Smiling, we both began to laugh quietly.
I didn't know what was funny but it was nice to get a moment with Kage that didn’t include studying or partner sessions in familiar class.
"Hmm, what should we do now?” I questioned.
He grinned, pulling out his phone.
"This could totally be lame, but I kinda took a bunch of pictures of each of us with you at some point in the semester and wanted to get them developed in larger prints. So...uh...do you want to see?" His cheeks grew red as he spoke.
I grinned excitedly, practically bouncing in my seat.
"Sounds like a date," I declared.
He looked relieved and smiled so brightly it melted my heart.
He scrolled through and showed me various pictures. I was surprised at all the different photos he took without us realizing. There was even one with me in the hall and Zane staring at me from afar with a look of longing.
Kage noticed me pause as I stared at the picture instead of telling him to go to the next one.
"You think he's going to stick by their side?" I pondered quietly.
I knew just earlier I had been telling Kage to let go, but again that little section in my heart was trying to hold onto the thought of Zane being a part of our group. I guess it was hard because we entered and survived the first hurdle of this school as a team and instead of us being together now, he was the missing link.
"Zane is like our biological dad. Stubborn and has to fall a couple of times before he finally gets up,” he revealed. "I took more after my mom and Braxton's just Braxton."
I grinned at the Braxton comment but his explanation made me curious.
"Biological dad? Do you have a stepdad now?"
"Yes. Our current dad is our stepdad. Our real dad and my mom got a divorce. Things just didn't go well when we were younger and our dad was really strict. I hid Koa for three years before they found out. I don't know how I kept him secret for so long, especially at such a young age, but I was scared he'd make Koa disappear. He was abusive and I guess my mom just got tired of it. I felt she was more scared he'd begin taking his frustration out on us physically, which he eventually did. When she found out he was hitting us from Braxton, she snapped and just like that, he was gone. He's dead now though." Kage shrugged at the last comment.
I could tell that darker side had emerged from his lowered voice and darkened eyes.
I leaned in to give me him a quick kiss and when I leaned back, he blinked; his hardened expression softened as he smiled.
"Thank you for telling me. You didn't have to,” I whispered.
"I wanted to."
We spent a few more minutes looking at photos before we decided to leave and find the others. I was going home with Logan while the others stayed back to see if they could find any activity regarding the cult club we were looking into.
Kage opened the door to see Zane right there, his expression one of irritation. I was going to say something but Kage squeezed my hand, moving me behind him.
"What's up, bro?" Kage asked with a stern voice that was nothing close to his usual soft-spoken nature.
Zane noticed his brother’s change, looking apprehensive as he stood there. It took him a few seconds before he replied.
"What were you doing?"
"I don't know. What do you think people do in these closet rooms? Look at pictures on their phone?" Kage replied and I had to hide my smile at his comment.
"No," Zane replied.
"Well, you can go back and chill with your friends and use your imagination. Now move," Kage ordered and it sent shivers down my spine. I had to sneak a side peek at Kage who looked a little frightening as he glared at Zane, who frowned.
Zane stepped aside and his eyes landed on me, a glint of regret showed in his green eyes and he must have still been thinking about what happened at the exam. He'd yet to sincerely apologize for it and I wondered if he would do so now.
"Jewel...uh—“ Zane began but Kage cut him off.