Thank-you very much too all my reviewers! I'm very sorry to anyone who has been waiting for an update, but I forgot to mention in the last chapter that I would be moving out of the country. I haven't touched a computer for the past THREE months. So now that I'm settled, the updates should be more frequent! Thank-you for your patience.

The Moment I Fell

Kira's Tale

"Happy Birthday Dear Kira, Happy Birthday To You!"

Kira grinned and looked around at her friends faces, illuminated by the glow of the fourteen candles, on the chocolate cake in front of her. She grinned, took a deep breath, and blew out the candles. Thirteen went out. Immediately her guests went into an uproar.

"One candle left that means she only has one true friend!"

"No it doesn't stupid! One candle means her wish doesn't come true."

"I thought one candle meant she has one boyfriend?!"

Kira smiled and looked at the lone flame flickering in the darkness. She supposed that it could mean she only had one true friend. Sure there were quite a few people at her party, Karen, Rick, Rick's cousin Gray, and a few of her old friends from the city, but Jack was her best friend. He had been as long as she could remember. If only he wasn't going home in three weeks. Once again she would spend three seasons with nothing to do. Unless of course her wish came true. She hoped that the candle didn't cancel her wish!

Thinking of the candle reminded her of its third meaning. She has one boyfriend. That was just amusing! Sure plenty of her friends were boys but as for boyfriend… there wasn't much chance of that. After all Jack was her best male friend, but they were nowhere near couple level. Were they? Kira snuck a look over at Jack and was surprised to see he wasn't participating in the hubbub around them. He was fidgeting and looking at the ground, lost in thought. She watched as he sighed and looked up. Averting her eyes so as not too be caught staring, she looked over at the pile of gifts stacked upon the hearth. There were quite a few, in various colours shapes and sizes. Someone flicked on the lights silencing her arguing friends. Rosa smiled over by the light switch holding a knife.

"Cake Time!" called Karen holding out her plate to get the first piece.

*************

After everyone had been fed, it was time to open the presents.

"Mine first!" said her old city friend Charlotte. "I just know you'll love it!"

Kira carefully tore off the wrapping paper; it was so flashy and expensive looking she didn't want to rip it! Inside was a brand new pair of designer jeans. Trust Charlotte, Kira thought. Only a girl like her would give someone expensive clothes to wear when they live in the country.

"Thanks Char!" she said grinning, impractical or not those jeans really were gorgeous.

"I knew you'd love them! When I saw them I just had to get them for you seeing as there isn't a decent clothing boutique in this town!"

"Now ours." Rick handed her something wrapped in brown paper. There was a small card also made out of paper saying "Happy Fourteenth! From Rick and Gray."  Inside there was a gorgeous miniature bouquet of flowers made out of wood, no doubt carved by the boys themselves.

 After the presents from Karen, (a bottle of wine which Rosa told her firmly she was NOT allowed to drink until her 18th birthday) Lucy, (sunglasses) and Monique (money) had been opened, Jack's grandpa stepped forwards.

"Now miss birthday girl, I have a little something for you as well!" he pulled out some sheets of paper and handed them to her.

Kira looked at them and saw it was a score of music. "Did you write this for me?" she gasped

"Aye." said Grandpa smiling. Do ya like it?"

"I love it! Can you play it for us? Please?" she pleaded

"Well…I suppose so." He pulled out an ocarina from his jacket pocket and took a breath. A rich deep melody wafted through the air, and Kira was forced to close her eyes with emotion. The piece was so beautiful; she couldn't believe it was for her. For minutes nothing could be heard in the room except for the delicate flowing notes streaming from the ocarina. When Grandpa finished playing there was nothing but silence.

"Wow." said Charlotte. "That was the prettiest thing I've ever heard in my life. Seriously you should talk to a record company, my dad is friends with a producer I can give you his name…."

Grandpa listened kindly but Kira could tell he had no interest in the music business.  She stood up and gave him a deep hug.

