Truth Be Told: Ch.7 "Confusion and chaos."
The night of the ball was finally upon Kel, and she was busy getting ready that evening after dinner. As she brushed out her hair, removing the day's tangles, she spoke with Neal.
"Do I look okay?" Neal asked, studying himself in the mirror.
"No. You look great. I don't see why you trouble yourself so; you'd almost think you're a girl with that sense of vanity." Neal threw a pillow at her, messing up the hairdo she was attempting to make work. "Ugh! Thank you very much, Nealan."
"My pleasure. So," Neal began as he went through her trunk, "What dress are you wearing tonight? The blue one? Or maybe this gold one, it's nice."
Kel shook her head, "No, I went out and bought this red one yesterday." She held it out, "What do you think?"
Neal inspected the red silk dress and sighed. "All this for Joren, huh? Lucky guy, I wish some girl would go through all this trouble for me."
Kel turned and smiled at her friend. "Someday, Neal. Someday you'll find your match."
"Like you?"
Kel paused a minute then replied, "I don't know if Joren's my match, but if he is... I'd be content with that."
Neal nodded. "I'll leave you to change. I'll come by in a little while and we can go to the ball together, okay?"
"Sure."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Owen ran down the hallway with great excitement. He had to find Merric, and fast. This type of news just couldn't wait. Golly, he thought, not just Merric, but everyone needs to hear this.
Owen reached the door of his study friend and knocked violently on the door.
"What?!" Merric yelled from inside.
"It's Owen! Open up!"
The door opened to Merric pulling a tunic over his head. "Now what's so important that it couldn't wait until I got dressed?"
"It's Kel. I... I heard her... and Neal talking." Owen was panting from running so fast.
Merric let the youngster in. "What about Kel?"
"She and Joren..."
Merric stood. "Is he bothering her again? Boy, I'll kill that squire..." He was stopped by Owen's smirk. "What?"
"Kel is in love with Joren. She thinks he may be her 'match'."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Joren stood in front of his mirror for the hundredth time. He just couldn't seem to get his tunic straight enough, or his hair parted right; and his shirt had one too many wrinkles in it. Once he realized he looked the best he humanly could, he paced around the room, contemplating his decision to dance with Kel. In his mind ran thoughts of people laughing at him. Joren, the one who hated the idea of females becoming equal to men, was dancing with the one girl he was supposed to be resenting. Joren, hater of the progressives, was in love with one.
Was he ashamed of their love?
Was he willing to sacrifice his reputation for her?
Did he really love Kel?
Joren pounded his fists on the desk. "Of course I love her! I love her more than I've loved anything or anyone in the world." Joren paused. He looked around the room and sighed. He was going to the ball. He was going to dance with Kel. And he wasn't going to care who saw them. Joren stood up straight with great determination, and began to walk to the door. Before he could reach the door, it swung open.
"Joren!" Vinson chimed, "Don't you ever learn to lock the door?" Vinson looked Joren up and down. "You're not going to the ball are you?"
Joren was silent for what seemed like an eternity. Damn, he thought. "Uh, I was thinking about making an appearance, but..."
"But now I'm here, and boy have we a lot to catch up on." He looked at Joren, "Oh, come on. The ball's going to be boring anyway." Vinson chuckled and slung an arm around Joren's shoulders.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kel sat at a round table in the ball room with her friends. It was about an hour into the ball, and Joren still hadn't shown up. Neal noticed her distress when he heard the beat of her tapping fingers.
"He'll show, Kel. Why wouldn't he?"
Kel thought a while, then shook her head. "I don't know."
Neal stood, "Well, this is nonsense."
"What is?"
Neal smiled. "You spent a lot of time getting ready for this ball, and you're going to have a good time. Regardless if Joren shows up." He held out his hand to her. "Dance with me?"
Kel smiled and took his hand in hers. "I'd love to."
As they moved about the dance floor, Kel and Neal laughed and talked. Even though Neal stepped on her foot a couple times, Kel had a good time. She almost forgot all her worries, that is, until the dance was over. Neal and Kel walked back to the table where Owen was busy chatting with Seaver.
