The next day Charlie was very secretive. He seemed to be watching out for
Russel like a hawk, which made Russel nervous. Charlie still had a desire
to knock Flint around if he got to close to Rebecca, but there was
something else that was in the back of his mind.
Rebecca didn't think anything about it until he went to talk to McGonagall and told Rebecca that she wouldn't be interested in what he was talking to her about. There were several other incidents where Charlie left Rebecca in the common room or with the rest of the group to do something else without letting her know a single detail about it or inviting her to join in as he normally did.
By then everyone knew about what happened in the library with Russel, so Rebecca had protection, but still she wished Charlie wouldn't leave her like that. For some reason, it made her feel lonely.
By Friday night, Rebecca was really upset about what was going on between her and Charlie. She tried to hide it by staying busy in hopes that Charlie would come back to his normal self if he thought she was okay. After dinner, she went up to her room and just laid on her bed thinking to herself. 'I said I wanted space and he is just respecting my wishes. I wish I never would have said it. Why couldn't I have let my defenses down for him? I bet he doesn't even know that I am lonely with how busy I have been pretending to be. Nice defense mechanism I have there. Why do I always have to stay so busy so that no one knows what is going on inside?'
"Idiot," Rebecca muttered. She sat up, stared at her copy of Quidditch through the Ages, which sitting on her bed stand, and started to sing:
So lonely inside
So busy out there
And all you wanted
Was somebody who cares
(Michelle Branch's All You wanted)
Suddenly there was a noise that stopped Rebecca from sing another word. She looked at the door but there was nothing. Rebecca decided it must have been her imagination and went back to thinking about her mistake as she picked up the book from Charlie and looked at the message he had written in it.
After about five minutes, Sara walked into the room and asked, "Hey, don't you want to come hang out with us tonight?"
"Is Charlie down there?" Rebecca asked looking at Sara hopefully.
"No, he said he had to do something."
"Oh." The change in Rebecca's face told Sara everything.
"Want to talk about it?" Sara asked.
"I told Charlie that I needed some space when I was sick and upset."
"Eew."
"Yeah, well after the incident with Russel in the library, Charlie was so great and he seemed to know exactly what to do to make me feel better. When I woke up the next day, I realized that I need to retract my 'I need space' request, but Charlie started to be real mysterious and I barely can say anything to him at one time. If it doesn't have to do with school work, he is off doing something else."
Rebecca continued telling Sara what lead to her request starting with the letter and her fears of what it might lead to. Sara sat there and just listened as her friend told her about how her and Charlie's disagreement about what it could mean and how she had this defensive side that caused her to build walls between herself and others. How she really didn't want to do it, but something always slipped out to cause it to happen. "I sat there and thought about how I didn't want to build these walls, but when I went to say something it came out as an 'it's none of your business, so leave me alone' comment. He called me Rebecca..."
"He didn't" Sara interrupted as she thought to herself, 'Charlie doesn't call her that to her face and I haven't heard him call her that since Christmas.'
"Yeah, I know. You'd think I would have taken it as a sign to get everything off my chest and that he was seriously worried, but no I tell him only part of it and probably hurt his feeling in the process. He is such a great guy, which he's proven over and over, and I really like him, but the way that I was acting towards him no one would have ever known. . And I am mad at myself, because I was able tell him about Russel and get him to protect me from Russel, but can't let him help me with something that is just in my head. He might actually be able to help me stop building these walls. I have opened up about so much since I got here and it is all because of him. I feel so safe around him and I know he doesn't want to see me get hurt. Even after what might be considered our fight, he still came running over to me when I flew across the room and carried me to the hospital wing. . And what do I do I tell him I need space. Do you think I have blown my friendship with him?"
Sara gave her a slight smile and with a comforting tone in her voice said, "I don't know what is up with Charlie, but I do know that he likes you and I am sure that tomorrow when we all go to Hogsmeade together, he'll be acting like his old self. I think that you guys' friendship will make it through everything."
Rebecca shook her head and then said, "Thanks for listening to my rambling."
"Anytime." Sara gave Rebecca a hug and they headed down stairs to hang out with everyone else.
Charlie showed up about an hour later smiling to himself. When asked why he was so happy, he just changed the subject and sat down next to Rebecca just like he used to.
