Chapter 12: Third Rotation
The sound of "Fell in Love With a Girl" by White Stripes grew louder and clearer as we approached the courtyard. We froze in our tracks when we saw Rosalya smooching Lysander. It took them a few moments to notice us.
Lysander startled, but then relaxed when he recognized us. "Kari, Jade. You can keep quiet about this right?"
"Of course, but why all the secrecy?" I asked.
"Leigh understands, but the students at this school - other than you and Violette - don't seem capable of understanding. They spread rumors like it's a bad thing when really all three of us are just really close. I try to protect Rosalya's reputation, but sometimes…"
Rosalya snuggled her head into Lysander's shoulder. "Aw LysBaby! You worry too much. If other people judge us, that's their problem."
"I keep telling you, Rosa. People sometimes become violent against those who are different. We have to be careful," Lysander said.
Rosalya pouted, but did not argue further. A few seconds later, Leigh and Violette joined us. "Ah. There you are," Leigh said.
"Switching time. Take good care of my Lysie, Kari," Rosalya said as she jumped from one brother to the next.
Jade looked from Lysander to Leigh. "I don't mean to pry, but how do you manage this? I want to know in case I find myself in a similar situation with Kari and Violette."
Leigh shrugged. "It's not really anything to manage. Either I let Rosalya have what she wants or she'll find someone else who will let her have it. I'm just glad she turned to my brother rather than some complete stranger. I trust Lysander to look out for her."
Jade nodded. "I don't have a brother so I don't know exactly how you feel, but that makes sense. Kari and Violette seem kinda like sisters. Not in blood, but in spirit. Just knowing your perspective on things helps a lot. Thank you." Jade smiled at Violette. "Are you ready?"
Violette nodded enthusiastically and took the arm that Jade proffered. They made their way back to the dance floor along with Leigh and Rosalya. I could hear the tune of "Larger Than Life" by the Backstreet Boys echoing through the courtyard.
Lysander lingered, and I drew closer to him to find out what was on his mind. "Kari, can I ask you a huge favor?"
"That depends on what it is, but go ahead and ask."
"Will you pretend to be my girlfriend?"
He looked at me with honesty in his gold and green eyes, but why did he use the wordpretend? "Uh…"
"It would help me protect Rosalya's reputation. I've been thinking about doing this for a long time, but I never found someone I could trust until now."
"Lysander, I see where you are coming from, but I'm not good at pretending. I have to know that there are feelings there, too. I'm attracted to you, but if I'm just a tool to protect your other girlfriend…"
In that moment, Lysander grabbed me and kissed me. His hot passion caught me off-guard, but once my brain figured out what was happening, I kissed him right back. He had a very firm grasp on this whole kissing thing, too. I don't know whether it was a natural gift or hours of practice with Rosalya that made him so good, but wow! When he finally pulled away, it took me a few moments to catch my breath.
Lysander took my hands in his and stared into my eyes. "I hope that erased any doubt about my feelings for you. Rosalya is still very important to me, yet I also like you. I have to hide my feelings for her from the rest of the school, but I'd like to have someone I can be openly affectionate with. Will you be that person?"
"Yes!" I cried. I threw my arms around him and gave him another kiss. "Oh, and I'm with Jade, too."
"I understand. I'm relieved, actually. When I found out that you already had a date and still wanted to go with me I didn't believe it at first, but then when I realized you were serious, I knew it meant I wouldn't have to hide Rosalya from you."
"Would you have hidden her from someone else?"
"I don't know. I'd like to say no, but honestly I have a hard time trusting people unless they open up to me first."
Just then, Castiel dashed into the courtyard. He dove behind Lysander and me to hide. "If Amber comes this way, you two don't know where I am," he hissed.
"Cassie! Oh Cassie!" Amber called through the courtyard. She noticed Lysander and me standing with our bodies pressed close together. "Lysander, have you seen Castiel?"
"Sorry. I can't help you," Lysander said.
"He's probably looking for me too, then. The last slow song is coming on and I'll bet he's waiting for me on the dance floor." Amber turned around and headed back into the gym. We could faintly hear "Cupid Shuffle" echoing through the courtyard.
"Ugh. I don't even know why I came here. Let's go, Lysander," Castiel said once Amber was gone.
"No. I'm saving the last dance for my girlfriend," Lysander said.
"Your…? Oh never mind. I'll wait for you in the car." Castiel hopped the fence that enclosed the courtyard and disappeared from view.
"So, does Castiel know about you and Rosalya?" I asked.
"Maybe. If he does, he either doesn't let on or doesn't care. Castiel and I are close, but some things we just don't discuss. He's not big on gossip anyway, so I don't think it matters much."
We heard the DJ making an announcement from the gym, but it was distorted by the time it got to us. Then, the students cheered. Lysander and I exchanged glances and raced back to the gym. We got there just in time to hear the intro to "As the World Falls Down" by David Bowie.
Hearts still pounding, we held each other close and swayed to the music. I spotted Jade dancing with Violette and flashed them a smile. I knew that Rosalya and Leigh were also on the dance floor somewhere, but I was too busy savoring my dance with Lysander to look for them.
As the song ended, Lysander gave me one last soft kiss. Then, Rosalya came bouncing up to us out of nowhere and hugged me. "I can't believe it! I finally have a metamour!"
"Not so loud," Lysander cautioned.
"Nobody here knows what it means, anyway," Rosalya pouted. She then slipped back to Leigh.
Lysander sighed as he watched his other girlfriend go. "Well Kari, I believe it is time for us to part. Have a safe ride home with Jade. I would offer to take you home myself if I was driving, but since Castiel is not a cautious driver I think you are better off with Jade."
"But what about your safety?" I asked.
"I'll figure it out. Maybe I can get Castiel to let me drive. If not, I'll hitch a ride with Leigh and Rosalya."
"That sounds smart. Well, goodnight Lysander."
We parted, and I went to join Jade and Violette. "I never knew that Lysander and Leigh could be so nice," Violette said as we walked out to the Saab.
Jade opened the door for Violette, and then me. "Kari, do you mind if I drop you off first? I'd like to talk with Violette a little longer."
"Sure. No problem." I knew that something was going on between Jade and Violette, but I didn't think it necessary to intrude on their privacy or insist on full disclosure.
Jade drove us back to my apartment. This time, we did not have to deal with a competitive Castiel. When we got there, he squeezed Violette's hand and got out to walk me to my door. "Kari, this night has changed my whole outlook on the world. I always dreamed of having a girlfriend, but I never thought I would wind up with two. Thank you so much!"
"Now you have two reasons to visit Sweet Amoris more often." I set my wrists on his shoulders and slipped my fingers through his smooth green hair.
"True," he said.
We leaned in and kissed each other one more time before parting. I would miss him more than ever now on school days, but at least I also had Lysander right here in town. I fell asleep dreaming of both of them.