"Owen, what are you talking about?" Kel asked. "You keep looking my way, and I'm starting to get suspicious." She grinned.
"Nothing Kel," Owen said. "I was just... stating that my sister wanted a dress just like that one. You look better in it than she ever would, though." Owen smiled and went back to his conversation.
Kel watched the couples dance and the girls turn under their partners' arm. She caught Portia and Alton dancing together, while Alton whispered into Portia's ear. Kel sighed and smiled. She hadn't realized it till just then, but that's what she wanted. She wanted someone to hold her close, to dance with, to care about. And she didn't want to have to worry about what others thought about it. When had she ever cared what others thought about her? Hadn't she forfeited that when she became a page? She had known that people would bash her for her decision, but she couldn't care because she was stronger than that. Why should love be any different?
"Kel?" Cleon had knocked her back to reality. "Do you want to dance?"
The ball continued on all night, and Kel danced with most of her friends. With only an hour left in the ball, Joren still hadn't shown up. Kel figured at last that it was too late, and she should stop looking to the door only to find it empty. Kel was about to leave when Neal rushed to her side.
"Kel!"
"What, Neal? I was about to leave."
Neal caught his breath. "Owen. I don't know how he found out."
Kel's eyes widened. "What? Owen found out what, Neal?"
"He knows about you and Joren, and he's been telling people."
Oh, Mithros, Kel thought. "Where's the little turd?"
Neal pointed to a table where Owen was half-asleep. "I'll wake him up." Kel said as she walked to the table. Once by the boy's side Kel shook him.
"Huh? What?" Owen looked up at a Yamani faced Kel. "Oh, hey Kel. What's the matter?"
"You tell me."
Owen yawned and stretched out his arms. "I don't know. Oh! You mean Joren, right?"
Kel folded her arms over her chest and stared Owen down. "No." She said sarcastically. "How in Mithros' name did you find out? And you better be truthful."
"I went to your room earlier this evening. Heard you and Neal talking about him. Is he really your match, Kel?"
"What does that matter?" Kel said irritably.
"Well," Owen began in a matter-of-fact tone, "If he were your match, why didn't he show up tonight? Or is chicken boy too proud to dance with the girl he loves?" Owen smiled, but that smiled faded as he looked at Kel, whose mask had too, faded away. "Oh, Kel, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have..."
"No, Owen, you're right. I keep telling myself that there's a logical explanation for this all, why he wants to keep it secret so badly, why he didn't come tonight." Kel watched as Neal sat down beside her. "Maybe he is a coward."
"Kel, don't listen to us. There has to be a good excuse. Now let's go, all right? You need some rest." Neal stood with Kel. "You have a good time?"
"Yes, Neal. I had a very good time." Kel said as they began to walk out. Owen ran up to Kel and stood in front of her.
"Kel, am I forgiven? I'm sorry I told other people. I can un-tell them, if you want. No, I'll say you had a nasty break-up and you kicked the crap out of him. That'll be jolly fun to make up! Or maybe I'll say..." Kel's hand came over his mouth.
"No more stories. You're forgiven, just tell me the names of the people you told."
"Golly, I told Merric and Seaver. I think Merric told Faleron, but I'm not sure."
Neal added, "That's all?"
Owen nodded, "I only told those two, I swear." Owen looked at Neal, "How did you know I was telling people?"
Neal smirked, "Seaver told me. Always liked that boy."
Kel gave Owen a gentle push aside and the gang continued to walk to the squire's wing. In her room, Kel bathed and prepared for bed. The question of where Joren had been would have to wait for tomorrow, when she saw him in the gardens.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Joren and Vinson had been talking for hours, and Joren kept looking for chances to get away. Vinson, however, wouldn't let him go. Every time Joren tried to end the conversation, Vinson kept insisting that they talk longer.
Now it was seriously late, and the ball, Joren presumed, was nearly over. Great, he thought, the one chance I thought I had to prove my love for her and this scum ruined it. Joren faked a yawn. "Gosh, Vinson, it's late and I want an early start tomorrow."
