Song: Naked by Ella Mai

Chapter Six: Can't they see I'm in my jammies?

To say that it perturbed me that Zane hadn't spoken to me all week was an understatement. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I wanted him to talk to me, it's just unsettling that we just pass each other in the halls like we did before. Like nothing happened.

What exactly happened?

I thought I had made a new friend. Or, at least, an acquaintance.

What did you expect? He's the most popular guy in school, he has his own circle of friends, and you're you. He can't risk being seen with you in public.

Hey! I'm not that bad.

Do you have as high a social status as he? Does everyone know your name, want to know what you're doing and who you're doing it with, like you're some sort of celebrity?

No.

My point exactly. You're not even a cheerleader.

Ok, ok. I get it! For a conscience, you're sure mean sometimes.

I was just trying to prove my point.

You're right anyways.

Did you ask him what he was going to do with the information?

From the looks of it, nothing.

So, you're not worried that it'd be the calm before the storm?

I just groaned. There couldn't be any more problems for me. Another person who's been avoiding me all week is Leyla. No apology. No good news about her and Axel. Nothing.

I figured that since Axel talks to her at least once every day even if it's just to say hi, despite her not knowing I'm the reason, everything would be back to normal. I guess I was wrong.

All that doesn't matter now because it's Friday, and I'm taking a not-so-short walk to Kai's house. I still haven't seen him all week. We've called him a billion times, left him like a gazillion messages, but still nothing. Zero. Nada. Zilch. I should have gone sooner, but I was so selfishly wrapped in myself and my problems that I forgot.

So I told them not to worry because right after school, I'd head to his house.

********************

Well, here I was. I've been standing in front for about 3 minutes and I think it's time to enter. So I rang the doorbell.

No answer.

I rang it again until I heard a gruff voice yelling: "I'm coming!"

I heard footsteps, and after a while, the door was flung open.

Mr. Koryn?

Kai said he had a business arrangement overseas and wasn't coming back until midterms. What's he doing here?

"Mr. Koryn, good afternoon."

"Good afternoon Charvi." He looked like he hadn't slept in days.

"Sorry for the disturbance. I'm here to see Kai. He's been absent all week."

"I'm aware. This is not the right time."

"Please sir. I want to see him. Maybe I could help with whatever he's going through?"

"I don't think there's anything you could do to help." He began shutting the door.

I quickly shot my hand out and held it in place.

"There is one think I could do to help."

"And what is that?"

"I could be there for him. Whatever it is you are going through, he can't stay locked up in here forever. He needs a friend. Someone he can talk to or he'll go straight to depression. Let me be there for him." I paused for a while. "Please."

He had a contemplated look on his face before he pulled the door open and said: "Come in." I stepped in. "He's been cooped up in his room for days, barely eaten enough or even slept."

"What's the problem?"

He didn't reply. He just stood there gazing into the kitchen.

"I'm going up now."

Still no reply, just gazing into the kitchen.

I excused myself and went up the stairs.

When I got to the door of Kai's room, I contemplated knocking. I usually didn't, but something must have been really wrong.

I knocked. No reply. I knocked again. Still no reply

I gently pushed open the door and peeped through.

"Kai?" I called out as I saw him lying on his bed facing up. His eyes wide open though they indicated a bit of fatigue. To put in simpler words, he looked like a living corpse.

Worst oxymoron ever.

Not the time, Ivy.

"Kai?" I called again. He didn't even look at me or turn slightly.

I walked in, dropped my bag and positioned myself beside him, facing up.

"What's wrong?"

It's not like that would make him talk, I just want him to know I'm here for him whatever reason there was.

"I collected all the work you have due and wrote down some notes for you. I brought them, so I'll just leave them right on your desk."

Nothing.

"Do you want me to go?"

Still nothing. Maybe I should just leave. Maybe he needed time and space.

He's had enough time and space all week. Stay.

It's not time to play hero. He might actually not want company.

I stood up and bent down to grab my bag when he said: "Don't." I froze. His voice was so hoarse that it didn't sound like him. He sounded broken, defeated.

"Okay, so do you want to talk about it?" I went back to my previous position. He looked different from when I came in. Not better, but different. He seemed to actually notice my presence.

