Captured well

Chapter 4.

Kai Sturm wasn't someone who paid attention to rumors. He had spent years hearing people talk about him. Some called him reckless or dangerous, some even called him a legend.

Most of it meant nothing. But this time, his attention was caught by a familiar name.

Skye Hart.

Kai looked at the phone Axel had pushed toward him while sitting in the corner of the club. "Look."

Kai glanced at the screen. It was Skye's post. It was the picture she had taken of him in the rain.

The one he had told her to delete.

And somehow, instead of being annoyed, he found himself staring at it longer than he expected.

The photo was good… actually, it was really good.

Most people took pictures of him because of what they saw on the outside. The bike. The reputation. The image. But somehow, this girl had captured something different.

The moment before he got angry, when he wasn't performing for anyone.

"She posted this yesterday," Axel said, watching his reaction carefully. "And you know what happened?"

Kai looked up. "What?"

"Everyone started asking who you were."

Kai rolled his eyes. "Everyone already knows who I am."

"Not like this." Axel grinned. "She made you look mysterious."

Kai ignored him. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because the photographer girl is clearly interested in you."

Kai frowned. "She's interested in a photo."

"Sure, keep telling yourself that." Axel leaned back. "She definitely wasn't looking at you like you were some random stranger at the race."

Kai looked away. Of course he remembered the way she had looked through the camera at him.

Then Axel laughed. "Honestly, if you don't want her, I might try."

Kai's expression immediately changed. "No." The answer came too quickly.

Axel noticed, then a slow smile appeared. "No?"

Kai realized what he had said and leaned back. "I mean... do whatever you want."

"Interesting.” But, Kai ignored him.

Something about the thought of Axel flirting with her irritated him, he didn't understand why.

She was just a strange and annoying girl that had followed him to a race and had taken pictures without permission.

And yet...

The idea of someone else getting her attention bothered him.

Ridiculous!

***

Later that evening, Kai opened the post again. He told himself it was only because he wanted to understand what exactly she was doing.

Not because he was curious… definitely not because he wanted to know what she was thinking.

The comments were filled with people praising the photo.

But then he remembered how she has been showing up since they met…well, crashing into each other was more accurate… in the rain. The race. The café.

Kai stared at the screen. "What are you actually doing?"

For the first time, his annoyance turned into curiosity. Most people wanted something from him. A connection. A favor. Attention.

But Skye? She didn't act like someone trying to use him, she acted like someone chasing something. Wait! Or someone?

He just didn't know.

Then he remembered the way she looked at him after Jonas grabbed her, the way she had been shaking. the way she still held onto her camera. And suddenly, his conclusion became simple.

Skye Hart liked him.

It made sense, admittedly, a little strange and a little extreme. But it made sense.

Kai leaned back. "She's really following me." He wasn't sure why that thought made him almost smile.

***

The next day, the club was busy and Skye was there sitting with her laptop. She wasn’t doing anything that drew attention to her, but Kai noticed immediately.

Of course he did. At this point, it was becoming difficult not to notice her.

Suddenly, she was near Axel, holding her camera, her laptop now in her bag as she looked at her phone with a worried expression.

"You're late?" Axel asked, but Skye hummed, an indication that she hadn’t been paying attention. "You have somewhere to be?" Axel said loudly now.

Skye nodded quickly. "I have a meeting."

Kai heard that, then saw Axel grab his helmet. "I can take you."

Skye looked relieved. "Really?"

Before Axel could answer, Kai spoke. "I'll take her." Both of them looked at him.

Kai paused, he hadn't planned to say that.

Axel raised an eyebrow. "You? Take her?"

Kai shrugged. "I mean, I know you're busy."

"I am?" Axel looked perplexed.

"You are now." Kai grunted, but Axel immediately looked amused.

Skye looked confused. "You don't have to." she muttered.

"I know." Kai walked toward his motorcycle. "Get on."

Her eyes widened. "Wait, seriously?"

Kai looked at her. "You said you were late."

That was true. That was the only reason.

At least, that was what he told himself.

The moment the motorcycle started moving, Skye regretted every decision that brought her there.

Kai drove like the road belonged to him.

But for someone like Skye who had never been on a motorcycle before, it was terrifying. Her hands tightened around his jacket. The wind hit her face. The city blurred around them.

Kai noticed. "Relax," he said back to her.

"I'm trying." she screamed back through the wind.

"You look like you're preparing for your death."

"I might be." He almost laughed.

Almost.

When they finally stopped, Skye immediately got off. The second her feet touched the ground, she turned away.

Kai removed his helmet. "Are you…o.okay?"

She didn't answer, before he could ask clearly, she was bent over. And the next second, she threw up.

Kai froze.

Completely unsure what to do. He had faced fights, threats and danger.

But this? This was unfamiliar.

"Are you..." He stopped. That was obviously a stupid question. She was clearly not okay. Skye wiped her mouth, looking absolutely miserable. Kai stared at her.

For once, he had no idea what to say.

This was the same girl who had chased him with a camera, the same girl who argued with him in the rain, the same girl who somehow made him believe she liked him. And now she was standing beside his motorcycle, completely defeated by a ride.

Kai sighed. "You know..." Skye looked up weakly. "Maybe you shouldn't like someone that rides if you can't handle their bike."

Her eyes widened. "I do not like you!" she said sternly. Kai looked at her, making her immediately realize how that sounded.

Somehow, despite everything, Kai thought… If she wasn't following him because she liked him, then why was she always there?

And what exactly did this strange girl want from him?