The group sat there until about 11:00 p.m. laughing about new prank ideas that Cathrine and Colin had and how they planned not to get detention for them. Everyone made a comment here or there that caused them to roar with more laughter.
Rebecca felt like Charlie was back to normal by the time they all went to bed and hoped that tomorrow they could start out like they had been without any problems.
Charlie woke up early on Saturday. He was very excited to get moving and headed to Hogsmeade. Everyone else was less enthusiastic and it took a while for everyone to be ready just to go to breakfast. The boys got so sick of Charlie's perkiness that they ordered him to the Great Hall while everyone else finished up.
Rebecca was the last one to head down to the Great Hall, because she had lain in bed thinking of Charlie until the early hours of the morning. She was still a bit groggy as she walked down the main staircase and a group started to form around her. She was about half way down the stairs when Rebecca realized that there was someone in her way.
After a couple of blinks, Rebecca recognized the person stopping her as Kirsta. "Oh, hi, Kirsta, what's up?" Rebecca asked as she looked around to see that she was encircled by a whole group of sixth year Slytherin girls none with a very pleasant expression on.
"What's up with you and Russel?" Kirsta harshly questioned taking a step towards Rebecca and giving her an evil look.
With no where to go, Rebecca held her own and stared right back. "What are you talking about?"
"He has been acting strange lately and it seems to be stemming from you. He's my guy, leave him ALONE!"
"Fine no problem." Rebecca tried to take a step but Kirsta step into her way.
"I don't think that you understand." Rebecca rolled her eyes and stared back at Kirsta.
All of a sudden a voice said, "Excuse me, ladies, but I need to borrow Rebecca," and a hand came into the group.
Rebecca took it not caring who it was attached because she could handle one person better than a whole group even if the hand belonged to someone like Russel.
Kirsta turned around to look at the person and would have answered their question no, but it was A.J. and she couldn't even speak a word.
"Thank you," A.J. said as Rebecca cleared the group.
"No problem," Kirsta dreamily said as he led Rebecca into the Great Hall.
"Thank you," Rebecca said to A.J. as they sat done at the table.
"What is going on?" Charlie asked looking at the two.
"Kirsta and her goons surrounded me on my way down the steps and A.J. got me out." Rebecca responded looking into Charlie's eyes.
"Why were they around you?" A.J. asked.
Still looking into Charlie's eyes Rebecca said, "I have no clue. She was telling me to say away from Russel, like I really need told to do that." Rebecca paused for a moment, turned towards A.J., and then said, "I think that some one likes you." Rebecca's smile made A.J. a little edgy.
"You don't mean?" he said.
Rebecca nodded her head.
"You're nuts! That is all there is to it. I think you have been hanging out with Charlie too long. Kirsta hangs off of Russel. Grant it he doesn't give her the time of day, but she still is all about him. Besides she knows that Anna and I are a couple."
"Yes but Anna is in her seventh year. That means next year she won't be around and Kirsta will have you all to her self," Colin teased.
"Oh, shut up," A.J. said as Anna sat down at the table next to him. The blonde laughed when she was filled in on what happened and A.J. joined in seeing that it was a silly thing to get upset about.
After breakfast, the whole group headed out to Hogsmeade. Charlie took Rebecca's hand as they first walked out of the castle. Rebecca didn't know exactly why he took her hand since it wasn't slippery out, but she didn't care she just let him hold her hand and hoped he wouldn't let go.
As the group walked along, Charlie and Rebecca trailed everyone. They were almost to the village when Charlie turned to Rebecca with the same smile he had given her so many times before and said, "I got something to show you."
Rebecca looked at him curiously and said, "Okay, what?!"
Charlie led her over to a side of a house covered with climbing roses already in bloom with the help of magic. He picked one and placed it into Rebecca's hand.
"Now watch," Charlie said as he pulled out his wand and mutter something.
Rebecca watched amazed as the rose transfigure into a silver ring.
On the thin, delicate, vine woven band sat a miniature rose bloom flanked by two petite leaves each with every tiny RC's on them. Rebecca stared at it for a moment and then looked up at Charlie.
"Wow that was amazing. It's absolutely beautiful," she said.
Charlie picked the ring up from her hand and said, "Well I am glad you like it. I have been practicing this week so that I could show you."
"Really, for me? Why?"
"Because I really like you. I have to admit I have since I met you. And, I know that you don't want to get attached to anyone around her, but I want to have the chance to try to change your mind so that I can ask you to be my girlfriend."
