Chapter 59 Reconciliation (1/2)

The ultimate question: Is Kyle still in cold storage, or has he thawed out?

Of course, he has thawed out. No matter how angry Kay was, Kyle was still her twin. She did, however, left him to stew for a few days before she decided that enough was enough. Her mood was considerably lighter after she started making her plans in secret, which actually was a huge reason why she could stop resenting Kyle for canceling Operation Honey Trap.

It was on the sixth day since their fight and everyone was on edge. The mood at the cafeteria was somber and people were wondering when things would get back to normal. The Smith twins didn't have breakfast together anymore as Kay never turned up. It was always Kyle sitting all by his lonesome at their usual table, waiting.

Okay, he wasn't really alone. Xing Han was there, eating away as usual and cracking his jokes as usual but Kyle's face never changed. He would eat, but he would be staring at the entrance as if waiting for someone. Everyone knew who he was waiting for, but she never turned up. He would also just eat from Xing Han's plate - which wasn't much, and only what Xing Han forced him to take.

People were getting worried about this. The moody Kyle wasn't fun. Though, some girls found it fascinating to see his depressed face and felt like they wanted to go over and hug him. They didn't dare to, however, for that dark cloud that seemed to hang over his head seemed like it could burst any moment.

Even in class, Kyle would hardly talk and kept to himself. People generally left him alone as anyone who did try to talk to him would just get one-syllable responses if they were lucky. Like ”uh”, ”ya”, ”maybe”, ”no”. If they weren't, then just a roll of the eyes or a shrug. Worst case is when he doesn't even answer, as if he didn't hear a thing.

So on that sixth day since D-Day, when Kay walked into the cafeteria, there was an audible sigh of relief heard. Kay came earlier than usual, and when she went to line up, everyone in front of her gave their spot to her. Kay blinked in surprise, wondering what was going on but couldn't say anything as they just gave way and wouldn't get back in line until she took their spot.

She reached the serving lady immediately, and greeted her as usual, ”Morning Mrs. Ling.”

”Ah, Kay sweetheart,” the kind old lady said as she looked at her. Then, unexpectedly, she waved the ladle that was in her hand and pointed at Kay's nose, ”It's not good to fight for so long. Kyle has hardly eaten this past week.”

Kay's face crumbled at that and she bit her lower lip. ”What do you mean, Mrs. Ling?”

”That poor boy just sits there,” Mrs. Ling explained, pointing at her usual table, ”and just waits. I don't even see him for dinner!”

She stared at Kay, and Kay felt a bit worried. It was at that moment that she suddenly realised that she had, perhaps, been slightly cruel. She didn't think her silent treatment would result in Kyle not eating properly. Kyle had always been the 'perfect' person, who is much older than he appears so she never really had to take care of him. He was the one who always took care of her and she had relied on him completely. She didn't think he would neglect his health just because they fought.

”It's not that bad, is it Mrs. Ling?” asked Kay hesitantly.

”You see for yourself,” Mrs. Ling said with a huff, ”He's all skin and bones now! Going around with this dopey look, too.”

Kay was shocked and even if Mrs. Ling was exaggerating, she still took it to heart. Kay immediately ordered more than normal and all of it was Kyle's favourite. Mashed potatoes, hash browns, sausages, scrambled eggs, baked beans, fried rice, and french toast. It was so much that it needed two trays. Kay was going to take one at a time, but suddenly, two pairs of hands reached out and carried them.

”We'll help,” they said. Kay turned to see some unfamiliar boys, and she thanked them profusely. They took the trays to her usual table as she paid, and they left before she could say anything else. Sarah came by then, with a bowl of cereal and sat down.

”Why is everyone being so strange today?” Kay asked as she took some eggs.

”They're just glad you're here,” Sarah explained, ”Kyle really has been ... well, un-Kyle like.”

”What do you mean?” Kay asked, looking at Sarah.

Sarah started ticking off things from her finger one at a time, ”He would sit here for hours, just waiting for you to show up. He wasn't eating properly, so sometimes Xing Han would literally force feed him. He was so moody during football and basketball practice that he was benched. He either scowls at people or grunts. Shall I go on?”