Chapter 14

Kallina's POV:

I was walking to my locker in a daze, a peaceful and happy feeling resting inside of me. It was the end of another school day and I hadn't been able to concentrate in any of my classes. My mind was still wrapped around my evening with Leigh that had occurred just the night before. It had been so much fun! The movie was so incredibly hilarious! I'm so glad that Leigh had invited me. He seemed to enjoy himself, too.

I approached my locker and leaned against it, my shoulder pressed to the cold metal. The same shoulder that Leigh had wrapped his own arm around...

I closed my eyes and rested my head against the wall, remembering his gentle touch. It had been so comfortable, so refreshing, so amazing! Not only his touch had been lingering on my mind, however. The look in his eyes. It had made me feel so special, so important...

So loved...

I sighed with an emerging grin. Then I opened my eyes as I remembered another detail, my smile growing as the scene played itself once again right in front of me on a screen only my eyes could see.

"Kallina..."

I recalled my surprise when Leigh had looked into my eyes with the look he had always given me, except at that moment it had been intensified with passion. Then he had closed his beautiful dark eyes and began to lean in close to me. The realization of what was happening had struck me all at once in that one moment.

He was going to kiss me.

The very thought of it was driving my heart insane! It couldn't stop pounding, and I had had such an adrenaline rush. It had felt like nothing I had ever felt before, and I was sad that it had to end before our lips had even touched.

I raised a hand and stroked my bottom lip, still lost in the memory.

Our lips would have touched. I remember. I hadn't even thought about what I was doing at the time, but as soon as I had realized Leigh's intention, I had begun to lean in, too. My heart had been dying for me to kiss him for so long and the chance had finally come. Too bad it had been ruined. I know it would've happened. I know our lips would've touched.

I sighed again and stood up, turning to my locker and opening it with my combination. I was content. Just knowing that Leigh had wanted to kiss me made me happy. Anyway, I'm sure the chance will arise again at some point, and I'm really looking forward to it.

I began to shove a few books into my locker, and turned my head when I spotted a familiar head of silver hair cruising toward me.

"Hey Kallina," Lysander said as he came to stand by my side. He had an unusual smile smeared across his face, and his eyes demanded my full attention.

"Oh, hey Lysander," I said, looking up at him. "What's up? Are you ready to head out?"

"Yeah," he answered, nodding his head in exaggerated motions.

"Good," I said back, now closing my locker. "I think I'm just about ready, too."

I shoved a few papers back into my bag and began to turn toward the door. Lysander walked with me, but before I could get very far he stopped me by blocking my path with one of his arms. I looked up at him again, and he just stared back. Then without so much as a word, he grabbed my bag away from me and slung it over his own shoulder. He started to walk again and I just stared after him. He slowed when he noticed that I was not following and turned.

"You coming?" he called back.

"Yeah..." I said slowly. "Lysander, you really don't need to carry my bag. It's really not that heavy."

"I know that," he stated quickly. "I just like doing things for my friends. Friendly gestures, you know?" He smiled and then began to walk back toward the door.

I continued to watch him, my own feet now tracing his steps. He seemed to be acting differently again. I could never tell what he was thinking, and it was beginning to bother me. Actually, it had been bothering me ever since Leigh told me that there was another side to Lysander. This other side...what could it be? He has been acting strange for a while now...

I followed him out into the daylight, shielding my eyes from the sun's strong rays. Lysander was standing in front of me and saying something, but my eyes weren't concentrating on him. They immediately caught the sight of someone leaning against a navy blue Oldsmobile, and my spirits elated instantly.

"Leigh!"

I ran past Lysander and over to the car, nearly tackling Leigh to the ground as I jumped and wrapped my arms around his neck in a tight hug. I had caught him off guard and he looked surprised, but once he realized that it was me, he laughed and embraced me back.

"My goodness, you startled me!" he exclaimed with a big smile. He peered down into my eyes, still holding me tight. "But I guess I'll forgive you..." He grinned again, delighting my eyes with a charming wink.

"Aww, do you mean it? Do you really?" I teased him playfully. He gazed down at me, squinting his eyes.

"Hmm..." I saw his lips curl into a little smirk. "Well, maybe after another date..."

