Invisible String

Chapter 6

Kai.

He had texted me last night making sure I made it home safe, but I never responded. He probably would think I'm crazy. Who calls a guy they hardly know early in the morning asking for a ride. I cry knowing I have no other option. I feel so pathetic.

I swallow my self-pity and click on his name then press call.

The phone rings for a solid minute before I reach him voicemail too.

"Great" I cry to myself. My sobs can be heard from any person walking in our out of this hospital.

My phone rings and I quickly grab it. Kai.

I answer it immediately with desperation.

"Kai?" I say softly choking back on tears

"What's wrong?"

I sob unable to find words

"Where are you, Elise?"

"I'm at the Hospital. My mom-" I sob

"Send me your location, I'll come to you."

"Thank you." I say in between cries.

It doesn't take him more than 15 minutes to get here. I don't notice it's him until I hear his footsteps running towards me. I look up knowing I look like a disaster. All I can do is cry.

He reaches me and doesn't say anything, instead he wraps his arms around me tightly and hugs me close to him. He rocks us back and forth while I cry on his shoulder.

"I'm so sorry" I repeat over and over again

He just continues to hold me, one hand tightly around my back, the other on the back of my head pulling me close to his chest. "It's okay" he repeats.

It feels like hours that we stand there holding each other.

Eventually he pulls himself away just enough to take a look at me, he uses his thumbs to wipe me eyes. "Do you want a ride home? Or a place to stay? Or I can just sit in the car with you for however long you need. What do you need?" He asks softly and caring.

"I don't want to go home" I say, knowing that if I stay there alone I will drive myself mad. The house is still how we left it. Her takeout still on the table next to the couch. She's everywhere there.

"You can come to my place. It's not far from here, I'll sleep on the couch." He offers.

"I don't want to burden you. I'm so sorry I called you."

"Elise," his face showing his emotions so clear. He's in pain for me. "Please don't be sorry.. I'm so glad you called me." He looks at me so caring and carefully brushes the back of his hand across my cheek. "I'm here for you."

I nod and wipe my own eyes, "thank you."

He walks me to his car, opens the door for me and helps me climb inside. He softly closes it and walks around to the drivers side. The whole way to his house he drives safely with occasional glances at me to make sure I'm okay.

My body is so exhausted from the crying that I don't even realize I'm falling asleep.

The next thing I know is I'm in his arms. He had let me sleep and picked me up to walk me inside his house. I woke up as he was walking us up the stairs.

"I'm sorry I didn't want to wake you." He says

"It's okay, sorry I fell asleep."

He gently sets me down so he can grab his keys and unlock the door.

He opens the door for me and lets me inside first, I step aside not knowing where to go. He turns on the light and take in his living room. It's nothing magnificent or screams "I'm rich! I'm rich," but it's very modern and clean. For a guy that lives alone, I'm impressed to say the least.