Five hours ago

That was the most intense thanksgiving I’ve ever experienced.

And because a lot of thoughts are going in my head, I can’t sleep. I have questions, and I want answers.

Who is Charlie? Why did KY react like that?

Seth knows the answers, but unfortunately, he already left with his parents.

I’m staying in the guest room. KY and I will go home tomorrow. I should be celebrating because I’m at his parents’ house, but here I am, tossing and turning on the bed. My mind is too busy to fall asleep.

I can’t stay still. I need to walk. I get up from the bed and open the door. I’m surprise to see they haven’t left a light on. It’s dark in the hallway.

I’m trying to find the light switch on the wall when I suddenly touch something; like the button of a doorbell.

My eyes widen in surprise when I hear a low screeching sound coming from the ceiling.

I glance up and see a ladder coming in to view. I gape as I watch it descend.

There’s a secret room in this house. The same way there’s a hidden basement in Infinite Chase’s headquarter. How cool is that?

Without thinking twice, I hold on to the banister, and walk up the ladder. It’s wooden, and it only has ten steps.

When I reach the landing, I open the door.

It’s the attic.

I frown. Why is there a need for a hidden attic?

Couches are surrounding the walls. There’s a red velvet carpet on the floor, and an acoustic guitar lying on a pillow.

There’s a telescope on the corner. I remember Stella telling me that her mother likes stars. I’ve never been fascinated with heavenly bodies, but I’d like to go stargazing while my boyfriend sings a song he composed for me.

I’m getting ahead of myself, I know.

I back away slowly because I feel like intruding in a private room. What if Mrs. Swift finds me here, lurking in their house in the middle of the night? That would be embarrassing.

When I’m about to step out, I hear a sound coming from the open window of the attic. Curiosity makes me walk towards it.

What if there are thieves who want to get in the house? I need to make sure that we’re safe. It’s the least that I can do for snooping around.

The window is big enough for me to climb out, and without thinking twice, I step up the ledge. I almost fell off when I see KY sitting on the roof.

KY. Outside. Sitting on their roof.

I squint to make sure.

It’s really him.

I must have made a sound because he stops what he’s doing and glances at me.

I expect for the blow, for his shout, but he just continues to stare. Perhaps I’m used to his bad temper so I always anticipate it. I ready myself so even before he scolds me, I’m prepared.

Without realizing it, I’m waiting for his bad behaviour. And just thinking about it makes me sad.

I never imagined thinking about him this way.

I try to go back, but my legs are shaking. Adrenaline has left me. And now I’m dangling— half of my body is inside the attic, while the other half is holding on to the ledge of the window. I can perfectly see that we’re at the top of the house. If I fall down, I’ll be dead.

KY makes a strange noise.

I flinch; this is what I’ve been waiting for.

To my surprise, he stands up and walks towards me. “You’re always snooping,” he mutters, an annoyed expression on his face.

He’s so close, his breath tickles my cheek.

“I’m sorry,” I say.

My hands have a tight hold on the ledge. All it will take is a wrong move. I swallow hard, focusing on getting back on my feet.

KY raises his hand.

“What?” I ask, confused. Is he asking me for something?

“Don’t be stupid,” he says, rolling his eyes. “Take my hand so you can cross over.”

“Is it okay?”

“I won’t help you if it’s not.”

Back at his old self, I notice.

I hold his hand.

A gasp escapes from my lips as he lifts me up by my waist and settles me down beside him.

KY goes back to his place, and I follow him. The roof is flat, fortunately, and it’s not slippery.

Once I sit down, I calm myself.

It’s not so bad up here, I tell myself. Just don’t stand.

Besides, the view is worth it. I can see the lights coming from the city. And the fresh air is welcoming.

The moon is shining brightly for us. It’s full moon tonight. There are stars in the sky; Mrs. Swift’s kind of night.

KY takes something from his coat; a pack of cigarettes.

“You smoke?” I ask incredulously.

He takes one and puts it in his mouth. “It’s a metaphor,” he says sarcastically as he lights it.

I’ve been living with him for two months, and it’s my first time to see him put a stick in his mouth. Of course, I’m shocked.

I’ve never been fan of smoking because I know it’s dangerous, but watching KY, I can’t help but be fascinated.

How can he look like a freaking model when he’s too messed up? His hair is in disarray. He’s surrounded with empty cans of beer. He smells of alcohol and smoke.

And yet, here I am, not the least bit complaining.

I’m still admiring him.

Maybe there’s something wrong with me, perhaps a glitch in my brain.

KY pats his back pocket and takes a piece of paper that looks like a sticky note. And then he gets the pen on his coat and scrabbles something on the paper.

I try to check what he’s writing by leaning to him, but he’s fast. The only word I read is night.

He puts the note back in his pocket after.

“How long have you been up here?” I ask.

“Two hours after they left.”

I clear my throat and ask, “What happened back there?”

“Back off,” he says, scolding at me. “I don’t like you snooping in my personal life.”

I know, but I can’t stop.

“Who’s Charlie?”

“None of your business.”

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. “I’m just trying to help,” I say as softly as I can.

“No, you’re not.” He has this faraway look in his eyes.

Damn it, I can’t squeeze information out of him.

He takes big gulps of beer, as if he’s drinking water, and he’s really thirsty. They still have a concert, and it’s my job to put sense into his cloudy mind. Drinking alcohol isn’t good.

“Stop it!” I steal the can from him.

He tries to get it back but I already pour the contents away. Fortunately, it’s the last one.

“Go away,” he says, glaring at me. “Leave me alone!”