His implication made my heart flutter with joy. He wanted to go on another date!

"Hmm, I guess I'll have to think about that then..." I raised my eyes up toward the sky, pretending as though I were deep in thought, but quickly lowered them back to Leigh's anxious face. "Done thinking!" I said with a laugh. "How about tomorrow night?"

He didn't hesitate, his excited face giving me my answer.

"Sure! Wanna come over to my place and watch a movie?" He thought about what he had just said and then turned a little pink. "I- I mean as long as you'd be okay with it. I wouldn't want you to feel uncomfortable or anything..."

His suggestion made my heart pound even harder. He was right. I had never been over a guy's house before...besides Jade's that it. It would certainly make me nervous...but it would certainly be interesting, too... It would really bring us to a whole new level.

"Yeah!" I held him even more tightly for another moment and then let him go. "I'd love to."

He grabbed my arms and pulled me back in for another hug, and I could hear his heart beating loudly.

"I'm really glad to hear that." I didn't even need to see his face to know that he was beaming.

"But," I began, looking up at him. He lowered his face to reveal a now confused expression. "It has to be a comedy."

"Hah," he chuckled. "Of course."

He let go of me once again and I took a step back, now noticing his new outfit. It was still Victorian, but it had less ruffles. It was tan and had thin black pin stripes running up and down the length of it, black buttons on every pocket. His shoes were blacker than the night sky, and the set as a whole complimented his dark hair and eyes.

"Hey, I like the new outfit!" I told him, letting my eyes take him all in.

"Thanks," he said, looking down at his handmade clothes. "It took a couple of days to get it just right."

Then he raised his eyes and began to look me up and down. He crossed an arm over his chest and rested the elbow of his other on top of it, placing a hand on his cheek. He tilted his head and knit his eyebrows together with a puzzled look.

"Is something the matter?" I asked him with a giggle. "Does my attire fail to satisfy you, Mr. King-of-Fashion?"

My mocking tone made him smirk again.

"No, it's just...something seems to be missing..." He let his eyes fall over me again, and then he snapped his fingers in realization. "Where's your bag?"

"Oh yeah! I forgot! Lysander wanted to carry it for me," I said, turning back and looking over at him. He was still standing in the same spot and was staring over at us, a cold expression locked on his face. I grinned and waved to him, and he gave a little wave in return before quickly replacing his hand at his side.

At that moment Castiel came strolling out of the building. He was looking down at a paper, but when he looked up he spotted Lysander and immediately strode over to him. He reached his side and was pointing at something on the paper, but Lysander didn't look down. When Castiel noticed his lack of attention, he followed his friend's gaze over to us.

I waved again, at Castiel this time, but he didn't return any cordial action. Instead he responded by sending an intense glare our way.

I laughed nervously as I turned my attention back to Leigh. He was staring right back at them, and when I glanced back over I could see a smirk make its way onto Lysander's face. I turned and met Leigh's eyes. He now seemed really nervous.

"Um...is something wrong, Lei-" I wasn't given the chance to finish my question. Leigh had grabbed my hand and pulled me in close once again. He held me so tight I felt as though I couldn't breathe.

"Be careful."

I tried to look up into his eyes, but his tight embrace wouldn't allow it.

"What?"

He loosened his grip and took a step back, but kept his hands placed firmly on my shoulders. He bent down a little and whispered into my ear, his voice evidently filled with worry.

"Please be careful, Kallina. Lysander's been...acting a little out of sorts recently..." He paused, looking past my shoulder at his brother, and drew in a breath. "He hasn't...said anything to you, has he...?"

"Um," I replied, recalling all of my recent encounters with Lysander. I thought about it for another moment before shaking my head. "Nothing out of the usual."

Leigh sighed and stood up straight, taking his hands off of my shoulders and putting them into his pockets.

"That's good," he said, letting his breath out. "If he ever does say anything...weird...please tell me, okay?"

I nodded my head in confusion and Leigh looked down at the ground.

"I'm sorry, Kallina. This must sound really strange..."

"No, don't worry about it Leigh," I said, reaching out to put a hand on his arm. "I understand. Lysander has been acting differently, it's just..." I sighed, glancing over at Lysander again. "I don't know why."

