Author's note: thank you to all of you who have reviewed.  I really appreciate the encouragement and the suggestions.

Chapter 13 Understandings

Through out the rest of the day Kendrix felt odd, as if she'd stepped out of her own life and into that of some other girl, not a bookworm or loner.  She also found Mike was not as starched as Leo had made him out to be, he was just a kid, in a hurry to grow up and take control of his own life.  It was very obvious that he did love Leo that was good, she mused at dinner that night, and people needed each other even if they didn't think they did.  She could see that's how Leo was, eh saw it as he had to look out for his big brother and not the other way around. 

Kendrix also found she really liked Mr. and Mrs. Corbett, they were very nice and she could see that their family was a tight knit one.  That was good, Leo and Mike would never have to deal with the upsets of a divorce or split up.  She could also see just how happy her best friend was to have his family there, he looked like a little boy, there were no more signs of the future man he might one day be.  The only thing that still troubled her was that kiss.  Why had he done it this time?  She knew their only audience was Mike, why would he do that for him?  Did he like her?  She felt a fluttering at just that thought and forced herself to take a drink of her koolade.  She had to stop hoping like that, there was not even the hint of a chance he'd like her, not like she was coming to like him. 

Sighing she listened to the boys talking about kids back home.  She wished she had friends back there; she didn't have any but Leo really.  She wondered fretfully what she'd do without him.  She felt tears fill her eyes and she got up and excused herself before running to the girl's room in the back of the dining hall. 

*** 

"What was that all about?"  Mike asked frowning after the little blonde.  Although he'd been catching his little brother up on current events he'd been half watching Kendrix.  She was going to be really pretty and he could almost imagine Leo and the girl standing side by side and getting married.  Man, he was rely getting out of touch, they were barely thirteen, besides after the end of the summer they might never even see  each other again. 

"What?" 

"Kendrix, she…' 

"She had to use the ladies room." 

"Oh, right."  He had a funny feeling his mother was wrong.  In that last second he thought he detected a sheen of tears in her eyes. 

"'I'll be back."  He said getting to his feet and heading for the back of the room. 

*** 

Switching on the light Kendrix was glad to have the moment's silence.  She double checked the lock and then went to the window and stared out into the golden light of the evening.  It was so peaceful beyond the tattered screen window.  Why it was now that Leo was happy she felt so out of place?  Why did she feel like she'd lost her best friend?  True Leo hadn't ignored her but why did she still feel like she'd lost something? 

Turning away from the placidity of the afternoon she walked to the sink and turned on the tap.  The cool water ran over her hands cooling the skin, making her feel something other than the loss.  She knew then what it was, the summer was half over, soon she'd be going home and that would be the end of it.  Today had just been a marker of the passing of time. 

When Kendrix emerged from the bathroom a few minutes later she found Mike leaning against the wall, his crutches beside him. 

"Um, Mike there's a boy's bathroom at the end of the hall."  She said frowning, hadn't he seen the big white letters on the door? 

"I know."  He said and when he made no move to go she frowned at the much taller boy. 

"Did you need something?" 

"Are you ok?"  The question startle Kendrix and she wondered why he'd ask, she hadn't been crying or anything when she'd left the table.  Had she run out too abruptly? 

"Fine why?" 

"You just seemed kind of sad back there."  He said shifting slightly and folding his arms over his muscular chest. 

"Oh, I was just thinking."  She said quickly, too quickly.  What was with her tonight?  She was just so out of sorts. 

"Want to talk about it?"  He asked shifting again and she wondered if his leg was bugging him.  Shouldn't he be sitting or something? 

"Talk?"  She asked as if it was an alien concept.  Why would he want to talk to her?  What was there to talk about?  She was just having some trouble, trouble she could deal with, like she always did. 

"Yeah," he said amusement mingling with the concern in his dark eyes.  "You know the thing people do from time to time." 

*** 

"I know what it is but why?"  She asked and he wondered at the confused look in her eyes. 

"Well, you helped my brother out so I thought I'd return the favor."  He shrugged what else could he say?  He couldn't exactly tell her he felt an odd kinship with her?  That it was odd but it kind of felt like she was his little sister too?  It didn't even make sense to him how could she understand?  They'd only really met a hand full of hours ago. 

"Oh, you don't' owe me anything."  She was saying bringing Mike out of his musings lightly.  He thought that she kind of looked like a girl scout, and that made her laugh. 

*** 

"Friends help friends."  She said thinking of how many times Leo had come through for her.  No matter what happened Leo was her friend, that wouldn't change.  And now Maybe Mike would be to. 

"You haven't had very many friends have you?"  He asked breaking into her thoughts. 

"What makes you say that?"  She asked tilting her head slightly to one side in question. 

"Oh, just things you and Leo have said."  She watched him shrug and could see Leo in the gesture.  True Mike was much bigger, more reserved but it was so clear how alike the two boys were under that. 

