~Kellan~

My mood suddenly changed as I walked through the door of 'Hunter's Coffee Shop'. The warm, sweet scent of pastries mixed with the sharp tang of coffee, suddenly made me feel better. I walked up to the counter with a huge smile, that felt like it was to big for my face.

"Hey Hunter!" I called to the chubby nought behind the till, with a wave.

"Oh, hi Kellan. Good to see you again. It's a bit early isn't it?" he asked

"Problems at home." I replied, looking away.

"Are you okay?" he asked worriedly.

I looked up and nodded at him, plastering a fake smile on my face.

"Well, what can I get you?"

That was the great thing about Hunter. He always knows when to shut up and change the subject.

"Do you even need to ask?" I replied with a cheesy grin.

"A large coffee and a chocolate muffin coming up then."

"Thanks"

I turned to find a place to sit, but that wouldn't be to hard since no one would be here at this time in the morning, except the strange losers that sometimes hang around by themselves.

But there was someone new. But not exactly new, I recognised her face straight away. I'd seen her here before, so why do I care if she's here or not? Why am I so interested now? Why is it all of a sudden that I notice little things that I'd never seen before? Like the way that she curls her hair around her fingers when she's nervous, or when she laughs, she sticks out her tongue a little. Ahhh… Why is this happening to me now? I'd known her for years. Is it because I felt sorry for her? I'd always fancied her but it's 'forbidden', it's 'wrong'. A nought with a Cross, Oh the tragedy! Forget war and famine, we must stop crossbreeding! God I hate this world. But not everyone in it… sigh…

She's looking. A flicker of confusion crosses her perfect face. I look a the empty seat opposite her. Should I? I want to, but … but what? What is stopping me going over and sitting next to her and talking with her all night? I have lots of nought friends, like Hunter, why can't I be her friend? I think it's because I know that I have feeling too strong to ever be friendship. And if I talk to her right now I may never stop. And it could easily turn into something more, something dangerous.

She looks at the chair and then back at me. She gestures to the chair politely.

Oh god decision time. Stay and risk staying forever, or go home and risk my family. I stand there, frozen. A shot of pain shows on her face before she looks away. No, don't feel pain, never feel pain because of me. I'm not worth it. I give in to my desires, and sit down, looking up nervously.

~Emilia~

Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. He's here! Why's he here so early? Should I ask him that? Yes, slip it into the conversation. What conversation? Talk to him. It's getting awkward…

"Two appearances in two days!" he says with mock shock, "I'm honoured."

I smile against my own will.

"So, why are you here so early?" he asks

"I could ask you the same thing"

"Fair enough. I have some …problems… at home" he replies looking sheepish.

I know that I should leave it there, but I can't;

"Problems?" I probe, looking up trough my hair, trying to look sexily mysterious. Dammit, forgot, I can't pull off sexy. I look down as I blush scarlet through my translucent cheeks.

"Well, where do I start? My father is an snobby, angry controlling man who hates all noughts, my mother is a timid woman who lets my father control everything, and I've just found out that my brother is gay, and my father will most likely disown him and kick him out."

I sit there stunned while Kellan catches his breath. Who knew life was so complicated for the other half?

"And now that I've just poured out my heart to you, do I get to know your life story?" he asks slyly.

God he's sexy.

"Okay, here goes," I take a large breath "I have an alcoholic father who couldn't care less if I came home at night, and my mother is okay most of the time, but she tries to fix everything. My whole house could probably fit in your bathroom and I spend most of my time alone in my bedroom."

We stare at each other silently, and then without warning he bursts into fits of laughter. I stare in shock and upset.

"Is my life funny to you?" I whisper, my eyes brimming with tears. He's laughing at me, my life is pathetic to him.

I look down to avoid his smouldering looks, but suddenly his hand is under my chin, burning my skin where it touches. He pulls my face up to meet his gaze. I wouldn't be able to look away if I tried.

"I was laughing because our lives are both shit and yet you are one of the most optimistic people I know."

"Well then you must know a lot of pessimistic people" I whisper, my throat hoarse.

He isn't letting go. That's a sign, I want to kiss him, but I can't. So very tempting.

But before I can think or move away, he leans in, his sweet breath so very, very tempting…