Their was a brief pause in the conversation, and I could hear a few birds as they sung on the nearly barren branches.

"Well," I said, taking out my phone to look at the time. "I need to get to my club."

I looked up at him and smiled, watching as his worried face warmed and a grin began to grow on it.

"Alright," he said softly. "So, I'll see you tomorrow night?"

He grabbed my hand and squeezed it.

"Of course," I said. "I'll meet you at your shop, okay?"

"Okay."

I broke away from him and began to head back toward Lysander, but turned to shout one last thing to him.

"Remember! A comedy!"

Leigh smiled one last time before he took his spot leaning against the car again. I continued to make my way over to Lysander and Castiel. I placed my phone back into my pocket when I was in front of them, and then looked up at two blank expressions.

"Hey," I said, waving my hands in front of their faces. "Anybody home?"

Lysander looked down at me and Castiel did the same, crossing his arms.

"Hah...yeah," Lysander answered, his hands shoved into his pockets.

They stood there silently and I was beginning to feel uncomfortable under their watchful eyes.

"So...can I have my bag back, dude?" I laughed awkwardly as Lysander took my bag from his shoulder and handed it to me, his eyes now locked on the ground.

"Thanks, I have to-"

"What were you talking about with Leigh?" Castiel demanded suddenly. I looked over at him, his intense eyes burning into my own.

"Um...nothing much. Why?"

"You two were over there for a while," he remarked. "And you mean to tell us that you didn't discuss anything?" Lysander now looked up, his eyes resting on my expression.

"Well, I mean, we planned our next date..."

Lysander's eyes grew wide and I could see a little frown begin to appear on his lips.

"Another date? Really? Do you actually think that you two are compatible?!" Castiel snapped at me. "Seriously, he's a DROP-OUT for crying out loud! Did you know that?!"

"Well, yeah, he told me when-"

"So, you're telling me that you go for the dumb guys?"

"Leigh isn't-"

"And on top of that, he thinks he's some sort of fashionista! Doesn't that tell you anything? Most girls with even an ounce of intelligence would think he's GAY!"

"He's not gay, otherwise he wouldn't be going out with-"

"Oh! So you two are actually 'going out', huh? Does he consider you his girlfriend? Did you label each other already?"

"Well, no, we haven't talked about-"

"Let me guess! You two have already kissed, right? Of course you have! You're a 'couple'! AND I bet you've already 'done' it with him, right? Right?!"

"That's enough."

I turned around and saw Leigh standing right behind me. I had been so flustered that I hadn't even heard him come up behind me. He stepped around me and stood between me and Castiel, his face contorted with anger.

"Don't EVER talk to my girlfriend that way again."

The air was heavy. The tension between the boys had grown so much that I felt I would suffocate if I remained standing there.

Leigh then turned to me.

"Kallina..."

I looked up at him, clutching my bag tightly.

"Head to your club. I'll wait here."

I gulped and nodded my head, beginning to walk around the group. I could feel Castiel's glare as I passed by him, but kept my eyes glued to the ground in front of me. Once I had made it to the side of the school, I looked back and saw Leigh pointing at the red-haired boy, speaking to him with intensity in his eyes. Then he pointed at Lysander and said something before turning and walking angrily back to the car. Lysander nodded his head at Castiel with a little grin and then began to head over to the car himself.

What was going on?! Why did Castiel snap at me like that?! It was like he was trying to get me to break up with Leigh... But why would he do something like that?!

My head was boggled and I leaned up against the side of the building to steady myself. After a minute I felt that I was ready to continue on my way to the club and stood up. I looked around the side of the building once more and saw that no one was there. Leigh's car was gone, too. I sighed a breath of relief. I was so glad that all that was over!

Just then I turned and, of course, bumped into someone.

"Oh! I'm sorry! I didn't know someone else was here!" I blurted out, looking at the girl who had stumbled backward when I crashed into her. She looked up at me and I stood there dazed. She was beautiful.

"Oh, it's okay. It was my fault," she began. "I was standing over there in the bushes. I had been waiting...for you actually..."

I looked at her quizzically. "For me? What for?"

She nodded and asked, "Your name's Kallina, right?"

"Um, yeah...why?"

