Here Without You

[Déjà vu]

Donia found Lorelai and filled her in, sticking to hushed tones regardless of the excitement that had been building up in her chest. Lorelai pointed out a shelf of realistic adult fiction she thought Donia might like, then went to the front of the library and set her tall stack of books on the counter, including, at the last moment, the one she'd been holding near her face as she walked, and which she was almost halfway through, by now. The clerk on duty was busy on the phone, so Lorelai turned to Kai; she'd register for her town library card when someone was available. "Hi. I've seen you, heard you playing, but we haven't officially met. Lorelai Weirich," she said, holding out a hand. "How have you been?"

Donia chose a book, only one, and brought it to the front, setting it on the counter with Lorelai's books. "Will they really let you check out that many books with one library card?"

"Probably not," she said, "but maybe with two. And if I show up often enough, they'll probably start letting me. And if we went to the university library, where students often work, I could probably get away with it, depending on the clerk.

"My sister reads like a Maniac," Donia said, rolling her eyes at Kai. "But you could probably already guess."

[kristay]

Kai waited by the counter, crossing his arms over his chest as he looked for any sign of the approaching sisters. Lorelai honestly caught him by surprise; it was a miracle that she could walk, carry all those books and read at the same time but she managed to do it somehow. She set the books down and offered her hand for a shake and his brain seemed to shut down for a second or two as he forgot that the polite thing to do was shake her hand. He shook his head and offered her a sheepish smile before grasping her hand in a warm firm shake. "Mikhael Tay, I'm good. How are you?"

Donia made her way to them and Kai released Lorelai's hand, chuckling softly. "I've noticed. It was amazing to watch her juggle all those books and read at the same time."

[Déjà vu]

Lorelai shook his hand, wishing her skin could be permanently warmer like his was, but not really putting much thought into it as she firmly shook his hand; he didn't look one to complain of a firm grip. "Pretty well, thank you. We're just getting settled in, though, so it's a little crazy."

Donia laughed a little. "It is, isn't it? That's Lorelai for you."

"I never put them down, if I can help it," Lorelai said, then turned to the clerk as she got off the phone. Donia joined her at the counter after an apologetic smile Mikhael's way, because she wasn't sure how long this would take. The two got library cards, and Lorelai only ended up having to leave two books behind, but she was still a little annoyed.

"Alright," said Donia. "I guess that's it. Unless, of course, you wanted to look around, or something," she added, though he probably would have looked earlier if he'd wanted to check something out. "Lor, do you want help carrying those?"

"No, I should be fine, unless I have to go through an obstacle course or something to find the car."

[kristay]

Kai chuckled. "Riverside is a lot smaller than MABTown I think so you'll quickly find that there isn't much to do around here." He shook his head in amusement as he waited for the two to get library cards and to get their books. Once they were done, Kai walked ahead of them. He opened the door for the two of them and grinned cheekily at Donia. "Well, we wouldn't want you slamming the door in your sister's face right?" That comment would probably earn him a bad picture somewhere along the line but he didn't mind.

[Déjà vu]

"Wow, I didn't think that any place could be smaller than MABtown," said Lorelai, "but I'm usually pretty content with just my books anyway, as long as they have a swim team, soccer team, and basketball team at the high school."

Donia made a face at Mikhael in response to his comment. "Thanks, Kai," she said, as she stepped through the door and then held the second one open purposefully.

"She's only done it twice in the past couple of days," Lorelai said, laughing a little. "And I haven't dropped any boxes or anything, so it's fine...which car is yours?"

[kristay]

((WOMAN I LOVE YOU ICON! <3 ))

Kai chuckled at Lorelai's comment. "I know for a fact that there is a swim team, soccer team and basketball team at the local highschool so you'll be fine." He was amazed that she could juggle so many activities and still be able to read but that was Lorelai and not him. He grinned cheekily at Donia before pointing out the black Expedition that was parked. "That car." He fiddled with his keys as he unlocked the doors with a press of a button.

[Déjà vu]

_{Lol, thanks. ♥}

"Good. Then, I'm going to be pretty content," said Lorelai as she moved toward the back of the expedition, not considering the difference between content and truly happy.

"What are you smiling at?" Donia asked, but she just found herself smiling back. She turned and strode toward the car, opening the passenger door for herself and sitting down inside..

[kristay]

((KITTEH!!! <3))

Kai shook his head; he wasn't sure if he was allowed to tell Donia that he had been smiling because of her when Lorelai was around. He got into the driver's seat and slowly put on his seatbelt, watching the two girls get in as he turned the ignition on and pulled out of the library parking lot. "What are you two going to do after this?" He had almost forgotten that his mom had asked him to do a bunch of errands but he'd do them after this because if he didn't, she'd probably kick him in the shins.