Rebecca face softened as he spoke thinking of how she liked him too more than anyone she had ever met.
"Oh, Charlie," she whispered, "I would be lying if I said that I wasn't already attached to you."
Rebecca took a step closer as Charlie took her right hand and softly asked, "So, Becca, will you be my girlfriend?"
"Yeah," Rebecca whispered back giving Charlie the same sweet smile he loved so much. Charlie put the ring on Rebecca's finger and looks into her eyes with a smile. He leaned in and for a kiss. Rebecca melted into Charlie's arms after their soft sweet kiss.
After a moment, Charlie and Rebecca turned and started to walk again so that they could catch up with the rest of the group.
The rest of the group had already gotten a corner table at The Three Broomsticks when Charlie and Rebecca got there. Making a bee line to the group, Charlie and Rebecca walked over. They passed Ryan, Cassie, Kirsta, and Russel on the way. Russel glared as Charlie pulled out the chair for Rebecca and then took his seat next to her.
Rebecca was tucking a stand of her hair behind her ear when Sara spotted the ring.
"Charlie, where did you get that ring from?" she asked knowing that Rebecca hadn't had it before the walk so she assumed Charlie gave it to her and she like the rest of the group knew why he would.
Charlie eyed the guys and hesitantly said, "I, um . transfigured a rose into it."
Colin jumped in and joked, "Dude, why did you do that? Now all the girls are going to want the rest of us to do that for them." Greg and James playfully shook their heads in agreement with Colin's statement.
"Don't listen to them, Charlie. They're just mad that you raised the bar and they will have to work harder to impress us. . And if they are ever as secretive as you have been the last week we will be expecting something as brilliant as what you did," stated Jacquelyn while she laughed.
Cathrine was about to say something when Ryan and Cassie came over.
"Hey what's going on?" Cassie started, but she caught sight of the Rebecca's ring and said, "Wow Rebecca! That is a beautiful ring. Where did you get it from?"
"Oh, Charlie gave it to me," Rebecca responded giving Charlie another sweet smile.
Cassie was about to ask Charlie where he got it when Ryan erupted and asked, "Does that mean what I think it mean?"
"What?" Rebecca asked not sure exactly what he thought it meant and not wanting to answer until she was sure.
Ryan was visibly upset and did not want to say it, but had to say, "Are you and Weasley dating?"
Rebecca looked at Charlie with a bigger smile and responded, "Yeah," without even looking at Ryan. Charlie and Rebecca's friends all smiled at each other relieved that they had actual confirmation of their assumption.
"Congratulations!" squealed Cassie as she walked off to tell Kirsta the good news. Ryan just stood there staring at Rebecca as if he want to say something, but not sure what to say.
"Guys, we better go if we want to do anything else before we have to get back," James whispered across the table.
With that Rebecca stood up and turned to Ryan and said, "Well, we got to get going. We'll see you later."
Charlie stood up, took her hand, and lead Rebecca out of the tavern. Greg and Sara were close behind, followed by Colin and Cathrine. James and Jacquelyn were the last ones to leave.
After they left, Russel walked over to Ryan who was still standing there.
"So they're dating?" Russel grimly asked. Ryan shook his head yes. "What does she see in that loser, Weasley?"
"Who knows?"
"Kirsta and Cassie both seemed to be ecstatic about it. I wonder what is up with those two."
"From what I heard, Kirsta told Rebecca to stay away from you this morning. Charlie asking Rebecca to be his girlfriend means that she won't be looking at you for a 'potential' boyfriend, so Kirsta wins."
Russel looked like he was about to exploded as he stated, "Maybe I don't want her to win."
"Mate, you don't exactly get the choice."
"And why not? I am not dating Kirsta. Cassie for some reason keeps trying to get me to like her and some how convinced Kirsta that I was her boyfriend, but it isn't what is actually going on."
Russel stormed off upset not only at Kista for what she had done, but that Charlie had gotten Rebecca.
He hadn't gone that far when he saw Charlie and Rebecca standing hand in hand looking at a window display. Russel turned around and walked back to the castle. He wouldn't be able to enjoy the day if he had to see them together like that and he couldn't imagine how he would feel it he saw them kiss. Russel didn't trust himself to keep his cool if he saw that and he had already scared Rebecca away from him, if he did it again he could probably kiss any chance he had of ever getting her to forgive good-bye.
