Four

       Stella,

          

     I never expected my relationship with Kai to go beyond friendship. But after I opened up to him about what I've been through, he stayed by my side. We spent the entire weekend together, enjoying each other's company. My favorite moments were when he kissed me - he was so gentle. I'm not sure when I'll be ready to take our relationship to the next level. If he makes love the way he kisses, I might find it hard to let him go. But I wonder if he sees a future with someone like me.

      I exit the bathroom and head to my bedroom to change into comfortable clothes. Afterwards, I go downstairs to the living room where Kai is already waiting for me.

     "Girl... I've never seen anyone make a plain t-shirt and sweatpants look so sexy."

    Kai always knows how to make me blush. "Oh, stop it, Kai," I reply, walking over to where he's sitting on the sofa and taking a seat beside him. However, he surprises me by lifting me up and placing me on his lap.

    It feels nice to be there, but also a bit inappropriate at the same time.

     "Will you be my girlfriend? Not just a friend I kiss because we both enjoy it, but my actual girlfriend. The girl I want to spend all night with, the girl I think about every morning and every night, the girl I can kiss whenever I want. Will you be my girl?" I ask, hoping for a positive response.

     "Well, Mr. Kai Kahale, you certainly know how to be romantic," she replies, teasingly.

     I playfully respond, "Let me think about it."

    She notices the smile on my face and starts tickling me.

   "Yes, yes, yes! I couldn't imagine a better person to kiss me whenever he wants and think about me all the time," she finally says, giving in to my request.

   "Yes!" I exclaim, pumping my fist in the air. I gently grab the back of her neck and pull her towards me, kissing her passionately. I can feel her lips getting slightly sore, but I don't have time to check because I can't stop kissing her. My free hand moves to her hip, pulling her closer to me, and I can feel my excitement growing.

I stand up quickly, apologizing to Kai and suggesting that he should leave for the night. Kai walks over to where I'm standing, wraps his arms around my waist, and reassures me that he would never pressure me into doing anything I'm not ready for. He promises to go at whatever pace I'm comfortable with, even if it takes months, years, or a lifetime. He tells me that he will always be there for me. I rest my head on his chest and thank him. Kai whispers, "You and me, baby," and kisses the top of my head.

After my moment of panic, we snuggled up on the couch and watched some TV. I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I knew, it was morning and I woke up in my bed with Kai next to me, on top of the covers like a gentleman.

“Kai, it's time to get up for school," I nudged him out of bed.

“Can't we just stay here and cuddle all day?" Kai mumbled in his sleep.

I wished we could, but I was afraid that would lead to something more and I wasn't ready for that yet. What if that's all Kai wanted, and if I didn't give in right away, I could keep him around a little longer? But by doing that, I could also be setting myself up for heartbreak.

"Stella, I'm just kidding, but you really need to relax a bit."

“I know, I'm just new to this whole having a boyfriend thing, and it doesn't help that I can't stop overthinking whenever you touch me."

“Like what?"

“Oh look, I'm going to be late for school if I don't get up and go now."

“Nice save, Stella, but I'll find out eventually."

“That sounds painful," I tease.

“Oh, someone's feeling funny this morning," Kai says, rolling over on top of me and straddling me on the bed. "Hmm, the things I can do to you in this position."

"Oh, sorry Stella," I heard Dakoda apologize as she stood at my door. "I'll let Kai know," she added, pushing him away from me.

“It's okay. We were just messing around," I reassured her. I got out of bed and walked over to my dresser to grab some underwear and socks, then headed to my closet to pick out my school clothes.

Kai came up behind me and kissed the back of my head. "I'll talk to you later tonight," he said before walking out the door. "See you later, Dakoda," he greeted my sister as he passed her in the hallway.

Once Kai was gone, Dakoda rushed into my room and jumped on my bed. "Okay, spill the details."

“There's nothing to spill. I think I fell asleep while watching TV. Kai brought me up here and lay down next to me. Then we both fell asleep on top of the covers, fully clothed, just so you know."

“What did I just walk in on, then?"

“I made a joke, and Kai was about to tease me about it. That's all."

“Okay then, what's the status of your relationship now?"