"You're right. I'll see you later?"
"Sure, sure. Bye, now." Joren did everything but shove Vinson out the door. Once he was gone, Joren fixed his hair and strolled out the door and made his way, quickly, to the ball. Joren got to the ball, but he couldn't find Kel. Instead, he found Faleron, one of her friends.
"Uh, Faleron. Where's Kel?" Joren grimaced for saying that. What was Faleron to think now?
"She left. Sorry you didn't catch her. I heard how you wanted to dance with her." Joren's face wrinkled with confusion. "Don't look like you don't know what I'm talking about. I know you and her are seeing each other. It's not a secret around here."
"How did you..." Joren shook his head and walked out. How could she tell?! That was just like a woman, to tell the world about their latest conquest. Boy she'd get a piece of his mind tomorrow.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next day Kel waited in the gardens for Joren. She kept going over things so say to him when he arrived. She ran a hand through her light brown hair and decided to sit down on the bench. A couple of minutes passed, then she saw Joren standing in front of her.
"Joren! I didn't even see you coming." Kel stood to kiss him, but he backed away. "Joren?"
Joren just stood there in front of her, more than three paces away. Kel tried to close that gap, but every time she moved, he moved as well.
"Joren, what's wrong with you? Why didn't you show up yesterday?"
"I asked you not to tell anyone." That was his only reply, and that's all Kel needed.
"He just found out, okay? It's no big deal, Owen won't tell anyone else." Kel assured.
"Owen?! I was talking about Faleron. And who else knows about this Keladry?" Joren's volume grew, and he used a tone she hadn't heard in a long time.
"Owen found out. He told Seaver and Faleron. That's all. Neal..."
"Neal knows, too? Ugh, Kel you really did it this time." Kel tried to speak, but Joren kept talking. "And how did Owen find out? I'm pretty sure he didn't wake up one day and say 'Hey, I think Kel and Joren are having a secret romance.' Now did he?"
"Joren, let me explain..."
"No, you hear me out!" Joren was yelling by now. "I asked you to keep this a secret, for both our sakes. Just like a woman to go out a defy the man that thought she loved him."
"When did I ever defy you?! I never told anyone, Joren of Stone Mountain, they all found out by accident." Now all of Kel's confusion and anger was surfacing. She couldn't concentrate enough to put on a Yamani mask. "And what the hell do you mean 'for both our sakes'? For my sake because I could get kicked out, but that's a risk I'm willing to take if I love someone. But how is this 'for your sake'? For your reputation? All those people who know you for hating progressives? I... I can't find the words right now."
"Are you calling me a coward?" Joren asked coldly.
"Yes, if you must be so blunt. You can't tell anyone about us because you're too proud. You care too much about what other people think of you. You're a coward. And right now, I don't want to see your face." Kel walked past Joren, brushing his shoulder as she passed.
It was like a slap in the face. Joren stood and watched Kel walk away. She sure was angry, angrier than he'd ever seen her. That was one of the many traits he admired about her, she always kept her cool, unlike him. Curse my mouth, Joren thought. It's gotten me in trouble once again.
Now that he thought about it, Kel had never snapped that bad. Not even when he and his gang were bullying her. He would have preferred that slap in the face than the guilt that he was experiencing. What have I done, he thought. I've unleashed so much anger within her that I caused her to react in a way she never has before. I...
"Bravo," Said a voice behind Joren. He turned to face a grinning Vinson.
"Uh... Vinson. I didn't see you come up." Joren's heart pounded with nervousness. How long had he been there?
Vinson calmly strode to where Joren was standing. "That's because I've been here, my dear friend. I heard everything." Shit, Joren thought to himself. "Your little girlfriend dump you? How sad. But what surprises me is that Kel was the little girlfriend. Now how do you explain that?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I let out the worst in me, Kel thought. How could I have yelled like that? No matter how mad I was, I've learned better that that. I have to talk to him. I going back downstairs, hopefully he's still in the gardens.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Joren stood silent as Vinson asked again, "How do you explain that?"
