Disclaimer - Nope, I don't own any of the characters, other than Richard. The rest belong to James E. Reilley, and NBC's Passions.
Chapter Five - Confused Feelings
"The promise," Kay said slowly. She remembered everything about the day when Miguel promised her that he would be her best friend forever, from the smell of the empanadas, to the deep crimson blood stain that was left on her sky blue dress.
"The promise," Miguel repeated. He stood up, and took Kay's hand, and led her to the grassy knoll they used to hang out on when they were ten. They both sat down, silently thinking back to the day the promise was made.
"I know I haven't kept that promise lately," Miguel admitted, breaking the awkward silence between them.
"Lately?" Kay asked, incredulously. "Try two years."
Miguel looked down at the grass. "I never meant for us to turn out like this," he said. "I never meant to make you feel like I was neglecting our friendship. The fact is, I can't lose you Kay. And I'm hoping that you could forgive me for ignoring you like that." Miguel looked up, and into Kay's eyes. "I'm sorry, Kay," he whispered.
Kay sat in silence for a moment, pondering what Miguel just said. It was the three words she had been hoping to hear from him, other than 'I love you'.
"I just want things to get better between us. It'd be nice seeing my best friend other than when he comes looking for his girlfriend," Kay said, a small smile on her face. Miguel smiled back.
"I promise... I swear, that we will hang out more, just the two of us," Miguel said. He reached over and hugged Kay.
Kay closed her eyes, and leaned her head on Miguel's shoulder. It felt good to be back where she belonged.
* * *
"Shouldn't you go home yet?" Jessica asked, her voice full of annoyance, as she glared at Richard.
It was just after midnight, and after hanging all over Richard, Dr. Russell picked Simone up. Reese left awhile ago, to Jessica's dismay, mumbling something about researching snakes on his Palm Pilot. Charity had gone off to bed awhile ago, and Miguel and Kay weren't back yet, leaving Jessica alone with Richard in the Bennett living room.
Richard shrugged. "I'm not in a hurry," he said, enjoying the annoyance he caused Jessica. "I'm actually quite comfortable where I am," he said, leaning back into the sofa.
Jessica let out an angry sigh. "Wouldn't your parents be worried about you?" Jessica asked, trying to get Richard to leave.
"Actually, they wouldn't," Richard said quietly. His head fell, and if only he wasn't so rude to Jessica, she might have felt sorry for him.
"I'm sorry," Jessica said. Her sensitive side won out over her brain. "I didn't mean to be harsh, and I'm just sorry," she said.
"Look, I don't need your pity," Richard angrily said. He raised your head. "Not everyone's family is the Brady Bunch, like your little perfect family." Jessica could see the anger in Richard's eyes. Obviously family was something that meant a lot to him, but didn't mean much to those in his family.
"We're not the freakin Brady Bunch," Jessica snapped, as she stood up. "You don't think we have problems? When we found out that Ethan was my half-brother, my parents almost separated, and could've gotten a divorce."
Richard stood up. "Oh, you think that's bad? When I found out that Ethan wasn't Julian's son, all Alistair said to me was 'Damn that Ivy. Why couldn't she make Richard the bastard son?'" Richard retorted. Suddenly he felt deflated, as if everything was drained from his body. Richard sat down, and put his head in his hands. "Why couldn't they just... At the very least care..." his voice trailed off.
Jessica looked down at Richard. If someone told her that a few hours after she met Richard that she would feel sorry for the guy, she would have told them to get lost. But now that it was actually happening, she felt bad for all the harsh words she said to him. She sat down and placed her arm over his shoulders.
"I'm sorry," she said again, in a small voice. She didn't want him to go off on her again.
"Thanks," Richard said, lifting his head, and giving Jessica a small smile.
Jessica smiled back, when she felt a weird sensation flow through her veins. She slowly removed her arm from Richard's shoulders, and felt a slight tingle where her arm contacted Richard. Could I actually be falling for this guy? Jessica asked herself, shuddering at the thought.
* * *
"So that's why you'll never go out with Reese? Because you think he's a horn dog?" Miguel laughed.
"Hey, you gotta go with a woman's intuition," Kay protested, laughing. "Just think about it. The guy probably never kissed a girl, let alone touch a girl other than accidental contact. He's got to be sexually frustrated somehow."
"Good point," Miguel said. "Reese might be my best friend, but he doesn't exactly have much experience when it comes to women."
"Exactly," Kay said, knowing that she would always win Miguel over. It might just take awhile longer to win his heart, she thought.
The two were silent for a moment, as they laid back against the grassy hill, staring at the stars. Unlike the awkward silence that plagued them at the beginning of the night, this one felt comfortable, like it felt right, just being near each other.
"Look Kay, a shooting star," Miguel said, pointing towards the dark blue sky. "Make a wish," he whispered.
Kay looked at the star, and closed her eyes. I wish Miguel would love me... More than he loves Charity, Kay silently said to herself. She opened her eyes.
"So what'd you wish for?" Miguel asked.
Kay smiled a flirtatious smile. "If I told you, it won't come true," she said, winking at Miguel.
Jessica Bennett
Okay, junior year hasn't even officially started, and I'm already confused about boys.
I thought I liked Reese. Whenever he's nearby, I could just feel this attraction between us, even though he might now. I get nervous around him, and end up being tongue tied.
But then there's Richard. And God knows I'm certainly not tongue tied when he's around. But after the initial rudeness, I finally learned where it came from. And after our little fight, we actually had a good conversation. And I think I'm starting to like him the way I thought I liked Reese.
And that very thought scares me to death.
Richard Crane
Jessica Bennett is one confusing girl.
When I met her, I thought she was some crazy lunatic, who had some sort of anger management problem. I thought she had a weird attachment to boxes. Then a few hours later, she proves me wrong.
She ended up being a sensitive, warm, caring girl, one that I could see myself with.
Wait. Did I just write that I could see myself with Jessica?
Yeah, I did.
Damn, now I'm the confused one.