With a crease on her forehead and a pencil stuck in between her teeth, she darted her eyes on her notes intently. "I still don't get it." She said after a while, giving her friend a puppy dog eye. "Come on, Deeks. Please?"

"You said you got it the last time I taught you that topic."

"I already forgot. You know how terrible I am with this programming." She whined.

He sat beside her, giving her notes a look. "Okay, we'll start again like last time."

When her face lit up, Deeks tried to hide his smile and began teaching her his favorite subject.

Deeks. That was what his name now for Kensi. Ever since he told her he wanted to change his surname to 'Deeks' last month, she began calling him by that. And to his surprise, he was okay with it.

An hour later, he was finished reviewing Kensi on her computer programming lesson.

"I think we're done here." He gladly announced and watched as she dramatically slumped her head on the center table.

"My head hurts." She complained while giving her aching head a massage. "I can't believe you love this subject. Are you for real?"

He shook his head and chuckled at her question. "You do know that I'll be taking up Computer Science in college, right?"

Kensi rolled her eyes. "You do know that if I take that course I will not last a semester, right?"

"Criminal Justice? Really?" He questioned, reminding her of her preferred course to take after her graduation a year from now.

"Yeah. Why?"

"Don't you think it's a little bit dangerous for you?"

"Not you too!" She complained as she started clearing the table of her things. "You sound like my mom and dad."

"You can't blame us for caring about you."

She stood up and glared at him. "Look, Deeks. I appreciate your concern but that is what I want. I want to be a federal agent someday like you want to be a computer programmer. I don't see anything wrong with going after your dream so why can't you be happy for me on this one?"

Deeks knew how stubborn she can be so he let it go for the mean time but quietly reminded himself to discuss it again some other day. He really cared about her and wouldn't want her to be in a harm's way. "I understand. But promise me you'll be careful alright?"

She smiled at his concern. "It's not like I'm leaving to join FBI tomorrow. I think you're forgetting something, I'm not the one who will be going away for college in 2 months."

"Yeah." He ran his fingers through his hair. Realizing he was the one due to leave and not her, Deeks couldn't help but voiced out how he feels. "I'll miss you, Kensi."

Thinking of Deeks leaving for MIT after his high school graduation, she was torn. Kensi was happy that he was pursuing his goal and having a scholarship at his coveted school was definitely a dream come true for him. But she was sad that he will leave her. She was only in her junior year and even if she graduated, Deeks' school was not on her list of go-to-schools so the chance of them continuing hanging out with each other was slim to none.

Kensi was surprised when she found herself hugging him, her arms wrapped around him. "I'll miss you too, Deeks." She whispered and reveled on him returning her embrace.

A fake cough broke the two friends apart. Both startled at the sound, they whirled around and saw Julia, who just came back after meeting with friends, standing at the front door.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Blye." Deeks greeted her with courtesy.

Kensi noticed from her mother's face that she was not happy to see him and she couldn't help but be bothered by it.

"Good afternoon, Marty. I didn't know you'll be here." Julie greeted him back before throwing a glance at her daughter.

"He is tutoring me on my subject, mom." She answered as she approached her mother and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Julie just nodded and proceeded on going upstairs.

"I think your mom doesn't like me." He said in a low voice, not wanting to be heard by the older woman.

"She's just like that any given day." She didn't want to tell Deeks but she was just thinking the same.

"Do you remember Andrew?"

Kensi's eyes moved from her plate to her mother when she heard her question. The Blyes were having dinner and halfway through their meal Julia began telling them about her old friend, Monica, her husband, Sebastian and their son, Andrew.

Andrew Williams had been her playmate and friend during her childhood days before his family left for Seattle when Kensi was 9 and he was 11.

"Yeah." She replied remembering the boy with a chestnut brown hair and a freckled face from 8 years ago.

The Williams was only a 5-minute drive from them so their closeness wasn't a surprise.

Julie's eyes sparkled at her answer. "Well, he is a freshman now in UCLA. Monica called me last night saying that they are going to visit him and we planned on seeing each other. So on Sunday we're going to dinner with them."

Kensi and Deeks were supposed to watch a concert together that exact day and time. She was about to say no to her mom but before she can open her mouth, Julia already turned to her father.

"What do you think, Donald?" She asked her husband with a smile on her face.

Donald glanced at his daughter before looking back at his wife. "I think it's a good idea. We haven't seen them for years." He noticed Kensi's face fell at his words.

Seeing her father gave her a pleading look wordlessly begging her to go with her mother's plan, Kensi can only nod at them. Her mind now was on how she was going to break the news to Deeks. He will be disappointed since he was really looking forward to Sunday.

"Are you sure you're okay with it?"

Deeks hid his dismay with a smile. He was disappointed. They have been planning on watching their favorite band in a scheduled concert for a month now but unfortunately for him, she couldn't make it. Giving him the reason of having dinner with a family friend. "It's okay. We can watch it next time." He said but knew how impossible it would be. Sadly, time was a luxury they do not have.