Joren's conscience was fighting a tough battle (AN: Vinson is not saying any of this. It's all in Joren's head ):
"Tell him the truth, Joren, for Kel."
"What are you crazy? Your reputation's on the line."
"That's all you care about Joren, isn't it? Your reputation. Let me tell you something, you have no reputation. Kel's the only one whose brought out the best in you."
"Don't listen, Joren. You have your pride. Are you going to risk that for some woman who thinks she's better than you?"
"If you give her up, you'll have nothing left."
"Well..." Vinson brought Joren back.
"Oh, Vinson. You're so clueless. How can you not see that this has been my plan from the start? I've got her, the argument was a minor setback. I'll apologize and she'll take me back; under that strength she's just another vulnerable girl, or did you miss that?" Jackass, Joren told himself, that's what I am. "It's been going on since that first kiss. Gosh, how long ago was that?"
Vinson laughed along, "How come you haven't gotten Wyldon in on it yet?"
"All in due time, Vinson. All in due time." Jerk, Joren called himself. Joren finished discussing the fake plan until Vinson finally had enough. Once Vinson was gone, Joren sighed in relief.
"Okay, that was bad, but I can work around that lie." Joren said to himself before turning to face Kel with her fists clenched.
"Hey, Kel. I'm really sorry..."
"No, I'm sorry," Kel began, "I thought, 'I was too hard on him.' 'I should apologize.' And I was going to, until I heard that." Kel paused. " So which is it Joren, huh? Are you planning something; leading me on? That would make you an asshole."
"Kel..."
"Or are you too proud to tell the truth, which make you a coward?" Kel stared at Joren, who just stood, contemplating something. "Tell me!"
"I don't know what to say." Joren replied.
Kel nodded, "I just figured it out. You're an asshole AND a coward." With that Kel walked away in the same direction she had just about thirty minutes ago.
She's right, Joren thought. I am a coward. I am an asshole. I've thrown away the only thing I've ever loved, and all for what? My pride? My pathetic excuse of a reputation? No, I love her. I vowed to make her mine from the start, and that's what I'm going to do. I don't care what risks I take or what I sacrifice. I will make her mine again.
The night of the ball was finally upon Kel, and she was busy getting ready that evening after dinner. As she brushed out her hair, removing the day's tangles, she spoke with Neal.
"Do I look okay?" Neal asked, studying himself in the mirror.
"No. You look great. I don't see why you trouble yourself so; you'd almost think you're a girl with that sense of vanity." Neal threw a pillow at her, messing up the hairdo she was attempting to make work. "Ugh! Thank you very much, Nealan."
"My pleasure. So," Neal began as he went through her trunk, "What dress are you wearing tonight? The blue one? Or maybe this gold one, it's nice."
Kel shook her head, "No, I went out and bought this red one yesterday." She held it out, "What do you think?"
Neal inspected the red silk dress and sighed. "All this for Joren, huh? Lucky guy, I wish some girl would go through all this trouble for me."
Kel turned and smiled at her friend. "Someday, Neal. Someday you'll find your match."
"Like you?"
Kel paused a minute then replied, "I don't know if Joren's my match, but if he is... I'd be content with that."
Neal nodded. "I'll leave you to change. I'll come by in a little while and we can go to the ball together, okay?"
"Sure."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Owen ran down the hallway with great excitement. He had to find Merric, and fast. This type of news just couldn't wait. Golly, he thought, not just Merric, but everyone needs to hear this.
Owen reached the door of his study friend and knocked violently on the door.
"What?!" Merric yelled from inside.
"It's Owen! Open up!"
The door opened to Merric pulling a tunic over his head. "Now what's so important that it couldn't wait until I got dressed?"
"It's Kel. I... I heard her... and Neal talking." Owen was panting from running so fast.
Merric let the youngster in. "What about Kel?"
"She and Joren..."
Merric stood. "Is he bothering her again? Boy, I'll kill that squire..." He was stopped by Owen's smirk. "What?"
