... not in love with Kale Eddison

by Joanne McClean

  From: Kale Eddison

  Subject: I was a jerk

  To: “Izzie Frank”

  Date: Friday, 22 October 2010, 18.32

  ‘Dear Izzie,

  Sorry about earlier and this invasion of privacy (I got your email address from a message in your inbox on your phone – you can hate me for this but I really needed to talk to you; so once again I apologise) Anyway, I really needed to talk to you and I figured since you didn’t want to see me again, emailing or texting (yeah I’ve got your number too – please don’t be mad but I had to make sure you would hear me out; it’s my second option if you don’t reply to this) anyway, back to the point, I figured since it wasn’t face to face, it doesn’t really count and I’m not disobeying your wish of never seeing me again. First off, I can’t tell you how deeply I regret my actions … I was stupid and I didn’t treat you with the respect you deserve. I took no thought in thinking about what you wanted; my thoughts were just of myself and for that I apologise. I cannot begin to imagine how horrible it must have been for you to be treated that way against your will. I will not try and defend my actions … I acted like a jerk – and I know it. I failed to put my feelings to one side so they wouldn’t cloud my judgement of the situation between us. I regret the incident terribly and seek your forgiveness. You can call me all the vile names under the sun; I won’t stop you because I know I thoroughly deserve to be called each and every one of them. I had no right to assume that you would enjoy our kiss as much as I did – because I’m not going to lie … as much as I regret how my actions have made you feel - abused, mistreated and humiliated – I really did enjoy kissing you, even though it was one-sided (my fault again). Anyway, I can’t explain it but kissing you made me feel … I can’t quite explain what exactly but it felt good … really really good. The few girls I have kissed (which including co-stars - has not been very many - contrary to what the papers say) have never made me feel this way. I know you’re probably thinking, “Yeah, yeah, you’re an actor, you don’t mean any of this.” but I beg you to see that I am different; I want you to believe that I do not follow the stereotype of most of my fellow actors. I have real feelings and sometimes they awaken inside of me. Well, my feelings for you have been writhing inside of me ever since our first meeting (hard to believe it was just over a week ago) when you coolly informed me that I couldn’t ‘charm you like I did my supermodel girlfriends.’ I have to admit, you had me stumped; no girl had ever been immune to my charms and I confess I was slightly disappointed. Anyway, there was something about you that drew me in which is why I kept pestering you – much to your obvious dislike – until you succumbed and couldn’t get rid of me whether you wanted to or not. I know I annoy you and I know you dislike me but I was still strangely drawn to you … nobody had ever treated me like a real person before. When I’m around you I can be ‘Kale Eddison – regular Joe’ not ‘Kale Eddison the movie star’. You see that’s what everybody seems to forget; I am just a regular guy at the end of the day … someday they will realise I’m just like everybody else and when that day comes I worry that I will be totally alone. Anyway, enough rambling, I just wanted to tell you that I’m not sure exactly what it is you bring out in me but I like it; it’s new and exciting and I’d rather have you in my life if that’s possible? I’m not quite sure what it is I am feeling when I’m around you but I promise to push it to one side and not let it affect our friendship because I’d really love to get to know you better Isobel Frank. The only thing I’m sure of is that you prefer to be called ‘Izzie’ and you thoroughly dislike me but I beg you to let me get to know you a little more because I really think I’d like to. Begging your forgiveness for being such an ass, please consider my suggestion.

  Yours, annoying, irritating and (please feel free to insert your worst insult about me here _____ ) Kale Eddison ;)

  Izzie stared at the screen; the guy could really write apology letters. It was probably the best apology she had ever heard and she hated Kale for that; damn him for making her feel like she had no choice but to forgive him! She sighed and hit the ‘reply’ button.

  From: Izzie Frank

  Subject: RE: I was a jerk

  To: “Kale Eddison”

  Date: Friday, 22 October 2010, 18.57

  ‘Dear annoying, irritating and jackass Kale,

  Yes, you acted like a jerk … however, that said, as mad as I am about everything that happened today – not to mention the invasion of my privacy! – I find myself strangely leaning towards your suggestion of forgiving you. Don’t ask me why but, as much as you pester the hell out of me, I find myself thinking that that was, perhaps, the best apology I have ever heard - DO NOT pat yourself on the back just yet buddy! I haven’t finished – ok, back to my point, yes, your apology is heartfelt and appears genuine – then again, you are an actor! Anyway, the point I’m trying to make is that I will give you the benefit of the doubt – just this once! I’m giving you one more chance and if you mess it up – tough shit! I do have a few conditions though; if you ever come in close proximity with me again – excluding rehearsals for the play of course (they, regrettably, can’t be helped!) – I will not be held responsible for my actions (FYI, just so you are warned; they will involve a lot of pain on your part!) So, if you can agree to keep your distance and not try anything funny, I will certainly agree to be friends. I hate to admit it but you are rather charming … in a totally irritating and frustrating way! So, I hereby give you my word that I will be your friend (so help me God!) if you agree to the condition mentioned above.

  Yours, (why do I agree to do these things?) Izzie

  After she had sent it, Izzie waited a few minutes for a reply, instead she received a text message from an unknown number.

