Chapter 12: Such A Beautiful Lie

"Skye, you have to be more careful, this could endanger--"
"I know Max, it could endanger The Flock. I know that, and I'm sorry, but...I think I love him..."
"I was going to say, 'This could endanger The Flock and you'. What happened last time..."
"Don't even go there...please..." Skye gave a pained sigh and let her head drop to her hands. "It's just...the last few dates have been...wonderful...and now he's inviting me to the play tonight. He doesn't do the cliché things I see in the movies. Well I mean, yeah, the first was coffee, but a picnic on his apartment roof? In the middle of winter?? That's different...he's different, I can tell..."
Max sighed, then smiled at Skye, "So...what's he like?" she squealed, going into total girl-talk mode. Skye jumped right in,
"OMG he's like, AWESOMELY HOTT. And he doesn't feel totally confident around me, I can feel when his nerves are fired up, it's really sexxy." Max and Skye laughed at this, but then Max was serious again, "You're getting stronger at sensing emotions...you should talk to Angel, find out the extent of your growing powers..." Skye nodded, now solemn,
"Will do."

-+-

It amazed her how nice Aaron looked in a crisp black button down and slacks.
But what really amazed her is how such an awesome guy liked HER of all people. A girl that had to keep secrets, who couldn't tell him who she really was so that he wouldn't get hurt.
Skye sighed.
"What's up?" Aaron asked, looking at her worriedly. Skye grinned mischievously,
"I just feel bad for making all the other girls jealous of me." Skye sighed again, "It must be horrible for them to see the cutest guy in school going out with a misfit." Aaron pretended to scoff indignantly,
"I'm only cute? Well that's insulting!" he grinned, and lifted her chin with a finger, "And besides, you're not a misfit." He kissed her lightly on the lips, "You're just different from them." And he moved to kiss her again. Their lips brushed, but then he moved away, ginning evilly. Skye gaped at him, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth,
"You little turd!" she joked, pretending to be upset. He winked and took her hand, leading her into the play.

-+-

No, they wouldn't sit in the seats–that would be too boring. And no, they wouldn't go up to the sound and lighting booth, where Aaron was supposed to be. He would end up working instead of spending time with her.
No, they apparently were going to watch from the catwalk.
Which, yes, could get Aaron fired–much to Skye's distress–but hey, love made you do stupid things.
"So, you're in love?" she asked, looking fragile. In the gloom, Aaron paused.
"Yes, yes I am."
Skye looked down at the floor, trying to conceal her watery eyes. He paused, and descended from the steps of the catwalk, lifting her face with his large hands. "I'm in love with you silly...no one else..." Skye sniffed, trying to stifle the flow of tears,
"I know." she whispered, "And therein lies the problem."

-+-

The view was amazing.
The sound was phenomenal.
The lighting was--
Ok, so this was her very first play, so it's not like she had anything to compare it to.
And well, she didn't really follow the story.
Mostly because she couldn't stop thinking about Aaron's words, 'I'm in love you silly...'.
Should she tell him?
'No, it would endanger the Flock, as well as him.'
'I know, but I hate lying to him.'
'You're not, you're just keeping some things from him. People do it all the time Skye. Besides, what do you think he'd do if he found out? He would freak.'
'Maybe he wouldn't...'
'Don't be stupid.'

-+-

The drive back to Skye's "apartment" was quiet, but Aaron didn't seem to mind.
Skye was still battling with her conscience.
He pulled up to "her apartment's" front door, and turned off the engine. She could feel the waves of nervous excitement roll off him. She smiled and kissed his cheek, "I had a great time tonight, everything was really new to me." Aaron looked up and took a deep breath,
"There's this thing that all seniors go to, and it's really big and formal...and important. It's called prom. It's a dance where everyone dresses up really nice, and and it's uhm, really fun and..." he was babbling anxiously at this point, and feeling sorry for him, Skye put a finger to his lips.
"If you're asking me to go with you, then yes. That goes without saying." He nodded, smiling in relief. She grinned back and leaned over to kiss him. She brushed his nose, and then his upper lip. Before he could pull her in though, she backed off, and opened her door to get out. She laughed at his surprised expression and got out of the car.
"Got you back."