Society Girls: Kalila

by Crystal Perkins

  “Already on it, my friend.”

  I finish lunch with them, and things are lighter by the time I leave, because that’s the way they are together. I’m glad I got the answers I need, although I know Scott was holding back. He said Kali’s upset about things she did, but he didn’t go into details. He said he wouldn’t tell me everything, and I know why he didn’t tell me exactly what’s going on with her; he wants me to find out myself, and fight for her. There’s no question I’m going to do it, and it’s a battle I plan to win.

  Chapter 18

  Kali

  I know someone’s in my apartment when I open the front door, I just don’t know who. While I don’t think any of the Sheriff’s people are dumb enough to still come after me, I can’t take a chance. I remove the gun I bought yesterday from my hidden lower back holster, and step into my living room. Jade and Darcy are sitting on my couch, smirking at me.

  “Glad you haven’t abandoned our teachings completely,” Jade tells me.

  “Why are you here?” I ask, dropping my gun arm, and placing the gun on my fireplace mantle.

  “We’re sorry, Kali. For how we treated you, and for not knowing something was going on,” Darcy says.

  “You weren’t supposed to know.”

  Jade looks so anguished, I can barely stand it. “We should’ve tried to understand, or at least pushed you harder for answers to the questions we had.”

  “Losing all of you was the hardest part of all of this,” I tell them honestly. “I had to do what I did, but please know I didn’t want to betray Theo, or miss Wave’s birthday. I know I was a bad friend, but I had to do it.”

  “Bad friend? You saved everything we know and love,” Darcy reminds me.

  “And lost you all in the process.”

  “You haven’t lost us, Kali. We were just misguided, and stupid. If we’d stopped to think, instead of just reacting, we’d have known there was something very wrong going on.”

  I shrug, because she’s right, but it doesn’t change much. The two of them are here, but it’s only them. Still, I miss them like crazy, and I know I can’t hold everything against them, because I played the part of the bitch in this production pretty well, if I do say so myself.

  “It’s just the two of you, but I need two more friends, so if that’s what you’re offering, we can try.”

  “It’s not just the two of us,” Darcy says.

  I look around at my apartment, and back at them. “I only see two of you.”

  “Isa said we shouldn’t overwhelm you,” Jade tells me.

  “Oh.”

  “Your girls are devastated. Ours are having a hard time, too, but not like the recruits. We had to cancel classes this week, because they can’t concentrate, and we don’t want anyone getting hurt.”

  “I didn’t think they cared,” I tell them, and promptly burst into tears. I quickly sink into a chair, and cover my face with my hands.

  “Shit. We should’ve brought Audrey, because neither one of us is warm and cuddly.”

  Hearing Jade say those words turns my sobs into laughs, and I look up to smile at them. “I love you both, but no, you’re not huggers.”

  “Sorry, Kali,” Darcy says with a sheepish smile back to me.

  “Don’t be; I love you all just the way you are.”

  The door to my bedroom bursts open, and nine women rush out. “She said she loves us,” Sierra yells, before I’m engulfed in a group hug so fierce, it knocks the chair over. We all fall to the floor, but no one lets me go.

  “I can’t believe you were hiding in my bedroom.”

  “We barely fit in there, Kali. You need to come back to the lap of luxury,” Jenysis tells me.

  “I don’t need luxury.”

  “Obviously. You’re a billionaire living in a tiny apartment,” Rhieve says.

  “I can’t touch that money.”

  “You saved the freaking Society, Kali. I don’t know how much you got, but I heard the Corrigans and the Griffins were very generous,” Rose tells me.

  “They were, and I didn’t do what I did for money.”

  “We know,” Nev says. “I’m sorry I was so angry at you.”

  “Theo saved you, and I know your loyalty lies with him.”

  She shakes her head. “No, it doesn’t. In the heat of the moment, with you refusing to explain yourself, I was angry, but my loyalty is with you.”

