Page 316 of Knox Academy Omnibus
And being forced to spend my Saturday night studying third world politics, is not my idea of a worthwhile mission. Not when said politics seem to be about the bottom line of natural and military resources, rather than charity and doing good.
My bedroom door bangs open and Kalen flops himself down onto my bed dramatically.
“Sis, you missed the best party ever.”
“Not your sister, Kalen,” I say breezily, more from habit than annoyance now.
“Hush, you love it.”
“So this party…was it better thanourparty at the lake?” I tease.
“Okay…one, nothing is better than that. And two, it’s not a party if there’s only two people.”
“So invite your brothers next time and we’ll make it a real party.” I shrug.
“Ouch, you wound me. Actually, I’ve changed my mind. I’m more than enough. I’m a one man party. I’mthedamn party. Where’s the party at? Wherever I am! I should hire myself out for events. I’ll need a name though, something catchy…boo. I’m too hungover to think of something awesome.”
“Kalen!”
“Huh? What?”
“Is there a point to this tirade? Why are you here?”
“Oh! I have a new car. So I’m taking you to the pool party.”
“What? What pool party? Laura just messaged that we’re all expected for dinner today.”
“Yeah. It’s a barbeque. And a pool party.”
“You guys don’t have a pool.”
Kalen looks at me like I’m insane.
“We have a pool. Have you never been on the back patio?”
“Yes. I’ve seen it quite a bit actually. Never stumbled into an ice cold pool by mistake though.”
“Enough about the pool! Did you not hear that I have a new car?”
I shake my head at his dramatics. “Let’s go see this new car then.”
Kalen’s entire face lights up like all his Christmases came at once. I grab a bag and then open my drawers, hunting for the bikini that Elsie insisted I buy even after many protests from me that it’s too cold here for me to swim. Where I come from it’s humid almost all year round, maybe except for a month or two in winter, and even then there are nice enough days that you can still wear shorts and a shirt. So far since being here, I’ve had to wear multiple layers just to keep the chill from my bones – though I must admit that the last few days I haven't had to wear as many layers.
Today feels unusually warm…well warm enough that I didn't have to sleep in three layers and have multiple blankets on.
Kalen watches as I get dressed. I pull on my black bikini, noticing how his gaze heats, then I throw on a light summer dress over the top and pair it with my boots and leather jacket.
“What?” I ask Kalen when he stares at me.
“That is not a summer outfit.”
“I’m still not convinced that it is warm enough for a BBQ. You know how warm it was over Easter break. And that isn’t even what we would class as BBQ weather.”
“Come on then, let’s go and enjoy the sun and some time by the pool before Laura shows up. Dad said she’s out getting her hair and shit done before tonight so we have a few hours without her.”
I’m sold, we head down to student parking and Kalen runs towards a red Tesla.
“Isn’t she pretty?”
