... not in love with Kale Eddison
Page 14
After Izzie had showered and dressed, she decided to join her grandmother in the living room until dinner had been served. She settled down on the sofa beside her Gran and watched the Christmas film her grandmother was engrossed in.
“So,” Izzie began, “what are we watching?”
Her grandmother turned to her and pointedly stared at Izzie’s neck where the necklace Kale had bought her was currently hanging.
“So, have you thanked him yet?” Her grandmother merely said, purposely ignoring Izzie’s question.
Izzie shook her head, “No, I feel really stupid when I think about the silly thing I gave him.” Izzie shuddered and her grandmother looked curious.
“Oh and what did you get him?”
Izzie shrugged, “Something that cost a hell of a lot less than this necklace.”
Her grandmother shook her head, “Izzie, it’s not the amount spent; it’s the thought and effort that went into choosing the gift that’s important.”
Izzie nodded, “True, I did do a lot of research on his present.”
“Well there you go,” her grandmother reassured her, “but I really think you should call him and thank him … he’ll think you don’t like it.”
Izzie debated with herself; she knew she would have to do it sooner or later and she really didn’t think she’d be able to do it in person … Izzie nodded to herself; her mind made up. She fished her mobile out of her pocket and scrolled through the phonebook until she found Kale’s number, she hit ‘call’ and waited for Kale to pick up. As the phone was ringing, Izzie noticed her grandmother had edged closer – obviously she had wanted to eavesdrop on Izzie’s conversation but Izzie wasn’t going to give her the chance. Izzie left the room and went to sit on the stairs while her grandmother huffed with her and turned the TV volume up a little louder. Izzie rolled her eyes to herself and finally Kale answered.
“Hey, Merry Christmas … is everything ok?” came Kale’s voice.
Izzie laughed, “Hey, same to you, um, yeah, everything’s fine … I um, I just wanted to thank you for the beautiful necklace, you really didn’t have to do that and I’m sure it cost a fortune!”
She heard Kale chuckle, “Nah,” he told her, “I thought it was perfect for you … I’m glad you like it. Thanks for mine, by the way. It’s actually been really useful … in more ways than one.”
Izzie was intrigued, “Oh yeah? It’s pretty lame in comparison to yours … so what has it helped you with, other than learning your lines?”
Kale was quick to correct her, “Hey, it was really thoughtful and unique … and I loved it which is what counts. Anyway, your little bit of advice helped me with a personal matter …” he trailed off cryptically.
Izzie sighed, “Yeah, thanks for explaining that fully,” she quipped sarcastically, “it’s not like I’m curious or anything.”
Kale chuckled again, “It just helped me figure out my next career move, that’s all … there’s no need to be shirty with me.”
Izzie had to laugh at that, “Shirty eh? You certainly know how to express yourself … anyway, what are your plans for the rest of the day then? You’ve probably a big fat and juicy turkey cooking this minute, am I right?”
Kale looked around his surroundings; if only Izzie knew how far from the truth she was. He turned the Christmas film he had been watching up; the characters were all enjoying their festive dinner and Kale wanted to give the illusion that he was not alone; he really didn’t want Izzie to pity him if she knew the truth.
“Yeah,” Kale said louder, “as you can probably hear … everyone’s getting into the Christmas spirit here.” He forced a laugh and he heard Izzie chuckle.
“Same here … although, I can probably say - with total confidence – that my family is significantly more insane than yours; you should’ve seen my dad with the turkey this morning! Every year he buys the biggest turkey … and every year, he struggles to fit it in the oven.”
Kale laughed, “Sounds like fun. Well, I’d better let you go … I’ll see you later.”
“Yeah, ok … I’ll talk to you later if I can escape this mad lot. Merry Christmas.” Izzie hung up the phone and made her way through to the living room again where her grandmother hurriedly found the TV remote and hit the ‘mute’ button.
“So …” her grandmother looked at her eagerly, “did he like his present?”