"Not yet. But I think I should. I mean, it's been a week."

"No pressure."

"My mum's in a coma."

What?

Mrs Koryn?

Well duh.

Oh, no! I covered my face with my palms. This can't be. I didn't know her well or see much of her, but she was a really sweet woman and the news literally broke my heart. Especially for the pain Kai could be going through. Not knowing whether his mum would wake up or not. I don't know what I would do if it was me.

"She was on her way to work when she had a car accident. They rushed her to the hospital. She had a traumatic head injury from the accident, and now she's unconscious."

Say something, say sorry, dimwit.

What would it do? What could it possibly change?

It's the thought that counts.

That's not what he wants right now. He might not even hear me.

I touched his arm. All I could leave was an unsure promise: "Everything is going to be okay."

I don't know how long we lay there, but I didn't mind one bit.

*****************************

Kai fell asleep about 30 minutes ago, and I was in his room setting all the work I did for him down and tidying up. He clearly hadn't cleaned since he heard the news. Can you blame him? He doesn't know if he'd ever see his mother again. Cleaning up would be the last thing on his mind.

I had ordered pizza and coke for us, and it should be here anytime soon. Their fridge was empty. They probably hadn't had the time or will to stock it. I'd go grocery shopping for them tomorrow.

With what money?

Oh, yeah. I'd find a way. Maybe I could ask Leyla. I don't want to bother an already stressed out Mr Koryn, but I couldn't just let them starve to death. So the two large boxes of pizza and packet of coke would have to do for now.

Hope Mr Koryn is willing to pay for all that?

The money doesn't matter at the moment. There are more important things at hand.

Kai woke up a few minutes later. He was less silent than he was before, more open about his feelings. He even came out of his room when the food got here. Lucky for me, Mr Koryn paid for it.

When we were done, Kai told me he'd come to school on Monday after he finally visits his mum on Sunday. He said he hadn't been able to bring himself to go when his dad does.

"I'm very proud of you." I told him after he told me all that.

"Thank you so much, Char. For coming to see me. I really needed a friend."

"Then maybe switching off your phone wasn't the best option." I joked.

He scratched the back of his neck. "About that, I kinda threw it at the wall."

I chuckled.

"I'd go get another one sometime later."

"That'd be great. What are you doing tomorrow?"

"I think I just need to think a little more. Dad says I shouldn't put my life on hold because she would surely get better, but I don't know about that. How am I supposed to live life when my mum's unconscious in a hospital?"

"Try imagining she's in a faraway country for business and she'll be home anytime soon."

Does that make sense?

Not sure.

Either ways, I hope it helps.

He nodded slowly. "I could try but it definitely won't be easy."

I put my hand on his shoulder. "Nothing in life is, so it's okay to cry."

He nodded.

"I gotta go, my mum's probably wondering where I am."

"She'll probably think you're at Axel's party."

"Huh?"

"You know Axel's parties, on Fridays. The house next to yours." He reminded me.

I groaned and put my hand on my forehead. "I forgot about that."

He patted my back.

I stood up. "I guess I'll see you on Monday then."

"Yeah. Bye."

**********************

Loud music is the bad. Loud music you're not jamming to is the worst. I covered my ears with my pillow.

"Why aren't you over there?" Reveka questioned for like the 14th time.

"For the last time Reveka, I don't want to be."

"You say for the last time every time I ask you." She laughed.

"Then maybe you should stop asking."

She was about to reply when my phone rang.

Zahra.

Why is she calling me? Isn't she at the party?

"Hello?"

"Char. Char, please come. I need your help." She begged frantically.

I immediately jumped up from the couch at her tone. "What's wrong?"

"I was talking to this guy, then we started kissing. I didn't even know when he dragged me into a room. He left saying something about going to get a condom and locked me in the room. I've been slamming my fists on the door since, but no one's answering. I called Xander because he's the only one at the party, but he's drunk off his ass and just laughed. You're the only one who lives nearby." She explained in-between pants.

"God Zahra! You need to be more careful." I warned. "Guys like that are dangerous."

"I know. I know. And I'm scared. Just please come get me." She begged.