“He is my boyfriend," I say, smiling at my sister.

“Oh, Stella, it's about time!" Dakoda squeals.

“I told him over the weekend what happened to me, and he didn't freak out. But now I can't stop freaking out... Every time he touches me or kisses me, my body tingles, but my mind doubts if I'm good enough for him. I'm afraid he will realize I'm not worth his time anymore."

“Oh, sister, you can't think like that. It will only mess you up inside."

“I know."

"Alright, we should start getting ready for school before we end up being late and the boys come looking for us."

“Come on, you should know better by now. They're downstairs, waiting for us."

“Of course they are."

“Phew, Stella and Kai... huh," Korey remarks.

“Not in the way you're thinking, Korey."

“Now that just hurts me, Stella. What makes you think I was thinking anything other than pure?"

The guys burst into laughter. "Because, dude, there's nothing pure about you," Kasey says.

“Get lost."

I laugh along with them... they're so funny. I'm really glad my sister found three guys who can handle her personality.

🙈🙉🙊

   Kai: Have a great day at school. Try not to think about me too much today.

Stella: I'll try my best not to.

Kai: Take care ♥!

Oh wow, Kai's last text has me blushing so much.... My cheeks feel hot.

“Tell me everything." Mac says.

“Got a text from Kai. They always make me blush, but now that we're officially a couple, they have a whole new significance to me... I guess." I explain to Mac.

“Finally, girl. It's about time." Mac says, giving me a hug.

"I don't know," Dakoda replies, shrugging. "Maybe they're just running late or something."

I nod, still feeling a bit annoyed about the whole situation with Harlan. It's frustrating to see someone get away with causing so much trouble. But there's not much I can do about it now.

As we settle into our seats, I can't help but wonder what the day has in store for us. Without the guys around, things feel a bit different. But I know we'll make the best of it, just like we always do.

"They will arrive soon. The coach required a brief conversation, causing them to pause."

While waiting for the teacher to enter the classroom, I decide to send a text to Kai. He always initiates the conversation.

Stella: Hey...

Kai: Already missing me, baby?

God, I love it when he calls me that - it gives me butterflies in my stomach.

Stella: You wish. I just had some time before my first class started, so I wanted to say hello. Don't read too much into it.

Kai: Is that so?

Stella: I have to go teach, just walked in. Try not to think about me too much.

I've always enjoyed teasing Kai, and him teasing me back. He truly is my best friend, and I really hope that trying to date won't ruin that.

"Put your phones away, class." The Math teacher is going on and on about calculus, and it's clear from Dakoda's expression that she's completely lost. Math has always been my sister's weakest subject, so I always make sure to take extra notes for her. But the guys in our class also help her out a lot.

Finally, that class is over, and we head out to the hallway to go to our lockers. But before I can reach mine, someone knocks my books out of my hands. "What's going on?" I don't even have time to pick up my books before Korey and the guys rush over and pin the person against the lockers. It's a cheerleader, of all people.

“What's your problem?" Gage growls at the girl.

“It was just a joke. Kim told me to do it. She wanted Stella to know not to mess with what's ours again."

"Are you kidding me, David? Messing with what's theirs?" I was the one who told David that Kim had found out. High school girls are so stupid.

“And what does Kim think Stella has been messing with?" Korey screams in the girl's face.

“Our football players," the girl says, trembling from Korey's anger.

“Well, you can go back and tell Kim that if she even looks at Stella the wrong way, she'll have to deal with us. And she's late to the party if she thinks she can pick on Stella about David. They're not together... they're just friends... or at least they were before this mess."

“What idiots," Dakoda grumbles. "Let's go to our next class."

Stella: Some girls are scared that I'll steal their football gods.

Kai: Is that what last night was about?

Stella: Apparently. They want to warn me to stay away from their football guys, especially David.

Kai: Did they bother you again today? If so, I can come and knock some heads around.

Stella: Calm down, Tarzan. Your brother and the guys took care of it for you.

Kai: At least I know someone has my back when I'm not there.

Stella: Will it be like that when I go to college next year? Because if so, I'll just go to a different college from you.

Kai: I'll just follow you.