  ‘I agree. Thanks. U won’t regret it. Promise. K’

  Izzie rolled her eyes but she saved his number in her phonebook and replied.

  ‘U owe me! Iz’

  She smiled despite herself and went to bed a little later and found herself feeling a lot happier.

  Chapter Nine

  Saturday morning started off rather well, Izzie found she had slept very well the night before and woke up feeling fresh and energised. She didn’t have to work - her father had taken pity on her and let her have a break – and she smiled to herself at the day of freedom that awaited her. She whipped back her duvet cover and made her way down to the kitchen where she found her grandmother reading the paper intently.

  “Morning Gran, please tell me there’s nothing in there today, is there?”

  Izzie watched as her grandmother glanced up, “No dear, you’re safe … for now.”

  Izzie was relieved as she happily set about making a cup of coffee but there was also something nagging her at the back of her mind; she had been pretty sure that there would be a picture of some sort in today’s paper but why on earth did the reporters keep quiet about her argument with Kale in her car yesterday? She shrugged to herself and decided not to dwell on it too much.

  After Izzie had gotten showered and dressed, she wondered what to do with her Saturday of freedom … she grabbed her bag along with her car keys and decided she would just see where she ended up. As she was about to pull away from the house, her phone bleeped. She rummaged in her handbag and managed to extract it from the depths within.

  ‘Just wanted 2 let u know I made deal with paps. No pics in paper today. K’

  Izzie rubbed her eyes and reread the text message again; yep, it was indeed from Kale. She couldn’t quite believe it but she figured it was the least he owed her considering his actions yesterday. She smiled and hit ‘reply’.

  ‘Thanks. Have a nice day. Iz’

  She hit ‘send’ and instantly cringed at herself; ‘Have a nice day’? Was that the best she could come up with? Izzie shook her head to clear her thoughts and was about to pull away again when her phone bleeped again. She sighed, slightly irritated at the disrup
tion, and read the message … it was definitely intriguing.

  “So,” Izzie began, “what was with the cryptic message? You said to meet you, here I am.” She looked at Kale curiously, waiting for him to answer.

  Kale smiled, “I just wanted to see you again … and to apologise in person.”

  Izzie raised an eyebrow, “Really? And you just had to interrupt my free time?”

  Kale smirked, “Yes I did,” he turned suddenly serious, “Izzie, I really am sorry about yesterday, I acted like a complete ass and I figured the least I could do was apologise to you … and pay off the papers to make sure they didn’t print the pictures from yesterday.” He looked at Izzie hopefully.

  Izzie looked at him curiously; she had to admit that it was rather sweet of him to go to all that trouble. “Well thanks; that was the last thing I would’ve needed so I appreciate it. Now, if that’s all, can I go now?”

  Kale looked slightly disappointed, “Um, yeah, that’s pretty much it. Sorry for dragging you away from your free time.” He began to turn away but, against her better judgement, Izzie stopped him.

  “Wait,” Izzie said, “do you want to do something?” She shrugged when Kale turned around and looked at her with curiosity.

  “Ok, if you don’t mind.” He was very confused by the girl standing in front of him; Izzie was a very complex person to work out, nevertheless, if she was agreeing to spend time with him … well he wasn’t going to pass that opportunity up.

  “Where do you want to go?” asked Izzie.

  Kale thought for a moment, “I dunno … is there somewhere you want to go?”

  Izzie smiled, “I know a park not far from here … there’s a trail through the woods that’s nice to walk around. Are you up for it?”

  Kale nodded, “Sure, I’ll drive and you direct the way.”

  They both climbed into Kale’s car and headed towards the Curtis Nature Park. They both talked easily; yesterday’s events were now forgotten. Izzie fiddled with the buttons on the radio to find a decent station; she flicked through them until she settled on the only one that wasn’t crackling. She turned the volume up and listened for the next song, after a few seconds, she recognised the song.

  Izzie turned to Kale, “Am I so sad as to like this song?”

  Kale glanced at her, “No, I like it too.”

  Izzie tutted and rolled her eyes, “You don’t know even know who it is!”

  Kale shrugged, “Oh really, I think it is Paul Weller at his best.”

  Izzie laughed, “Ok, you know who it is but do you know the song title?”

  Kale chuckled, “Come on … we both know it’s ‘You Do Something To Me’”

  Izzie sighed, “Ok Mr Know-it-all.”

  Kale frowned, “What?”

  Izzie sighed and rolled her eyes again, “Nothing, just who knew we both like the same song?”

  Kale nodded and smiled, “Well, statistically that was bound to happen.”

  Izzie laughed and decided to change the subject, “So, how exactly did you get the reporters to not print the pictures from yesterday?”

  Kale shrugged, “I’m not saying; I dealt with it. I made an arrangement.”

  He seemed awfully adamant not to explain further but Izzie persisted, “Come on, you paid them – that’s what you said in your message – what did it cost?”

  Kale sighed, “Enough to get them off our backs for a while, ok?”

  Izzie admitted defeat, “Ok, I forfeit. Hey, take the next right and that’s the park.”

  Kale followed Izzie’s instruction, parked in an empty space and they both got out.

