Remi and Francy left the room in a hurry. I glanced at Kai whose eyes followed Remi out of the room like a lost puppy.

I could barely contain my laugh.

"What?" Ace asked catching onto that.

"I just thought of something really funny." I tried to shake it off.

I took another look at Francy's younger brother. He was smart and a great addition to my team. Seemed like the whole family was pretty great. I kind of got the urge to help out Kai a bit.

"So no one here is dating?" I asked.

As if the silence in the room was not silent enough, they all looked at me confused.

"I'm just asking cause it seems all of you have the time in the world." I added

"I broke up with my girlfriend to have all the time in the world." Ace said. " I chose you over my love life, so you should be grateful."

I wanted to open my mouth and say, You little shit. So did I.

But, I bit my tongue.

"What about you?" Rehan asked. "What happened with that girl you were seeing"

Rehan was ballsy enough to ask.

"Touchy subject." I replied and cleared my throat looking at Kai. "But it wasn't going to go anywhere unless I did something."

Kai seemed to be in thought and then went back to his tea making.

Remi pulled me in the living room and then took a deep breath.

"I got to tell you this and I don't know where to begin..." She avoided eye contact.

"What do you have to tell me?"

"I...I..." She hesitated. Then she broke into a smile. "I'm thinking of wrapping things up and going home. Is that okay with you? I really have so much homework."

So much for bringing up the Kai subject, as I thought.

"It's okay. Thank you so much for helping me out today."

We got back in the kitchen and she started gathering her jars.

"Are you leaving?" Ace asked her.

"Yeah. I have to go. I had fun ,everyone. Bye." She smiled and left in such a hurry, a cold breeze swept by us.

I glanced at Kai but he was staring away disinterestedly.

Ahh..

I followed Remi out, going back and forth in my head if I should bring out the Kai topic,but once we got to her car I had lost all courage.

"See ya tomorrow." She opened her car door.

"See ya." I smiled and waved.

I got back inside and sat on the couch in the living room, a bit disappointed in the whole situation. I was always free to talk to Remi and tease her and ask her questions, but it was so hard to find the right words about asking her if she had any feelings for Kai. I wasn't sure myself what her feelings were and if they showed up recently or she had liked him all along.

I was hopeless. I had no idea how to help my friend nor my brother.

I sunk further down into the couch.

"You miss your friend that much, so fast?"

I turned around. Elric walked over and sat next to me.

"I missed another chance to ask her about her and Kai." I sighed.

"Why?"

"I just can't find the words." I sighed again.

"Just tell her like you told me now."

"I can't just do that." I snapped my head back towards him.

"Why?"

"Because you're different."

He stared at me contemplating my words.

I brought my hand up. "I mean...uh..I can tell you this because it's easier.."

He still stared.

"I'm uh..umm..." I eventually ran out of breath and my mind became muddy. What was I talking about again? Why is he staring like that?

Maybe it was all in my head.

Then on the couch where my arm was leaned, our hands just so lightly touched. It was like a spark ignited a whole flame into my body. We both looked down and then back at each other.

"Are you not going to help out cleaning the kitchen?" Ace yelled coming out of the kitchen.

We instantly separated. I got up and ran towards the kitchen.

My heart just wouldn't stop beating fast.

This was very dangerous.

************

Friday afternoon

Outside poured the heaviest and most disgusting rain I have ever seen. Where was the snow? Where was the early Christmas hype?

I was in my bed, with the three cats cuddled next to me. I was playing with Dorian's long fluffy tail as his butt was half on the bed and the other half over the corner on the bed hanging down. Soft rainy music was playing in the background from my phone.

There was no aesthetic to clean up, a bad weather like today.

I hated every minute of it. Not to mention I was home alone. I was bored out of my mind. I was feeling down and I couldn't shake it off.

I had Pierre nuzzled in my neck and Momo next to my elbow.

I swear cats are the best thing that can happen to a human.

I tried feeling out my phone on the bed and when I finally found it I took a picture of Dorian who now laid on his back in a spread legs position.

He was too adorable.

Elric loves cats. I smiled. I can't believe while we were dating I never gave him another chance to play with Dorian. He loves Norwegians.

I wonder why he doesn't have any cats. Maybe because of his lifestyle?

I stared at the picture on my phone of Dorian.

Next thing I knew my fingers played around and I opened the messages with Elric.

There's no harm in sending him a picture of Dorian right? Right?

I pressed send and I had sent the picture to Elric.

I gasped so hard I choked on my own spit. My coughing woke up Pierre who moved away and cuddled next to Dorian.

Oh my god I just sent Elric the picture. Why? What possessed me to do this?

Suddenly my phone rang. it was ELRIC.

My heart was about to explode. I was having a mini heart attack on the bed wiggling not knowing what to do. What do I tell him? Why did I send it? Why the hell is he calling me after a simple cat picture!!

I cleared my throat, took a deep breath and answered the phone.

"Hi."

"Hey." He answered sleepily.

Did I just wake him up?

"You sound tired." I said slowly leaning back into my pillows. Relax. Relax.

He sounded like he was moving around. "I just woke up. Dorian is adorable. Does he always sleep like that?"

"Sometimes even in weirder positions." I smiled, now my heart completely calm. I wonder why I felt so comfortable talking to him again. And content. Like I've been waiting for this.

I heard him chuckle and then there was a short silence. I could hear his breathing. He seemed so calm and relaxed. "Are you just chilling at home?" He asked.

"Yeah." I answered. "You? Aren't you having your Friday party with Ace?"

"No. I canceled it. With this weather I really wasn't feeling it." He cleared his throat. "Ace didn't tell you?"

"No. I didn't see any of my brothers today. No one is home and I'm doubtful anyone will be since it's Friday."

"And your parents?"

"Oh they took the night shift."

"I see." He fell silent again.

"Do you want to come over?" I said.

I don't know who shocked that question more. Him or me?

"I mean uh..I remembered how much you liked Dorian and I was thinking if you're not doing anything you can come.." I was trying to wiggle my way out of it..

"I'm not doing anything." He said, uncertain.

"You're gonna come? Really?" I asked, uncertain as well.

"Sure. I'll be there in an hour."

"Okay."

"Okay."

"Bye."

"Bye."

I hung up the phone and covered my cheeks with my hands.

"What did I just do?"