AN- First I'd like to thank Kurayami Angel for all her support. So here's Ch.3 of Out of My Shell! As I was writing my previous chapter, I decided how this would go…So hope you enjoy it! Disclaimer: I do not own RF!

Chapter 3:

I wake up in a bed with white sheets and white walls.

The infirmary.

"Hey, Doc, I think she's awake."

My parents, Aaron, Leann, Cammy, Doctor Ray and Orland all crowd the bed.

I sit up suddenly and pain courses through my body.

"Take it easy, Aria," Ray tells me, helping me lay back down. My father, Kyle, says, "I came back from Pandova Mountains as soon as I heard."

"W-what happened?" I ask no one in particular. Leann speaks up. "Orland saved you!"

I stare at him and he blushes and turns his head away.

"How long have I been out?" I ask.

"A few hours," Ray answers and a flash of light shows from outside.

"Does that mean…the Flower Festival will be canceled?" I ask, changing to the subject and referring to the storm outside.

"Yes, the Mayor decided to cancel it this year because of the weather," Dad explains.

"Oh," is the only sound that comes out of my mouth.

Silence enters the room as another streak of lightning flashes and a thunderous boom occurs. "Well, I think it's best for Aria to get some rest and for you all to go home before they close down the roads," Ray instructs.

Everyone shuffles out and says their goodbyes. Orland's the last to leave until I call him back. He freezes and turns around to face me. "How'd you save me?" I ask him.

~Flashback~

The footsteps came closer as rain began to fall steadily. A figure knelt down next to Aria's limp body and gently pushed her wet hair from her face. He had seen what happened and would not tell anyone else. He looked around before scooping her up in his arms, placing his white cloak on her. She was extremely light. He realized her friend's house was nearby; it was faster than taking her to the clinic.

He pounded on the door to the De Sainte-Coquille's mansion hoping that her friend, Leann, would open the door instead of her parents. To his luck, she did. She gasped at the sight of her fallen friend and asked what happened. He told her he'd tell her on the way; what really happened. She understood and the two raced their way to the clinic. Ray called Aria's family immediately and told them that Aria had come back from fighting some monsters and was heavily wounded.

But that was a lie. Only three people really knew what had happened. And it would stay that way.

~End of Flashback~

Another flash and boom appear as I say, "Oh." And he looks down.

"Thank you," I say a moment later, regaining the will to speak.

He looks up and walks over to the bed and says, "I couldn't leave you there."

He gently touches one of the bruises on my cheek and I blush.

"Orland," I say. "I…love you."

This is his turn to blush and he leans in closer. I can smell the rain and scent of flowers on him. "I love you, too," he declares and his lips collide with mine. My eyes widen before I realize this is what I want. The kiss is sweet and gentle before deepening until I pull away. My first kiss.

"Wow," I whisper. But then I realize something. "Guess the festival's not going to happen, huh? And the twins…"

"Tell you what, Aria. As soon as you get out of here, we can have our own Flower Festival, okay?" Orland proposes.

I smile at this. "Okay!" I exclaim.

"Great!" The storm continues and Orland says, "I guess I'd better get going… I don't want any trouble with the storm…or my dad."

I nod slightly, not wanting him to leave. But I think better of it. "So does this mean we're boyfriend and girlfriend now?" I smirk.

He walks over and kisses me on my forehead. He then moves over to the exit before saying,

"Yes."

AN-I liked writing this chapter! And don't worry; they'll get to have their own festival! Okay, please review!