I Hate Boys (open)

[Locke F. Herald]

He'd done it now...He knew she was fragile, and he'd done it anyway. Now she lay there, at his feet, broken as if she was a statue of glass dropped to the floor.

Happy? She wanted to be happy? But what was hollow happiness? It wasn't even worth the breath to speak the words.

Then she said something, something that started the cogs turning.

[blue]"Why does it always have to be you that messes with my head!"[/blue]

Wait...

"Why does it always have to be you that messes with my head!"

Always? As in more then once? But he hadn't know her that long.

[blue]"Why do things have to be so confusing? I was just fine before stupid Kennedy had to open his stupid mouth. I was just fine! But nooo! Now I'm all messed up."[/blue]

Was that it? Something Kennedy had said? He briefly recalled something Kennedy had said to him in the kitchen once.

"So when you saw her, did you think that you could learn first hand about the fae from her? Or did you think, 'Hey there is a really cute girl with too much energy'?"

That...couldn't be it...

[blue]"Yes, Kennedy! That nosy, nosy, nosy-OOOHHHH!"[/blue]

Something Kennedy stuck his nose into...

[blue]"Argh, I hate boys!"[/blue]

Could it be?

[blue]"You're only making it worse!"[/blue]

But he...

[blue]"You're like cute all over."[/blue]

She couldn't say it without her cheeks reddening.

[blue]"Yes, I like being liked as a sister but for once I wish people loved me for me, and loved me like-"[/blue]

That was it wasn't it?

[blue]"I will do everything I can to never ever, ever, ever hurt you!"[/blue]

Did he trust her? Would she betray the trust he put in her?

"I stopped caring...because if you don't open up, bad people can't get in..."

But good people can't get in either...you have to take a risk to get a reward.

But...he was scared. Before he knew what he was doing, he was down on his knees no more then a foot away from her. Even with her hair hanging over her face, with the tears running down her cheeks. Even with all that, he now knew the word he wanted to use to describe her forever. A word that always eluded him.

Cute? No.
Hyper? No.
Friendly? No.

Kiri...was beautiful...

"Kiri..." He said, looking at her. brushing a lock of hair out of her face. "I...I..."

Could he say it? Was it true? Did he even know what he wanted to say to her?

"I...like you Kiri. I really do."

Even as emotional as he now felt, Locke couldn't bring himself to say the word 'Love'. It was too much for the shy boy, and there were some walls that were not broken down easily.

[Kiri Honeywater]

The small, sixteen year old fae girl stared at him waiting for him to do something anything, but ended up dropping her head in shame. He was one of her closest dear friends, and there she was ruining everything. She would remember this day forever as the day that she lost a great friend.

Not really surprised that he was being so quiet she just sat there curled over herself hands in fists on the floor. His kind words flowed through her head, him wanting her to be happy, no more lies. His gentle hand on her hair. But he'd said it himself. They were friends, and that was okay. It was better than nothing, and besides who could really see someone as smart as he was with someone like her?

To check to see if he was even still there she lifted her head finding him right in front of her. She blinked as he moved her hair from her face. He was trying to say something. What was it?

"I...like you Kiri. I really do."

Kiri couldn't breathe as she stared at him tears still wet on her cheeks. He didn't just say that. No, he hadn't meant it the way she wanted him to. That's what it was. Friends. Friends.

"As a friend...right?" Slowly uncurling her arms wrapped around her stomach wanting to touch his hand, but too afraid to. If he said yes...she bit her bottom lip and shut her eyes tight. She was so stupid.

"You're so smart...how could I possibly hide anything from you..." She smiled softly but it was filled with sadness because when she needed to be the best liar she failed. Not wanting to open her eyes afraid of what look she might find in his eyes then she hiccuped loudly. Great. Not only did he find out my secrets but I have the hiccups. Sighing she lifted her head opening her eyes filled with fear.

[Locke F. Herald]

She asked him a question? Gah! Why was she making this so complicated?! Locke was so hot right now he felt as if he was about to light on fire, and she was making him repeat himself. But what could he do? He'd come this far, now it was time...to take a chance.

"No Kiri." He said, reaching out to grab her hand. His heart was beating so fast it might burst out of his chest any second.

"I...I don't like you as a friend Kiri..." There, he said it...wait! That wasn't enough, she could still construe that the wrong way! He wasn't done yet.

"Or...not...just as a friend...Kiri...I...I..."

But the words wouldn't come. He couldn't make them, his voice gave out. He couldn't speak. What could he do now? He'd tried to be brave and bold, but he just couldn't do it. He couldn't say those words. Not because he didn't want to, or he wouldn't mean them. No he was never more sure of anything else. But he couldn't. He looked at her helplessly, as if asking for help. He wanted to say it.

