Everyone seated at the table was silent while Laura explained mates to Kimberly.
Indianna felt bad for Kal. He deserved someone kind, funny and with a twisted sense of humour to match his; not Kimberly who enjoyed being a bitch to people.
*If she hurts him I'll kill her,* Greyson said coldly.
*I'll help,* Harry said and Indianna jumped slightly, surprised to hear Harry's voice in her head.
Brooke caught Indianna's eye and both girls shook their heads at their mates.
"So... I'm stuck with him?" Kimberly said. "I've barely spoken to him. I don't even know his name-"
"His name is Kal," Indianna said and she looked at Kimberly with narrowed eyes. "And he is one of the funniest and kindest people I know. You don't deserve someone like him, so you better be grateful that you have him. He deserves someone nice, not you. You bully people to make yourself feel better, that's horrible. No one should have to be stuck with a person like that."
"I think your mate loves me more than she loves you," Kal said to Greyson as he walked back into the kitchen with Ace and stood by the door. Kal smiled at Indianna before turning to Kimberly, his smile dropping. "We need to talk."
"Do we?"
"What else are you going to do? Sit there surrounded by people that don't like you? Go to the shops and buy some dye for your weird coloured hair?" Kal questioned. "Actually, can you do that?"
"Kal, don't get distracted, you idiot," Ace called and rolled his eyes.
"Bring your food, it doesn't deserve to be left to go cold," Kal said and Indianna smiled to herself when she realised Kal was still holding his plate with a half eaten breakfast on.
Kimberly swallowed and slowly stood, picking up her plate as she did.
"Oh, and the ketchup," Kal added as an after thought, looking at the other not broken ketchup bottle on the table. "Bring the ketchup."
Kimberly picked up the ketchup and then Kal turned on his heel and walked off. Kimberly followed silently after him.
"Well, that was unexpected," Mac coughed.
"Of all people it had to be her," Greyson sighed.
"This might be a good thing," Laura said optimistically.
"How the hell is this a good thing?" Greyson demanded.
"Kimberly is a troubled girl, she's had a bad past, maybe Kal is what she needs to help her."
"I had a troubled past," Brooke spoke up. "And present, but you don't see me being mean to people for my own gratification."
"Everyone deals with things differently," Laura said.
"The only thing we can do is wait and see what happens and I'd rather not spend my free time talking about that girl," Kirstie said. "I've got to get ready for work."
"School started 2 hours ago, Kirst," Mark said and Kirstie nodded.
"I know," she shrugged. "The kids never do any work so why should I bother to be on time?"
"So students are right, teachers don't give a fuck about us," Greyson muttered and Kirstie flipped Greyson off before kissing Mac and then walking off.
"We should go to school as well," Brooke said and looked at Harry.
"Do you want too? After last night?" Harry questioned.
"You're ginger?" Indianna said, raising her eyebrows at Kimberly who was drying her wet hair.
"Naturally," Kimberly nodded. "I used to... Um... Get bullied because of it, so I dyed it."
"To fit in?" Indianna guessed and Kimberly nodded. "That's why, isn't it? Why you act so harshly to others? Because you were bullied?"
Kimberly coughed and sent Indianna a sharp look. "I don't want to talk about that," she muttered and ran her fingers through her hair.
"You look pretty," Indianna said quietly. Kimberly did, now that she was stripped natural. Her normal hair colour suited her much more and her face wasn't caked in its usual makeup.
Kimberly frowned. "I do?"
Indianna nodded. "Kal prefers natural. Inside and out."
"Inside will be a lot harder than outside," Kimberly muttered. "It's been a while since I've been nice to someone."
"You've got all the time in the world," Indianna said.
"I think I'm going to go back to my room," Kimberly said and stood. "Um... Thanks."
Indianna nodded. "You're welcome."
"I apologized to Kirstie," Kimberly said and chewed on her lip. "She wasn't very forgiving."
"Both her and Greyson can be quite... Harsh at times," Indianna said.
"No shit," Kimberly said under her breath just as the door to Indianna's door opened and Kal walked in.
He stopped in his tracks when he saw Kimberly and his mouth dropped. "Shitting hell," he gasped. "I didn't think you'd actually dye it." Kal walked up to Kimberly and frowned. "It doesn't look shit."
Kimberly narrowed her eyes slightly. "Thanks."
"That's a compliment coming from Kal," Indianna said with a chuckle.
"You're helping her," Kal frowned and looked at Indianna. "Why?"
"We have a mutual interest," Indianna explained. "She's not exactly got many people on her side, has she?"
"I am here," Kimberly huffed.
"Yes, you're rather hard to ignore," Kal said and turned back to Kimberly. He stared at her for a few minutes before slowly raising his hand tucking a piece of stray hair behind her ear. Suddenly he coughed and quickly brought his hand down. "Um... Let's talk, come with me." Kal turned on his heel and walked out of the room and Indianna gestured for Kimberly to follow.
"Just try and be yourself," Indianna called. "Don't put up a front."
Kimberly shrugged her shoulders and then followed Kal.
"You're too nice," Greyson said, walking into Indianna's room and kissing her softly.
"You're too assholey," Indianna shrugged.
"Assholey?" Greyson repeated and scoffed. "Sugar, why are you helping her?"
"For Kal," Indianna said. "He deserves to be happy."
"I don't think that's possible anymore," Greyson muttered.
"I guess we're going to find out," Indianna sighed and Greyson pulled Indianna over to her bed.
"That was brilliant!" Greyson exclaimed as he walked into his room later that night. Indianna was lying on the bed, on the verge of falling asleep. "You should really consider acting, sugar."
Indianna smiled and sat up as Greyson sat next to her and wrapped his arm around her. "So it worked?" Indianna wondered.
"I'm pretty sure we convinced both Stacy and Rogue that I would have no problem hurting Stacy," Greyson smirked. "He'll be there in two days time with Martha. He wouldn't dare risk his mate getting hurt. He's going to do exactly as we say."
"You didn't hurt her though, did you?" Indianna asked cautiously.
"I want too," Greyson said, "but no. Stacy won't be harmed."
Indianna nodded and closed her eyes. "Good," she murmured and linked her fingers with Greyson's. "I love you."
"I love you," Greyson said softly and ran his fingers through Indianna's hair. "How is your burn?"
"Healing," Indianna said tiredly. "When are Jansen and Olivia arriving?"
"Tomorrow."
"I know that, idiot. What time?"
"Tomorrow morning," Greyson said. "We've got a busy day tomorrow, we better sleep."
Indianna didn't need to be told again and she fell asleep in Greyson's arms.
*
"Sugar."
"Mmm."
"We need to get up," Greyson mumbled.
"Five more minutes," Indianna groaned and snuggled closer to her pillow.
"You said that five minutes ago," Greyson said.
"I mean it this time," Indianna yawned.
"Up," Greyson said. "Or I'll make you."
"Whatever," Indianna said tiredly and she gasped in surprise when she suddenly landed on the floor. "You ass!" She exclaimed and sat up and glared at Greyson who smirked.
"I warned you," he shrugged.
"Dick," she grumbled and crawled up from the ground. "What's the time?"