Stella: "Stalker!"

Kai: Only for you... baby.

Oh, there he goes again, making my stomach do funny things.

🙈🙉🙊

  Finally, it's lunchtime, so we head to the lunchroom to get some food. We used to eat outside under the tree, but not anymore.

“Hey, guys, can we go eat under our tree one last time?" I ask Dakoda and the others.

“Of course."

“What made you want to eat out there today?"

“I want to have one more meal at our special spot before we graduate."

“You're such a sentimental girl, Care Bear," Dakoda says, giving me a big hug.

“Okay, let's just go eat our lunch," I tell my sister.

"Do you remember the first time we ate out here?" Mac asks Dakoda.

“Haha, yes, it was the second day of school and these jerks were being so mean to me."

“Because you came on our turf. Then you kneaded one of us in the balls and throat punched the other one of us."

“You stole my wave, then told me to go back to where I came from like I was an alien."

“No... not an alien, but you were and are the most beautiful girl we had ever seen. Man, you had balls bigger than any guy we ever knew."

I'm smiling at my sister and her boyfriends as I'm listening to them talk about their memories. Something comes to me just then. "Do any of you have a pocket knife?"

"Um... are you planning on stabbing one of us?" Gage asks.

“No... just the tree," I reply.

“What do you have in mind, little sister?" Gage asks curiously.

“We carve our names in the tree with our year of graduation for the future... Dakoda, and her three black knights," I explain.

“Black knights, huh?" Kasey says with a smirk.

“Yes, you're bad, but you're good for her," I say, referring to Gage and Kasey.

“We aren't bad... we are just misunderstood," Gage says, flashing a wicked smile at me. He looks just like his brother in that moment.

“Let's get a picture," Mac suggests.

"Hey Ginger, could you please take a photo of us?" Mac asks a girl who is walking by.

“Sure."

We gather closely and smile at the camera.

“Can you send that to my phone so I can print it out and add it to my collection of photos on my wall?" I ask Mac.

“Of course."

Just then, the bell rings, signaling the end of lunch period. We quickly get up and head to our next class of the day.

🙈🙊🙉

     "Stella, I need you to work in section B tonight, Mac. You will be in section A, and Dakoda will be in section C."

“Yes... Sir Mr. Rogers, we will handle it."

We all go to our assigned sections and start restocking everything for the upcoming rush, which will happen in about five minutes.

I finish serving my last table when a group of kids rushes in. It's the football team and cheerleading squad. All three of us are needed to take their orders. I am assigned to David and Kim's table.

"Hey everyone, what can I get you started with? Drinks, perhaps?"

“Hey Stella," David greets me warmly. "I'll have a coke to start. Kim?"

“I'll have water," Kim says with a small smile. I notice that her friend Tiffany must have warned her not to mess with me.

“And for the rest of you, what would you like to drink?"

“We'll have water," the girls say. "And for the guys, coke please."

I walk over to the front to get the drinks for my first table, then return with them. I take their order and move on to the next table. As I approach my last table, I can't help but smile because it's Kai and a few of his friends.

"Hey everyone, what can I get you to drink?" I ask cheerfully.

Kai responds, "A round of Dr. Peppers and some burgers."

“Coming right up," I reply, heading to the bar to fulfill their order.

As I pass by Stella, I call her over, saying, “Hey Stella."

She responds, "Yes Kai?"

“Come here," he beckons with his finger. I comply and approach the table.

“What?" I ask curiously when I reach them.

Kai leans in for a kiss, and my stomach flips with excitement. I've never been one for public displays of affection, especially with a crowd around, but here I am, letting Kai kiss me in front of everyone.

“I'll be right back with your drinks," I assure them, then quickly walk away, almost running.

"Wow, Stella," I say, fanning herself as I return to the counter.

“Don't even start," I tell Dakoda.

“Look at you, girlfriend," Mr. Roger says, playfully smacking me on the butt as I walk by. I blush so intensely that my face feels like it's on fire.

We serve everyone their food and then take a break since the restaurant has quieted down. I walk over to where Kai is sitting with his friends and take a seat beside him.

“Hello there, gorgeous."