Chapter 4 – Kai ~ 1989
K ari’s party is lame. It’s the same old, same old. Everyone getting drunk. The girls I don’t like hanging around me wanting to hook up. I’m not interested.
There’s only one girl I am interested in. Lana. I’ve had a crush on her since high school. Her long blonde hair and her vivid green eyes with the deer-in-headlights look. She’s hot, but doesn’t see it that way.
Guys practically worship the ground she walks on. She doesn’t pay them any mind. Hell, she didn’t steal a glance my way either. I can admire that in a woman.
“You want to go upstairs?” This girl with red hair, and blue eyes asks me. I think her name is Jaime? Jessica? I don’t care. She’s not my dream girl. I pull a drag on my cig. “Get lost.” I say. She scoffs. “You’re such a douche.” She says. “Then scram. I don’t care.” I say back.
I put my cigarette out, grab my drink and browse the party. I don’t know why I bother. Lana will never be caught dead in this scene. It’s not her. I don’t even think Kari likes her.
After I make another round, I see Tina. Well, if Tina’s here, fuck is there even a chance Lana will be here? I keep walking around the party. I pull another cigarette out. As I’m getting my cigarette lit, I look up.
Lana fucking Voss walks in, and damn does she look totally rad. Her blonde hair is crimped to perfection. Done up in some high do, only Madonna could appreciate.
Her lips plump and painted a nice shade of pink. Her eyes with minimal makeup and her cheeks rosy. Her outfit perfectly coordinated.
A pink off shoulder top, black jeans with zippers on the bottom by her ankles that have embroidered roses all over. I take a drag of my cigarette as she walks past me to get a drink. I watch her intently.
She doesn’t look out of place oddly. Even though I, and everyone at this party knows Lana doesn’t ever attend. It’s a rare sight. And she looks amazing while doing it.
I’m not the only one who noticed. Guys and girls alike have now turned to look at my girl. MY GIRL. I growl low in my throat. No one better touch what’s mine.
I lean against the staircase. Occasionally taking a drag off my cigarette. I watch as Lana and Tina come out of the kitchen after grabbing a drink.
Lana walks past me and I get a whiff of her perfume. Plum, honey and amber. Shit. Her scent is intoxicating. I push off the stairs and run into Tina. “Oh my god! Kai! I’m so glad to see you!” She exclaims excitedly.
Fuck. Tina Jones. She’s been pining after me for YEARS. She won’t take the hint that I’m not interested in her. What is her problem? I roll my eyes. “Hi Tina.” I try to not roll my eyes in front of her but my god it’s hard not to.
She bites her lip and steps closer to me. I lean back against the stairs to simply keep my distance. “What are you doing later?” She asks as she puts her bright ass fingernail on my chest. “I have plans, Tina.” I grimace.
“Oh, well that’s too bad. If plans change I’ll be here waiting.” She says. She kisses my cheek and retreats after Lana. Gross. I finish my cigarette and head to the kitchen to get another drink after that exchange. I shudder.
I toss what little bit is left of my cigarette in the trash and fill up my cup again. I chug that shit. I fill my cup up again and sigh. Now I have to figure out how to get Lana upstairs. That’s assuming she’ll talk to me. I don’t think she knows who I am.
Surprising since Tina is all up on me. I shudder again. Why can’t Lana be all over me? That’s the dream. A group of guys come running into the kitchen to fill their cups. I roll my eyes. The ringleader of this gang of douches? Blake Ellis and his posse.
I start to head back into the living room. “Did you see who showed up to the party?” One of the block heads says. “Lana Voss? Who knew she would show up? Such a hot baddie.” Someone else says. I stop in my tracks.
I know they’re not talking about my girl like that. I clench my fists. “What are you doing here freak?” Eli says. Of course Eli Jenkins would be in this circle jerk. I roll my eyes. I turn my head and look at them. Stray strands of my hair fall in front of my eyes.
Blake smirks. “Don’t you know? The freak has a thing for Voss.” John says. I fully turn around to look at the posse. Blake Ellis standing in the back by the counter, Eli Jenkins to my left, and John Williams on my right. And a couple douchebags I don’t know flanking Blake.
I clench and unclench my fist. I can take on at least one or two if things get hairy. Blake crosses his arms. “Lana is so out of your league, freak.” I take a swig of whatever alcohol the party is serving.
“I’m pretty sure the only one who can decide that is Lana herself.” I say. “Hell would freeze over if she chose a freak like you.” Eli says. I stick my arms out. “Guess we will found out before the end of the night. Huh, gentlemen.” I say and spin on my heels ready to get out of this conversation.
Eli grips my shoulder and I turn and slam my fist into his face. He stumbles and rips my shirt on his way down. Knocked out cold. I glance up and in that split second John is on me. I go to punch him too but he grabs my fist but I manage to kick him in the balls and down he goes.
Some of the drink in my cup sloshes. I quickly put the cup to my lips and chug the rest and throw the cup down. “Anyone else want a fight?” I say. Blake uncrosses his arms. One of the two goons at his sides starts to move towards me.
Blake slams his arm against the goons chest. “Let the freak go. He’s not worth it. We’d probably send him to an early grave anyway.” He nods his head. “Let’s get some ass.” The other dude says. Blake puts his arm down.
The goons walk up to me and smack their shoulders into mine on the way out of the kitchen. Blake grabs my cheeks with one hand. “Do that again and you’ll regret it freak.” He helps John and Eli up and they all walk out.
The freak lives another day. Yay. Time for another drink. I grab my cup off the ground. I don’t give a shit at this point. I fill my cup up again and I wince. I look down and the knuckles on my left hand are bleeding.
I had a feeling that I hit him hard but I didn’t contemplate exactly how hard until now. Well shit. I sit my cup down next to the sink and start cleaning up my knuckles. I hear giggling behind me. My head shoots up and I look behind me.
Tina walked into the kitchen, giggling with another girl I don’t know. Please don’t notice me. I continue washing off my knuckles until the water turns clear.
“Kai! Come upstairs with me.” Tina says. How did she get plastered already? I shrug her hands off my shoulders. “Not right now, Tina.” I say. I wipe my hands off on a towel and clench my teeth.
I turn around and before I can even register Tina has pulled the towel out of my hands and has shoved me up against the counter. “Tina-” I start before her lips are against mine.
After a few kisses I push her off of me. “Tina! I said not now!” I yell. “What the fuck is wrong with you Kai?” She yells back. “I have plans with someone else. Go away.” I say. She storms off. Good get the fuck away from me.
Her friend stares at me and then runs off after Tina. I roll my eyes. I grab my drink from beside the sink. I take a swig from my cup and then head back out of the kitchen to try to find Lana.