"Kel is in love with Joren. She thinks he may be her 'match'."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Joren stood in front of his mirror for the hundredth time. He just couldn't seem to get his tunic straight enough, or his hair parted right; and his shirt had one too many wrinkles in it. Once he realized he looked the best he humanly could, he paced around the room, contemplating his decision to dance with Kel. In his mind ran thoughts of people laughing at him. Joren, the one who hated the idea of females becoming equal to men, was dancing with the one girl he was supposed to be resenting. Joren, hater of the progressives, was in love with one.
Was he ashamed of their love?
Was he willing to sacrifice his reputation for her?
Did he really love Kel?
Joren pounded his fists on the desk. "Of course I love her! I love her more than I've loved anything or anyone in the world." Joren paused. He looked around the room and sighed. He was going to the ball. He was going to dance with Kel. And he wasn't going to care who saw them. Joren stood up straight with great determination, and began to walk to the door. Before he could reach the door, it swung open.
"Joren!" Vinson chimed, "Don't you ever learn to lock the door?" Vinson looked Joren up and down. "You're not going to the ball are you?"
Joren was silent for what seemed like an eternity. Damn, he thought. "Uh, I was thinking about making an appearance, but..."
"But now I'm here, and boy have we a lot to catch up on." He looked at Joren, "Oh, come on. The ball's going to be boring anyway." Vinson chuckled and slung an arm around Joren's shoulders.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kel sat at a round table in the ball room with her friends. It was about an hour into the ball, and Joren still hadn't shown up. Neal noticed her distress when he heard the beat of her tapping fingers.
"He'll show, Kel. Why wouldn't he?"
Kel thought a while, then shook her head. "I don't know."
Neal stood, "Well, this is nonsense."
"What is?"
Neal smiled. "You spent a lot of time getting ready for this ball, and you're going to have a good time. Regardless if Joren shows up." He held out his hand to her. "Dance with me?"
Kel smiled and took his hand in hers. "I'd love to."
As they moved about the dance floor, Kel and Neal laughed and talked. Even though Neal stepped on her foot a couple times, Kel had a good time. She almost forgot all her worries, that is, until the dance was over. Neal and Kel walked back to the table where Owen was busy chatting with Seaver.
"Owen, what are you talking about?" Kel asked. "You keep looking my way, and I'm starting to get suspicious." She grinned.
"Nothing Kel," Owen said. "I was just... stating that my sister wanted a dress just like that one. You look better in it than she ever would, though." Owen smiled and went back to his conversation.
Kel watched the couples dance and the girls turn under their partners' arm. She caught Portia and Alton dancing together, while Alton whispered into Portia's ear. Kel sighed and smiled. She hadn't realized it till just then, but that's what she wanted. She wanted someone to hold her close, to dance with, to care about. And she didn't want to have to worry about what others thought about it. When had she ever cared what others thought about her? Hadn't she forfeited that when she became a page? She had known that people would bash her for her decision, but she couldn't care because she was stronger than that. Why should love be any different?
"Kel?" Cleon had knocked her back to reality. "Do you want to dance?"
The ball continued on all night, and Kel danced with most of her friends. With only an hour left in the ball, Joren still hadn't shown up. Kel figured at last that it was too late, and she should stop looking to the door only to find it empty. Kel was about to leave when Neal rushed to her side.
"Kel!"
"What, Neal? I was about to leave."
Neal caught his breath. "Owen. I don't know how he found out."
Kel's eyes widened. "What? Owen found out what, Neal?"
"He knows about you and Joren, and he's been telling people."
Oh, Mithros, Kel thought. "Where's the little turd?"
Neal pointed to a table where Owen was half-asleep. "I'll wake him up." Kel said as she walked to the table. Once by the boy's side Kel shook him.
"Huh? What?" Owen looked up at a Yamani faced Kel. "Oh, hey Kel. What's the matter?"
"You tell me."
Owen yawned and stretched out his arms. "I don't know. Oh! You mean Joren, right?"
Kel folded her arms over her chest and stared Owen down. "No." She said sarcastically. "How in Mithros' name did you find out? And you better be truthful."
"I went to your room earlier this evening. Heard you and Neal talking about him. Is he really your match, Kel?"
"What does that matter?" Kel said irritably.