Rebecca didn't think anything about it until he went to talk to McGonagall and told Rebecca that she wouldn't be interested in what he was talking to her about. There were several other incidents where Charlie left Rebecca in the common room or with the rest of the group to do something else without letting her know a single detail about it or inviting her to join in as he normally did.
By then everyone knew about what happened in the library with Russel, so Rebecca had protection, but still she wished Charlie wouldn't leave her like that. For some reason, it made her feel lonely.
By Friday night, Rebecca was really upset about what was going on between her and Charlie. She tried to hide it by staying busy in hopes that Charlie would come back to his normal self if he thought she was okay. After dinner, she went up to her room and just laid on her bed thinking to herself. 'I said I wanted space and he is just respecting my wishes. I wish I never would have said it. Why couldn't I have let my defenses down for him? I bet he doesn't even know that I am lonely with how busy I have been pretending to be. Nice defense mechanism I have there. Why do I always have to stay so busy so that no one knows what is going on inside?'
"Idiot," Rebecca muttered. She sat up, stared at her copy of Quidditch through the Ages, which sitting on her bed stand, and started to sing:
So lonely inside
So busy out there
And all you wanted
Was somebody who cares
(Michelle Branch's All You wanted)
Suddenly there was a noise that stopped Rebecca from sing another word. She looked at the door but there was nothing. Rebecca decided it must have been her imagination and went back to thinking about her mistake as she picked up the book from Charlie and looked at the message he had written in it.
After about five minutes, Sara walked into the room and asked, "Hey, don't you want to come hang out with us tonight?"
"Is Charlie down there?" Rebecca asked looking at Sara hopefully.
"No, he said he had to do something."
"Oh." The change in Rebecca's face told Sara everything.
"Want to talk about it?" Sara asked.
"I told Charlie that I needed some space when I was sick and upset."
"Eew."
"Yeah, well after the incident with Russel in the library, Charlie was so great and he seemed to know exactly what to do to make me feel better. When I woke up the next day, I realized that I need to retract my 'I need space' request, but Charlie started to be real mysterious and I barely can say anything to him at one time. If it doesn't have to do with school work, he is off doing something else."
Rebecca continued telling Sara what lead to her request starting with the letter and her fears of what it might lead to. Sara sat there and just listened as her friend told her about how her and Charlie's disagreement about what it could mean and how she had this defensive side that caused her to build walls between herself and others. How she really didn't want to do it, but something always slipped out to cause it to happen. "I sat there and thought about how I didn't want to build these walls, but when I went to say something it came out as an 'it's none of your business, so leave me alone' comment. He called me Rebecca..."
"He didn't" Sara interrupted as she thought to herself, 'Charlie doesn't call her that to her face and I haven't heard him call her that since Christmas.'
"Yeah, I know. You'd think I would have taken it as a sign to get everything off my chest and that he was seriously worried, but no I tell him only part of it and probably hurt his feeling in the process. He is such a great guy, which he's proven over and over, and I really like him, but the way that I was acting towards him no one would have ever known. . And I am mad at myself, because I was able tell him about Russel and get him to protect me from Russel, but can't let him help me with something that is just in my head. He might actually be able to help me stop building these walls. I have opened up about so much since I got here and it is all because of him. I feel so safe around him and I know he doesn't want to see me get hurt. Even after what might be considered our fight, he still came running over to me when I flew across the room and carried me to the hospital wing. . And what do I do I tell him I need space. Do you think I have blown my friendship with him?"
Sara gave her a slight smile and with a comforting tone in her voice said, "I don't know what is up with Charlie, but I do know that he likes you and I am sure that tomorrow when we all go to Hogsmeade together, he'll be acting like his old self. I think that you guys' friendship will make it through everything."
Rebecca shook her head and then said, "Thanks for listening to my rambling."
"Anytime." Sara gave Rebecca a hug and they headed down stairs to hang out with everyone else.
Charlie showed up about an hour later smiling to himself. When asked why he was so happy, he just changed the subject and sat down next to Rebecca just like he used to.
The group sat there until about 11:00 p.m. laughing about new prank ideas that Cathrine and Colin had and how they planned not to get detention for them. Everyone made a comment here or there that caused them to roar with more laughter.