Izzie nodded, “Yeah, he loved it … sounded like his family were getting in the festive mood. Anyway, why are you so interested in all of this?”
Izzie watched her grandmother shrug, “No reason … now, do you think it’s safe to go into the kitchen or will we find a ‘Yuletide Homicide’?”
Izzie roared with laughter, “How do you think of them Gran? I guess we had better check, we wouldn’t something like that putting a dampener our Christmas now, would we?”
Chapter Fourteen
For once, Christmas Dinner in the Frank household passed without any arguments, and Izzie was enjoying relaxing on the sofa after her turkey indulgence when her phone bleeped. She noticed her grandmother look at her inquisitively and Izzie avoided her eye while she clicked open the text message from Kale.
‘What u up to?’
Izzie was curious; it was quite random of Kale to text out of the blue and with no real reason, nevertheless, Izzie decided to bite and reply.
‘Feeling stuffed from dinner. U?’
A few seconds later, her phone bleeped again, ‘Not much, same with me.’
Izzie felt like Kale wasn’t telling her something; she left the living room, avoiding her grandmother’s knowing look, and went up to her bedroom for some privacy. She worded her reply carefully.
‘Is everything ok? Do u wanna talk?’
‘No, I’m fine. Promise ;)’
Izzie wasn’t fooled that easily, she replied, ‘Ok, talk later’ but grabbed her car keys. She popped her head around the living room door and saw her grandmother and father dozing but her mother was watching TV.
“Mum, I’m just going to visit a friend. I’ll be back later, ok?” Izzie watched her mother nod and not pay much attention to her so she set off out the door.
Kale was sitting watching a Christmas special of some soap and feeling very stupid; he didn’t know what had possessed him to text Izzie and the moment he had, he’d regretted it instantly. Just because he was all alone on Christmas day and feeling sorry for himself was no reason to disrupt Izzie’s celebrations. Kale came to the conclusion that he was just feeling very lonely; after he had eaten the dinner Mrs Wilson had left him, he craved some festive spirit but there he was all alone – if the press could see him now, he could just see hear the jibes about money not being able to buy you happiness, even for a movie star like himself. He sighed and then he heard the doorbell; probably Alicia checking up on him. Kale made his way to the front door and hitched a smile on his face before he swung the door open to find Izzie standing.
“What are you doing here?” Kale asked in surprise.
Izzie smiled at him, “I think I can tell when someone wants to talk but just won’t admit it. Now, can I come in?”
Kale moved to the side and Izzie stepped inside. He led her into the living room and he noticed Izzie glancing around and looking quite perplexed.
“Am I missing something Kale? When did everyone leave?” She threw him a baffled look and he sighed.
“You’re probably going to laugh,” Kale told her, “there has been nobody here at all today.”
Izzie looked very puzzled indeed now, “I’m not laughing Kale; I’m just confused.”
Kale smiled a little, “I don’t blame you. When I was on the phone to you earlier … the noise you heard – the party going on – it was on TV.”
Izzie looked at him to continue, when he didn’t, she prompted him, “Ok … I still don’t understand what it is you’re trying to say.”
Kale smiled sadly, “What I’m trying to tell you is that I’ve been alone … all day … my parents have work commitments and t
he staff are all with their families.”
Comprehension dawned on Izzie’s face, “Oh … oh my God, Kale why didn’t you say something? You could’ve come to my house – I’m not gonna lie; it’s a mad house – but at least you would’ve had some company.”
Kale shook his head, “Please Izzie, don’t pity me. I’d rather you tell me that I deserve it … after all, I am the egotistic movie star whose own parents failed to celebrate Christmas with him. It just proves money can’t buy you everything.”
Izzie frowned at him, “You do know I was joking about the ‘egotistic’ thing … but Kale, nobody deserves to be left alone at Christmas! Oh I feel so bad now.”
Kale patted her on the arm, “Don’t, come on, sit down and I’ll make some coffee. Oh God, now I feel bad for making you feel bad.”