  “We didn’t show you that, but I swear we all mean it,” Matisse says.

  “She even has Ken sleeping on the couch,” Waverly tells me.

  “Don’t me mad at him, Teesy. You know he couldn’t tell you.”

  “I know, but he needs to grovel a little more. On his knees,” she adds, with a wicked glint in her eyes.

  “TMI,” Waverly says to her.

  “You brought it up.”

  “Moving on, we love you, miss you, and need you,” Camari says.

  “I don’t know if I can come back.”

  “Well, we’re here either way,” Harlow says, pulling me into another hug.

  “All of us are,” Jade says. “We’d like to have you over for dinner next week, and don’t be surprised if the other mentors pop in to see you.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “Can we stay, and hang out?” Rose asks.

  “I’d like that, too.”

  “We’ll leave you ladies to it,” Darcy says, walking over to hug me tight, even though it’s not her thing. Jade does the same, and then it’s just the ten of us.

  We order food, and it’s just like it was before. Only, it’s not, because I’m holding back. I can’t go back to the Society, because I can’t face Theo, but if I tell them that, they’ll try and convince me I’m wrong. I know I’m not, and I know seeing him look at me like I was the worst thing he’d ever seen is not something I can survive again.

  Theo

  I’ve got the papers I need in my hand, my backpack on my shoulder, and an ironic Science shirt covering my chest, so I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. I’ve survived wars, and more deadly missions than I care to count, so this should be a piece of cake, but it’s not. It’s one of the scariest things I’ve ever had to do in my life. With missions, there were bad guys for me to fight, but in this, I’m the one who’s more than likely going to get shot down for my past misdeeds.

  But, I can do this. I can. Maybe. Maybe not.

  I start to turn away, second-guessing myself and my plan, but I can’t walk away. This is my chance, the one my friends pulled strings for me to have, and I’m going to take it, even if I crash and burn.

  Before I change my mind again, I yank the classroom door open. Kali stops mid-sentence, and her eyes go wide when she sees it’s me in the doorway. Her mouth opens and closes, and I know she wants to throw me out, but she goes the professional route, which is what I was hoping for.

  “Are you lost?”

  “No, ma’am. I’m auditing this class.”

  She closes her eyes, and opens them again, holding out her hand. I walk in, and give her the papers. She looks them over more than once, trying to find a way out of this, but there isn’t one. I’m legit, and unless she wants to cause a scene, she can’t kick me out.

  Her eyes narrow, and I know I’ve only won the skirmish, and not even a battle, much less the war, but I’ll take what I can get.

  “Very well, Mr. Jordan. You can sit in any of the empty seats.”

  “Thanks, Miss Jackson,” I tell her, and lean into her so only she’ll hear the rest. “Because we both know I’m nasty.”

  It was always a joke between us, because of the Janet Jackson song, but she’s not smiling at me now. “Sit down, Theo.”

  I scan the room, noting the young co-eds who have their chests thrust out, and their hair flipped, and know there’s no way I’m going anywhere near them. The jocks look a little too cocky, and I don’t need a fight in here, so they’re out, too. When my eyes land on the girl sitting by herself near the back, I walk that way.

  “Hi, I’m T
heo,” I tell her, as I take a seat next to her at the table.

  “Oh, hi.”

  She’s shy, and nerdy, just like the woman who’s teaching this class was all those years ago, when I fell in love with her. I’m not falling for the girl next to me, because my heart’s not up for grabs, but I’m going to offer my friendship to her, if she’ll take it.

  “What’s your name, beautiful?”

  “I-I’m not…I mean, it’s Ruth.”

  “Nice to meet you, Ruth.”

  “I’m not going to let you cheat off me, or do the experiments for you.”

  “Good. I like to do my own work.”

  “Why are you sitting here? Those girls over there were offering themselves up.”

  “There’s only one woman I want, and she’s teaching this class.”

  “Kali?”

  I smile, knowing the rest of the class calls her by her first name. “Yep.”