  “Ok,” Izzie began, “I know a great little trail, follow me.”

  As they walked along the route that Izzie had picked out, they talked about lots of things. Kale was particularly interested in finding out all about the different school events; he had never been to a school dance or taken part in anything that could be classified as a ‘normal high school experience’ and was very curious.

  Izzie rolled her eyes when he quizzed her as to what the next event would be.

  “Oh just the Halloween Dance … it’s not that exciting really. It’s the Saturday before Halloween and is just an excuse for some people to dress like – well never mind.” Izzie finished lamely, changing her mind about what she was going to say.

  Kale raised his eyebrows at her curiously but didn’t pursue it further, “So, you going to this dance then? That’s next Saturday then, yeah?”

  Izzie nodded, “Yeah, it’s next Saturday and yeah, I’ll probably go but I don’t know what I’ll dress up as yet.”

  Kale nodded, “Guess I’ll have to find a costume then. Anyway, you want to go together?” He looked at Izzie hopefully and when he saw her look a little peeved, he hastily added, “Just as friends, I mean.”

  Izzie had been a little wary of Kale’s suggestion and could tell that he added the last part as an afterthought when she had looked alarmed. However, Izzie had clearly warned him of the boundaries and it seemed he was going to stick to them.

  “Ok, sure, as long as it’s as friends. So, do you have any idea what you’re going to go as?” Izzie smiled at him and Kale thought for a moment.

  “Does it have to be something scary? Or can it be something relatively normal? Oh, maybe we should go as a couple, you know like, Morticia and Gomez?” He laughed at her expression and then Izzie realised he was joking.

  She felt relieved, “Oh I dunno, whatever you want. You could go as Prince Charming and you wouldn’t even have to wear a costume!” She smirked at him and he laughed at her sarcasm.

  “Well, if I’m Prince Charming then you’re the Queen of Darkness.” Kale laughed as Izzie pretended to look outraged and hit him a shove on the arm.

  “Hey, not fair … besides my dark side only seems to rear its head when you’re around … funny, don’t you think?” She smirked at Kale again and he smiled.

  “Ok, ok, I walked into that. So, seriously, what are you going as?” Kale looked directly into Izzie’s eyes.

  Izzie felt suddenly weak all over but just about managed to keep her train of thought on track; what the hell was wrong with her? She cleared her throat to cover the awkward pause that had passed between them. “Um, truth is, it’s a secret but it’s nothing scary. You’ll just have to wait and see.”

  Kale accepted this, “Ok, I look forward to it then.” He smiled at her and she returned it with a grin of her own but it was slightly forced; Izzie had other things on her mind – other things involving Kale … and the way he made her feel sometimes. Izzie mentally shook herself from these thoughts that were swirling around; did she like Kale? Why did he infuriate her one minute and make her go all jelly-legged the next? She forced herself to push these confusing questions into the back of her head – way in the back – and paid attention to what Kale was talking about now.

  “So, is the end of this trail much further?” Kale glanced at her and then at the sky.

  Izzie shrugged, “Another five minutes walk, why?” She looked up at the sky also and found her question answered when a huge raindrop fell on her cheek.

  Kale laughed, “That’s why,” he pointed to a particularly dark cloud that Izzie hadn’t noticed yet and the rain that was getting heavier by every second. Izzie saw the huge rain cloud making its way towards them; it looked like it was going to be a very heavy downpour.

  “Shit!” Izzie yelled and grabbed Kale’s hand, “Come on, if we run now, we can make it back to the car before it gets any worse.”

  Kale did as he was told and let Izzie lead him back to the car park; he wasn’t going to argue with her, not when she was holding his hand – willingly, he was pleased to notice - and causing him to feel those pleasant little shooting sparks again.

  They made it back to Kale’s car and quickly jumped inside but they were both quite soaked anyway. Kale noticed that Izzie was shivering and he lifted the blanket he kept under the seat and handed it to her. Izzie was quite touched at this gesture and gratefu
lly wrapped it around her while Kale started the car and turned up the heater.

  “Well,” Kale began, still waiting for the car to heat up before he drove off, “that was going quite nicely until the rain showed up. Are you still cold?” He looked over at Izzie who nodded. Kale was quite concerned by this so he removed his own jacket and handed it to her. Izzie shook her head but her teeth chattered as she protested, “No Kale, you’re bound to be cold too. Take it back.” She thought it was sweet of him to offer her his jacket but she was also uncomfortable looking at him now; the rain had soaked his shirt through and she could see, even more clearly, the outline of his toned chest. Izzie quickly averted her gaze incase Kale caught her staring and refused to take the jacket. Kale smirked at her stubbornness and threw it over her anyway while he fiddled with the blowers on the dashboard. Izzie couldn’t help but smile when he gave her the jacket anyway; she could smell a lovely aroma off it – not aftershave but a clean, woodsy type scent – and it was just the way she imagined it would be – not that she dwelled on thinking about how nice Kale Eddison smelled!

  Izzie cleared her throat awkwardly in an attempt to block out her own thoughts and saw Kale glance at her curiously and then turn his attention back to clearing the steamed up windows of the car.