"Well," Owen began in a matter-of-fact tone, "If he were your match, why didn't he show up tonight? Or is chicken boy too proud to dance with the girl he loves?" Owen smiled, but that smiled faded as he looked at Kel, whose mask had too, faded away. "Oh, Kel, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have..."
"No, Owen, you're right. I keep telling myself that there's a logical explanation for this all, why he wants to keep it secret so badly, why he didn't come tonight." Kel watched as Neal sat down beside her. "Maybe he is a coward."
"Kel, don't listen to us. There has to be a good excuse. Now let's go, all right? You need some rest." Neal stood with Kel. "You have a good time?"
"Yes, Neal. I had a very good time." Kel said as they began to walk out. Owen ran up to Kel and stood in front of her.
"Kel, am I forgiven? I'm sorry I told other people. I can un-tell them, if you want. No, I'll say you had a nasty break-up and you kicked the crap out of him. That'll be jolly fun to make up! Or maybe I'll say..." Kel's hand came over his mouth.
"No more stories. You're forgiven, just tell me the names of the people you told."
"Golly, I told Merric and Seaver. I think Merric told Faleron, but I'm not sure."
Neal added, "That's all?"
Owen nodded, "I only told those two, I swear." Owen looked at Neal, "How did you know I was telling people?"
Neal smirked, "Seaver told me. Always liked that boy."
Kel gave Owen a gentle push aside and the gang continued to walk to the squire's wing. In her room, Kel bathed and prepared for bed. The question of where Joren had been would have to wait for tomorrow, when she saw him in the gardens.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Joren and Vinson had been talking for hours, and Joren kept looking for chances to get away. Vinson, however, wouldn't let him go. Every time Joren tried to end the conversation, Vinson kept insisting that they talk longer.
Now it was seriously late, and the ball, Joren presumed, was nearly over. Great, he thought, the one chance I thought I had to prove my love for her and this scum ruined it. Joren faked a yawn. "Gosh, Vinson, it's late and I want an early start tomorrow."
"You're right. I'll see you later?"
"Sure, sure. Bye, now." Joren did everything but shove Vinson out the door. Once he was gone, Joren fixed his hair and strolled out the door and made his way, quickly, to the ball. Joren got to the ball, but he couldn't find Kel. Instead, he found Faleron, one of her friends.
"Uh, Faleron. Where's Kel?" Joren grimaced for saying that. What was Faleron to think now?
"She left. Sorry you didn't catch her. I heard how you wanted to dance with her." Joren's face wrinkled with confusion. "Don't look like you don't know what I'm talking about. I know you and her are seeing each other. It's not a secret around here."
"How did you..." Joren shook his head and walked out. How could she tell?! That was just like a woman, to tell the world about their latest conquest. Boy she'd get a piece of his mind tomorrow.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next day Kel waited in the gardens for Joren. She kept going over things so say to him when he arrived. She ran a hand through her light brown hair and decided to sit down on the bench. A couple of minutes passed, then she saw Joren standing in front of her.
"Joren! I didn't even see you coming." Kel stood to kiss him, but he backed away. "Joren?"
Joren just stood there in front of her, more than three paces away. Kel tried to close that gap, but every time she moved, he moved as well.
"Joren, what's wrong with you? Why didn't you show up yesterday?"
"I asked you not to tell anyone." That was his only reply, and that's all Kel needed.
"He just found out, okay? It's no big deal, Owen won't tell anyone else." Kel assured.
"Owen?! I was talking about Faleron. And who else knows about this Keladry?" Joren's volume grew, and he used a tone she hadn't heard in a long time.
"Owen found out. He told Seaver and Faleron. That's all. Neal..."
"Neal knows, too? Ugh, Kel you really did it this time." Kel tried to speak, but Joren kept talking. "And how did Owen find out? I'm pretty sure he didn't wake up one day and say 'Hey, I think Kel and Joren are having a secret romance.' Now did he?"
"Joren, let me explain..."
"No, you hear me out!" Joren was yelling by now. "I asked you to keep this a secret, for both our sakes. Just like a woman to go out a defy the man that thought she loved him."