"I'm coming." I wore my fluffy slippers and grabbed the keys from the table. "Are you drunk?"

"I thought I was, but I'm able to form sentences so I guess not. I drank, but not enough to get me drunk. Either that or my fear sobered me up."

"I'm on my way."

"Please hurry! I really don't want to get raped tonight." And she cut the call.

"Where are you going?" Reveka yelled.

"To the party." I replied as I shrugged my coat on.

"Took you long enough." I heard her mutter as I shut the door after me.

****************************

Navigating through a bunch of drunk people, especially ones humping is not as easy as it seems, especially when they think you're one of them.

"Gross." I muttered as I peeled this guy's hand off me.

Can't they see I'm in my jammies?

PJs. And they're drunk, what did you expect?

I dunno, flowers would be nice.

I ran up the stairs and started opening doors. Slamming my fists on locked ones, and screaming Zahra's name.

"Char?" I heard her call from behind a door. "Char!! I'm here."

I rushed to the door and tried opening it, but it was locked as she said.

"How is it even locked? Isn't the bolt on the other side?" I yelled.

Even though she's just on the other side of the door, the loud music boomed throughout the house.

"The bolt's here, but there's also a lock. Maybe Axel gave him a key or something."

"Should I go find Axel?"

"That's too risky. What if you don't find him or you don't come back on time or he's drunk?"

"What should I do now?"

"Can't you pick locks?"

"I can, but I don't have any hair pins on my head."

"I do. I'll slide it under the door."

In about a second, the pin was slid under the door.

I picked it. "I need two. Do you have another one?"

Without replying, she just slid another one under.

I got to work. I bent the first bobby pin to serve as the pick and used the other bobby pin as a lever that I'll use to turn the lock.

It took patience and about 4 minutes. I stood up to open the door.

It sure is taking that dufus a long time to get a condom. Maybe he got carried away with some other girl.

A firm hand grabbed my hand and yanked me back.

Or not.

"What do you think you're doing?" He yelled at me.

Zahra probably heard the noise because the next second, the door flew open.

The big guy snapped his neck towards her, his grip tightening on my arm. I yelped and tried to yank my hand away, but his grip was too strong.

Why does this corridor look empty? Just my luck, right?

"Get back inside!" He growled at her.

I stepped on his foot, trying to distract him so his grip can falter. It just tightened, digging into my skin.

Your wrist is definitely going to be purple tomorrow.

That's not important right now.

"Get help. Anyone." I mouthed to her when she caught my eye.

I'm so glad he didn't notice.

He's probably drunk off his ass.

"Get back inside now." He yelled at her.

"So desperate." I muttered. He turned to me, and Zahra took that as her cue to run off.

He turned to see her running off. She kind of looked funny trying to run in those heels.

He almost looked like he wanted to chase her, but he turned back to me and raked his lustful eyes over my body.

What was he looking at? You're literally wearing your pajamas and a coat, nothing is on display.

"I guess you'll have to do." He said when his eyes met my face again.

"Get your filthy paws off me."

He doesn't seem to understand English because he pinned me to the wall.

"When I'm done with you, you'll be begging for more."

I spat on his face. "No thanks."

He squeezed his face and growled angrier than before.

Seems someone forgot to feed the bear.

"Now you're just getting me angry. And you wouldn't like to see me angry."

Oh no! Zahra please hurry.

You don't need her. Do something!

Like what?

Um, I dunno. How about knee him where the sun don't shine?

You know, there are a lot of places where the sun don't shine.

Just shut up and knee him where it hurts the most.

I tried raising my knee, but I couldn't. He was pressed so tightly against me, I couldn't move.

That's gonna be a problem.

You think?

He leaned in as if he wanted to kiss me. I tried turning away, but his grip on my chin held me in place.

This can't be happening. I slammed my eyes shut when I could feel his alcoholic breath fanning my face.

The kiss didn't happen. Do you know why? Because he was literally peeled off my body and flung across the room. The fact that the pressure keeping me up against the wall wasn't there, I sunk to my knees and rubbed my aching wrist.

'This is why I hate parties.' I thought as I literally threw up inside my mouth.

***************************

I hope this update was okay and not boring. :)

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