Chapter 4 – “The Actual Real Tea”
After some introspection and reflection Kaylin realized that it was time to confront Akira about the tension that she felt between Miko and her when he was around. The question now was how to approach Akira and not ruin the three’s friendship in case she was wrong. So after the day that was spent playing her guitar and relaxing she called Akira and asked for him to come over. He agreed to come over and they sat down on the couch and started small talk first but Kaylin knew what they really had to discuss and was somewhat nervous. Finally she started the discussion.
“Okay Akira. The reason I wanted to talk today was because of something I have been feeling for a while when you, Miko, and I hang out. I don’t know if you have felt any of the tension between Miko and I when we all are hanging out but I swear it is there.” Kaylin stopped talking and looked at Akira. He had listened intently and now Kaylin could tell he didn’t quite know how to respond to this.
“Kaylin, uh, I am not sure what to say. I don’t know what tension you are talking about. Have you talked with Miko about this?” Kaylin wasn’t sure but thought there was a small edge to his voice when he asked this. She tried to ignore the feeling of tension now between her and Akira.
“Yes I have. She said she thought everything was fine and seemed too insist on that fact. I just want to make sure everything between all three of us is okay if there is something wrong and wanted your opinion on the matter in case you noticed something too.” Kaylin stopped talking and noticed Akira’s look of frustration and almost anger come over him all of a sudden.
“Honestly Kaylin I have no idea what you are talking about and it sounds ridiculous if you ask me!” Akira “Oh yeah? Why are you acting so angry then?” Kaylin stared at him in shock because Akira had never spoken to her that way before.
Suddenly Akira seemed to realize how he was acting and started to soften. “Yeah, good point Kaylin – I’m sorry. I just don’t know how to deal with it either and I want to stay friends with both of you.”
Kaylin looked away and took a minute to calm down herself and looked back at Akira. “Maybe we should talk to her together because I really do not think this is going away anytime soon.”
Akira contemplated that for a moment, then sighed, and nodded. “You’re probably right. We should talk to her together. I just feel like I should maybe talk to her first without you as I have known her longer and if I have a serious talk with her I just might be able to pull what the issue is out. I hope I don’t upset her though.”
“That might be a good idea. Okay. Let’s have you talk to Miko and share our concern that there is something she isn’t talking about that happens when us three are together. Then hopefully we can take it from there, and like you said, she doesn’t feel hurt.”
So that is exactly what Akira and Kaylin agreed to do and Kaylin felt better that this would be addressed even though she was worried about losing both of her friends in the process. Of course in the meantime the waiting would be hard to do but at least she had her growing career and the streaming to do in the meantime. They also agreed not to hang out until Akira talked with Miko first and Kaylin was a little relieved to be honest.
A few weeks later….
Kaylin was so busy with her career and hobby time actually flew by and before she knew it a few weeks had already passed. She was wondering if she should call Akira or let him be the one to do that. As she was sitting there deep in thought her phone rang. Kaylin actually jumped a little at the high pitched ringtone of her cellphone. Quickly recovering, Kaylin answered her phone. “Hello?”
“Kaylin, its Akira. Sorry it has taken so long to get back to you but Miko and I have really been talking about the issue we discussed a lot and it has taken more time to sort out then I thought it would but you were right. And I realized something that I have already told Miko about and I need to talk to you. Where can we meet, just the two of us?”
Kaylin was surprised that Akira wanted to meet alone but something about what he said made butterflies start to float around in her stomach.
“Oh, okay, sure Akira. Give me about 30 minutes to get ready and we can meet in the square near my apartment if that is okay. I think there is even a festival going on which might be fun.”
“Sounds good Kaylin. Meet you there in about a half hour then.”
“Okay, bye.”
“Bye.” Kaylin hung up feeling slightly confused at this new feeling that was taking place. All the talks about this she had with Penny to get a second more mutual opinion came back to her. She had pointed out that Akira might like Kaylin and Miko could feel that and was either in love with him herself or simply didn’t want to lose her best friend. It made her even more anxious about the meet with Akira but excited too because she finally realized she really liked Akira herself and may even be falling for him. Kaylin then quickly got ready but at the same time paid a little more attention than before with her makeup, just in case.
About thirty minutes later Kaylin and Akira arrived at the square at about the same time and gave each other a big hug.
“Thanks for meeting me Kaylin. I hope you weren’t in the middle of something.”
“No I wasn’t doing anything in particular. All good. You know I’ve missed hanging out with you over the past few weeks, and Miko too of course.”
Akira laughed softly and replied, “I know what you mean. So can we sit down so we can talk?” Akira motioned to the benches set up for the festival goers around the city square.
“Of course.” Kaylin and Akira say down on a nearby bench away from the crowd and started to talk.
“Okay, Akira. What’s up?” Kaylin felt she was holding her breath waiting for what he was about to say. She smiled and shook it off and waited patiently.
“After all this time hanging out with you I have come to realize something. When I go home lately I find myself always wondering what you are doing, what you are thinking about, and miss you when you are not around.” Akira paused for a moment and Kaylin felt she would burst. Akira continued, “I think I am falling in love with you, Kaylin. I hope you have feelings for me too but I also do not want to lose you as a friend.”
Kaylin’s heart skipped a beat and she an overwhelming sense of peace and happiness came over her. Then she remembered Miko and her smile that she had on through what Akira was saying started to dim.
Akira noticed and immediately added, “And I did talk with Miko and I came to find out that it wasn’t that she was in love with me or anything like that. She loves me as a friend and I love her as a friend but that is it. What it really was because we have been best friends for almost our whole lives she was afraid of losing me. She is not really mad with you and she mentioned how over the last few weeks she has missed hanging out with you. She asked me to invite you over so you two could talk.”
With that Kaylin could breath easier again and felt that everything was going to be less tense with the there of them once Miko and her were able to talk.
“Of course I will come over and talk. I am so glad she understands that we felt that tense feeling when all three of us hung out.” Kaylin paused and continued, “And yes Akira, I do have feelings for you too.”
Akira’s face light up and he reached his hand out across the bench. Kaylin raised her hand and put it in his. At that moment, it felt like it was only the two of them and the background melted away. The rest of the night they continued their date and had a lot of fun. Things were looking up.
(Yes in picture below she somehow put new clothes on – didn’t notice she switched clothes but we can ignore it…moving on…LOL)
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