The next day, Kirsty felt strange.  She'd slept with Kane for the first time the previous night, and was undecided on her reasoning.  It wasn't that she didn't enjoy it, the experience had proved to be appealing, but she felt that she'd only done it because she was guilty.  Guilty because of what happened with Oliver.  She knew sleeping with Kane couldn't erase the guilt, yet she'd done it anyway.  Perhaps she had wanted to do it.  Kirsty's mind was active with confusion, yet Kane's was full of happiness.  He saw the previous night as a way of getting on with his life, not forgetting, but improving his self-esteem.  After the mediation with Dani, he'd realised a lot of things about himself he didn't like.  His attitude, his way of living terrified him; surely no one could ever begin to trust him, let alone like him after the way he'd acted.  Kirsty forgave him, and that changed anything.  Kane hadn't lost hope, if she could forgive him, like him, love him then anyone could.  Perhaps he wasn't so bad after all.  Kirsty woke up, seeing Kane looking at her affectionately.

"Man, you scared me, " said Kirsty dreamily.  "How long you been awake?"

"A bit, just thinking about you.   Are you OK?"

"Yeah, " Kirsty said, half lying, half truthfully.  She did feel closer to Kane now; they were inseparable. 

***

Kirsty spent most of the day lounging around in the kitchen, enjoying her favourite new pastime of arranging the cupboards.  Boredom had turned Kirsty into an obsessive cleaner, if she was going to continue to live with Edwina, she was going to have to find something to do.  Maybe she could go to a college to do a TAFE course.  At least she'd have more prospects than becoming a glorified cleaner.  Oliver came into the silent kitchen, Kirsty had decided to ignore him, as talking to him stressed her out too much.

"Kirsty, " began Oliver.  "Hear me out, please?"

Kirsty was nonchalant.  What bull was he going to spout this time.  "Speak if you have something vaguely useful to say.  Something that may affect the current situation."

" I've decided to pay up, " he admitted.  "I'm going to a party tomorrow, where they'll be.  I'll hand it over there.  I'd like you and Kane to come as well."

"Where did you get the money from?"

"I'm getting paid a bit today at college, and hopefully I'll get a loan out of my Gran."

"I only hope you're sincere."  The silence resumed.  Oliver still waited for a response.

"I'm sorry I kissed you, I was caught up in the moment."

"Well, I don't recall us having a moment that could possibly make you kiss me.  I was asking you if I could tell Kane something, and you thought that was a moment to kiss me?  How can you be so deluded?" 

"I'm sorry, OK, but I've grown up since then…"

"In the space of a day?  That's a major development you'd have to make."

"Just please come tomorrow, it'll be fun."  Kirsty looked away.  "It's my way of an apology."

"Fine, I'll come, but only for the party.  I'm not getting involved in your business again."

"Soon there wont be any to be involved in.  I'm turning over a new leaf."  Kirsty sighed.  She decided to give him the benefit of the doubt; Kane had already proved that change is possible in a person.  How could someone who she feared, turn into someone she loved?  She wasn't hypocritical like her mother.  If Oliver said he was different and sorry, then Kirsty had to believe him.

***

That night, Kane arrived home after a hard days work.  He glanced at Oliver as he ate his dinner; Oliver tried to meet his eyes to talk.

"I've invited Kirsty to a party tomorrow.  You can come if you want."  Kane agreed to go.  There was no way he was going to leave Kirsty with him.  He didn't trust people that easily, Oliver was no exception.  Kane went upstairs to the room.  It was empty.  Then he heard the shower running.

"Kirsty, you in there?"

"Yeah."

"Can I come in this time?" he heard Kirsty laugh, and after a pause she came out wearing one of Edwina's fluffy bathrobes.  "I like the new look."

"Really?"  Kirsty wrapped her arms around Kane, their lips meeting.

"And I like the attitude that comes with it, " he said.  Kirsty was sure of herself now, she's slept with Kane before because she loved him, and she wanted to do it again.  Kirsty began to unbutton Kane's shirt, and pushed him onto the bed.    It was less nervous than the previous night, they were more relaxed with each other, yet Kane broke away.

"We can't, I haven't got anything."

"Doesn't matter," said Kirsty impatiently, "I'll sort it out tomorrow."  With no restrictions, they carried on.  Kirsty had never been more happy in her life.