Rebecca felt like Charlie was back to normal by the time they all went to bed and hoped that tomorrow they could start out like they had been without any problems.
Charlie woke up early on Saturday. He was very excited to get moving and headed to Hogsmeade. Everyone else was less enthusiastic and it took a while for everyone to be ready just to go to breakfast. The boys got so sick of Charlie's perkiness that they ordered him to the Great Hall while everyone else finished up.
Rebecca was the last one to head down to the Great Hall, because she had lain in bed thinking of Charlie until the early hours of the morning. She was still a bit groggy as she walked down the main staircase and a group started to form around her. She was about half way down the stairs when Rebecca realized that there was someone in her way.
After a couple of blinks, Rebecca recognized the person stopping her as Kirsta. "Oh, hi, Kirsta, what's up?" Rebecca asked as she looked around to see that she was encircled by a whole group of sixth year Slytherin girls none with a very pleasant expression on.
"What's up with you and Russel?" Kirsta harshly questioned taking a step towards Rebecca and giving her an evil look.
With no where to go, Rebecca held her own and stared right back. "What are you talking about?"
"He has been acting strange lately and it seems to be stemming from you. He's my guy, leave him ALONE!"
"Fine no problem." Rebecca tried to take a step but Kirsta step into her way.
"I don't think that you understand." Rebecca rolled her eyes and stared back at Kirsta.
All of a sudden a voice said, "Excuse me, ladies, but I need to borrow Rebecca," and a hand came into the group.
Rebecca took it not caring who it was attached because she could handle one person better than a whole group even if the hand belonged to someone like Russel.
Kirsta turned around to look at the person and would have answered their question no, but it was A.J. and she couldn't even speak a word.
"Thank you," A.J. said as Rebecca cleared the group.
"No problem," Kirsta dreamily said as he led Rebecca into the Great Hall.
"Thank you," Rebecca said to A.J. as they sat done at the table.
"What is going on?" Charlie asked looking at the two.
"Kirsta and her goons surrounded me on my way down the steps and A.J. got me out." Rebecca responded looking into Charlie's eyes.
"Why were they around you?" A.J. asked.
Still looking into Charlie's eyes Rebecca said, "I have no clue. She was telling me to say away from Russel, like I really need told to do that." Rebecca paused for a moment, turned towards A.J., and then said, "I think that some one likes you." Rebecca's smile made A.J. a little edgy.
"You don't mean?" he said.
Rebecca nodded her head.
"You're nuts! That is all there is to it. I think you have been hanging out with Charlie too long. Kirsta hangs off of Russel. Grant it he doesn't give her the time of day, but she still is all about him. Besides she knows that Anna and I are a couple."
"Yes but Anna is in her seventh year. That means next year she won't be around and Kirsta will have you all to her self," Colin teased.
"Oh, shut up," A.J. said as Anna sat down at the table next to him. The blonde laughed when she was filled in on what happened and A.J. joined in seeing that it was a silly thing to get upset about.
After breakfast, the whole group headed out to Hogsmeade. Charlie took Rebecca's hand as they first walked out of the castle. Rebecca didn't know exactly why he took her hand since it wasn't slippery out, but she didn't care she just let him hold her hand and hoped he wouldn't let go.
As the group walked along, Charlie and Rebecca trailed everyone. They were almost to the village when Charlie turned to Rebecca with the same smile he had given her so many times before and said, "I got something to show you."
Rebecca looked at him curiously and said, "Okay, what?!"
Charlie led her over to a side of a house covered with climbing roses already in bloom with the help of magic. He picked one and placed it into Rebecca's hand.
"Now watch," Charlie said as he pulled out his wand and mutter something.
Rebecca watched amazed as the rose transfigure into a silver ring.
On the thin, delicate, vine woven band sat a miniature rose bloom flanked by two petite leaves each with every tiny RC's on them. Rebecca stared at it for a moment and then looked up at Charlie.
"Wow that was amazing. It's absolutely beautiful," she said.
Charlie picked the ring up from her hand and said, "Well I am glad you like it. I have been practicing this week so that I could show you."
"Really, for me? Why?"
"Because I really like you. I have to admit I have since I met you. And, I know that you don't want to get attached to anyone around her, but I want to have the chance to try to change your mind so that I can ask you to be my girlfriend."
