Y/n POV
After finishing some chores at home, I headed over to Kay's grandmother's house. I pressed the doorbell, and Aunt Brittany opened the door with her usual dramatic flair.
Aunt Brittany: "Y/N! How are you, my child? Come, come!"
Before I could answer, she pulled me into a hug and dragged me inside like I was late for something important.
Kay was sitting on the couch, looking way too comfortable. His grandmother was nearby in her wheelchair, smiling warmly.
Kay: "Hey, come sit."
I sat down beside him on his right.
Kay: "Granny, this is Y/N—my friend. Y/N, this is my granny."
Me: "Hello," I said, smiling politely.
Grandmother: "Ooh, you have a very beautiful friend… You know what, Y/N? I think you're the first girl he's brought home!"
I blinked, surprised.
Me: "Really?"
Kay: "Granny, please!"
He looked half-embarrassed, half-ready to disappear into the couch. I laughed, and so did everyone else.
Grandmother: "He is so shy, look at him, look at him!"
She pointed at Kay like she'd just caught him doing something illegal—like blushing.
Kay: "Granny, we have to talk about something important, please."
He said it without looking at anyone, as if eye contact might actually burn him alive.
Grandmother: "Okay, okay! Brittany, let them talk in private."
Aunt Brittany: "Yeah, let's go to your room."
She helped move the wheelchair, still sneaking glances at us like we were starring in a drama.
I looked at Kay, his face now the color of a ripe tomato. I bit my lip, trying hard not to burst out laughing.
Kay: "Don't. Dare. To laugh, Y/N."
I shook my head, lips pressed tight.
Me: "Fine… but your grandmother is so nice."
Kay: "Yeah… but she lives to tease me."
Me: "I can see that."
I grinned, and he groaned like it was the end of the world.
Kay: "So… should we start?"
I nodded slowly.
*"Yeah."
There was a brief pause. He looked at me with quiet concern.
Kay: "So… why do you feel like you're struggling with anxiety or depression?"
I hesitated. My voice was barely above a whisper.
*"Actually… I was bullied during my college years. That's where it started."
He gently squeezed my hand.
Kay: "Oh…"
His voice was soft—he didn't push, just listened.
*"I thought I was okay when I moved here. I felt better for a while. But… that day…"
I didn't finish. I didn't have to. He was already watching me, sensing the weight of what I couldn't say.
Kay: "Hey… please don't stress yourself."
I nodded, but my hands were clammy, and my forehead damp with sweat.
Suddenly, I felt myself being pulled into a warm, firm hug.
Kay: "You're not alone, Y/N… Take your time."
And somehow, in that moment, I did. I finally let myself breathe.
Kay: "Hey, let's eat something," he suggested with a smile.
We ended up having a really nice meal at his house. The atmosphere was so light and cheerful—it felt like the kind of evening you never wanted to end. Everyone was laughing, chatting, and for a while, I completely forgot I had to meet Kayden.
I glanced at my phone.
*"Ah! It's already 6:30—I should leave now."
Everyone turned to look at me.
Grandmother: "Oh, I wish you could stay longer."
I smiled warmly and leaned down to hug her.
*"I'll come tomorrow, Granny."
Aunt Brittany: "Take care, my child. And make sure to eat properly—you've lost some weight."
I laughed a little and nodded, hugging her too.
*"I will, promise."
As I turned to leave, Kay stood up quickly.
Kay: "Y/N, wait—I'll be—"
"Don't worry, I'll be fine," I said, giving him a quick smile before he could finish.
I went back to my room, changed into a pair of blue jeans and a black T-shirt, then stepped outside, the cool air brushing against my skin.
I spotted Kayden standing by his car, staring into his watch like he was in a spy movie. I couldn't help but smile.
"Let's go," I called out.
He looked up like I'd just snapped him out of a secret mission and quickly got into the car. I slid into the passenger seat.
"So, where are we going?"
Kayden: "Hmm… I thought we could go to my place."
I raised an eyebrow.
*"Oh? Why? "
Kayden: "Actually… I thought we could watch a movie."
He shrugged, trying to sound casual, but I swear I saw a little smirk.
I nodded. "Sure,"
We arrived at his house and my jaw almost hit the floor. The man had a massive home theater—like, movie-premiere-level big—with a sofa so fluffy I was pretty sure I could sink into it and disappear.
I plopped down and looked around in awe.
"Wow, Kayden. I'm impressed. "
Kayden: "Really?"
He sat beside me with a grin.
Kayden: "Tell me… romantic or horror?"
He looked at me with a teasing smile.
I rolled my eyes.
*"Comedy."
He groaned dramatically.
Kayden: "Seriously? I'm watching a comedy movie with a beautiful girl?"
I gave him a smug little nod.
*"Yep."
Kayden: "Nope. I'm playing a romantic one."
I sighed, folding my arms.
*"Do whatever you want, then."
He chuckled, then handed me the remote like he was surrendering in a very serious battle.
Kayden: "Okay, okay… here. You play whatever you want."
I smirked and snatched the remote from his hand, quickly putting on a comedy movie. Soon enough, I was laughing at one of the scenes, my mood light and happy.
Then I noticed Kayden wasn't even looking at the screen. He was just… watching me.
"Hey, focus on the movie."
I nudged him, still smiling.
He shook his head slowly, voice low.
Kayden: "I already watched this one…"
"What?! Then you should've told me earlier!"
I was about to throw a pillow at him when he suddenly pulled me onto his lap.
My breath caught.
"What are you doing?"
I asked, heart fluttering as his arms settled gently around my waist.
Kayden: "You watch the movie."
His voice was low near my ear.
"How am I supposed to watch when you're behaving like this?"
I whispered, cheeks warm. He leaned in and pressed a kiss to my cheek, making my heart skip.
Kayden: "Just watch. The main character's about to die."
"Wait—what?!"
I turned back to the screen, surprised, and sure enough… the movie that had me laughing for an hour suddenly turned heart-wrenching. The girl—the bright, funny girl—died.
Tears welled up in my eyes before I even realized.
Kayden pulled me close, wrapping his arms around me.
Kayden: "Don't cry, babe."
He kissed my forehead gently, one hand wiping my tears, the other holding me tight like he could shield me from the sadness—even if it was just a movie.
Then suddenly—ring ring.
My phone lit up. I pulled back from Kayden and glanced at the screen.
James.
Kayden: "Fck."*
He muttered under his breath, his jaw tightening as he watched me answer.
James (on the phone): "Y/N, where are you? I'm home."
James (on the phone): "I'm coming in 30 minutes. And yeah, the keys are in the plant pot on the left side."
"Okay, okay, come quickly."
I hung up the call and turned toward Kayden, who was already watching me closely.
Kayden: "Who was that?"
"Ah… it was James."
He gave a small nod, but I could see the shift in his expression.
Kayden: "What's he doing at your place?"
"Oh—uh, actually… he's been living with me for a while. Just until I found someone else to share with.
Kayden: "Ah… okay."
He tried to sound neutral, but there was something in his voice. Like he wanted to ask more… but chose not to.
I stood up, brushing my hands over my jeans.
"We should leave now."
He gave a quiet nod and stood with me, the warmth from earlier replaced by a strange silence. We walked out of the theater room together, the tension quietly hanging in the air.
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