Kyle gently removed her grip from his wrist as he looked at all the different flavours of smoothie to choose from. He hated banana too so that was a no go ad the tropical sounded nice. Damn, he hated being indecisive.
"I.. I might go for the orange and mango? I dunno." He rubbed at his neck, trying to decide before ultimately choosing the orange and mango.
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“Today I’m feeling… rather tropical actually.” Her eyes drifted for a moment to the cashier, a wicked grin spreading across her face. “Ohho, Atlas is working today.”
She glanced at Kyle feeling a bit nervous. She and Atlas had a… strange relationship so to say. Hopefully this wouldn’t ruin her reputation.
"Who's Atlas?" Kyle looked over to the cashier, "Them?" He raised an eyebrow.
He wondered why she suddenly looked so nervous. Maybe it was because he was there and she spotted someone she knew and he was embarrassing her. He really didn't know but he didn't want to ask and make her feel even worse.
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“That guy up there,” She nodded at the cashier. His heavily tattooed arms and neck were slightly visible from the button-up he wore, making him look more of a delinquent than anything. His skinny, paled face held a long, crooked nose in place and two gray eyes locked on the two seniors. He flashed a pearly white smile, chuckling at the sight of Xio with someone else.
“Yo! Xiomara! Took you long enough to come. I’d missed you.” He called, waving a skeletal arm in greeting. She snorted.
“Don’t listen to a thing he says. He’s a bit of a tease.” Xiomara warned, shifting uncomfortably. “Don’t believe what he says either.”
Kyle nodded, an amused smile threatening to spill, "I won't. You seem uncomfortable, are- are you okay?" He asked, flicking his gaze between the two of them.
Atlas looked like an interesting dude, even if he looked slightly intimidating. He wondered why a guy like him worked in a place like this. Then again it wasn't his place to judge.
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“I-I’m fine! He’s just a-an… ex.” To the both of them it was more like friends with benefits. They never took it farther than a kiss, always berating each other over the little things. That was their relationship. And in a way, once all that had come to an end, the two had remained friends. “It wasn’t too serious, so it’s fine. He just likes to tease me… and he’s really dirty minded. But you know, college students will be college students.”
Xiomara laughed, shaking her head. “Don’t let him change how you see me. I’m no delinquent. I did what I did to annoy Lynette, my biological mother.” She moved to the counter, leaning over it and grinning at Atlas. “Hey, Atlas. You’re rather loud today.”
“It’s not everyday I get to see your pretty little head. How about a kiss for the go?” He asked, eyeing Kai. “Mm, don’t tell me you’ve moved on already, honey.”
Kyle shook his head and rubbed at his arms, "I-I'm just a friend." He said, quietly but still loud enough for Atlas to here. He took a step closer but kept his distance from the two, not wanting to over step.
He cursed his naturally quiet and awkward nature. The other boy probably thought he was weird! Then again he was because he had freaking ice powers! Not that Atlas had to know that little fact about himself.
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“Jealous much? We decided to end it, remember?” She replied quietly, noticing Kai’s distance. Her mood fell. Atlas seemed to take joy in Kai’s words. He was enjoying the whole show. Such a quiet kid around Xiomara wouldnt last long in his opinion.
“Doesn’t mean I don’t miss you. Especially your smell. Lavander and vanilla. Man I miss it.” Atlas teased, leaning back and stretching. He ran a hand through his dyed red hair, yawning. “Alright, Love. What will you and ‘just-a-friend’ be having?”
“Mango and orange for him, tropical for me, please.” Xiomara replied, biting her lip nervously. So far so good. Except for that slightly creepy comment about her scent.
Kyle took a small step closer to Xiomara, closing the last of the distance as if he could sense her disappointment, "You sure you're okay?" He whispered, loud enough for her to hear but not Atlas.
Personally he thought that Atlas was sort of creepy. Who comments about a persons smell? It was just weird in his opinion but he wasn't going to mention it here. Or at all probably.
"I'll pay, by the way." He added. He didn't want her to pay for him otherwise he'll feel bad. And he also wanted to pay for her as a sort of thank-you for not freaking out earlier.