[Déjà vu]

Donia was slightly puzzled that Kai just shook his head, but she let it go and pulled her gaze away so she could get in his car.

"I don't know. I, for one, am sick of unpacking, so I was just going to read tonight, probably," said Lorelai, after buckling, and pulling the book she'd just set down into her lap so she could find her place again.

"Dinner," said Donia. "We haven't had dinner." Otherwise, she meant to call to see how Katniss and everyone else were doing, and she was going to check the hours on the university's exercise center to find out if she could head over there tonight or if she should go in the morning. "Any restaurant suggestions?"

[kristay]

The drive back to the university was a relatively short one and Kai found himself sighing, wishing he could extend his time with Donia; he had missed her immensely and it was something he didn't mind admitting to himself. "Well I guess it depends on what kind of food you want. Palmer's is a good diner though if you like that kind of thing. I like their cheeseburgers to be honest but they're pretty popular for their milkshakes." Kai parked where he had previously parked before they left and got out of the car, even if he knew he didn't have to... Just because he wanted to hold Donia again. He grimaced, realizing just how strange that sounded.

[Déjà vu]

"Oh yeah," said Donia. "You mentioned that place before, didn't you. I think we'll give that a try. Is that alright, Lorelai?"

"Sure, Donia. That sounds fine. I'm always up for a good milkshake."

The two unbuckled and got out of the car, Lorelai's arms filled with books. Donia blushed slightly when she stood, as she noted the scenery and realized she was standing in the exact spot where the two of them had kissed earlier. "Mikhael...um, thank you so much for the ride, and for the company," she said. "Can I, um, see you tomorrow sometime?" she asked, knowing it was forward but not caring, and wanting to spend more time with him tonight. She couldn't possibly unpack more pictures without thinking of him. I'll probably think of him no matter what, actually.

"Where is this diner located, Kai?" Lorelai asked, since Donia was distracted and likely to forget.

[kristay]

Kai watched the both of them get out though his attention was more focused on Donia. "You're welcome Donia.", he said with a friendly grin. "Well sure, I only have two classes tomorrow so just text me when you're free?" He got out his cellphone from his pocket and offered it to her so she could put in her number. "I'm afraid I lost your number..." He grinned a bit sheepishly, rubbing his neck with his free hand. "Though if you need help with unpacking later, I could come by...", he knew it seemed forward of him and knowing Donia, she would probably shy away from his advances but he still wanted to try.

His fumbling was interrupted by Lorelai and his cheeks flushed lightly. "Oh it's in the entertainment district. You can't miss it; it's by the coffee shop I think."

[Déjà vu]

Donia smiled back, knowing that her cheeks were still a little flushed. "Alright," she said, though she didn't think she actually had his number. Living next door to someone sort of made cell phone numbers irrelevant. She took the phone he proffered and entered her number, just using her first name, then held on to it long enough to get out her phone and check that his number was in her phone, surprised when she found it there. She handed his phone back and tucked hers away again. "Well, I do owe you some pictures," she said, trying to hide her hopefulness. "Why don't you, um, text me when you are done with your errands, Mikhael, and we will figure it out then?" Her face was burning, so she turned away from him, wishing her sympathetic nervous system would let her calm down. She took a step toward her sister, but looked back at him one last time, partially for an answer and partially just for one last glimpse of that handsome face.

"Alright, I appreciate it," said Lorelai, "and it was nice to meet you."

[kristay]

He took the phone from her and grinned. "Yeah, I will; I'm pretty sure I won't take so long so maybe after you've eaten I can stop by." Kai was glad that he wasn't the only one that was blushing and when she turned away his body became possessed and he lightly grabbed her hand, his fingers just barely brushing against hers. "See you later then?" He knew he sounded disgustingly hopeful but he couldn't help it when he was around her. He knew he sounded like Jack Whitlock but she was like a star that made his life just a whole lot brighter if he was near her.

He released her hand and turned to Lorelai, only then remembering that she was there. "Yeah sure... I'm pretty sure I'll be seeing you around soon.", he said with a chuckle. "Riverside's not that big."

[Déjà vu]

Donia nodded, then was awfully surprised when he took her hand and pulled her back around slightly. An earlier version of her might have been indignant at such a move, but somehow she didn't mind. Her eyes seemed glued to his as he spoke, and then as she replied. "Yes, I'll see you later, Mikhael." Donia turned again, walking away and falling into step with Lorelai, hardly believing how forward she'd been, and that everything that had happened today had happened so soon, but enthralled at the idea of seeing him again that night, nevertheless.

"Alright, cool. Have a good night," Lorelai said, although she might see him later if he was indeed coming over.