His legs were numb, his mouth frozen, his eyes glued to her. His mind was frozen, his body wouldn't respond at all. Only one part of his body would respond, and it was all he could do, and hope that it was enough.

He dropped her hand from his, and wrapped them around her, pulling her close to him. He was sure that she could hear the beating that was his heart in overdrive. Maybe that would be enough to say what his mouth could not.

[Kiri Honeywater]

He didn't even like her as a friend! She hiccuped again as fresh tears streamed down her face. Stupid! Stupid! So stupid! I ruined everything! When he grabbed her hand and she hiccuped again so completely confused. There was more not just as a friend. Not just as a friend!

"You-you mean that?" He was hugging her, and with a sob she hugged him back her heart bursting in her chest. He meant it. Kiri buried her face into his shoulder so incrediably happy. She never once thought he'd say that or say it the way she wanted him to. Just one hug made the clouds away for though she hid her sadness often it didn't mean she wasn't a naturally perky person. It was simple to make her happy. One little thing could make her world spring again.

As she hiccuped again she started laughing so very happy. "I-" hiccup "like you-" hiccup, "too." This was so dramatic but it made her ecstatic. Those words and a hug was all she needed to smile again and mean it. Such a silly girl.

"It's okay, you know. If it's hard to say." She whispered not wanting him to feel bad about it or anything. He had to say it first so it was harder than her just having to confirm it on her side. Poor Locke having to do the hard part. She'd pay him back somehow, someday.

[Locke F. Herald]

He heard her speak, with his arms pressing her to his chest. And then her arms around him as well...This was...

This was...wonderful.

"Kiri." He mumbled, aware that he was more talking to her hair right now. "Oh Kiri...I'm so sorry...I didn't know...I never knew...I put the pieces together now, oh how foolish I was...and you...you hid all this from me..."

He thought about it. "I...felt it too...I just didn't...know what it was." He continued to hold her, eyes closed tightly as if she'd vanish when he opened them. "If only I knew...you wouldn't have suffered, oh I am so stupid...how could I not know?"

He felt the sting of water burning down his cheeks. Tears? He didn't think he could cry anymore, not since he had shut himself away in his Ivory Tower.

But the tower was breached now, by a beam of sunlight that filled it with warmth and light. And with it's barrier broken, the few tears fell from his eyes.

"Kiri, oh Kiri. Thank you..."

He would be perfectly content to stay in this moment forever, were it possible. But he knew this would end eventually, and he would leave her company before the day was done, and this moment would rescind to his memories. Life can never be the way it was, after all. But...this moment was his, for all eternity.

They were opposites, her an energetic, happy flower princess, and him a scholarly, surly book worm. Why did this feel so right?

He didn't know or care, all he knew right now was that she smelled of flowers.

And it was a scent he never wished to forget.

[Kiri Honeywater]

Her arms just held him tighter her tears drying to nothing but a dark memory. She could feel his heart pounding and his words just sounded so sad to her, no more sadness. Kiri pulled back only enough to gaze at him with a smile. He needed to see that she was happy, she felt that he needed to see it was okay.

"Don't beat yourself up, Locke. It's okay, really." Suffered? It was her fault for suffering she was the one who made things difficult. It just never dawned on her that he might possibly feel the same for her. Feeling slightly guilty for hiding so much for lying about everything she bit her lip again anxiously.

As the first few tears fell her eyes went as wide as tortoise shells. Now this was diffinitely something she'd never seen before. Kiri clutched him to her wanting those tears to go away.

"Oh, Locke, I'm sorry, I never meant to make you cry. I promised not to hurt you and I already broke it." Yet he was thanking her. How in the world could he be thanking her? Whatever it was she didn't care she just held him tight hoping to squeeze out a smile instead of tears.

"Is okay, if we be happy now?" She whispered loving the feel of his arms around her and knowing that tonight as she curled up she wouldn't think about how alone she was. No, instead she'd remember his arms and think

He likes me...

[Locke F. Herald]

"Kiri...I'm not sad." He said, sniffling. "No, you only did good today...only good." She squeezed him tight and whispered in his ear. The sound of her voice was intoxicating to him now. And her lips so close to his ears, whispering in them, it sent a shiver down his spine.

"Yes Kiri. Only happy now, only happy." He said, reluctantly releasing his hold on her. He kept his hands on her shoulders as he parted from her, looking directly at her face for the first time since he'd embraced her. It felt like an eternity.

God she was beautiful.

"We can both be happy now Kiri."

