Arata and I stared at each other for a few moments before he looked away, over his shoulder at Vlad and the other guys who were all screwing around. I sighed, wondering how Arata got involved with them. They didn’t seem like the greatest influences in the world.
I turned and looked around for Kyo, wondering where he had gotten to. Probably one of the guys had gotten a hold of him and dared him to do something silly. Kyo was a good guy, but he could never turn down a dare. I smiled to myself thinking about it. That was when I saw Kyo from across the room. He was coming in from the kitchen.
I was about to wave him over when I felt a pair of hands grab my shoulders and pulled me towards them. Arata kissed me square on the mouth. I was so taken back that I was frozen, unsure of what to do. But, then I couldn’t think anymore as I just went with it, opening to him.
I felt as though time had stopped. We must have looked odd, Arate holding me by the shoulders, my arms limp at my side. I wasn’t sure what I wanted. Did I want to kiss him? Did I want to push him away? I thought I felt a spark of something between us, but just as I felt it, he was pulled away from me, so I wasn’t sure what I felt.
“What the hell are you doing, man?” Kyo asked after having thrown Arata up against the wall. Fury and anger were written all over his face. Kyo was mega protective of me, even before he had started to like me, so his reaction came as no surprise.
“What else do you think I was doing?” Arata shrugged, his gaze never wavering from Kyo’s. “You saw.” I frowned. He was acting as if it hadn’t been a big deal, just a whim.
I realized the music had stopped and that everyone was watching the three of us. I looked between the two guys, hoping this wouldn’t escalate into something more. I was about to step up and tell Kyo to let it go, that we should leave when he took a step forward.
“I suggest you apologize,” he told Arata with authority in his voice. He didn’t sound like he was going to back down from this one. It was honorable and foolish at the same time.
“I didn’t do anything to apologize for,” Arata shook his head as he turned his back on us and began walking off.
He was cut off when Kyo grabbed him by the shoulder, spun him around, and punched him in the face. There was more than anger written on Kyo’s face. Now, it was more of pure, unabashed hatred. It looked like he wanted nothing more than to beat the ever living crap out of Arata. I’m sure that if murder wasn’t a sin, he would have killed Arata.
Arata got up and was ready to throw a punch back, but Vlad finally stepped forward, “Va va! Calm down, Kyo,” he said as he held Arata back,
“Then tell your friend to stay away from Aaralyn,” Kyo demanded.
“Da, don’t worry, we will,” Vlad nodded, steering Arata towards the rest of the guys who had all scrambled outside.
I turned and looked at Kyo, who still looked angrier than ever. “Can we go now?” I asked him. Everyone’s gaze was still transfixed on us, and I was beginning to feel uneasy under the glares.
He nodded, and we headed out the back door so that we wouldn’t run into Arata and his gang of friends. Once outside, I relished in the cool breeze that blew onto my exposed skin and blew my hair back, off of my shoulders. Turning back to Kyo, I saw that he was lost in thought.
I slowed down to his pace and walked silently next to him as we made our way back to the dorms. “Why are you still so upset?” I asked him after awhile. “It’s done and over.” I wanted to make him feel better, but I was unsure of how to do that.
He whipped his head around. “How are you not upset by what happened?” he countered as he veered off and took a seat on a park bench on the other side of the street. He plopped down with a heavy sigh.
“I am upset about it. He had no right to do what he did, but I don’t think dwelling on it is the best solution,” I told him as I followed and took a seat next to him, leaning back.
“I just,” he sighed, unsure of how to say what he wanted to say. “I just got so angry seeing him kissing you. It made me…. Jealous,” he admitted sheepishly.
I frowned and leaned forward, “But, you don’t have any reason to be jealous. We aren’t dating, Kyo. I like you, I really do, but….” I trailed off, unable to finish the sentence because I wasn’t sure why myself.
He stared at me, waiting for me to finish. When I didn’t he turned and took a hand in his. “Aaralyn, please give me a chance. I promise you I will make you the happiest girl in the world. I want nothing but your happiness. I would do anything for you.”
I wanted to cry because of his kindness. “I know you would, but I’m just not sure I’m ready to be in a relationship, yet. I’m really confused about my feelings. I feel like there is this whole in my heart. Something I need to fill first.”
“Maybe what’s missing is love,” he suggested honestly.
“You could be right,” I admitted. “But, I think there is more to it. I think that it has to do with the few years that I’m not remembering. Once I get my memories back, I’ll take you up on your offer. You know, if you aren’t taken already.”
He gave me a look. “I like you, Aaralyn. A lot. There’s only room in my heart for one person, and you’re it. My feelings won’t change. Besides, this makes me want to work harder and uncover everything from those missing years. So, be prepared to find out new and exciting information about yourself!”
I laughed. If anyone could discover my past, Kyo could. He was the top of his class, and he worked harder than a lot of others. He’d be a good investigator that was for sure. Made me wish I could return his feelings for him now.
“Come on, let’s go pop in a movie and forget about this night,” I suggested. I wanted to erase that kiss and that cocky Arata from my memory. At least for the night.