Kensi released a sigh of relief believing he was alright with their canceled plan as she plopped her body down next to him. They were at their favorite tree, spending their vacant time together. "I'm really sorry Deeks. I don't want to go with my parents but I don't want to hurt them. They are both trying to make their marriage work this time."

He placed his hand on hers, softly clasping it to assure her. "It's alright, Kensi. I understand."

They glanced at their intertwined fingers at the same time, both were feeling weird seeing that their hands somehow looked fit together.

Kensi noticed his eyes were on her now and she felt her cheeks blushed at the way he was looking at her.

He didn't know what got into him but Deeks found himself leaning towards her, his intention of kissing her was clear. Only mere inches apart, he saw her closed her eyes and he took it as a go signal. Lightly, he pressed his lips against hers. Although he didn't want to admit it, the taste of her lips surpassed his expectation. It definitely exceeded all his previous kisses before her. Kensi's lips were the sweetest. It was just a peck but it brought unknown emotions to him, feelings he didn't know he had.

"K-Kensi." There was an ache as he mumbled her name when they parted. He saw she still had her eyes close and slowly, Kensi fluttered them open. And he was dazed to see that they were swimming with different emotions.

"Deeks."

As if broken from a trance at the mention of his name, he panicked. He pulled himself up from her almost with difficulty. "I-I'm sorry, Kensi."

"W-Why did you do that?" She asked, following his movement.

Her voice was soft and calm, he heard. There was no hint of anger.

"I-I don't know." He really didn't know.

'Why did he kiss Kensi? Did he develop something more for her? Is she something more than a friend now to him?' He asked himself. He really didn't know how or what to answer her.

Deeks was too focused on thinking of the reasons he crossed the friendship line that he didn't see her hopeful face became crestfallen at his answer.

"I need to go, Deeks."

His head snapped at her worriedly. "Are... Are you mad?"

Kensi shook her head but avoided looking at him. She picked her things on the ground one by one and placed her bag on her shoulder. "I forgot I have to meet my group mates for a project." She replied, clutching her books tightly against her chest, as if it suddenly became her source of energy.

"O-Okay. I'll see you, Kensi." He said absentmindedly and watched when she nodded and began walking away from him.

Kensi slumped her body on her bed and took a deep breath. With her gaze on the ceiling, she thought on how Deeks became distant to her after he kissed her. Unknowingly, she traced her lips with a finger, recalling how his lips felt against hers and smiled as she remembered the feeling of butterflies swarming in her stomach when he leaned towards her. The kiss that happened 3 days ago was unexpected but was very much welcomed. She couldn't believe that her very first kiss was going to be with him.

Deeks. It would be a lie if she didn't find him attractive. With his fluffy blonde hair and a pair of baby blues, Deeks was handsome. The first time she saw him, she had a crush on him but chose to forget about it because he was a friend. Their friendship meant so much more to her. He had been there for her, patiently listening to her problems, wiping her tears whenever she would cry, giving her inspiring words when she was down. Deeks was a good friend.

But things have changed after the incident much to her sadness.

She recalled their last conversation the other day in school.

"Are you avoiding me?" Kensi asked the man who was busy rummaging inside his locker.

"What?" He answered without glancing at her and it annoyed her.

She had been looking for him everywhere since yesterday but weirdly enough, she couldn't find him. She went to several of his rooms where she knew his class will be. She questioned his classmates. She even stayed a little longer than usual at their tree hoping he will show up. But there was no sign of him. Ray, one of his closest friends, assured her that he was present but then would took off hurriedly after every end of his subjects.

"Deeks!" She hissed, her patience was wearing thin.

"What?" He glanced at her from his position, brows wrinkled in obvious displeasure.

"I asked you if you are avoiding me."

"Look Kensi, things have been busy with me lately. With all the deadlines I have and a few more projects left to do, I don't have any spare time. Is there something I can do for you?" He said, running his fingers in his hair impatiently.

She only gazed at him in shock. Deeks never talked to her like that before. His tone was cold and with a hint of irritation or was it anger? She wasn't sure.

Taken aback by his behavior, she shook her head. "I-I'm sorry I didn't know." With that, she quickly spun around and left him.

He watched her retreating figure in guilt and resentment. Closing his locker door recklessly, he let out a loud swear and moved to go to his next class that day.

'Why is he mad at me?' She asked sadly. 'Did I do something wrong?'

It had been 3 days and Kensi missed him, she missed his company. After leaving him on the hallway during their last talk, she had not seen him again. She avoided going to their tree, afraid that she might find her friend there and wouldn't know how to approach him again.

"Kensi, don't forget our dinner tonight. Be ready at 6." Julie's voice can be heard outside her bedroom door.

She took another deep breath before replying. "Okay mom."

Taking a look at the clock on the nightstand, she still had a few hours to rest. She closed her eyes and willed herself to nap, not wanting to think of Deeks any further.

"Aren't you enjoying yourself?"

