.” I glanced at myself in the mirror - hair a mess, shirt half-on, definitely in need of a shower.
“Is Kate in?” he asked, like that solved everything.
“Yeah, she’s in, but-”
“Okay, I’ll chill with your mum while you get ready.”
“No-” I started, stepping toward the wardrobe.
“Sorry, what was that?” he said loudly. “I think you’re breaking up.” He made a terrible crackling noise into the phone and hung up before I could answer.
“Bastard,” I muttered, grinning despite myself as I grabbed my towel and headed into the en-suite.