Hi alls! Well, this is my first fan fic! I'll write a sequel if you like it. I'm new at this so please don't be too harsh.

Disclaimer: No characters belong to me

Amanda, this is for you....

Kel sat back into the warm water, letting it sooth her sore muscles. She let her thoughts drift and of course drifted straight to Neal.
"No" she thought. "I can't let myself think about him. It's not like I don't already have enough to worry about."
Studies had been particularly hard lately. It seemed all her instructors wanted to get in as much work as possible before midwinter break and the midwinter squires ball. This midwinter, the squires would have a ball in which there would be many ladies invited. Kel was nervous about the ball. No one had asked her to go. Honestly she didn't expect anyone to, although she wished with all her heart that Neal would.
"Its bad enough Neal has yet another crush. Now I can't even relax without thinking of him."
Neal had been proclaiming his love for some court lady he had seen in the palace gardens. Every time she was mentioned, Kel's heart ached so much she would change the subject quickly else her heart might burst.
Kel rose from her bath feeling refreshed though thoroughly depressed. "I have to stop doing this to myself."

Neal approached Kel's door and knocked hard.
"Kel? You ready?"
"I'm ready." Kel said coming out of the door, brushing his arm as she turned to lock the door
Neal felt a slight tingle, almost a burning sensation when Kel's arm brushed his. "Whoa, what was that?" Neal thought.
Pushing the thought aside nervously, he began to walk briskly down the hall. Kel, trotting to keep up, asked, "What's the rush, Neal? We aren't late or anything." "I know. But, you know I like to be early......." His voice trailed off.

Kel's heart was still racing from when she touched Neal. "Damn it," she thought. "I can't be in love with him! It would ruin all that we have." She looked up at Neal. Seeing his strong arms that she just wanted to envelop herself in was enough to make her heart flutter and her whole body heat up.

/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/

"I saw her again today." Neal told everyone over super. Everyone groaned loudly. "Yes, she is as beautiful as a winter's rose." Kel remained quite, her heart pounding harder than usual. She didn't even notice Cleon looking at her with a concerned stare. She just kept her face Yamani smooth.

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Kel heard a knock at the door. Expecting to see Neal she was surprised when she opened the door to find Cleon standing there. "Hi" he said timidly. "Well at least you aren't calling me those ridiculous names," she said chuckling. Cleon's solemn expression didn't change. After a pause, Kel questioned "Is something wrong?"
"Can we talk?" he asked.
"Sure, come on in."
Kel crossed the room and sat on her bed. Cleon came in and shut the door behind him. "Hey Cleon, what are you doing? You know I can't close the door with you in here!"
"You like him don't you?"
Kel paled. Quickly she put on her Yamani face. "Cleon, open the door!"
"Shit, I knew it!" Cleon said his face suddenly painful.
Kel put her head in her hands. Cleon came over and sat next to her. A long time passed and neither said a word. Finally, Kel broke the silence.
"How did you know? Was I that obvious?"
Cleon sighed and pondered this for a while. "Little things, like when you seem like you're in pain every time he takes a blow in the practice courts. You change the subject whenever he mentions a new crush. And, sometimes I see you looking at him…. you know…. really looking. The same way I look at you."
Suddenly Cleon turned a lovely shade of crimson. He stood up and walked swiftly out of the room, leaving Kel, Yamani face forgotten replaced with shock.