[color=lightcyan][indent][indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ymgzihY.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/3oztcir.jpg[/img]
[url=https://i.pinimg.com/564x/67/55/f7/6755f718b2b9c8f8bea9687926b27835.jpg][sub]Outfit[/sub][/url]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/B7Z9B7z.png[/img][/center]
Kavi’s black 2019 BMW 230i pulled up into a free parking space near King’s Academy and he sat in the car for a few minutes, just staring at the school. A wide range of thoughts passed through his mind but one he couldn’t stop entertaining was the overall aspect of change. Change in the sense that it was a new year and a new semester. Change in the sense that the isolation of winter break was over and he was back to reality. Change in the sense that he had a new car. Change in the sense that he was no longer the womanizing player he once was and had a girlfriend. Change in the sense…

[color=teal]“Yeah, there’s that too,”[/color] Kavi mused to himself.

In addition to how eventful the day had already been (despite it being too early for any of it), Kavi couldn’t find himself to step out of his car, not yet at least. With so much on his mind already and the impending doom of school, to say that he was worried would also to say that the sky was just a little blue this morning. He shouldn’t feel this way, right? The tight feeling in his gut tearing him apart and making him quite apprehensive of stepping out? He had everything going for him this semester. The right girl, the best car, and all of the clean slates to spare, yet he couldn’t stop thinking about [i]that[/i].

Suddenly, he felt a hard punch against his right bicep and he turned to Nikki, who sat beside him. [color=teal]“That hurt, you know,”[/color] he said, staring at her with an annoyed expression.

[color=fdc68a]“Maybe if you listen to when I’m calling you, I wouldn’t have to punch you.”[/color] She sighed, grabbing the strap of her bag tightly as she prepared to get out.

[color=teal]“Wait, we should talk about--”[/color]

[color=fdc68a]“There’s nothing to talk about, Kav,”[/color] she said with a defeated tone, shrugging as she looked at him. [color=fdc68a]“Our parents are adults. What they do or don’t do isn’t on us.”[/color]

[color=teal]“So you’re not the least bit curious or worried?”[/color] He asked.

When she stopped with the passenger door halfway open, Kavi knew he had her full and undivided attention. [color=fdc68a]“Listen, bro, I know it’s hard for us to fathom that our parents aren’t happy anymore but why should you or I let that interfere with our happiness? I’ve made peace with the fact that shit happens and you just have to press on.”[/color]

He wasn’t sure if she was being the mature one here or if her lack of -- well, anything -- was a sign that she was taking it the worst. Nikki wasn’t always the most expressive and God only knows how much of a mouth she has, but even for her, Kavi had to admit her showing very little reaction to what their parents told them last night and this morning was alarming. Even a little reaction about maybe how much it sucked or even the fear of what their living situation might be was better than what he saw. 

[color=teal]“You know, you don’t have to pretend in front of me. It’s not like your shining rep at school is going to be in jeopardy if you be honest with me.”[/color] He tried being the comforting older brother for once.

At the moment those words left his lips, on some level, Kavi was expecting to get hit again. Knowing Nikki’s temper as he did, there was no way in hell she was going to limit herself to his arm. It was going to be Halloween all over again (and in his new car, no less).

So, as he braced himself for the inevitable impact of her tightened fist, Kavi stared her dead-straight in the eyes. To his surprise, however, nothing came. The only thing that was exchanged between the two was an awkward staring contest that ended when she had reacted angrily, prompting him to raise his hand only slightly. This reaction was only verbal, thus the next thing Kavi heard was the sound of her leaving his car in a fit of rage, slamming the car door so hard he thought she had separated it from the car.

And so, he sat there, again thinking about changes in his life and how it all happened in a couple of weeks. Change in the sense that he had no control of the good or bad in his life and that he didn’t know what to do. 

Until he did.

Kavi decided to just put these thoughts to rest for now. He also decided it did him no good to fret on what happened at home and how his kid sister was taking it. Instead, he would just get his bag, get out of the car, and try and fake happy for everyone’s sake. That was honestly the [i]only[/i] thing he knew he was capable of doing.

Halfway across the parking lot, Kavi pulled out his phone and texted Ariel the following:

[indent][i][color=teal]Hey sorry I couldn’t pick you up this morning, Nik needed a ride. See you at school. 💪😎[/color][/i][/indent]
He smiled as he sent it and went further into the campus. He wasn’t sure exactly what this day had in store for him, but if he had to pick, he’d rather it be dull and quiet. He didn’t know how he would respond otherwise.[/indent][/indent][/color]