This Means War *FINALE* Ch. 23: Fireworks

Spending the whole day with Kai was like a dream. I couldn’t imagine anything better. Of all the time I imagined meeting Kai, I never imagined it would turn out like this. But what bothered me was, what does he think of me? Does he think of me as his girlfriend? Or as a friend? Or as a random-girl-he-found-at-a-club-and-will-hang-out-with-for-a-few-days-then-get-a-new-girl? I would prefer the preceding options instead.

But none the less I’ve been having a great time. “Here, take these ones over there” Kai smiled, handing me a stack of fireworks. I was really bad at reading Kai, I thought… I desperately wanted to know what he was thinking.

I was usually a really loud and talkative person, you know, bubbly and slightly annoying. But when I was around Kai, I barely spoke at all. I don’t really know why. What’s happening to me? I guess I just want to hear him talk. Apparently love makes me shut up. Speaking of love, before I didn’t really think I loved Kai, I just thought I was obsessed with him, like all my previous idols. But when I actually talked to him, all the crazy obsession stuff melted away. And when I danced with him, I think that’s when I fell in love. Now I loved him as much I as did when I was obsessed, but this time, it was for real.

The sky started to get dark, and the stars came out. We were downhill from the Monastery, the rest of the gang were sitting in the courtyard, waiting for the fireworks to start. We could see the moon rising from behind the mountains from where we were standing on the cliff of the Monastery’s mountain.

I knew I had to do something. I just didn’t know what. I needed to do something to see if Kai actually cared for me, or if this is all for nothing. I looked up at the pitch black sky. Kai said, with one of his adorably crooked smiles, “Now?”

I nodded silently. He beckoned for me to come over to him. I walked over and he took out his fire sword. He held it very still for a moment and closed his eyes. I was about to ask what he was doing but his sheer focus told me not to speak. Then, before my eyes the sword ignited, blistering flames spiraled up its blade. I gasped and Kai opened his eyes and grinned. He held the sword out to me and said, “Together?”

“Together” I nodded. I put my hand around Kai’s and the sword where we guided it to the fuse connecting all the fireworks. We held it at the fuse for one second… two… three… and it sparked! We watched, mesmerized as it moved through the fireworks so swiftly, until it finally came to the first one. Kai winked at me, then looked towards the sky to watch our handy-work.

The first firework shot out of its cannon and flew into the night. And right as it went off with a firey “BANG!”

I kissed him.

I thrust myself forward and kissed him. At first he stiffened, and I knew that was a bad sign. But then as the fireworks went off behind us in a “BANG! BANG BANG!” he put his arms around me and kissed me back. I almost gasped at how hot and fiery he was. There was no way I could be cold now on this cool summer night.

But then again, he was the Fire Ninja.

And he was all mine.

-

“Nya are you alright?” Cole said. But I could barely hear him through the screeching in my head. It felt like someone was hitting my head with a hammer. I stifled a scream. Who knows? If I scream, the rest would know we were up here. Would Kai be angry? Or maybe Jay even. Either way, I didn’t want to make Cole angry. But maybe he doesn’t care if the others know. Bah! I don’t know! So many thoughts are swirling in my head; I just don’t know what to think. Maybe it’s all these crazy problems making my head explode.

-

She was holding her head like it was about to split in two. She clenched her teeth and held in her screams. She was in so much pain from what Stacia did to her. I felt like it was my fault. But I didn’t know what to do.

Then the fireworks started. They shot into the sky with a “BOOM! BOOM!” and sparkled in the dark sky. Nya’s mouth opened in pain and blood curdling screeches came out.

“Nya? Nya?! Say something! What’s happening?!” I begged.

“MY… HEAD!” She choked out, unable to say more. She screeched into the night and clutched her head harder with every “BANG!” of the fireworks. I knew she was in so much pain. I panicked.

I took her face in my hands and kissed her.

The screaming was muted.

She stopped holding her head with such force, and relaxed in my arms.

-

I felt Cole’s lips on mine. The fire that was banging around inside my head was extinguished. When he kissed me the pain simply melted. It seeped right out of my head like Cole was the cure. I simply felt nothing but him kissing me. My head felt insanely better so I relaxed my clenched hands and went to take them off my face. But Cole held them there fiercely as he kissed me. He sat there, holding my face against his as we listened to the fireworks explode around us, until he finally pulled back to breathe.

I looked at him and he grinned. “Is that why you kissed me?”He asked.

I just nodded and giggled. He laid back down and pulled me down with him. I curled up on his chest and gazed up at the incredible fireworks, which thankfully were not hammering inside my head anymore. They lit up the entire sky, exploding in yellow, blue, red, green and violet. They flew up at incredible speeds and exploded in stars and circles and glittered back to earth. They were one of the wondrous beauties of the world.

When they were all over and done, I closed my eyes and whispered to Cole,

“I love you.”

And I wasn’t sure if it was because of last night, or today, or for taking care of me, or for dancing with me. But, no matter the reason, I had fallen in love with him.