Izzie sat down, “Ok, I think we’re both not doing each other any favours. Let’s change the subject.”
Kale nodded, “I’ll get the coffee and you … you sit here and relax.”
“So,” Kale paused to take a sip of his coffee, “why did you come round – not that I don’t want you here – because I do – but I’m curious.”
Izzie smiled, “I just sensed something was wrong. You just sounded … sad.”
Kale grinned, “You’re very intuitive … and I’m very grateful.”
Izzie laughed, “Yeah and I missed my daily dose of Mr Pain-in-the-Ass!”
Kale chuckled at that, “See, I knew you liked having me around.”
Izzie hit him playfully on the arm, “Don’t flatter yourself buddy. Seriously though, you should’ve said something earlier.”
Kale shook his head, “I enjoyed the peace and quiet; a chance to think. It was nice but then …” he trailed off.
“But then you started to feel lonely,” Izzie finished for him. “Kale, it’s not a weakness to admit you want some company.” She looked at him sternly.
Kale laughed, “Ok, please don’t look at me like that … I’m worried you’re going to pop a blood vessel or something.”
Izzie rolled her eyes, “Gee Kale, a comedian and actor … is there anything you’re not good at?”
Kale smirked, “Yeah, getting the girl I like to like me back.”
Izzie knew she had walked right into that one; trust Kale to make her feel even more confused than she already was. Izzie looked away from him and said nothing.
Kale sighed, “Hey, I’m only messing with you. You don’t need to tell me again that you despise me; I get it.”
Izzie glanced at him and then looked directly into his baby blue eyes, “I don’t despise you Kale, really.”
Kale was surprised at how sincere Izzie sounded, “Well then why can’t you give me a chance? Now I know there’s a possibility you might like me too … why can’t we give it a shot?”
Izzie sighed and shook her head, “Kale, everything is not that simple. The world isn’t just black and white.”
Kale smiled, “I know … but it isn’t just shades of grey either.”
Izzie smirked, “Touché … but why can’t we just be friends? Is that not enough for you? I hate when you bring up this crap; it makes me feel all awkward.”
Kale thought for a moment, “I’m sorry. I’m being a jerk again. Your friendship is important to me but I’ll always want more.”
Izzie nodded, “Fair enough Kale, but you’re going to have to accept the possibility that that is all it will ever come to.”
Kale didn’t get his hopes up when Izzie said ‘possibility’; it wasn’t a definite ‘no’ but it wasn’t a definite ‘yes’ either … God women could be so frustrating! He shook his head to clear his thoughts and looked into Izzie’s eyes.
“Ok, I can accept that.”
Izzie felt relieved, “Ok, I think it’s time to change the subject so I don’t feel awkward again.”
Kale laughed, “Sorry, it’s my fault … me and my big mouth. Blame the day job; gushing about our feelings is kind of in the job description.”
Izzie chuckled, “Sure, no problem … now, it’s getting late; do you think you can cope without me until we get back to school?”
Kale shook his head solemnly, “No, I’d die without you,” then he sniggered, “I’m just messing, of course I can but where’re you going? I thought I’d see you before we’re due back.”
Izzie smiled, “I’ve to visit relatives all week so you won’t see me until Friday but,” she paused for a minute, “we do have these things called mobile phones … if you wanna talk, I’ll answer.” She looked at him seriously then, just to show she wasn’t joking about.
Kale looked grateful, “Thanks … for everything. I’ll see you bright and early on Friday morning. Let’s hope everybody’s been rehearsing!” He wagged his finger disapprovingly a lá Ms Belson and Izzie laughed as she headed out the door.
Friday morning arrived very quickly and Izzie found herself excited to see Kale again; she pushed aside any inklings that would suggest that this was because she really liked him and blamed it on the fact that she missed him being a nuisance.
“Hey,” Kale smiled at her and leaned against the wall beside her locker.
“Hey yourself,” Izzie told him as she slammed her locker shut and fell into step with him as he starting making his way down the corridor.