The girl smirked, and I admired her beauty as her long silver hair cascaded over her left shoulder. A breeze brushed past us and the ends of her hair began to dance. I stood there in awe. She looked like a model!

"You're dating Lysander's brother, right? Leigh?" She sighed as his name left her lips, her eyes zoning out to somewhere beyond me.

"Um...yes?" I answered, still confused. "Why?"

The girl snapped out of her daze and crossed her arms, a grave expression forming on her face.

"You should dump him, you know, before he dumps you..."

I looked at her, tilting my head.

"What are you talking about?" She shook her head at me with a look of pity.

"Don't you know how many girls that boy's gone out with?! Too many to count! And you know what happened to them? They were all dumped by him." She shook her head again and closed her eyes. "He's just terrible..."

"Um...are you sure you're talking about the right person?" I asked her. "Leigh's not the type to-"

"How would you know?!" she hissed at me quickly. "You haven't been dating him for very long now have you?" She glared at me with a scowl spreading across her face.

"I'm sorry but...I still think you're wrong..." I scratched the side of my neck awkwardly and looked down at the ground.

"Well then," the girl said bluntly. "I guess I'll have to spell it out for you." She took a step in my direction, now standing less than a foot away from me and bringing her face within inches of my own. Her arms were still crossed tightly and her eyes were full of ferocity.

"Stay away from Leigh. If you don't then there will be consequences. THAT is a promise."

The girl then turned and walked away as though nothing had happened. I watched as her hair swayed with each of her steps. In a moment she had made her way around the other corner of the building and was gone.

What was that about?

I held onto my bag tightly, letting my eyes fall back to the ground. Then after a minute of shock I began to head over to the garden. I didn't want to be late.

Lysander's POV:

It was five o'clock. I knew that because I had been staring at the clock hanging on the wall beside the kitchen table for the past five minutes. It was ticking loudly, and was the only noise to fill my ears.

Leigh was sitting across from me, eating silently, his eyes glued to the plate in front of him. He had cooked dinner for the two of us. Chicken and mashed potatoes and corn. I knew that Leigh was a fine cook, but I couldn't bring myself to eat any of it, instead playing with the food on my plate with my fork. We had been sitting there awkwardly for the past ten minutes. Neither of us had said a single word.

Another minute had passed and I had finally grown tired of sitting there. I sighed and set my fork down on my plate, pushing it away from me.

"I'm done..." I said, getting up out of my chair.

Leigh looked at my plate and then up at me.

"You've hardly touched any of it."

"I'm not very hungry."

"Of course you're not..." he sighed.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You're not eating the meal I made because you're still mad at me," he responded in a knowing manner.

"What reason could I possibly have to be mad at you for?" My sarcastic tone struck Leigh and he stood up.

"You know what reason. It's because Kallina is my-"

"Oh, HERE we go again!" I said angrily. "You're just gonna keep rubbing that in my face aren't you?!" I stormed out into the living room with Leigh on my tail.

"I don't understand why you're so mad, Lysander! Can't you tell that she has feelings for me, too? Don't her feelings matter?!"

"Not until she falls for me!" I yelled at him. "And trust me, that will happen. I can assure you." I stomped over to the front door and put my hand on the knob.

"Can't you just be happy for us?!" he yelled back at me, obviously fed up with my attitude "We're in love!"

"SHUT UP!" I screamed back at his words. I was steaming now. "You're wrong! She's gonna fall for me! So just SHUT UP!"

I threw the door open and stormed out.

"Lysander! LYSANDER!"

I ignored my brother's shouts and continued to march my rage away down the sidewalk toward the school.

Who was he to steal her away from me?! She's mine! I'll show him! Within a month she'll be mine!

I walked for about ten minutes and reached the school. I couldn't see anyone around, and walked over to the wall of the building. I leaned my back against it and sighed, trying to cool down. I shook my head and rubbed my eyes.

Why was this happening to me? What had I ever done to deserve this? The girl of my dreams...is in love with my brother... No! No, she's not! She can't be... She just can't!

I sniffled and shoved my hands into my pockets just as I heard some voices coming from around the corner.

"Thanks for helping me finish up here. I'm sorry it took so long..." The voice sounded familiar but I couldn't match it with a face.

