Page 12 of Kalix

LAINEY

I’ve been on edge these last couple of weeks. Between constantly feeling like I’m being watched and being overwhelmed with my school work, I really need to take a breather.

It’s finally Saturday, which means there are no classes for the next two days, and luckily, I don’t have any exams this upcoming week. So, I can afford to miss a night of studying.

I check the time on my phone and decide to sit down to enjoy my coffee. I pull up my text app and shoot Lexie a text.

Hey! I finally have some free time.

Do you want to go out tonight ?

It doesn’t take much time before her text bubble pops up and I hear a ding, signaling she’s responded.

Eekkk!! Yes of course! I’m free tonight.

I laugh to myself as I picture her jumping up and down clapping her hands.

Perfect! Rudy’s?

That works! I can meet you there at 8.

Do you mind if I invite Alex?

He asked me to let him know the next time I went out.

If not that’s okay. He’ll get over it. Lol

I sigh. I guess that’s fine, he’s nice enough. It wouldn’t hurt to make more friends.

Yeah, that’s fine. I’ll see you then!

I finish my coffee and head back to my apartment. It’s been so long since I’ve been out, I need to figure out what I’m going to wear.

I walk into the bar and take in the room. Since this is a college town, Rudy’s is the place to go on the weekends. Familiar faces are littered all across the room, and I check the time. Of course. I’m twenty minutes early.

I spot an empty seat at the end of the bar and decide to grab a drink while I wait on Lexie and Alex.

A petite blonde bartender approaches and slides a drink coaster in front of me, “Hi. I’m Nora! What can I get you?”

“Ummm.” I scan the beers on tap. “An Angry Orchard , please.”

She smiles and nods, walking off to grab a glass.

A minute later, she returns and sets my drink in front of me. “Here you go. Did you want to order anything from the kitchen?” she asks.

I should probably eat something, but I’ll wait. “No, thank you. I’m waiting for some friends to get here.”

“Okay, just shout if you need me!” I watch as she moves down the bar, making sure her customers are taken care of .

I’m halfway through my drink when a hand lands on my shoulder. A familiar voice ringing in my ear. “Hey.” I look up and see Alex. “We managed to snag a booth over there.” He gestures with his thumb over his shoulder.

I follow his direction and see Lexie waving at me. I smile and nod. “I’m coming.” I follow him to the table and plop down next to Lexie.

“Girl! You look amazing!” She grabs a handful of my hair and runs her fingers through it. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without your glasses on or your hair down. I almost didn’t recognize you.”

My face heats with embarrassment. “Yeah. I decided to do something with myself for once.” I shrug awkwardly.

She smiles, “I like this look on you.”

“Me too.” Alex says from across the booth. I glance up at him, and his eyes are hungrily scanning my body.

Maybe wearing a low-cut shirt wasn’t the smartest choice for tonight.

I don’t usually like attracting attention, but this outfit makes me feel good.

I’m wearing skinny black jeans with holes in the knees, a maroon v-cut form fitting shirt, and a black jacket.

I decided to wear contacts for the first time in forever, and I feel somewhat naked.

The way Alex is looking at me suggests he wouldn’t mind if I were.

Alex is a good-looking guy, and he’s nice enough, but right now he’s kind of weirding me out again. Maybe I’m just overthinking it because I hate the attention .

I finish the rest of my drink and decide to just stick to the one. I really do not want to get tipsy or drunk tonight. “Have you guys eaten anything yet?” I ask them.

“No! I’m starving, though.” Lexie replies.

We order a few appetizers to share and catch up on each other's lives. Alex asks questions here and there, but Lexie mostly carries the conversation.

Suddenly, I get the chills and slowly scan the bar. There are so many people in here now, which makes it hard for me to see clearly. But I don’t see leather or dark, curly hair anywhere. I really need to chill out.

It’s almost midnight, and I’m starting to feel sleepy. I go to pay my tab, but Alex stops me. “Don’t worry about it. Let me take care of it.” He smirks.

I shake my head and say, “No, it’s okay. I can get it.”

He pulls the receipt from my hand, “I insist.”

I close my eyes and take a deep breath, “Fine. I’ll get yours next time.”

When we make it outside, Lexie pulls me in for a hug. “I’m so glad you came out tonight. I’ve missed you, and we should definitely do this more often.”

I nod in agreement. “I need to learn to take some time for myself.” I glance around before focusing back on them. “I’m going to get out of here. It’s dark, and I hate walking in the dark.”

“I can walk with you.” Alex offers. I immediately regret opening my fat mouth .

My heart begins to race. “Umm… no it’s okay. It’s not that far.”

“No, that’s a good idea. You shouldn’t be walking around by yourself in the dark. I’d offer to walk you, but I’m going the opposite direction.” Lexie says.

I take a deep breath as I bounce my eyes between the two of them, feeling defeated. “Uh—” I worry my lip between my teeth and rub my arm up and down in an attempt to get rid of the chill that’s overcome my body. “Uh… Yeah. Okay, yeah. You’re right.”

They both smile, and Lexie waves goodbye before taking off in the opposite direction.

Alex wraps his arm around my shoulders as we start walking toward my apartment. “I promise I won’t bite.” He jokes.

I chuckle nervously, and we walk in silence for a few minutes before he stops in front of an alleyway. I shrug his arm off my shoulders.

He grabs my hand, “Come on.”

I try to pull my hand away, but he holds on tighter, “Uh, where are you going?” I ask as he nearly drags me down the alley.

“Just right here.” He replies, backing me up against the brick building. He cups my face and leans in for a kiss, but I turn my head, stopping him.

“What are you doing?” I ask him.

His brows bend, “Trying to kiss you.”

I shake my head, “I-I’m sorry, but I can’t?—”

He cuts me off. “Sure you can.” He crashes his mouth against mine, and I struggle to push him away .

I squeeze my eyes shut and shove at his chest, hard, but he’s so much stronger than I am. He bites at my bottom lip. “Come on, Lainey, you know you wan-”

All of a sudden I feel him jerk away. My eyes pop open, and I slap my hand over my mouth.

Dark hair and leather looms over Alex, overwhelming me as I feel like I’m about to pass out.