Thirty

Katherine Thrones:

I had just offered Alexander a date and a kiss like it was something special or uncommon.

Alexander has gone on many dates and probably kissed a thousand and one girl. Offering those two very common things may not seem like a lot to him.

But it’s more than a whole lot to me who has been caged in her own little world all her life. And if he really likes me as he always claims, then it should mean a lot to him too; that the girl he loves so much agreed to a date and a kiss. He knew how I felt about gestures like that.

So, it should mean a lot to me.

“Is that all I get? A date and a simple kiss for getting a C or above on a test?” Alexander asked and I rolled my eyes. I knew it won’t be enough for him but he has to make do with it. “I need more than that for the effort I would be putting in, Katherine.” He folded his arms and I sighed.

“Good deeds have their own rewards. If you ace your test, you would be happy and proud of what you have accomplished. Plus, you’d get a date and a kiss. Do you know what it’s taking for me to agree to kiss you?” I asked, trying to reason with him.

“It’s not like you haven’t done it before, why are you so skeptical about it or treating it like it’s a platter of gold? It’s just a fucking kiss and we have done it before.”

I felt a little bit hurt by his statement and how he casually referred to the kiss he had forced himself to get and the same kiss that put me in a mess with my mum. "That kiss wasn't done with my consent. But I'm consenting to this, and it would be better than the last."

Alex cocked his head, "Oh?" I nodded. "How are you going to make it better?"

I thought for a moment. How do they make a kiss better? I've seen romance movies, and they usually kiss alongside so much groping, touching, and other sexual activities my pure mind is too innocent to conjure up. The point is that I won't let Alex do any of that to me. So how do I make it better?

"Well, it would be longer—"

"How long?" He chipped in.

"Five seconds?" I answered unsurely and I got a disapproving eye roll.

"Ten seconds?"

"Katherine…" He drew.

"Okay, how about twenty? Nothing more, nothing less. I'm really trying to make a compromise here." I decided firmly, my hands clipped to my waist.

"Listen to me, Katherine. A kiss isn't something you plan ahead of time, that's kindergarten and middle school shit. A kiss is supposed to be unexpected, like the last time. Didn't you enjoy it?" Alexander reasoned and my stupid cheeks flushed red, of course, I liked it. I liked it so damn much that I'm willing to admit it.

He smiled at my bashfulness, "If you plan a kiss ahead, not only is it a fucking childish thing to do, but it would also make the kiss forced and unenjoyable."

I rolled my eyes, "Okay, kiss analyst."

"I appreciate the sass Katherine, and your deal too. Even though I feel the deal is childish, I would still uphold it. Don't worry, I will study hard and ace the test in return for the date and the ahead of time planned kiss." He grinned at his teasing joke.

"I wish you good luck."

"I need it, and I need to kiss you again too." He stated, his eyes finding mine at the last statement and I swallowed hard.

Why was I suddenly feeling hot? We were outside and the slightly–chilling night breeze was blowing, so why did I feel warmth at that statement? Of course, I would, especially if you'd want to consider the fact that those words came from the mouth of a boy that manifested so much hotness, it was contagious.

"Sure." I lowly whispered.

"Goodnight Katherine." He winked at me, and then he stepped away from my door and began walking home.

Alexander Walters, what are you doing to me?

-:-

The next morning was looking bright and promising, a typical Wednesday morning for me. I had fewer classes on Wednesday and by one pm, I was already done with my classes for the day. So I decided to go visit my mother and check up on her.

It was my first time going back to where I had spent the past fourteen years of my life after leaving there to my apartment. It gave me mixed feelings.

I had taken a cab, Katie was busy at school and I haven't spoken to my dad in a long time so I felt guilty about asking for his driver to give me rides. Even if I could, I wouldn't dare to do so and take the car down to my mum's apartment. It had doom written all over.

I stood at the doorstep, feeling confused if I should press on the doorbell or just enter into the house. When I used to live here, it was my house and I needed no formalities to announce my presence. But it's been two weeks, and I started to wonder if I had now become a stranger in my absence.

I went with the option of not ringing the doorbell and opened the door, walking into the house. The fragrance of the rose-scented air purifier hit my nostrils immediately, and a wave of nostalgia clouded my nerves. I was accustomed to that scent more than anything, it's been at our house— my mum's house, for so many years, I've lost count.

I walked into the living room and was pleased to see my mother, smiling and happy, but what I was confused about was the strange man in glasses seated beside her.

My eyes widened at the realization, could that be her replacement for dad? A new boyfriend. What the heck?

I should've really gone with ringing the doorbell and announcing my presence, maybe she could've hidden him in a closet or something. But can she hide him from me forever?

"Mum! Who is this?" I questioned, without rendering a greeting. How come she's allowed to have boyfriends and I'm not? It's unfair.

A look of confusion mirrored on her face, "Well, Good Afternoon to you too Katherine. I see you've left your manners at the door."

I sighed, saying through gritted teeth, "Good afternoon mother." I was in no mood for cherry greetings. I turned to face the man seated on the couch. "Who is he?" I asked again.

"Pardon her manners." My mother chuckled nervously, speaking to the man. He waved her off, letting her know it was no issue.

"Well Katherine, this is Mr. Evans. Your new—"

"Soon to be stepfather?" I completed for her, anger beginning to surge in my veins.

Her brows furrowed, in fact, both their brows furrowed in confusion. Why are they acting oblivious? "What are you talking about Katherine?"

"Oh mother please, don't try to play dumb. So tell me, how long have you been dating him?"

My mother's mouth fell agape, she looked speechless and bewildered. "Are you out of your mind child? How dare you make such accusations?" My mother snapped, she looked angry now and the man looked embarrassed.

Have I made a mistake?

"But isn't he your—"

"He's nothing to me, Katherine. He's here for your own good and here you are, running your mouth without thinking and embarrassing yourself! Is this how I raised you, young woman?" Okay, something was telling me that I have misjudged this whole situation.

But who is he then, if not her boyfriend? And why is he here for my good?

"I'm so sorry for her behavior. I don't know what has gotten into her, she isn't usually like this." My mother apologized to Mr. Evans. Again, he waved it off and said there was no problems. And now her angered gaze and scowl were directed back at me again.

"I sincerely do not understand your character these days, Katherine. It seems that the delinquent boy I saw you with the other day has started making your mind rot and now you speak to your mother with no respect." There she goes again, of course, she'd blame it on Alex. God, I curse the day she saw us together. It just made my life more hellish.

Okay, so point gotten. Mr. Evans is not her boyfriend or my new stepfather. I messed up. But who is he then?

"I'm so sorry mother. I saw the two of you together and I assumed—"

"Save it, child." She placed her hand up and motioned for me to keep quiet and I did, swallowing the rest of the apology. I've messed up so badly.

"This is Mr. Evans, I'll say it to you again in case you were too carried away with your misbehavior to listen." She introduced herself again. "Mr. Evans here is a certified teacher and is very vast in all your major subjects. He's the best I could find in the area and his reviews are highly praised, meaning he's the right man for the job."

My brows creased in confusion, "What job?"

"Homeschooling. He would be your new homeschool teacher. This way, you will never slack on your studies and have no time for that delinquent boy."

"WHAT?"