... not in love with Kale Eddison

by Joanne McClean

  “It’ll just take a few minutes for the windscreen to clear and then we’re good to go,” Kale told Izzie unnecessarily but he needed to say something to distract himself from thinking about her and how he had felt when she had held his hand as they fled to his car and how adorable she looked with her coppery hair all wet as she huddled up in the blanket.

  “That’s ok,” Izzie told him, “I’m in no rush, though I think the first thing we should do when we get out of here, is get something to eat … I’m bloody starving.” She laughed and he agreed as he turned to look into her face briefly again. Izzie felt that butterfly sensation in her stomach again as his baby blue eyes pierced her own green ones and then something else happened …

  Izzie didn’t know how it had happened or who had moved first but all she knew now was that Kale was kissing her again – no, wait a minute, maybe she was the one who had instigated it this time – well, whoever had made the first move didn’t matter because Izzie found herself enjoying kissing him – who cared about her ban on him trying anything like this again? Not her, that was for sure. Izzie really couldn’t comprehend anything right now, her lips were tingling and she really wondered why she had pushed Kale away last time and yet … at the same time, she wondered why she wasn’t pushing him away now? She despised him, or so she thought but this – this right here – this was not how you acted towards somebody you hated. Izzie felt light-headed, but in a good way, and was a little glad when the kiss broke off. She really needed to catch her breath. Kale studied her eyes when he pulled back and saw something there – was that a look of uncertainty she was giving him or a look of surprise? He really couldn’t tell but he was sure that her verbal attack was about to come shortly or maybe this time he had earned a physical attack too – although, this time she hadn’t pushed him away …

  “Well,” Kale began when Izzie didn’t speak but merely looked him in the eye with a look of confusion on her face, “I guess I deserve whatever’s coming to me. Hit me with it then, I’ve broken my promise.”

  Izzie studied him for a second longer and then took herself by surprise when she heard herself declare, “Who cares?” and grab Kale towards her so that she could kiss him.

  When she had eventually pulled away, Izzie felt embarrassed. She didn’t know what had come over her but she’d be lying to herself if she said she didn’t enjoy kissing Kale. Izzie cleared her throat awkwardly and avoided eye contact with Kale who was currently sitting looking quite shocked but thrilled too.

  “Ok,” Izzie began, still avoiding Kale’s eyes, “let’s just forget that happened. I don’t know what I was thinking but it won’t happen again. I think it’d be best if you just drive me straight home.”

  Kale stared at her, “What? After that … I – you … I really don’t understand you Isobel Frank! I kiss you and then you kiss me and now you just want to pretend like it never happened? Come on, despite your protests to the contrary, the fact remains; you like me. If you don’t like me, you would never have kissed me.”

  Izzie had to admit, what Kale was saying was true but she decided to chalk it up to a moment of madness and nothing more. “I’d like to go home now Kale.”

  Kale made to interrupt her but Izzie held up her hand, “No Kale, I don’t feel very well and would like to go home.” She told him firmly and Kale had no choice but to obey her.

  Neither of them spoke for the remainder of the journey and when Kale pulled into the car park in town where Izzie had parked her car, she muttered her thanks and quickly drove off, leaving Kale feeling very confused indeed.

  Chapter Ten

  Izzie awoke the following morning, feeling absolutely wretched; she hadn’t been lying to Kale when she had said she felt sick. Although, if she was totally honest with herself; Izzie had been desperate to get away - especially after their ‘incident’ yesterday. She really didn’t know why she had acted the way she did. All she knew was that she felt absolutely horrible today; her throat felt like she’d been swallowing razor blades and her head was pounding. Izzie groaned as it dawned on her that she was truly sick but, nevertheless, she attempted to sit up. She felt light-headed at first but managed to swing her legs onto the floor and slowly push herself up from her bed.

  Izzie shuffled into her slippers and made her way downstairs to the kitchen; her grandmother was there as usual and turned around when Izzie entered the room.

  “Dear me child, you look like death! Are you feeling ok?”

  Izzie just about managed to shake her head at her grandmother before she fainted.