  “She’s a brilliant scientist.”

  “I know. I used to help her study.”

  Her eyes are the ones going wide now as I smirk. I’ve shocked two nerdy scientists today, and I couldn’t be happier about it. I can’t wait to see their faces once class is over.

  I listen intently to Kali as she lectures, refusing to let myself get distracted by how hot she looks in her lab coat. Now is not the time to let my dick override my brain, so I scribble down notes as fast as I can. I don’t know if they’ll be legible later, or if I’ll understand what I wrote, even if they are legible, but I’m trying here.

  When it’s time to start the experiments, I smile, because this I know. I feel two sets of eyes on me as I measure, and mix, and can’t stop the smile from escaping my face. Both Kali and Ruth are making sure I don’t cheat, but they needn’t worry about that. To make them both feel better, I don’t even glance next to me as I concoct, knowing I’m bumbling a little, but still getting it right.

  “Wow,” Ruth says, as my potion begins to bubble like it’s supposed to. “You didn’t look at what I was doing, but you did it.”

  “Told you I wasn’t going to cheat.”

  “Everything okay over here?” Kali asks, purposely standing next to Ruth, and not me. She’s been making the rounds, and it’s no surprise we’re last.

  “I think we both got it.”

  “I’m not sure what to say about this, Theo.”

  “Well, since I can’t get a grade, you could just tell me I did a good job.”

  She holds my gaze for long moments, and I can feel Ruth watching both of us. “Good job.”

  “Great lecture.”

  “Kiss ass,” one of the jocks says on a cough.

  “All day, every day,” I respond, still looking at the woman in front of me.

  Her skin turns pink, and she smirks a little. I’ll take it. Especially when she leans in, to whisper in my ear. “Behave.”

  I’m grinning from ear-to-ear as she wraps up the class, telling us to clean up our stations before we go. She reminds everyone of the safety procedures, and I see why she thinks she belongs here, but I know she’s wrong. This is easy—and normal—for her, but the woman she’s become isn’t going to be satisfied with either of those things. And I know she knows it, too, even if she won’t admit it yet.

  Chapter 19

  Kali

  I’m going insane. There’s no other explanation for what’s happening today. Theo’s auditing my class? Wearing a tight shirt that says “A Moment of Science Please”, and doing that experiment like he’s done it his whole life? No, this cannot be happening.

  He left right after class, shooting me a sexy smile, but making no effort to talk to me. A part of me was disappointed, but when I saw him walking with Ruth, my heart melted. If he’s wooing me—which I think he is, though I don’t know why—he’s off to a good start.

  I walk outside, and stop, because holy hell, he’s bringing out all the big guns, and I’m not just talking about his sexy biceps. He brought his freaking bike. He knows how much I love that motorcycle, but it’s been months since I had a ride. He’s had it stored away lately, and I’ve missed it; missed seeing him ride up on it, and yeah, I’ve missed riding on the back of it, too.

  Right now, he’s surrounded by both girls and guys, all trying to get a look, and not just at the bike he’s straddling like the perfect specimen of gods he is. I don’t blame them, but it’s like being in school all over again, even if I am the teacher now. I want to be picked, noticed, chosen…even if I don’t deserve it this time.

  “Kali,” he says, catching me standing on the sidewalk like a gawking idiot.

  I don’t answer, because I’m embarrassed to be caught looking, and also because I don’t know what to say. There’s so much I need to tell him, starting with an apology, but the words just won’t come out right now. Tears gather in my eyes, and I turn away.

  I know everything about Theo, including his footfalls, so I hear him before he’s in front of me, pulling me into his arms. He pulls me around the building, and holds me tight as I sob into his chest. I find the strength I need to speak, because he’s always helped me find the strength I don’t know I have.

  “Always protecting me.”

  “Always,” he agrees. “Even when you’re strong enough to protect yourself.”

  “Why are you doing this Theo?”

  “I love you, Kali.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “You have nothing to apologize for.”