[Kiri Honeywater]

[blue]She smiled balling her hands gripping him like if she didn't hold tight her dream would end. He was happy, and she was overjoyed. When he shivered she blinked not knowing or understanding why he did so. As he pulled away and spoke of only happiness she just couldn't stop smiling at him.

"Why did you shiver? Is it too cold in here? I can go get you a blanket or sweater or something." Kiri shoved all her stray hair out of her face it was slightly damp from her tears as she pulled out her hair tie. The long golden waves fell over her shoulders then she pulled it back to redo the pony tail only higher in her more chipper fashion.

"Okay, since we can be happy now. Does that mean we can go DO something happy?" Chipperness radiated from her voice as she was almost exploding with cheer. He didn't have to feel alone anymore with only his books, and she didn't have to be alone anymore and lie all the time. Things we so much better now than fifteen minutes ago.[/blue]

[Locke F. Herald]

She asked him why he shivered, and Locke blushed a little bit. She was still naive of the effect she had on him, just like her.

"I'm fine Kiri." He said with a smile. "And yes, let's do something fun now. You pick, we always do what I like, now we should do what you like today."

After all...today is for you...

As he rose to his feet, extending his hand to the still kneeling Fae, he smiled broadly. A bigger smile then he had ever shown anyone in a long, long time. But a thought still tugged in his mind.

Well that is all well and good, but what now? You don't know how to be a boyfriend, so what do you do now?

Locke answered his own voice with confidence and determination.

The same thing I always do. I learn.

"Yes, let's go Kiri. I have a lot to learn, and only you can teach me what I've been missing." He said, his smile never faltering.

[Kiri Honeywater]

"You're so cute when you blush!" She giggled thinking the day that started as what could have been one of the worst in her life just turned to one of her all time favorites.

"Since I get to pick..." She didn't want to do something he would hate but she wanted him to try something new too. "What's something you've never done before?" That was good then he could do something he always liked doing, learn.

Kiri took his hand and stood returning his wonderful smile with one of her own. She didn't let go of his hand instead she squeezed it slightly almost giggling again.

This is the bestest ever! Wait I have to change if we're going to go have fun! Kiri gasped and stared down at her outfit in horror.

"I look hideous! Like a hobo! We can go have fun, and I can try to teach you whatever I can but I gots to change." Basically in her pajamas she couldn't believe he'd told her he liked her when she looked her worst. That made her pause and smile so brightly it felt like her face might break. It meant something that small thing even if he'd meant it or not.

She started off to change but forgot to let go and stopped his hand still in hers. "Oops!" Giggling she rubbed her thumb on his hand then let go and started off to her room. "Be right back!"

What am I gonna wear! Yellow? Pink? Blue? A dress? Pants? Tennies? Flats? Sandals? Oh, dear! Oh, dear. Oh, dear!

[Locke F. Herald]

"Something I've never done before?" He asked confused. You could write a small encyclopedia on what Locke hadn't done yet. He didn't even know where to start. He took a step or two in utter confusion when she said she needed to change and didn't let go of his hand. W-What was she doing?!

Then she apologized and let go, giggling all the same. Locke merely watched her enter the door to the rooms and then collapsed in a chair, all energy seemed to leave him.

"T-That could have been awkward..." He said to himself.

But still, this entire situation could have been awkward. A good thing nobody else was here. He still felt the touch of her hand on his, and the smell of flowers that he'd never noticed before. It made him smile like an idiot that he was acting like this. Now that she wasn't here he attempted to restore some bit of sanity.

Then his eyes went wide when he realized what just happened.

He, for all intents and purposes, confessed his love for Kiri. He didn't use the word, because he just couldn't form it, but the meaning was there.

Did he love her? Was it really possible that a boy who hadn't even liked anyone a month ago was in love? In TRUE love? Locke didn't know what love was, he didn't know how it felt, he didn't know what he was supposed to do, but he knew one thing.

Whatever happened, he never felt happier then that moment. Never in his life. So that was something he wanted to continue.

Kiri was the greatest thing that had happened to him, and even now all he could see in his mind's eye was her face, her shining face, beaming at him. And her golden hair and eyes like sapphires and lips like-

And that thought snapped him out of it, his face completely red. Luckily she wasn't here to see that.

It was very hard to think up something to do. All he could think of was spending time with Kiri, anything with that was fine by him.

[Kiri Honeywater]

She was demolishing her closet in her attempts to find something to wear. After such a scene she needed to come out looking like a princess. But since she didn't know what they were going to be doing she didn't know how to dress. So she had to find something cute that could be worn in multiple settings.