"Oh, please! It was no problem at all!"

My eyes widened as the second voice rang in my ears. Kallina...

Her and the green-haired boy walked around the corner and spotted me almost instantly. They stopped in their tracks and stared.

"Oh, hey Lysander," Kallina said with an uncertain smile. "What are you doing here?"

I stood up and faced the two, my hands still in my pockets.

"Oh, I was just...out for a walk..." I looked down and kicked at the dirt on the ground.

"Oh..." she replied, unsure of what to say. "I see."

The green- haired boy looked at me uncomfortably and then turned to the girl standing beside him and asked, "Um, so do you want me to walk you home?"

She smiled back at him, shaking her head mildly. "No, that's okay, Jade. I think I can manage." She laughed and he grinned back at her.

"Okay," he said back. "Well, I guess I'll be heading off now. Call me later?"

"Of course!"

They quickly embraced and then after a moment they broke apart, and the boy walked away, leaving Kallina and I to stand alone in the night. She watched her friend until he had completely vanished from sight, and then she turned her attention to me. She raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"Just out for a walk, huh?"

I gave a faint smile and snickered.

"What? You don't believe me?" I narrowed my eyes and pouted at her playfully, and she laughed again.

"It's not that, it's just..." she paused and stared into my eyes before continuing. "...Are you sure this doesn't have anything to do with your brother?"

How did she know?

"No, of course not..." She raised her eyebrow again and leaned closer, and I put my hands up. "I swear!"

"Sure, sure..." she said, nudging my shoulder playfully. "Hah, well anyway, I'd better head home now. See you later, alright?" Then she began to walk away.

"Hey!" I called after her, walking up to her side when she turned back to look at me. "Uh...I'll walk you home." She tilted her head and looked as though she were going to protest, but I spoke up again before she could. "I mean, it's on my way back anyway..."

She thought about it before slowly nodding her head. "Okay, I guess." Then we began to make our way over to the sidewalk.

We walked along in silence for a few minutes as I thought of something to say to her. It was harder than it seemed.

"So," I began. "You know, we haven't hung out in a while."

She looked up at me, her brown hair bouncing in its ponytail as she turned her head.

"Yeah, you're right," she said in thought. "I guess I've just been spending a lot of time with Leigh lately." I gritted my teeth when she said his name, clenching my hands into fists in my pockets.

"Well, anyway, I was just thinking that...you know, we should. Hang out again, I mean." I glanced over at her when she began to chuckle.

"I knew what you meant, silly," she said. "And you're right, we should hang out again soon. I miss those times we used to chill together." Then she frowned. "But I don't think Castiel would want to hang out right now. He seems mad at me..."

I felt bad when she said those words, and tried to reassure her.

"No, no. He's not mad. He's just...a very curious fellow..." I peered over at her to see if she were buying it, but it didn't seem so. "Really, he's not mad."

"Thanks, but I don't think I really want to see him right now either way..."

"That's okay!" I said, seeing my opportunity approaching. "We can hang out, just the two of us!"

"Yeah, I guess so..."

"How about tomorrow?" I asked suddenly. My chance was here, and there was no way I was going to let it slip away.

"I have a date with Leigh tomorrow, though. Remember?"

How could I forget...

"Oh, yeah. Well, when are you gonna meet up with him?"

"Around eight."

I smiled at her. "Then there's plenty of time to hang out before that! What do you say? Pleeeease?" I leaned down toward her and made a puppy dog face. I saw her crack a smile and knew that I had won her over.

She smirked at me and shook her head in defeat.

"Okay, okay. We can hang out tomorrow after school."

Yes! I began to silently cheer to myself, and it was as though a tiny parade were going on inside of my head! She said yes! She said yes!

"Cool," I said, looking down at her with a smirk of my own. We continued walking along and I couldn't help but let my mind wander with mischievous thoughts.

I hope you're ready Leigh, because my chance has finally arrived.

Author's note:

Whoa! Calm down, Lysander! You're starting to scare me! And Leigh! You'd better start planning your strategy now! Otherwise your brother might...who knows! LOL, I hope all of you wonderful readers enjoyed this chapter. Comment and have a fabulous October day, okay? xD

-Blueberry Blossoms