Rebecca face softened as he spoke thinking of how she liked him too more than anyone she had ever met.
"Oh, Charlie," she whispered, "I would be lying if I said that I wasn't already attached to you."
Rebecca took a step closer as Charlie took her right hand and softly asked, "So, Becca, will you be my girlfriend?"
"Yeah," Rebecca whispered back giving Charlie the same sweet smile he loved so much. Charlie put the ring on Rebecca's finger and looks into her eyes with a smile. He leaned in and for a kiss. Rebecca melted into Charlie's arms after their soft sweet kiss.
After a moment, Charlie and Rebecca turned and started to walk again so that they could catch up with the rest of the group.
The rest of the group had already gotten a corner table at The Three Broomsticks when Charlie and Rebecca got there. Making a bee line to the group, Charlie and Rebecca walked over. They passed Ryan, Cassie, Kirsta, and Russel on the way. Russel glared as Charlie pulled out the chair for Rebecca and then took his seat next to her.
Rebecca was tucking a stand of her hair behind her ear when Sara spotted the ring.
"Charlie, where did you get that ring from?" she asked knowing that Rebecca hadn't had it before the walk so she assumed Charlie gave it to her and she like the rest of the group knew why he would.
Charlie eyed the guys and hesitantly said, "I, um . transfigured a rose into it."
Colin jumped in and joked, "Dude, why did you do that? Now all the girls are going to want the rest of us to do that for them." Greg and James playfully shook their heads in agreement with Colin's statement.
"Don't listen to them, Charlie. They're just mad that you raised the bar and they will have to work harder to impress us. . And if they are ever as secretive as you have been the last week we will be expecting something as brilliant as what you did," stated Jacquelyn while she laughed.
Cathrine was about to say something when Ryan and Cassie came over.
"Hey what's going on?" Cassie started, but she caught sight of the Rebecca's ring and said, "Wow Rebecca! That is a beautiful ring. Where did you get it from?"
"Oh, Charlie gave it to me," Rebecca responded giving Charlie another sweet smile.
Cassie was about to ask Charlie where he got it when Ryan erupted and asked, "Does that mean what I think it mean?"
"What?" Rebecca asked not sure exactly what he thought it meant and not wanting to answer until she was sure.
Ryan was visibly upset and did not want to say it, but had to say, "Are you and Weasley dating?"
Rebecca looked at Charlie with a bigger smile and responded, "Yeah," without even looking at Ryan. Charlie and Rebecca's friends all smiled at each other relieved that they had actual confirmation of their assumption.
"Congratulations!" squealed Cassie as she walked off to tell Kirsta the good news. Ryan just stood there staring at Rebecca as if he want to say something, but not sure what to say.
"Guys, we better go if we want to do anything else before we have to get back," James whispered across the table.
With that Rebecca stood up and turned to Ryan and said, "Well, we got to get going. We'll see you later."
Charlie stood up, took her hand, and lead Rebecca out of the tavern. Greg and Sara were close behind, followed by Colin and Cathrine. James and Jacquelyn were the last ones to leave.
After they left, Russel walked over to Ryan who was still standing there.
"So they're dating?" Russel grimly asked. Ryan shook his head yes. "What does she see in that loser, Weasley?"
"Who knows?"
"Kirsta and Cassie both seemed to be ecstatic about it. I wonder what is up with those two."
"From what I heard, Kirsta told Rebecca to stay away from you this morning. Charlie asking Rebecca to be his girlfriend means that she won't be looking at you for a 'potential' boyfriend, so Kirsta wins."
Russel looked like he was about to exploded as he stated, "Maybe I don't want her to win."
"Mate, you don't exactly get the choice."
"And why not? I am not dating Kirsta. Cassie for some reason keeps trying to get me to like her and some how convinced Kirsta that I was her boyfriend, but it isn't what is actually going on."
Russel stormed off upset not only at Kista for what she had done, but that Charlie had gotten Rebecca.
He hadn't gone that far when he saw Charlie and Rebecca standing hand in hand looking at a window display. Russel turned around and walked back to the castle. He wouldn't be able to enjoy the day if he had to see them together like that and he couldn't imagine how he would feel it he saw them kiss. Russel didn't trust himself to keep his cool if he saw that and he had already scared Rebecca away from him, if he did it again he could probably kiss any chance he had of ever getting her to forgive good-bye.