Page 23 of Kalix
By the time I finally get everything cleaned up, I turn to see Lainey finishing her conversation, and I duck into the bookstore to get out of the way, watching as she passes, before falling into line behind her again.
Time for class.
Lainey keeps nodding off, despite the extra shot of espresso she gets mixed into her large iced whatever the fuck concoction she consumes. Since I’m such a good person, I’ve been helping her stay awake thanks to my trusty old notebook. Well, I guess it’s notmynotebook, but instead, one I’ve momentarily-but-probably-forever borrowed from Isaac. I’ve been ripping pages out of the damn thing to crumple into little balls and throw them at the back of her head.
Sure, it may be childish, but at the end of the day, I’m just trying to helpher.She’s so studious at all times, and since I’m technically the reason she’s so tired,although not for a good reason, I’m committed to ensuring she can stay awake during her classes.
So, for all of them today, I’ve hung out at the back of the lecture hall and thrown little paper balls. I have to admit, for not truly ever being into sports while growing up, my aim is pretty damn good. I guess I can contribute that to my gun safety lessons, or maybe just being able to throw a punch. Either way, I’m thankful that I have decent throws to hit her with.
Plus, every time I hit her, she smooths her hair, narrows her eyes and glares at the back row. It’s too dark back here for her to recognize me. Well, at least I hope it is, but either way she keeps me up, so I’ll keep her up.
Glancing down at my watch, I notice that there’s about thirty minutes left of her class. Time to set my next plan of action into place, and for that I need the help of Issac. I shoot off a text asking him to watch Lainey the rest of the time and to text me updates on her location as I slip out of the room and make my way to my bike.
Driving off, I go to the store to pick up some of her favorites, and then head to her apartment to set up. Letting myself in with my key, my phone buzzes with a text from Isaac.
She’s out of class, walking to her apartment now.
Want me to continue watching her?
Yes. Don’t take your eyes off of her. Tell me everything.
I put the flowers I picked up into a vase with water and add a note. A bag of her favorite chips sitting next to it with another note. Wow, I can really be romantic sometimes.
There’s a fresh joint sitting next to everything, something that makes me laugh, and hopefully Lainey will get the same enjoyment out of it. The joint chosen is a strain of indica, her personal favorite to help with sleep.
The strain itself? Wedding cake.
Perfect for what our future looks like.
Will she even want a wedding? Maybe she’s an elopement type of woman.
This whole weed thing has me thinking that this would look great tattooed, and it’s been a minute since I’ve had some fresh ink. Everything with Lainey has had me focused on her, not so much the need to disappear from this world and my own mind.
I light a cigarette as I think about the possibilities of a new sticker and my phone buzzes again with an incoming message.
She’s at the corner.
I blow out the plume of smoke and look around, making sure I don’t miss anything. When I’m sure, I leave the apartment and take off on my bike,whizzing past Lainey as she walks in the opposite direction of me.
My eyes immediately find her, but she doesn’t even look up. Oh, silly girl. We definitely need to work on that.
My bluetooth reads the text telling me she’s finally home, and I go up to my tattoo artist’s apartment.
I don’t bother knocking, just walk in. There’s someone else sitting in the chair as I do, and everyone looks at me as I enter the room.
“The fuck you looking at?” I sneer as I take my jacket off and toss it onto the couch.
“Kalix,” my artist bellows as I sit down, “long time no see, dude. Where ya been?”
“Busy,” I reply. I’m not in the mood for small talk.
“Well, okay then. What do you want today?”
“A wedding cake in the shape of a weed leaf.”
“Well that’s… uh… original.”
“Yep.” Once again, not in the mood for small talk.