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Xiomara nodded softly, smiling. Her reply was simple and sure: “I’ll be alright.” Atlas was never a threat. Maybe a bit of a creep, but never a threat. He hardly even touched her without her permission.
“Let me pay for mine at least. You don’t know me, remember?” She joked, sticking her tongue out. Her bubbly personality was back.
“Just as cute as always. Here you go you two,” Atlas said when he returned, studying Xiomara’s face lovingly. The two drinks were placed in front of her. “Ever get bored you can always stop by here, Xio honey.”
“Yeah whatever thanks Atlas.” She rolled her eyes, taking her cup and digging around in her pockets for her money. She would pay for hers at least. Kai couldn’t refuse her that right.
Kyle dug around in his pocket for some change, finding enough to pay for both of the drinks and handed it to Atlas before Xio could protest, "Nope, this is me saying thank-you for before, okay?" He hoped she knew what he meant.
He gave her a small look before grabbed his drink and handed the other to her, "You can get the next one." He shrugged, a small mischievous glint in his eyes as he took a sip of his drink.
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Atlas snickered. Xiomara stood still for a moment, frowning. “No fair.” She finally said, waving goodbye to Atlas and rolling her eyes as he blew a kiss in return. The guy was such a lady killer.
“Hold up,” She said, grinning at Kai. “Did you just say the next one?” Maybe she wasn’t so much of a stranger now.
“You know what, if you hang out with me again I’ll let you get whatever you want. If we go to a place like this that is.” She hoped it was enough to feel him in. Xiomara was really starting to like this magical boy.
"Fine. Deal." Kyle actually did't mind hanging out with Xio. He was starting to consider her a definite friend so hanging out with her again sounded nice.
Yet there were those doubts that she was just using him and was going to cast him aside once she got bored of him but he didn't think about them right not. Instead he focused on the smoothie, the sun and the girl beside him.
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Xiomara beamed from ear to ear. She nodded to a table near the window, laughing at her own excitement. “I can’t wait.”
She sipped on her smoothie, flopping down in a chair in the sun and humming happily. She felt wonderful, almost like she could stay in this state forever and never be bored.
“Who knew something so simple as a smoothie can be so fun?”
Kyle nodded and took another sip of his own as he sat next to her, "I only started having smoothies last year, you know." He admitted, shrugged a shoulder.
Him and Maria could never afford them, and then he wasn't allowed them at his last foster home but Giselle made them when she could. It wasn't often but it was enough for him to still like them a lot though.
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She let a gasp roll off her tongue. “You poor sheltered child! Last year? We are sooo getting more smoothies from now on.” She grinned again, flopping over onto the table, head resting on her arm.
She stared out the window for a moment, a light blush turning her pale face pink. “Can we do this again? Please? I’m having a lot of fun.”
Kyle nodded, offering Xio a small smile, "Sure, we can do this again," And then his smile dropped when a thought occurred to him, "W-What about your other friends? Don't you want to hang out with them?"
He didn't want to take her away from her other friends because that would make him feel so guilty. He already felt bad because what if Xio had wanted to hang out with her friends today? But she wasn't because she was hanging out with him?
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“What friends? You mean Jeremy? He’s my only friend. And he’s… sick right now.” She lowered her head, groaning. “I don’t know when he’ll be back and it’s scary…” she admitted, biting her lip.
“Im not too popular either, Kai. The other students tend to ignore me. I might have ticked off a few people with a lot of power. People think I’m strange, or murderous, and I’ve even heard them say I hook up with every guy I meet. They say when I’m being friendly I’m just wanting for attention or being flirty.”
"M-Murderous? Like Zodiac killer murderous?" Kyle raised an eyebrow at her a took a sip of his drink. Some people really were dumb at their school.
"At least you have a friend to talk to, even if it is just one," He sighed, "S-Sorry, I'm being insensitive." Damn, you could really tell he didn't have good people skills.
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She grinned and leaned in close. “Wanna know how much your kidneys sell for on the black market? Or how Ted Bundy killed his victims? Or I could tell you about how Jack the Ripper left the intestines of a women he killed on her nightstand?” She ran a hand through her hair, flopping back in her seat. “Sadistic maybe, but me as a serial killer? Not likely.”
