"Great party Jess!"

"Loving the bubbly!"

"Is that you're brother's band?……….they're awesome!"

"That dress is gorgeous!"

Jessie smiled as more compliments came her way while she walked around the edge of the dance floor, looking at the masses of dancing bodies.

She felt her cheeks blush, but couldn't help herself from smiling wider and wider.

She supposed someone had signalled to the guests that the cake would be coming out soon, and now they all thought they should throw some compliments at the party girl- after all, they were here for Jessie.

She looked towards the front of the stage, where Eli's band were belting out a matchbox 20 song.

Her brother caught her eye, and poked his tongue out at her while he strummed his guitar- then leaned into the mike, yelling out more song lyrics in his deep voice.

She smiled, sticking her tongue out slightly aswell.

She aloud herself to sway to the music for a moment, and feel the rhythm that was pulsating through everyone else- she'd been too distraught to mellow to the tunes before, but now, just standing there, swaying- she let herself dive into the music.

But was interrupted by a soft hand falling on her bare shoulder, she stopped swaying and turned around.

"Katie……….." she whispered, in the softest voice, afraid to utter her name too loudly, incase she was a dream that would vanish.

"Hey" Katie replied, smiling nervously and tucking a piece of wavy hair behind her ear.

"You………you……….you're here?" Jessie mumbled, staring deeply into her face- those dark eyes were staring right back at her- just as scared.

"Yeah………….I just couldn't not come to you're birthday……….ya know?" Katie was quiet, and both girls could sense the tension.

Jessie gave a small nod, "I'm so glad you did," she breathed.

Katie tucked the same piece of hair behind her ear again, and allowed her eyes to veer towards the floor- becoming increasingly un-nerved by Jessie's intense stare.

Jessie continued to stare, so completely lost in Katie's beauty……….and furthermore, in her presence.

JESSIE another one of the moments I have to hold onto……...store away and keep safe forever………….

"I'm sorry" Jessie finally spoke again.

Katie didn't look up; "I know………." Was all she could say?

JESSIE another one of those moments I have to grab……….reach out and take it, and never look back………….

"I love you" Jessie heard her voice shake as she spoke.

Katie looked up this time, and Jessie was shocked to see them watery; "I know that too……….." she mumbled.

Suddenly the song that had been playing stopped, and the bodies inside the small tent were still, as they eagerly awaited more music.

"I don't want to hurt you ever again………." Jessie peered deeper into Katie's eyes; and watched carefully as a single tear escaped.

"Don't make promises you cant keep" Katie replied; and Jessie felt her entire body tremble.

JESSIE just grab it.

"I promise right now………..forever………. " Jessie said, in a strong but hushed voice.

Katie turned away, but Jessie reached out, and brushed away a tear that was rolling down her cheek.

Katie turned back; slightly surprised that Jessie had displayed such affection in public.

"Forever Katie" she whispered.

Without another moments thought, Jessie reached for Katie's hand, cupping it in her own.

Katie looked down at their entwined hands, and then back at Jessie's face- her soft blue eyes told her everything would be ok.

Jessie turned, softly pulling Katie onto the dance floor- pushing people out of the way until they were at the very front, beside the band.

"Jessie!" Katie whispered, feeling everyone's silent eyes on them as Jessie pushed her way through.

Jessie didn't turn back; she only squeezed Katie's hand comfortingly. And that was all she needed.

Silence still filled the air, as the band paused, unsure what to do with the new couple that had made their way to the front………..the birthday girl……….and…………. another girl?

Jessie turned to Katie, taking a step forward; their body's touching. She wrapped one arm around Katie's back, holding her tight, and raised another hand in the air, holding Katie's.

Their eyes were connected the whole time; and, while they felt everyone else's eyes on them aswell……….they never once turned away from each other.

Eli looked down at his sister and Katie, in a tight embrace, staring into each other's faces.

He waited for them to part- but they didn't- they remained so close- so intimate.

"Eli!"

He turned his head, and saw Grace to the side of the stage- she mouthed the word 'play', and, although he felt dizzy with confusion, he signalled to Josh and Lucas to start playing.

He cleared his throat, strummed a familiar note- and a song, somehow, created itself amongst all the confusion.

Pride can stand

A thousand trials.

The strong will never fall.

But watching stars without you

My soul cried.

Heaving heart is full of pain.

Oh, oh the aching.

A circle had formed around the couple, as they started to move to the slow, humbling song- nobody dared move……….as they watched these two girls hold one another……….so closely………..so intimately………..like they were………….in love?

'Cause I'm kissing you, oh.

I'm kissing you, oh.

Jessie and Katie continued to stare into one other's eyes- finding comfort in each other- Katie mouthed the words 'I love you', and Jessie felt a small tear run down her blushing cheek, Katie smiled warmly, and squeezed her hand………letting her know everything would be ok.

Touch me deep,

Pure, and true.

Gift to me forever.

Henry wrapped an arm around Karen's shoulders, looking from her astonished face- to the two girls dancing closely- and back again.

He felt her body shiver slightly, and he tightened his grip, he felt like he was propping her up, keeping her from collapsing.

Rick's mouth dropped open- no thoughts were running through his head- he could only watch- as his little girl……….danced with another girl……….what did this all mean? He didn't understand………he could only watch.

'Cause I'm kissing you, oh.

I'm kissing you, oh.

Grace smiled as she watched Jessie and Katie dance- the tension in the room was heavy and suffocating- but Jessie and Katie didn't seem to notice, they just danced.

"I don't understand" Zoe whispered, looking up to her sister. "Sssshhhh" Grace silenced her, and turned back to the couple. Smiling happily. Smiling for Jessie………..she'd finally found herself………….

Where are you now?

Where are you now?

Cuz I'm kissing you.

I'm kissing you, oh.

Judy squeezed Lily's arm- and they both turned to one another- "they make a gorgeous couple" Judy whispered to her sister.

"They do" Lily agreed, smiling warmly as she watched her stepdaughter and the mysterious 'Katie' dance.

She pulled away from her sister, and took a few steps closer into the circle surrounding the two girls- she raised the camera to her eye- and took a quick picture- then returned to Judy's side.

"That will come out nicely," Judy whispered.

"I'll make copies for you" Lily replied, and they both smiled.


AUTHORS NOTE
Song was Des'ree 'kissing you'. It's the song in Romeo and Juliet- when they are looking at each other through the fish tank. I love that song.

So what did you all think of this story line? I'd been dying to write this for so long……….I had it all worked out in my head from the beginning……….more to come soon, so check back.