  Izzie could hear a beeping noise but it was incredibly fuzzy; she was also dimly aware that she appeared to be semi-conscious. The noise was gradually getting louder and she tried to open her eyes. Nope, nothing happened – she tried again. Blurry face – oh how her head hurt – and her throat too – was she dying? God this felt like dying – she opened her eyes again and found her vision a little clearer but there was also a significantly bright light too – oh God, please nobody tell me to walk into the light.

  Izzie groaned out loud and heard somebody close to her stirring – a shuffle of shoes and then she felt a hand to her head, “Izzie? It’s Mum, can you hear me?” Izzie tried to open her eyes again and heard her mother speak again but not to her.

  “Isaac, do you think she’ll be ok? She’s till burning up, should we get the nurse in or where’s Doctor Albright?”

  Izzie heard her father sigh wearily, “Calm down Mags, give her a minute. Look, she’s trying to open her eyes again.”

  Izzie was indeed struggling to move her eyelids again but she somehow eventually managed it and was surprised yet proud that they stayed open. She blinked rapidly a couple of times and saw her mother’s worried face swim into view – at least she could make out her mother’s features this time.

  “Oh thank God, honey how you feeling?” Izzie noted her mother’s concerned expression.

  Izzie tried to speak but all that came out was a raspy sort of croak. She tried to clear her throat but found it hurt too much, she motioned to the jug of water by the bed and her mother poured some into a glass. Izzie managed a few sips but found it didn’t help her throat any – if anything it felt worse.

  “Do you think you can talk now?” her mother encouraged but before she could even attempt to reply, her father spoke instead.

  “Maggie, our girl has tonsillitis; of course she finds it hard to talk.” Isaac shook his head wearily and glanced at Izzie. “How are you holding up kid? Just nod if you’re ok.”

  Izzie wanted to laugh at her mother’s expression; she didn’t look best pleased but she seemed to be heeding her husband’s advice. Izzie nodded and managed to get out a raspy and hoarse “What happened?”

  Her mother answered her, “Your Gran said you just hit the floor; passed right out. We called the ambulance when we realised you had a fever. Doctor Albright thinks that’s probably why you fainted … anyway I’m just glad you’re awake now. You had us all quite worried, you know.”

  Izzie rolled her eyes and forced herself to drink some more water before she attempted to talk again. “So, how long have I been here?” she asked croakily.

  “A few hours,” her father informed her, “and that reminds me I’d better phone your Gran; she’s been worried sick, she wanted to come but I forced her to stay home … I knew you wouldn’t want a whole fuss.”

  Izzie nodded, “Thanks Dad.” He smiled and exited the room, leaving Izzie with her worried mother. “How much longer do I’ve to stay here?” Izzie looked at her mother pleadingly but before her mother could even reply, a doctor walked in.

  The doctor looked over at Maggie, “Your husband told me Izzie had woken up,” he answered her unasked question.

  Then he turned his attention to Izzie, “Hi, I’m Doctor Albright, how’s the patient? You’ve got quite a nasty case of tonsillitis but thankfully your fever’s down a good bit … but to answer your question, you’ll not be going home today. Yes your fever’s down but you’re still not do
wn to a temperature I’m happy with, so that means you’ll be here for tonight – at least.” He added when he saw Izzie’s glum expression.

  “Terrific,” Izzie replied miserably.

  Dr. Albright smiled, “Well at least you can speak a little; that’s a good sign. Now, in terms of medication; I’m prescribing you an anti-inflammatory, some painkillers along with antibiotics and a throat spray.”

  Izzie groaned, “I’ll be rattling like a coin purse!”

  Dr. Albright laughed while her mother scowled at her, “Well it’s good to see you have a sense of humour about it; nasty business tonsillitis but I’m sure you’ll be as right as rain in no time.” He smiled at her and left the room.

  Her mother yawned, “Well, if you don’t mind honey, I think your father and I will shoot off … visiting’s over in fifteen minutes but we’ll come back tomorrow around eleven-ish, ok?” She kissed Izzie on the forehead and then she was gone, leaving Izzie to drift off to sleep again.

