A/N Takes place during Page.

Disclaimer: All Tamora Pierce's.

I took quick glances at her on my right side. Gods, she's beautiful. The first year I was with her she was sexless. Now, there's not one second I think she is. In my second year she acted strangely around me and at first I felt hurt. Then, seeing I did the same thing, I started to ask myself, What's happening between us?

I started talking to her more, and again, we were close friends. We talked about everything, except girl stuff. I know she never told me she had monthlies. I found out one day when I saw her run from the mess with a red stain on her breeches.

At first I thought she was bleeding so I almost went after her. Then I remembered a talk I had with my father and blushed. Luckily, none of the other boys noticed why she ran away. They were all sitting there confused. I decided to act confused too. Better that, than get annoyed to death by them.

I thought about talking to her about it. I presumed she'd want some privacy, so I left the subject alone.

I didn't realize she was fully a girl, with curves in all, until the beginning of this year. I was walking down the hall toward my best friend's room to greet her, when I hear Owen's unmistakable voice commenting on her womanly features.

I reach the door, saying a few words to save Kel from Owen's rudeness. It might not seem rude to him since he's an eleven year old. Sometimes I forget I'm an seventeen year old hanging out with a bunch of twelve year old's (and one eleven year old).

Seeing her after the summer I agree with Owen. She had grown in certain areas. I never admitted it though. Just like I never told anyone that the first day I saw her like that, I had a crush on her. Just like that. I thought it would pass like all the other court beauties, but it never did.

In fact, the more I saw her, the more it grew. Now, in present time, all my friends would either murder me, or think I was joking if I told them I, the Scholar, was in love with her, the Girl.

Murdering me would be Cleon, Merric and Faleron. Cleon obviously likes her with his public compliments. Merric may be jealous of her, but anyone can tell he admires her. When ever Fal's near Kel he gets all nervous and doesn't talk as much.

The people that would think I was joking would include Owen, Roald, Seaver, and anyone else who doesn't like Kel in a more-than-friend way.

Back to the present, I look at her once more before sighing and continuing back to my food. After pushing my vegetables around my plate for the tenth time I hear her familiar voice, "Eat your vegetables, Neal."

I answer, like always, "Yes, Mother." We do this pretty much every meal. I actually don't have anything against vegetables. I just like it when she reminds me to eat them.

Going back to my room after dinner, I try to come up with a plan for how to do this. For this, I mean something that might ruin mine and Kel's friendship. Something I had planned to do forever. Something that I chose to do sometime during Midwinter. Something I have to do tonight since it is the last day of Midwinter till next year.

I open my door and head to Kel's room. I knock and she opens the door. Walking in I shut the door behind me, ignoring her protests. I'm standing in front of her now with my hands holding hers. We're close, but I want to be closer.

I take a step in front of her, our faces inches apart. I gaze into the hazel eyes that I've grown to love. Seeing her not pulling away, I lean my face into hers. Now our lips are close enough to feel each other's breath. I given into temptation and brush my lips with hers.

I was surprised when she didn't pull back. Even more surprising when she kisses back. So, this is what heaven feels like. For lack of air, I reluctantly pull away, breaking our first kiss.

We're still close together, with her smiling up at me through her eyes and mouth. I lean over, and in one ear I whisper "Midwinter luck, Kel.", and in the other one I whisper, "I love you.".

Pulling back I see her eyes widen, then I feel her lips on mine. I hear and feel her whisper against my lips, "I love you too.".

We break apart, and I pull her to her bed, setting her on my lap with my arms wrapped around her. I whisper in her ear, again because it's just one of those nights where if you could, you would whisper sweet nothings to your love, "Do you know how long I've wanted to do that?" At the shake of her head I continue, "Ever since we became third year pages."

She talks, a little hurt showing through her voice, "I've wanted that to happen since we were second year pages." I bring her closer to my chest, enjoying the warmth while it's there.

"You never show'd an- oh." That's why she acted so strange after the first year. It probably didn't help when I recited my poems to her.

I hold her to my chest, not wanting to let her go. After what seemed like hours, I look down to see Kel fast asleep. Before I know what's happening, I start to fall asleep with my last thought that night, The start of perfect relationship.

A/N Probaly won't be a One-shot, but I need to know if it's good enough to continue so please review.