With a sigh, Xiomara nodded. He was right. “No, you’re right. I know I shouldn’t complain at all. People have it worse than I do but, sometimes I feel like I have the right to complain. Maybe then someone will take pity on me.”
Kyle shook his head, "Everyone has the right to complain. Some more then others yes but that doesn't mean you can't," He looked out the window, "Some people just get lucky and others don't, it's just how life goes."
He knew that first hand. Kyle had had enough bad luck for a life time and it had driven him to a point where he didn't think he'd be able to function normally but here he was, having a normal conversation. Maybe he was finally getting some good luck.
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Xiomara started at him, her eyes soft and kind. “Can I hug you? You sound like you’ve been through too much to handle on your own.” She said without thinking. Her face went bright red. “Oh! That wasn’t meant to sound so weird and rude! I’m sure you’re perfectly strong and amazing and can do a lot but, sometimes you need a little comfort in life.” She added quickly, taking a sip of her drink to stop herself from talking.
She pouted silently to herself. How was this kid so calm? He had to be stronger than hell to live his life. Hiding a power, being bullied for that power, worried that everyone would hate you for it. Her fingers moved to trace along the back of her neck where her scars were hidden under hair. Maybe he had learned to hide it well enough no one could tell he was hurting.
Kyle chuckled. He actually chuckled for the first time in a very long time, "Yes. You can hug me," He said softly, turning back to her with a matching smile, "And you really don't know half of what I've been through but that's a conversation for another day."
Maybe one day he'd tell her what's happened to him. He had no doubt he would if they continued to hang out like this. And for once he didn't hate the idea of spilling his life story to someone.
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“Careful, I might actually take you up on that offer.” A relieved breath escaped her. She hadn’t realized she had been so tense. “Maybe I will take that.” Xiomara honestly felt natural around Kai. He was one she could open up to and talk about more than just the skin-deep topics.
“No seriously, can I really hug you?” She was serious this time. She didn’t want to accidentally step into some boundary he would hate. “I’m not going to let this go, so…”
"I already said you could," Kyle replied gently, "If I said so you can."
Even though he didn't want to admit it, he was kind of touch starved. Yes, he got the occasional hug from Giselle and Damien, his foster parents but that was it. He had no other friends to hug and MAria was gone so no more of her amazing hugs either.
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Xiomara smiled. She tilted her head back and let out a small laugh. “Then I’ll repay you with a hug. Y’know, for the drinks.” She was hesitant at first but soon got over her fear, sliding over to give him an awkward side hug. “You caught me off guard. Usually I give waaaay better hugs.”
Her smile returned to her face. The genuine smile. “You’ll see in time. I’m good at it.”
"I'm looking forward too it," Kyle smiled back and took a few more sips of his drink, "I'm not the best at hugs, mainly because I don't have to give them that often." He shrugged.
Even though the side hug received he was glad he had had some form of physical contact which was strange for him but he enjoyed it anyways.
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“Pfft. You really are shealtered. I give them to anyone and everyone. In a way it’s my downfall.” She chuckled nervously, running her hand through her hair. It was a mess by down. She was still a little nervous. Things were going well and she didn’t want to ruin it. She was such a people pleaser.
“Maybe next time we hang out I’ll show you my hiding spot.” She said causally, leaning back in her seat and biting her lip.
"Not my fault I'm sheltered," He mumbled, sighing though his nose. It was partly his fault, but mainly the events that caused him to be like this. Through he wanted to change that, at least just a little.
"And I'd love if you showed me you're hiding spot next time." He smiled softly at her and rested his arms on the table. Kyle let his eyes quickly scan Xio's features as he hadn't had a real chance to look yet. Eventually he looked down because he realised he was staring.
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"I know it isn't." Her eyes softened for the smallest of moments. "It makes it more fun to show you things." Xiomara was determined to change his sheltered life. It seemed like a good way to make him a friend. She hoped it was at least.
Her eyes narrowed for a moment as she thought, chewing on the inside of her cheek. Her eyes followed a pedestrian crossing the window's path. Her face fell once again. She thought she had seen Lynnette for a split second. That woman was everywhere now.
"I'm not sheltered but I am picky. I've never had ice cream before." the words were more to distract herself.