  “I sent you to jail.”

  “I know what you did, Kali, and why you did it. I also know what you endured, and it makes me want to dig up his grave, and tear his body apart, limb by limb.”

  “You’d go back to jail if you did that,” I tell him, gripping him tighter. “He wasn’t worth that when he was alive, and he’s certainly not worth it now.”

  “You’re worth it, Kali.”

  “Even after I hurt you?”

  “Do you think I’m worth fighting for, even after what I did to you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then believe it for yourself, sweetheart. I wish I could do it for you, but you have to come to this on your own, for you.”

  I know he’s right, and I also know I need to say the words he said to me back to him, because they’re true. “I love you, Theo.”

  “Thank God.”

  “I…are you coming to class again on Thursday?”

  “Do you want me to?”

  “I think I do.”

  It’s a lie, because I know I want to see him there. I want him to wear another science shirt, and look intense while he takes notes. I want him to be sweet to Ruth, and do his experiment without help. I want to kiss him, and take him home to my bed. I want it all, but I can’t make myself take it yet.

  “I’ll be there.”

  He kisses the top of my head, and lets me go. I mourn the loss of him, but I know he’s giving me the space I need. When I’m overwhelmed, I need time alone to get my thoughts together, and he knows that. I lean against the wall, and watch him walk back to his adoring crowd, knowing he’s mine if I can just be brave enough to claim him once again.

  Theo

  “How’d it go?” Caleb asks when I join everyone in the game room at home.

  “I didn’t blow up the lab, so thanks for the help.”

  Jade sighs loudly, before glaring at me. “Who cares about the Science? What happened with Kali?”

  “She told me she loves me.”

  “And?”

  “She wants me to come back to class.”

  “She’s giving you a chance to prove you deserve another chance,” Ainsley says.

  I shake my head. “No. She’s giving me the chance to prove that she does.”

  “You have to make her believe it, Theo. If she gives what you have another chance, she’ll be more open to coming back,” Reina says.

  “I know, and I want her back in the Society, but I gotta be honest—right now, I’m focusing on her and me.”

  “Understood. One will lead to
the other, so if you need any other help, you just let us know,” Audrey tells me.

  “I’m good for now, but thanks. I’m going to head upstairs, and chill for a little bit. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Once I’m upstairs in my apartment, I look at how empty it is. There’s no warmth here, no sense of it being someone’s place. It never bothered me before, and as I see it with new eyes, and a new purpose, I know why.

  I never thought of this as my home, because Kali wasn’t here with me. She slept over, and knew she could come and go as she pleased, but it was never ours. I couldn’t decorate this place alone, because I wanted to do it together. I want to carry her over the threshold, and make love to her on all the furniture we both picked out.

  That’s not going to happen right away, but I can start on the furniture part, at least with a couple of things. I’ll have the guys help me tomorrow, because they’re having fun downstairs, and also because I honestly do need some alone time.

  Being alone with my thoughts hasn’t always been my favorite thing, but I’ve learned to appreciate the silence, and the chance to just think. I’ve got the foot in the door I need with Kali, and now I have to convince her to open it all the way. I could slide through the gap I made, or sneak my way in, but I don’t want that. I want her to let me in.

  Grabbing a water, instead of a beer, I settle into the couch with my laptop, a pad of paper, and a pen, looking for what I need. I find and reject lots of different things, and then it’s there in front of me. I sit up as I read the info, and know without a doubt this is my endgame. It’s not for Thursday, and it’s not for Kali’s dinner here on Friday—it’s what I’m going to do once I have her back.

  Having worked that out, I realize I haven’t eaten since before Kali’s class, and my stomach isn’t happy. Groceries haven’t been a priority for a few weeks, so there’s going to be slim pickings here, but the apartment staff keeps the menus for every local restaurant updated on our home systems. I grab my tablet, sync it, and order. One thing down, and now it’s time to concentrate on Thursday.