  The next morning, Izzie woke up ridiculously early; she hadn’t slept very well but she also felt a bit drugged up from all the medication. Izzie could see the light shining through a gap in the curtains and wondered what time it was. She tried to prop herself up to get a drink of water but she nearly had heart failure; Kale was dozing in the chair beside her bed. A few seconds later, a nurse burst into the room; alerted by the sudden spike in Izzie’s heart rate.

  “Are you ok dear?” The nurse checked Izzie over and looked at her for an answer.

  Izzie nodded, “Yeah,” she whispered hoarsely, “I just didn’t know he was here.” She pointed to Kale and the nurse suddenly smiled girlishly, even though she was a woman who was clearly in her forties and who should know better.

  “Oh my dear, it was the sweetest thing; he’s been here from late last night – insisted on staying with you. You’re a lucky girl to have Kale Eddison by your bedside.” She smiled at Izzie and then left the room.

  Izzie quietly poured herself a glass of water, careful not to make too much noise so that Kale woke up. She hoped to quickly down the water and then pretend to be asleep before he woke up; she really didn’t know how to face him because of what had happened on Saturday. Izzie gulped the water and then wriggled back down into the bed when she noticed that Kale was beginning to stir, she closed her eyes and kept up steady breathing; hopefully he’d be fooled into thinking that she was in a deep sleep.

  She heard him clear his throat and move in the chair; it squeaked a little. Izzie was dying to see what he was doing now but she couldn’t risk him seeing her awake. She heard a bit more squeaking and she couldn’t resist opening her eyes the barest of a millimetre; he was fumbling around in his pockets for something. She watched him for a little second longer but then closed her eyes again quickly when he extracted his phone from his pocket. She heard him clicking the buttons and then after a few seconds, he spoke.

  “Hey Alicia - what? Yeah I know it’s like seven in the morning. Huh? Oh, yeah I’m good. What? Oh I don’t know – no, she’s not awake yet. Look, I was just wondering if you could try and keep the press out of this. Please, just give them whatever they want – whatever it takes; see that it’s done. What? Yeah, I suppose that’s true … um, phone them too then, tell them I’m not going in today. What? No just tell the principal that something important and unavoidable has come up … I’ll feed him some story when I go back. Huh? Oh, um, I don’t know, probably all day. Yeah, I want to make sure she’s ok. What? Oh it was a piece of cake, one of the nurses has a daughter who’s a big fan; I signed an autograph and she let me on through. Yeah, ok … thanks, bye.”

  Izzie heard Kale sigh wearily, “Sorry Iz, this is my fault; I really shouldn’t have guilt-tripped you into taking pity on me and taking me on that trail. When I called by your house and you grandmother told me what happened; I felt so bad. Oh man, I’m such an idiot at times … I know the doctor said it was just a very bad case of tonsillitis, so that’s a slight relief but I can’t help think if I hadn’t forced you to spend time with me, then we wouldn’t have gotten caught in that rain … it’s probably what made you sick. Ok, I really need to stop talking now … I just hope you feel better soon.” Izzie heard him sigh once more and she still remained in her feigned slumber; there was no way she could talk to him, even after what she had just heard. Kale didn’t speak again but she heard his footsteps as he moved closer to the bed. What he was doing, she didn’t know but it was a little comforting knowing he was watching her sleep and that he intended to keep a bedside vigil all day.

  Izzie felt that he was closer now; she could also feel his hand over her own. She was quite touched by this gesture and wouldn’t mind if he stayed like that all day … all day – ALL DAY? Izzie realised now that her parents were due to visit at eleven and she really could do without having to explain why a super-famous film star was at her bedside. She figured she’d have to ‘wake up’, tell Kale that his gesture was appreciated but she wanted to be left alone for the rest of the day. Just as she was about to flutter her eyelids, she caught whiff of a familiar aroma; Kale was definitely closer now. Izzie was definitely going to have to open her eyes now, but before she could, she felt Kale kiss her lightly on the lips. She couldn’t help it when her eyes opened in shock when that happened. She saw Kale withdraw back quickly.

  “Hey, how you feeling?” he asked her, a look of guilt mixed with concern on his handsome face.

  “Um,” Izzie began croakily, “I’ve been better.”

