Page 46 of Follow My Voice
This is what scared me most about meeting Kang. I was afraid of his reaction when he saw what I looked like, but I was also terrified because I knew I would get my hopes up. Having him within reach only makes me like him more and want more from him, when he probably just wants to be friends. I’d like to say I can control my feelings, but that would be like saying I can control my panic attacks.
Ha! Dark humor is definitely back, Klara.
“Oh, by the way, dude…” Erick pulls a crumpled paper out of his pocket and straightens it in front of Kang. “Did you see this?”
My curiosity gets the best of me and I read the advertisement with a QR code at the corner to sign up. It’s a talent show in Charlotte in a few months.
Kang doesn’t seem surprised or excited. “Yeah, I heard.”
“And?” Erick puts the paper down. “Are you signing up for it?”
Kang shakes his head. “No.”
“Why not?” I look at Kang, and his expression has soured.
“I’m not interested.”
“Come on, man. This may be your shot to be a famous singer or something,” Erick whines.
“Dude, drop it. I said I’m not interested.” Kang’s voice sharpens, surprising us both.
Erick and I exchange a glance, and he sighs.
“Fine. Whatever. We need to go back with the rest of the students either way,” Erick says after taking a swig from the can of Sprite Kang has passed him. “Ms. Romes sent me to get you guys. We should probably go back before she comes for us herself.”
I look at him in disbelief. “You’ve been sitting here almost an hour and you forgot to mention that little detail?”
Erick shrugs. “There were snacks, I got distracted.”
We stand up and I feel like an elf walking between the two of them. I grab my hood with both hands and flip it over my head. Kang gives me a disapproving look but doesn’t say anything.
Erick leans down and I take a step back. “Are you going to sit with us in the hall?”
I would like to spend more time with them, but I don’t want to draw everyone else’s attention.
“Let her breathe, Erick,” Kang says, seeming to notice my hesitation. “Come and sit with us whenever, if you want.” He offers me a smile.
“Okay.”
I wave to Erick as he walks ahead of us. Kang just stands there, looking at me, and I’m short of breath again, but I manage to speak. “See you later, Batman,” I say, remembering how he told me he wears a Batman mask when he sings.
He crosses his arms and takes two steps toward me. “So you remember that?”
“I remember everything you tell me.”Ahh, Klara, don’t say things like that!
Kang raises an eyebrow and bites his lower lip. “And why do you remember everything I tell you?”
“I have a good memory.”Good answer!
“Well, I don’t have a good memory”—he steps a little closer—“but I remember what matters to me.”
My heart is on the verge of collapse.
“So I remember absolutelyeverythingabout you.”
I forget how to form words. He is so close, his dark eyes are so deep. I take a cowardly step back, but he takes a step forward and holds out his hand. “Again, a pleasure to meet you, Klara with a K.”
I grin like a fool as I shake his hand.