"Thank-you," Kira said, at a loss for words

Grandpa hugged her back fiercely. "Maybe one day you can think of some pretty words for it."

Kira nodded but knew she never would. It was so pure; she didn't want to spoil it with silly rhymes.

Kira turned to Jack expectantly, but he remained facing the ground. She cleared her throat and he looked up, with a kind of pleading look in his eyes. There was an awkward silence and she realized he hadn't got her anything. She was slightly shocked but she didn't want to embarrass him.

"Anyone want more cake?" Kira asked drawing their attention away from Jack as voices called out how big of a piece they wanted.

*************

"Bye!" Kira called as she watched her friends disappear from sight on the late ferry. It had been a good party, but now she was ready for sleep. She spun around and screamed.

"Jack!" she called out "You scared me half to death! Goddess, what were you doing in the shadows like that!"

"I didn't forget your birthday." He said quietly "I did get you something its just….." his voice faltered

"Jack I don't care if you didn't get me anything!" she said impatiently. "It doesn't matter to me. I'm just tired, will you walk me home?"

He nodded and then pulled out a small black box. "Here," he said and handed it too her

"Oh! Thanks Jack!" she opened it and gasped. Inside lay a gleaming silver bracelet, studded with small sea green gems. She immediately realized why he hadn't given it to her earlier. Rick and Grey would have given him a very hard time.

"It matches your eyes." He grinned "Do you like it?"

Kira nodded once again speechless.

Jack grinned even more and punched her playfully on the shoulder. "I knew you would. Girls are suckers for pretty things."

"It's beautiful." She put it back in the box and looked up at Jack with tired eyes. "Walk me home now?"

"Sure, let's go." Jack pulled her onto the path and tucked his arm around her shoulder as he often did when they walked. Kira knew it was just a display of the close friendship they had, but tonight it felt different, unfamiliar. Nice and comforting, but still slightly alien.

It wasn't long before they reached Kira's yard, the lights were on inside, Kira assumed Aunt Rosa was cleaning up after the party. They walked over to the door and Kira put her hand on the knob then turned to face Jack. Suddenly and unexpectedly she was out of breath.

The moonlight was shining on his face and caused his chocolate eyes to glimmer. She had never noticed just how deep and rich his eyes were. And his smile… Kira could feel herself blushing at his wide, youthful smile and was thankful for the darkness to hide her crimson face. She immediately looked at the ground.

She felt a cool hand on her face lifting her chin up. "What's got you so skittish all of a sudden?" Jack asked amused. Kira didn't reply but instead bit her lip and stared back into his eyes, willing him not to read the emotion clearly written upon her face. Jack gazed back into her eyes, and his brow furrowed. Kira stood there almost trembling while Jack studied her face his eyes squinting as if trying to see something deeper. She wished she could know what he was thinking.

"Kira," Rosa's voice boomed, slicing the tension outside, "Is that you out there?"

"Yes Aunty!" Kira called as Jack quickly pulled his hand away and took a step back.

"Well…er…see ya then. Good-night" he waved and spun around, setting off for home.

Kira watched him leave wanting him to come back, and before she could stop herself called out, "Jack!"

He whipped around his eyes full of hope. "Yeah?"

"I…Would you…" she sighed knowing she couldn't tell him what was troubling her "Thanks. For walking me home. And-uh…goodnight."

"Oh." His voice was heavy with disappointment "Is that all?"

"Mmm-hmm." she mumbled not wanting him to hear the frustration in her own voice

"Bye then. See you tomorrow." Jack turned once again and disappeared into the darkness

Kira stood there a moment then let herself in and shut the door.

"Sweets what's wrong, you're as pale as a ghost! You must be exhausted, go to bed now, I'll be all right to clean up on my own. There's a good girl." Rosa hugged Kira tightly and shooed her down the hall. Kira didn't object at all, she really was tired, and very confused.

She changed hastily into her pyjamas and climbed under the covers. She wanted to laugh and at the same time cry. She had felt something when she looked at Jack. Something different. It was love. She had fallen for him.