Something is wrong with Kai.

I don't know what, but I know that something isn't right.

Over the few days Roni and I have known Kai, he'd begun to relax around us and, though he isn't very open, he has opened up to us in small ways. For starters, how he had shown us that beautifully genuine smile he wore when I returned his sketchbook the day before yesterday. I was quite taken aback to see that gorgeous smile of his because Kai usually wears a neutral expression on his face most of the time, and the rare occasion he would smile, it never reached his eyes. But, recently his eyes would sparkle whenever that genuine smile would make an appearance.

So, why is today different?

Roni and I decided to drop by Kai's house to pick him up for school today since I could clearly see how much pain he was in yesterday when we visited him to give him his school bag. I definitely did not want Kai walking to school in the state he is in currently. That would've definitely made his pain worse.

When Kai walked out of his front door this morning, I was expecting his unforgettable genuine smile, the one that makes his eyes gleam as they do, but instead I received a small forced smile that didn't reach his beautiful green orbs at all. Why is that?

I thought maybe the iced coffee I picked out for him from the coffee shop Roni and I always go to on our way to school would've lifted his spirits. I was pleased to see that he in fact did like the coffee, but it only made his eyes sparkle with joy for a few seconds, then they were back to their empty glazed over gaze as Kai stared blankly out of the car window.

I want to ask Kai what happened to him to revert his once relaxed state around us back to the timid, blanked out state of mind. His shoulders are tense, his body language is turned toward the door of the car, like he wants to get out and as far away from Roni and I as possible. He wasn't acting like this yesterday, so what could have possibly happened after we left to change how he acts around us so drastically? I so desperately want to know, but I fear asking him will only make the situation worse.

He looks exhausted, too. Did he get any sleep last night? Ugh, I just want Kai to be happy and safe, two things he looks the complete opposite of right now. I feel so helpless when I look at him, how can I make him feel better? I want to help him so desperately, but how?

"Renny! Hey, are you okay?" The sound of Roni's voice brings me back to reality. I look over at her to see her wearing an expression of concern, then I turn around to look at Kai in the back seat. His body is still facing the car door, but his head is faced in my direction wearing a similar expression to Roni's.

"Huh? Oh yeah, sorry. I kind of just zoned out there for a second." I nervously chuckle, bringing up my hand to rub the back of my neck in an embarrassed manner.

"Anyway, as I was telling Kai earlier while your mind was Moon Goddess knows where, why don't we all eat together in the library today? I don't want to be surrounded by the popular crowd like we always are in the cafeteria, Ren." Roni explains, glancing in my direction for a split second before turning her gaze back to the road ahead.

"OH! Yeah, that sounds great! As long as Kai is okay with that anyway." I say, my voice getting softer as I finished that sentence, hoping to the goddess that Kai will be fine with this. I really want to spend more time with him, and maybe ask him about his busted lip. He never told Ms. Miller and I why his lip was busted.

"Oh... um, yeah. That's fine..." Kai squeaks, his voice small and meek, as if he were uncertain of the words coming out of his own mouth.

I'm definitely going to ask what's wrong with him at lunch, too.

~

The first half of the school day goes by relatively quickly, though it could definitely pass quicker. I can't help but be concerned for Kai, I know it had only been a few days that he was getting comfortable around Roni and I, but the last thing I expected was for him to revert to his old terrified self.

As soon as we pulled up to the school, Kai shot out of the backseat and ran to the school building without so much as a goodbye. Maybe I'm overthinking, but he is my soulmate and I just have this feeling that something is really gnawing at him. Even Roni was concerned after he took off from her Jeep! I just hope we can get him to open up to us at lunch.

The bell for lunch shrills through the silence of my study hall, bringing me out of my head. I pack up my school bag and make my way to my locker to grab the lunch I packed for myself and to meet up with Roni so we can walk to the library together.

On my way to my locker, I see no sign of Kai anywhere. His scent is faint amidst the chaos of the other students, which is to be expected from walking class to class, but Kai is no where to be seen. He must be taking the longer ways around the school, probably to avoid the bratty kids.

As far as I know, Jake wasn't reprimanded for attacking Kai, as hard as Ms. Miller worked to get him in trouble. I know the real reason our school principal, Mrs. Finn, never puts Jake in his place and that's because she is one of the only humans in Cherrywood that knows of werewolves. Ms. Miller knows this too, but she still tries to convince Mrs. Finn that some kind of punishment needs to be set for Jake. Mrs. Finn is mated to one of the Cherry Blossom Pack's warriors, Sylvia, and as cute as they are together, I wish Mrs. Finn would gain the courage to get after the Beta of the Wilted Cherry Pack because Jake is really starting to piss me off and a good and long suspension, or expulsion, would be amazing. I understand why she doesn't scold him, though. She doesn't want to get our pack on the Wilted Cherry Pack's bad side because if we anger the Beta of their pack, he could convince them to break off our alliance. That's very unlikely, considering how close my father is with their Alpha, but I understand her caution nonetheless.

The sight of Roni leaning against my locker gets me out of my thoughts. I walk over to her with a nervous smile.

"Hey, Ron. How has your day been?" I ask her, my voice heavy with sleep because I may or may not have fallen asleep during study hall last period.

"Fine, but have you seen Kai at all today?" Roni asks, her voice dripping with concern.

"No, I think he might be avoiding Jake again. Or maybe other bullies. Ugh! I feel like I know nothing about him." I whine, jutting out my bottom lip in a pout. Only Roni sees this child side of me.

"Oh hush! That's why we're eating lunch with him today, so you can get to know him. Be patient." Roni laughs, watching me as I open up my locker to grab my lunch.

"You're right, I just feel so helpless with him. He doesn't want to open up to me and all I want is to help him, but I can't if I don't know what he needs help with!" I continue, closing the locker door with a slam.

"These things take time, Renny. He's human, you know they don't move as fast in a relationship as werewolves do. Just give him time and space, you'll see." Roni encourages, easing my frustration.

"Alright, well let's go. I don't want to keep him waiting."

"Good idea." Roni chirps, walking alongside me as we make our way to the library.