Smiling, she glanced at the man behind the wheels. It was Andrew. Their families' dinner had just ended and with both of their parents' persistence well it was actually more of her mom's, he was driving her back home.

"I'm alright. Just a little tired." Kensi said as she studied him.

Andrew had grown to be a handsome guy, she thought. His chestnut hair was a little darker now than before. Gone were his freckles. He looked totally different from the 11 year old boy she had last seen. She noticed that he was tall, inches taller than Deeks.

Kensi frowned at the thought of her friend. She really didn't want to think of him now.

"Does the ice cream parlor we favorite still exists?" David asked, his eyes glittering in the dark as he glanced at her.

She rolled her eyes at him but smiled, one memory of them came to her mind. It was years ago, they both got a serious case of tonsillitis after rallying at the ice cream shop for days. "Yes. Swirlstation is still open."

"Want to go there? My treat?"

Two scoops of rocky road in a cone for Kensi and a scoop of mint chocolate chip in a cup for Andrew later, the two friends were now walking back to their parked vehicle.

"I can't believe rocky road is still your favorite." Andrew commented at her chosen ice cream.

"You remember?" She asked, surprised that he still knew her favorite flavor.

The chestnut haired man grinned at her. "Of course. You love your sweets, Kensi. You love donuts, chocolates and every food that has sugar in it."

"Haha. Very funny." Kensi smirked at his banter.

"I'm not kidding. Do you remember how you punched me when I took your Twinkies? I have no idea that that was your last one."

She playfully hit him in the chest. "Will you please stop? I am not that terrible."

He laughed as he caught her hand.

Kensi saw Andrew's hand on hers and it reminded her of Deeks' and what happened after that.

"Hey, Kensi!"

She turned to the voice that called her name and saw Ray running towards her.

"Hi."

"I thought it was you!" The long haired boy greeted her. "Marty said it's impossible you'll be here since you're supposed to be with your parents."

'Deeks? Is he here?' She wanted to ask but already got her answer when she spotted him nearing her. Feeling suddenly conscious that Andrew's grasp was still on her, Kensi swiftly pulled her hand from her now curious childhood friend.

"H-Hi." Awkwardly, she acknowledged Deeks. His dark face didn't go unnoticed.

He returned her greeting with a nod and a glance at her companion.

"I'd like you to meet Andrew, a friend from childhood. He used to live here. Andrew meet my friends, Marty and Ray. We go to the same school together." Kensi introduced the three and watched as they trade greetings but her focus was more on Deeks, wondering why he looked mad.

"You said you'll be in a family dinner." She heard him said icily.

"I was. Andrew's family is a friend of ours. The dinner just finished. We're on our way back home but stopped for some good old dessert."

"You didn't get dessert at the restaurant?" Deeks asked sarcastically, one eyebrow raised as if mocking her answer.

"It's not like that." She tried to reason but when Kensi saw him scoffed, she had enough. "What's your problem Deeks?!" She didn't know what was wrong with him but it seemed like he was picking a fight with her.

Andrew, who was watching the exchange, came to her rescue. "Is there a problem here?" He asked the blonde hair.

Ray answered for his friend, feeling the need to prevent any altercations. "Nothing's wrong man. We're just leaving. C'mon Marty." He said, grabbing Deeks' arm tightly. "Nice to meet you Andrew. See you in school Kensi."

Kensi's face was red as she watched Deeks being pulled away by Ray.

"That was interesting."

She sighed at Andrew's remark. "Tell me about it."

"Thank you Andrew. It's nice to see you again. I'm sorry about my friend. He can be weird at times." Kensi said as he was walking her to their front door.

"It's alright, Kensi. I hope you enjoyed the evening."

She paused from her step and turned to him. "I do. I had a great time. Would you like to come inside? My parents are probably having their evening tea right now."

"Maybe next time, I really need to get going. My own parents are waiting for me at the hotel, that's for sure."

"Oh, okay. Goodluck on your studies, Andrew. See you again soon."

She was surprised when he gave her a hug followed by a kiss on her cheek. "It was nice seeing you again, Kensi. And if you're okay with it, I'd like to give you a call some time."

Kensi didn't see anything wrong with him calling her, thinking he was after all a friend. "Sure, just don't make me wait for another 8 years."

Andrew chuckled. "Nope. It'll be sooner than you think." He said, winking at her.

She watched him climbed back in his car and drove away, waving at him as he passed by. She had a wonderful night seeing Andrew again. They spent most of the time reminiscing their childhood days, their mischiefs and previous accidents. With a smile fixed on her face, she returned from going inside the house only to be stopped by a very familiar voice.

"Kensi."

She looked back and saw Deeks standing a few feet away from her. Occupied with Andrew's presence, she didn't see Deeks' car already parked on the street when they arrived.

Kensi eyed him and noticed that he looked edgy with both of his hands inside the side pockets of his dark jeans.

"What are you doing here?" With her arms folded on her front, she asked.

Distinctly remembering his treatment to her days before in school and the way he acted in front of Andrew a while ago, she was furious.