  Kale laughed nervously, “Yeah, that’s probably partly my fault for getting you caught in the rain.”

  Izzie shook her head, “It’s not your fault.” She grabbed the glass of water from her bedside - in an attempt to avoid looking directly at Kale - and took another sip of water.

  Kale smiled nervously, “Yeah, and sorry about that.” Izzie knew immediately that he was referring to the kiss. She didn’t say anything and Kale spoke again. “Um,” he shifted in his seat, looking uncomfortable now, “you didn’t hear anything while you were asleep, did you?”

  Izzie didn’t know whether to save him from the embarrassment or not but the decision was out of her hands when she saw his expression; clearly her expression had given the game away.

  “Oh, wow,” Kale avoided Izzie’s eye line, “sorry about that too.”

  Izzie shook her head, “Don’t worry but I really think I should apologise to you,” she paused to take another drink and continued, “I still stand by us being friends and that’s why I want us to move past all our previous behaviour. Honestly I think I was running a fever on Saturday; I normally don’t act like that.” She told him jokily.

  Kale studied Izzie’s face, he had to confess; he was disappointed but he tried not to let it show. After all, as long as Izzie tolerated him as a friend, she would be in his life – which is what he wanted. Kale smiled at Izzie but she noticed that it didn’t reach his eyes; she decided to change the subject.

  “So, that’s it settled; friends it is. Now, how long have you been here?” Izzie decided that this would be the best way to sneakily get rid of Kale without him knowing that she was doing it deliberately.

  “Oh, um since about 9.30 last night,” he smiled sheepishly at her.

  Izzie took another sip of water; her throat was really killing her now so at least she wouldn’t have to ham it up, “God, you should really go home and sleep. My throat’s feeling quite sore again, so I’ll not be much company.”

  Kale stifled a yawn; he was pretty beat and Izzie looked wrecked too, “Ok, I’ll call you later or something. I’m just glad you’re all right.” He got up, stretched and gave Izzie’s hand a friendly pat and left.

  Izzie breathed a sigh of relief; at least she wouldn’t have to explain anything to her parents now. She yawned and tried to sleep again – but as sleepy as she felt, she found she couldn’t drift off; every time she closed her eyes, all she could see was the look on Kale’s face when she said that they should be friends; it wasn’t his strained smile that w
orried her, it was the look in his eyes; it was one of intense hurt … and the thing that bothered her most; she was pretty sure that if Kale had looked at her own eyes hard enough, he would’ve seen right through her little act …

  Izzie woke up later on to find her parents and grandmother in her room. Her mother smiled at her when she saw that Izzie was awake.

  “Hey honey, how you feeling now?” Her mother felt Izzie’s forehead and looked at her worriedly.

  Izzie tried to brush her mother off, “I’m fine,” she protested croakily, “I’m actually feeling a lot better.”

  Her grandmother smiled at her in a knowing way and then frowned at her daughter-in-law. “Would you leave the girl alone … she’s looking a hundred times better than the last time I saw her. Now, could you be a dear and go grab me a cup of coffee from the canteen?”

  Izzie’s mother looked slightly taken aback but left the room regardless. Izzie watched her Gran smile craftily, “Oh and Isaac … go get some breakfast.” She eyed her son sternly.

  Izzie bit back a laugh as her father rolled his eyes, “Mum, if you want to be alone with your granddaughter, just say.” He shook his head and left the room too.

  “Now,” Izzie watched her Gran smile broadly, “are you going to explain to me why Kale Eddison was calling by the house looking you yesterday evening or am I going to have to make you tell me?”

  Izzie looked uncomfortable, “Nothing’s going on Gran, your mind can stop going into overdrive right now.”

  Her grandmother frowned, “Isobel Charlotte Frank, don’t you lie to your grandmother; it’s bad for my health.”

  Izzie rolled her eyes, “Way to be melodramatic Gran and don’t middle name me … it’s not going to squeeze info out of me!”

  Her grandmother did not look amused, “Isobel, you can tell me … be thankful that your mother was still here with your father yesterday when Kale called otherwise she’d be ten times worse at trying to get information out of you.”