“So,” Kale began, “nice holiday visiting your relatives?”
Izzie rolled her eyes, “The less said, the better … trust me.”
Kale chortled, “Ok, I’ll not ask again. So, do you think anyone actually rehearsed over Christmas? Ms Belson is seriously deluded if she thinks everyone was running through their lines the entire time.”
Izzie sniggered, “I know but as long as the main characters know their lines … it’ll be alright. So, do you know your stuff Mr Movie Star?”
Kale rolled his eyes, “Mock all you want, I know you love it all too. I’ll have you know that I am word perfect and I can guess that you are too … as for the rest, we’ll find out soon enough …” he pointed to the notice board, “rehearsal today at 11am.”
Izzie groaned, “Great, there goes my good mood.”
Kale looked puzzled, “Your ‘good mood’? I wasn’t aware you had such a function, let alone know the meaning of it!” He smirked at her and Izzie gave him a dirty look. “Ooh,” he teased, “if looks could kill!”
Izzie bit back a laugh but a smile slipped out anyway and Kale chuckled, “See … two can play at that game.”
Izzie smiled, “Yeah, yeah, shut up and move your ass … we’re going to be late.”
When school was over, Izzie was a little disappointed she couldn’t meet up with Kale since she had to work. However, it would give her the opportunity to think things over; she hadn’t had the chance over Christmas break to suss out her feelings for him and work would be quiet so it was the perfect time to think. Although, she couldn’t deny, if she was disappointed that she wouldn’t be able to see Kale again … didn’t that seem to suggest that she had already made up her mind about him? Maybe there would be no need to mull things over so much …
Chapter Fourteen
After weeks of rehearsal, the opening night of the play was not far away; it was the last day before the ‘big night’ and Ms Belson was just running through some last minute pointers before she dismissed the class.
“Now, I want you all to have fun tomorrow night and if you make a mistake …” she paused and waited for them to bleat back the end of her sentence.
“…we forget about it and move onto our next line.” They all chanted back to her and Ms Belson smiled; apparently satisfied that everybody was prepared.
“Alright,” Ms Belson smiled, “you can go, see you all tomorrow night.”
Izzie was relieved, she turned to Kale, “Thank God, I thought she was going to give us another lecture there.”
He laughed, “She just wants it to be flawless … and it will be.”
Izzie smiled, “Good to know you have the confidence in yourself not to mess it up.”
Izzie rolled her eyes, “Funny, now, you coming or what?”
Kale sighed, “Yeah, I just can’t find my script. Look, you go on and I’ll meet you by the lockers, ok?”
Izzie nodded and made her way out the door with everyone else … well almost everyone …
Kale had just located his script behind one of the props when he felt a tap on his shoulder and he turned to find Maddie.
“What are you looking Maddie?” he frowned at her; she hadn’t bothered him or Izzie since before Halloween and he liked it that way.
Maddie smiled, “Oh come on Kale, what did I ever do on you? I just wanted your help with something.”
Kale sighed heavily, “Fine, what is it?”
Maddie fluttered her eyelashes flirtatiously, “I’ve got an audition and I just wanted your advice on what way to play the part.”
Kale found it hard to resist; he always liked the chance to help somebody out … especially when it involved acting. He nodded, “Ok, what’s the role? You got the script handy?”
Maddie obediently extracted the script from her bag and handed it to Kale, “I’m gunning for the part of the soldier’s girlfriend but I don’t really know how to play the scene.”
Kale flicked through the pages, “Which scene is it?”
Maddie pointed to the appropriate page and Kale nodded, “Ok, since it’s a highly emotional and intense scene, I’d recommend you stick to the basics.”
Maddie nodded, “Ok, what are the basics I should stick to?” She looked at Kale pleadingly but was also wishing that Jake would hurry up with his part of the plan.
Izzie was collecting a textbook from her locker when Jake approached her. She sighed, “What do you want Jake?”