Gregor laughed as Luxa practically tackled him onto the bed, and he could hear Aurora's typical "huh huh huh" which meant the bat was laughing too. They sat up and Gregor chuckled, "Did ya miss me?" even though he knew the answer.
"Of course I missed you, Gregor! Why have you come back?" she asked. Then, a little quieter this time, she said, "I did not think you would return."
"I thought I was gone for good too, but guess what? Mom decided to let us stay here!" Gregor replied enthusiastically. He felt like jumping for joy when her face broke into a grin.
"Oh, that's wonderful, Gregor!" Luxa cried, diving into his arms again. Gregor just wanted to sit there forever with her in his arms. He kissed her cheek.
"How are you Luxa? Have you been okay since I left? Mareth said you and Aurora hardly ever left you room." Gregor asked. He was dying to know how she said she was feeling, not how everyone else thought she was feeling.
Luxa looked down. Gregor could tell that what Mareth said had been true from the look on her face, but he wanted to hear it from her. "I am well now Gregor. But yes, it is true what Mareth told you. I have not been well since you left. I cried almost every night. I did not think I would see you again." she said in a low voice. "How have you been?"
Gregor said quietly, "I haven't been very good either. I've been really depressed and stuff and my mom was really worried. I had to try and hide from my sisters because I didn't think they'd understand. Lizzie was like that too. I think that's why my mom moved us down here. She was afraid we would hurt ourselves or something." Gregor felt tears stinging his eyes. He noticed that they weren't because he was sad, but because he was really happy. Really, truly happy. He blinked them away quickly, brought Luxa's face up to his, and kissed her.
To Gregor, it was the most passionate kiss they had shared. For a moment, he forgot all the bad things in his life. His grandma's absence, every scar, every battle, everything. And Luxa forgot Henry's betrayal, all the duties she had as queen, her grandmother's death, Vikus' stroke. They were just two normal thirteen year olds. The two were so involved with each other, they didn't notice that Gregor's family, Howard, Ripred, and Vikus were all standing at the curtain, mouths open wide.
When they finally did realize they weren't alone, it was too late. They pulled away quickly and blushed. Luxa looked down and her skin was so red she looked sun burnt. Gregor's face was also red, though not as red as Luxa's. He looked around at everyone. Vikus looked amused and his eyes were twinkling, Howard was fuming and glaring at Gregor, Gregor's parents were smiling, Ripred was smirking, Lizzie was unsuccessfully trying to suppress a laugh, and Boots was confused. "Well, I told you, didn't I? I told you the Overlander was in love with the queen!" taunted Ripred. Then he gave a cruel laugh, which angered Gregor. Why does he have to be such a jerk?
"Shut up, Ripred! I was-we-we were-um-uh-talking." Gregor spluttered. Vikus eyed him with interest, which embarrassed him even more. Gregor's parents looked exceedingly happy that he had his first girlfriend, which made Gregor smile.
"I hope I am not interrupting anything," Vikus said in his best formal voice, which, at the moment, was horrible because he was trying not to laugh, "Because there is something the two of you should see. If you will follow me, I will take you to it." Then he motioned for the group to follow. Everyone followed except Gregor and Luxa.
"We're going to be in a lot of trouble aren't we?" Gregor said. "Well, at least with Howard." They both laughed. They started walking.
"Yes, I think Howard will be very angry with us. But that is fine. He is not the boss of us." Luxa said. She grasped his hand and they followed Vikus down the hall.