"I have nothing to wear!" Kiri whined shaking a yellow sweater-like dress and a pair of lime green tights in her hands. A blink or two later and she giggled. "This will work!" Slamming the door she changed quickly brushing her hair putting it into two low pig tails.

She had to hurry he was out there waiting for her. He was waiting for her! Wait, did this mean they were girl friend and boy friend now? Did she have a boy friend? Were other people going to say bad things? Were they going to say good things?

Kiri realized she didn't care. He said he liked her! And that was all that mattered. He liked her, he hugged her, and he'd shared secrets with her. Everyone else could go eat rotted fish guts.

Then she brushed her teeth ending up staring in the mirror. This wasn't a fake smile on her lips. Her eyes weren't a lie. She touched her face hesitantly hoping that what other boys had told her was true. That she was cute, and that she could be cute for him. Though she was sick of being just cute. Sighing she left the bathroom tying ribbons in her hair as she went. Kiri slipped on a pair of flat yellow shoes then skipped out of the room.

"Okay! I'm ready! Where are we going?" She called as she skipped into the room finding him looking rather tired in a chair. "Umm...if you're too tired we can stay in." Kiri ran over to him dropping to her knees in front of him worry creeping over her smile.

[Locke F. Herald]

Kiri, true to herself, came practically skipping out of the room. His stupid smile broadened at seeing her, she had made herself look even more beautiful in just a short amount of time, thought he found he didn't care if she was dressed in rags. She was Kiri, that was enough.

Locke thought when she asked him the question. What should he say, surely he shouldn't just answer the question and be stone faced? But what would someone charming say.

[teal]"Now you know Miranda, no matter how tired I am I can't leave a beautiful lady waiting."[/teal]

Well, it had worked once before he supposed.

"Well, I can't leave a beautiful lady waiting." He said, rising to her feet. He hadn't thought of where to go yet, but all of a sudden he had an idea. "Why do we need a place to go? Let's just start walking and see where we wind up. We always do things structured and orderly like I like, but today let's follow the wind. It's your day Kiri."

Once again he held out his hand to her. "Then shall we go?" He felt plenty embarrassed, but he found it easier to talk to her if he just imagined that he was reciting plays. He'd read some, and even seen a few. Now he'd never understood how people could act like that, but now he thought he did.

[Kiri Honeywater]

Kiri's jaws dropped as he called her beautiful then she giggled and blushed. Jumping to her feet she thought his idea sounded perfect. It was something new for them to do and it could lead them anywhere, which was something she liked very much.

"Okay, we can walk. I like walks. You know that." She loved being outside, and they never spent time outside together. Or at least hardly ever. "It's my day? How bout we make it our day? Kay?" Then the same question from a bit ago came to mind.

Better ask before you assume and mess things up.

Blushing quite badly she slipped her hand into his. "Um, Locke? I, um, was wondering, um, are we, um, d-d-dat-dating?" Kiri bit her bottom lip twirling one of her pig tail ends with her fingers. She didn't want to rush things but she did want to know what they were now that they both had said, well what they had said.

"Ifnotthenumit'sokayIwasjustwonderingthat'sall!" Her old problem was comign back the more nervous she got. "Wedon'thavetobe, b-b-butI'dlikeustobe." Kiri clapped her hand over her mouth to stop the words from spewing out her whole face and up to the tip of her pointed ears were red. Oooh, so stupid!

[Locke F. Herald]

"Yes then, it'll be our day today." The day this relationship changed forever. This was a day to remember. He was up and held her hand tightly. It made his heart race, but then she started talking again.

[blue]"Um, Locke? I, um, was wondering, um, are we, um, d-d-dat-dating?"[/blue]

Red. He was completely red. From the neck up, and even his fuzzy ears seemed to have a tinge of pink to them.

"Um...um...um....um..." Followed by a string of squeaked words from the young fairy. He'd understood some of it, he thought. Did she say she would have liked it? Was that what she had said?

But he'd said it to himself before didn't he? Hadn't he already accepted that was what he was? So...why would it be hard to say? Just open your mouth and say it...right?

Never that easy, at least not for him. Locke had to wonder, no matter how happy and calm things were, Kiri was always able to make him completely flabbergasted. It had to be a gift of hers.

"I...I...would....L-L-L-L" Damn it all! He stopped and took a deep breath, closing his eyes. Squeezing her hand tightly.

Ok, on three. You can do it. One...two....Three!

"I'd like that Kiri!" He said it louder then he meant to, and he looked like he'd run a marathon when he finished.

God how were words so tiring? He'd never felt so exhausted in his life. And she was always making him do more, even when he thought it was all done. What next, ask him to kiss her or something?

And then red again. Except now it wasn't going to go away so easily.