String of Fate

Chapter Seventy Nine

"Yep. Do you two mind if I walk with you?" Kai wondered.

Sophie looked at me, waiting for my approval. I glanced at Kai, seeing him waiting patiently as he continued walking alongside us until I answered. "Of course you can walk with us. We're heading the same way, anyway."

"Thanks." He said quietly, as if he actually needed permission to walk back with us. I would not have minded at all. "So, how was school for you guys?"

We made small talk until Sophie left, and then Kai and I talked some more as we walked in the direction of the store. When the shop came into view, I noticed that the gang was back outside. I had no idea how quickly they had come back but it just really annoyed me. They were just always there.

"Guys, I told you to clear off earlier and now you're back." Kai called to them, making them turn. He stopped about a metre away from them and folded his arms across his chest. I stopped next to him, glancing between the gang and Kai. "Come on, guys. Move on and stop loitering!"

The gang surprised me by actually getting up and leaving. Kai waited until they were out of eyesight before heading into the shop, heading straight for the fridge. I followed him. "Thank you. You didn't have to do that, but I'm glad you did. It's just a little annoying that they'll probably be back in a bit."

"Don't worry about them. I'll have a word with Kyle and get him to sort them out." Kai told me, grabbing a drink and heading to the sweets. I don't know why but I followed him again. "If the police don't sort it, I can."

"Kai, please, don't get yourself into trouble. They seem like the kind of people to fight back. It's not worth it." I objected. He just shrugged and I checked the time, seeing my dad watching us. "I actually need to get to work. Just, please, don't get yourself into trouble this."

"I'm not making any promises." He replied, heading to the till, and my dad, while I headed to the back room. By the time I came out of the back room, Kai couldn't be seen inside the shop.

I shrugged and started to mop the aisled, taking over for Adam and allowing for him to re-stock the shelves. Since I technically wasn't old enough to work, I only helped out by mopping – stocking the shelves and working the till was generally something that I didn't do. My parents didn't really like me helping out in the store anyway but I did it to make myself feel better.

"Elena! Can you come here for a minute, please?" My dad called from behind the counter. I moved the mop bucket to the side of the aisle and covered the wet patch with the 'Caution! Wet floor' sign before heading over to the counter. "That boy I just server, is he the same on that told the gang to clear off this morning?"

"Yes. He's just trying to help out a little since you said the police wouldn't get involved." I explained, glancing out the front of the store and seeing Kai standing outside. "I have asked him not to get himself into trouble but I don't know what his plans are. He didn't make any promises. I'm a little worried about him, though, because those guys were not the friendliest."

"Elena, I can't believe you asked him to do that!" My father growled.

"I didn't!" I objected. "He saw them having a go at me this morning and then walked back with me this afternoon. I never asked him, and I would never ask him, but I am not responsible for his actions. I have asked him not to, but he does what he wants."

"Just try not to get yourselves in trouble." He sighed. Then, he glanced at the time on the till. "Tell you what, take Kai out for ice cream or something as a thank you. Then, go home and do your homework or something. You shouldn't even be working here."

"But, dad, I don't even know him that well. It would be weird if I just suddenly asked him for ice cream." I complained. My dad just pulled some money from his wallet and held it out to me. I rolled my eyes. "Fine, but just know that this is embarrassing."