“What if you fall down?” I say, gritting my teeth together.

He looks away from me and mutters, “Easy death.”

I gasp. “Do you want to die?”

“We’ll all die,” he states simply.

Geez, I didn’t know he can be like this when he’s drunk. He’s already tipsy after consuming three and a half cans of liquor.

Sighing, I say, “You can talk to me.”

I thought he will just ignore me, but he speaks.

“I went to Lance’s earlier,” he says.

“Really?” I ask. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“You’re too busy talking to my cousin, I didn’t want to interrupt."

I roll my eyes. Here we go again with his bitterness with Seth.

“Why are you angry at him?” I ask.

“You won’t understand.”

“Try me.”

He glances at me with lidded eyes. This up close, I can see the dark circles under his eyes, and the tense muscles on his face. KY must be tired from their unstoppable tours.

Furthermore, his voice is raspy from drinking too much.

“Why is it so hard to forget?” he asks suddenly. His question caught me off guard.

I glance at him and see that his head is bowed down. His face is hidden by his hair.

“You told me to talk to you,” KY says, snapping me out of my thoughts, “but you’re not even responding.”

“I’m thinking!”

We’re silent. The only thing I can hear is the sound of our breaths. The night is cold, and the wind is blowing my hair. I didn’t plan to stay outside so I’m only wearing light clothes.

KY looks at me from the corner of his eyes. “Are you cold?”

Is he going to give me the coat he’s wearing? I suddenly feel giddy, it’s like I’m reenacting the movies I’ve watched.

“Yes,” I say, biting my lip to stop myself from smiling.

“Then go back inside.”

I feel like I’ve been slapped in the face.

How can I be ridiculous to think highly of him? Of course, he’s far from the fictional characters from the books I read.

“If you’re waiting for me to give my coat to you, stop,” he says, as if he can read my thoughts. “You’ll just be disappointed.”

“I’m not—“

I gasp when he pulls me closer to him. What makes me even surprise is when he takes off his coat and drapes it on both of our shoulders.

Am I dreaming?

“I don’t want to freeze to death,” he says.

I swallow hard. He’s too close to me. As in, if I move an inch, I can touch his arm.

My heart is palpitating; it’s beating like a drum.

KY’s scent is overwhelming. Inconspicuously, I inhale the coat more deeply. It smells of clover, mint—

“Are you done thinking?” KY asks.

I shake my head to erase the disturbing thoughts in my head. I need to focus.

“About what?” I ask.

“My question.”

Ah, yes.

“Maybe it’s hard to forget because you don’t want to let go,” I tell him. “You hold on to the memories even when the person to whom they belonged to is already out of your life.”

“Is it that easy?”

“Once you find another person, she’ll help you move on.”

He frowns. “Shouldn’t I be okay first before I chase another girl?”

I blink. He has a point.

Wait, I almost missed it!

He opened up to me, there—

. . . before I chase another girl.

I’m about to ask him if it’s only hypothetical when he beats me.

“You told us that you’ve never had a boyfriend before,” KY says. His words start to slur together so I move my head closer to his mouth to hear him better. “Is that true?”

“Yes,” I answer.

“Why?”

“Because the person I like doesn’t like me,” I say simply.

“How did you know that?” he asks, cocking his eyebrow. “Did you ask him?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

Because I’m talking about you.

“You haven’t even tried, but you’re already giving up.”

“I don’t have to jump off this roof to know I would die,” I say, tasting bile in my throat. I don’t want to sound bitter or anything.

“What if that person you’re talking about is ready to catch you when you fall?”

“I doubt it,” I mutter.

“Who do you like?”

“You.”

He raises his eyebrow at me. “I thought we already told you about the rules.”

My heart beats accelerate. How can I be stupid to say something like that? “I mean, I like you as a person!” I say quickly.

He nods slowly. "Touchè."

I breathe a sigh of relief. I almost got caught. Now I’m glad he’s drunk, he'll probably forget this conversation.

“Do you like my cousin?” he asks out of nowhere.

“Yes,” I say.

His questions are so unpredictable.

“Like you like me?” he confirms, “as a person?”

I nod.

Another fact about KY: when he’s drunk, he can be talkative.

“Elle, let’s go home together, alright?”

“I don’t have a choice,” I say amusedly.

He pokes my forehead. “You always have a choice.”

To my astonishment, he lies and rests his head on my lap. This must be the effect of the alcohol in his system.

Don’t give it another meaning. It’s nothing. He is drunk; he doesn’t know what he’s doing. Don’t let your hopes up.

“Please give me a minute to rest,” he whispers. “I’m too tired to go back inside.”

“I don’t mind,” I say.

He doesn’t respond. After a few minutes, his breathing becomes even, a sign that he’s sleeping peacefully.

I touch his hair and brush it with my fingers. I’ve been dying to do this for years. It’s totally worth the wait.

His hair is so soft, I’m jealous.

“Don’t ever quit, okay?” I whisper. “I’ll always be your number one fan.”

I want to capture this moment forever and imprint it on my mind to remember it when we have petty arguments.

I hope KY will always treat me like this.

Unfortunately, I can’t wish that he’ll stay drunk forever. I’m not that selfish.

“I’m sorry for hurting you,” KY murmurs.

I glance down. His eyes are closed. Is he talking in his sleep?

I’m about to respond when he continues, “Charlie.”

*****

Who is your favourite character, and why?

The song for the chapter is Rhythm of Love by Plain White T's 

Thank you so much for reading my story =) And please, leave a long comment <3