"I um…"  She tried to remember the question when she realized he was still looking at her in question." shouldn't we get back to the others?  Leo will wonder where you are." 

"I can take care of myself."  Mike smiled with a little laugh. 

"I know that but…' she glanced around, how could she tell him she'd not heard his question?  Not when she'd even so side tracked. 

"So is it yes or no."  Mike asked again and she knew she'd have to...  that was it, she knew. 

"Friends?"  He smiled almost knowingly.  

"Oh, um…'  She knew she couldn't lie, not to Leo's big brother.  "He's my first." 

"That would suck."  He said and she realized how that must have sounded. 

"Excuse me, Leo's a good friend."  She said indignation racing through her veins. 

"No, I mean not having other friends."  He said and she blushed even more at his grin. 

"Oh, sorry."  She looked at her feet, she felt totally out of place talking to this guy.  She really wished Leo was there with her.  He'd just tell some silly joke and… 

*** 

"It's ok."  He said and shrugged adding.  "I'm glad you two get along so well.  Leo has a lot of friends but some aren't exactly good kids." 

"Oh, well He's nice; he should um have all of the friends in the world."  Her words let him know that that kiss in the woods had been real, and not just on his little brother's side. 

"Sooo, that's how it is."  Mike said a slow smile crossing his lips at the blush that suddenly stained Kendrix's face. 

"Ho…How do you know?"  She asked and he wanted to laugh at her embarrassment. 

"I've seen enough crushes to know when someone has one."  He said instead. 

***

"I um…"  She tried to think of something to say and fast.  What could she say?  Just the sight of Leo's mischievous green eyes made her heart leap?  No, she couldn't do that. 

"Don't worry I won't tell," Mike said putting a silencing hand up adding.  "I just wanted to say I'm glad, at least you're a nice girl."

"Oh, thanks."  She really didn't know what to say to that but there was one thing she needed to do.   "Mike?" 

"Yeah?"  He looked at her a moment and she went on. 

"Watch out for him?"  She asked and her heart was in her gentle eyes. 

"No question."  He smiled and then added.  "Come on Goldie locks."  He grinned tugging on one of her curls.  "Lets go see that little brother of mine." 

*** 

Leo saw the pair coming and wondered at the change that had come over both Kendrix and Mike.  They looked, companionable.  Had he been right?  Had there been something wrong?  He should have gone after her…  But then she looked perfectly happy now. 

"There you two are, was there a line or something?"  Mr. Corbett asked and both nodded.  Leo knew then that he'd been right.  They'd been talking about something. 

"Leo was just telling us about tomorrow's kayak trip." 

"Oh, I almost forgot about that." 

"Your going boating?"  Mike asked and Kendrix nodded as she took a drink form her cup. 

"I wasn't' sure but Leo thinks it will be fun." 

"I told you it will; we'll beat everyone of those jerks."  The green eyed devil grinned. 

"Who else is going on the trip?"  Mike asked. 

"Misty and…"  Leo began and Kendrix opened her mouth. 

"The bullies."  Mike said before she could speak. 

"Yeah."  Kendrix said but there was no fear in her voice just a hint of wistfulness. 

"Well, all I can say is you two watch your backs and be careful."  The elder Corbett brother said and then their father announced it was time to head home.  Kendrix sat as the group got up from the table and headed for the door.  A minute later Mike turned back crossed painstakingly to where the pink clad girl sat and started. 

"You look after my bro for me?" 

"No question."  She said and he smiled at their private joke. 

"Come here Goldie locks."  To Leo's surprise he watched his brother hugging Kendrix as if they'd been good friends for a very long time.  She seemed just as easy with his brother and that made Leo smile.  It was a good thing Mike liked her, he did too.  He had been afraid he'd feel the same magic when he was with Kendrix but Leo had seen only friendship between the pair.  That was very very good.  He also felt better knowing Mike was ok.  He had a hurt leg but they'd be ok. 

*** 

That night as Leo and Kendrix sat in the canteen talking and munching on popsicles Leo reached out and touched her free hand, which rested on the table top. 

"Brains?" 

"Hmm?" 

"Thanks." 

"For what?"  She asked using her other wrist to push up her glasses. 

"For calling Mike."  He said and took a bit of his root beer flavored treat. 

"Your not mad after all?"  She asked and licked at her banana Popsicle. 

"'I was, the thing is I understand why you did it.'  He explained shrugging. 

"You do?" She asked surprised. 

"Yeah, you're a good person.'  He said and watched with a smile as he face turned a fire engine red.  She didn't' say anything though just shifted her hand and closed her fingers over his hand.  Understanding the message he grinned and nodded.  Something had changed today, they had changed today. 

TBC

*** 

Ok, yes it took a while but I had some writer's block on this one. Please if anyone is still reading it let me know.  I'd also love to know what you think of the chapter and if you have any suggestions.