"When did I ever defy you?! I never told anyone, Joren of Stone Mountain, they all found out by accident." Now all of Kel's confusion and anger was surfacing. She couldn't concentrate enough to put on a Yamani mask. "And what the hell do you mean 'for both our sakes'? For my sake because I could get kicked out, but that's a risk I'm willing to take if I love someone. But how is this 'for your sake'? For your reputation? All those people who know you for hating progressives? I... I can't find the words right now."
"Are you calling me a coward?" Joren asked coldly.
"Yes, if you must be so blunt. You can't tell anyone about us because you're too proud. You care too much about what other people think of you. You're a coward. And right now, I don't want to see your face." Kel walked past Joren, brushing his shoulder as she passed.
It was like a slap in the face. Joren stood and watched Kel walk away. She sure was angry, angrier than he'd ever seen her. That was one of the many traits he admired about her, she always kept her cool, unlike him. Curse my mouth, Joren thought. It's gotten me in trouble once again.
Now that he thought about it, Kel had never snapped that bad. Not even when he and his gang were bullying her. He would have preferred that slap in the face than the guilt that he was experiencing. What have I done, he thought. I've unleashed so much anger within her that I caused her to react in a way she never has before. I...
"Bravo," Said a voice behind Joren. He turned to face a grinning Vinson.
"Uh... Vinson. I didn't see you come up." Joren's heart pounded with nervousness. How long had he been there?
Vinson calmly strode to where Joren was standing. "That's because I've been here, my dear friend. I heard everything." Shit, Joren thought to himself. "Your little girlfriend dump you? How sad. But what surprises me is that Kel was the little girlfriend. Now how do you explain that?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I let out the worst in me, Kel thought. How could I have yelled like that? No matter how mad I was, I've learned better that that. I have to talk to him. I going back downstairs, hopefully he's still in the gardens.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Joren stood silent as Vinson asked again, "How do you explain that?"
Joren's conscience was fighting a tough battle (AN: Vinson is not saying any of this. It's all in Joren's head ):
"Tell him the truth, Joren, for Kel."
"What are you crazy? Your reputation's on the line."
"That's all you care about Joren, isn't it? Your reputation. Let me tell you something, you have no reputation. Kel's the only one whose brought out the best in you."
"Don't listen, Joren. You have your pride. Are you going to risk that for some woman who thinks she's better than you?"
"If you give her up, you'll have nothing left."
"Well..." Vinson brought Joren back.
"Oh, Vinson. You're so clueless. How can you not see that this has been my plan from the start? I've got her, the argument was a minor setback. I'll apologize and she'll take me back; under that strength she's just another vulnerable girl, or did you miss that?" Jackass, Joren told himself, that's what I am. "It's been going on since that first kiss. Gosh, how long ago was that?"
Vinson laughed along, "How come you haven't gotten Wyldon in on it yet?"
"All in due time, Vinson. All in due time." Jerk, Joren called himself. Joren finished discussing the fake plan until Vinson finally had enough. Once Vinson was gone, Joren sighed in relief.
"Okay, that was bad, but I can work around that lie." Joren said to himself before turning to face Kel with her fists clenched.
"Hey, Kel. I'm really sorry..."
"No, I'm sorry," Kel began, "I thought, 'I was too hard on him.' 'I should apologize.' And I was going to, until I heard that." Kel paused. " So which is it Joren, huh? Are you planning something; leading me on? That would make you an asshole."
"Kel..."
"Or are you too proud to tell the truth, which make you a coward?" Kel stared at Joren, who just stood, contemplating something. "Tell me!"
"I don't know what to say." Joren replied.
Kel nodded, "I just figured it out. You're an asshole AND a coward." With that Kel walked away in the same direction she had just about thirty minutes ago.
She's right, Joren thought. I am a coward. I am an asshole. I've thrown away the only thing I've ever loved, and all for what? My pride? My pathetic excuse of a reputation? No, I love her. I vowed to make her mine from the start, and that's what I'm going to do. I don't care what risks I take or what I sacrifice. I will make her mine again.