I slow down and look around me. There’s someone important missing.
“Where’s Kai?” I ask and get shrugs in response.
I look around the surrounding green parklands. My eyes follow the winding cement path and find Kai walking with his board tucked under his arm. I cup my hands around my mouth, ready to ask where he’s going, but soon lower my hands.
Ahead, Kai waves to someone. Under a shady tree stands Tabitha Jones. Olive skin, full lips, tight chocolate curls, and a figure that highlights the curve of her hips. The ultimate Miss Perfect.
I almost tumble off balance. I roll towards a rail and hold myself upright. Kai runs a hand over his head and leans in to talk with her. Tabitha twirls a curl between her fingers, pops a knee, and sways her hips as she listens and giggles.
Wait… What?
What is happening? Are they flirting? I didn’t even know they talked.
Why is she here? Why is he talking with her on his birthday? Why isn’t he over here hanging with us?
With me.
“What are you staring at?” Parker asks, stopping by me on his board.
“Ahh, I’m not sure.”
Parker follows my gaze and then laughs. “Whoa. Is Kai with Tabitha?”
“Yeah. What’s up with that?”
Parker nudges me. “Hello? She’s hot.”
I roll my eyes, hanging onto the rail as I slide away from Parker.
My gaze steadies on Kai and Tabitha. He can’t be talking to her because she’s hot. Kai has never talked about dating. If any of the guys bring it up, he always changes the subject to something more important. If he did talk about crushes, he’d know I want a boyfriend. But I keep all that stuff a secret, because I know it weirds him out.
At least I thought it did.
Should I go over there? If they’re just talking, then as his best friend, it should be normal for me to join them. But what if Tabitha asks me a question? I really don’t want to be made the fool when I mumble gibberish at her.
I swipe the sweat droplets off my nose. I try to pull it together, but before I can compose myself, they’ve both leaned in. Their lips press together. The boys around the skatepark cheer and wolf-whistle, but I’m mute. I feel like I’m sucked out of my body. I need life support right now. What am I witnessing? Kai and Tabitha. Locking lips. Kai’s first kiss. He’s kissing her. Why is he kissing her?
Am I taking crazy pills right now? Am I hallucinating? This is why my best friend thought his birthday would be awesome?
Kai and Tabitha’s shoulders jiggle as they pull out of the kiss. Tabitha covers her mouth as she giggles, and Kai turns in our direction, laughing.
“Would you guys quit it?” he calls out. “Get a life.”
Get a life? That’s the response we get. That I get? I need more than this. I need a proper explanation about what the heck I just saw. Since when has he wanted to kiss Tabitha?
I roll on my blades, shaking my head. I take a few laps around the obstacles, and then Kai and Tabitha approach. She sits on a bench, watching us, and Kai gets back on his board.
My stomach flips, and I swallow hard. Oh my gosh. I think I’m gonna hurl.
“I gotta go,” I say, moving down a ramp.
“Hey, where are you going?” Kai says, reaching out for me.
I hang a thumb over my shoulder as I back away from him. “There’s a bus leaving in five minutes. I’m gonna catch it because Maddy is with Mr. Stuffy.”
“Don’t go,” Kai replies. “Hang out with us. One of my parents can drive you home if Maddy is still out by the time we get back to my place.”
“No, it’s okay.” I move toward him and throw my arms around him. “Have a great rest of your birthday.”
