Checkmate: Chapter 1

She had always been my friend... Just my friend. I feel like it was so long ago when I still felt that way about her. In reality though, it all happened at Commander Grant's Christmas party this year.

The Commander throws these parties once every year (no duh). They're always kind of a nuisance, but it's always smart to stay on the Commander's good side, right? I went with Jeena this year, her being my partner, and I could immediately tell that she felt the same way about the parties that I did.

BEGINNING: 3 hours before the party

"Checkmate! I win again." The soft voice on the even softer lips nearly made my heart stop. Jeena smiled annoyingly and began to set up the chessboard for the fifth time that day.

We had been playing chess for hours and she had beaten me every time. Don't get me wrong; I hate losing, especially to Jeena. On a normal day I would've already lost my temper and started a new game, but that day wasn't normal. That day I was just content with looking at her smile... hearing her laugh... feeling her across from me (in my room, on my floor) so painfully close.

"What time is it?" she asked, allowing herself to take the first move.

I looked at the clock on my wall and replied, "5:30."

"Oh!" she sounded startled, "I should get back to my room."

She got up to go, but I was up before her and holding onto her shoulder.

"Rallen, what are you doing?"

"Oh, s-sorry..." (Smooth)

"Whatever." She gave me a strange look and was out the door.

I stood stock-still where she had left me, puzzling over what I had done. I hadn't noticed that I had grabbed her until she pointed it out to me, what was wrong with me? Why was it that all I could think about was her laugh, or her smile, or her soft, pink hair? I felt like she was forever out of my grasp, always in the corner of my vision. I collapsed onto my bed and thought.

I was awakened by the alarm on my Prizmod beeping. It was eight o' clock and the party began at 8:30. I immediately rushed off of my bed, changed into my NPP suit, and rushed out the door (almost tripping over Komainu) and through the hallway. I only stopped once I arrived at Jeena's door. I steeled myself and knocked loudly on her door.

"Come in Rallen," she called, "I'm almost ready to go." She always knows it's me.

I stepped tentatively into her room. I had been there dozens of times before, but I felt like I didn't belong this time. Like I was a Dongora in a china shop, so to speak. My thoughts were immediately stopped short by the sight of her. Instead of wearing her NPP Uniform like I was used to, she was wearing grey jeans and a blue long-sleeve shirt. I sucked in my breath... loudly.

"What's wrong," she teased, "never seen me without my NPP uniform on?"

I laughed and she looked at me quizzically, it was strange for me to not be talking or complaining for such a long period of time.

"Man, why do girls take so long to get ready?" I tried to revert to my normal self.

"I'm guessing you fell asleep the second I left and rolled out of bed a few minutes ago?" she asked knowingly.

"You don't know that." I growled, starting to sound like my old self again.

"Well your hair begs to differ."

I rushed over to the mirror in her bathroom and couldn't help bursting out laughing. My red hair was completely matted on one side and pushing up and out in different directions. After a few minutes of pampering I walked out with a look of bruised pride. Jeena burst out laughing at this and I started laughing at her laughing. After a few minutes of on the floor laughing at who knows what, I finally felt like things were normal. We stood up and our eyes met. The feeling of normality was immediately sucked out of my being. Our eyes were still locked together, each of us half standing, barely breathing. The moment was electrifying, for the both of us I was sure. And then it happened. I leaned in and found her soft lips with mine. I was completely taken with the kiss and I know that she was too, at least for a second. She pulled away soon after it started, too soon. I was left standing there wondering what had happened. I had felt something and I was damn sure that she had too.

"This isn't right!" she yelled, no longer looking at me.

"But Jeena-"

"I'm sorry Rallen, but I think you should go." she bit off the words and, tail between my legs, I retreated to the Christmas party. Alone.

Well that's it for the first chapter everyone (anyone?). Reviews would be awesome seeing as this is my first ever fanfic. Hopefully chapter 2 will be the last chapter so I can finish this.