Okay, this is going to contain slightly more chapters than I originally intended... primarily because the chapters are so short. I think the Single Flashback-Present per chapter is simplest way to avoid confusion. I'm chugging away on this... hopefully I will be able to bring it to some sort of conclusive point by next week, before I go back to school. After that, updates will most likely be few and far between.

Disclaimer: Nothing is mine... (Except to gorgeous eyes... still swooning...)

ReadingRedhead: I can't do that to Nita? Watch me. :P

Two Weeks Ago

"So, am I going to get to see you again?" Brandon asked, lifting his eyes timidly to meet hers.

Powers, those eyes are gorgeous. "I suppose... this was a lot of fun," Nita admitted. They sat on a park bench, watching the sunset. Their long Frisbee game had eventually fizzled out, despite Soyo's attempts to rekindle it.

"How about tomorrow? I could come pick you up and we could go out to dinner or something." He looked at her eagerly.

"Well... actually, I don't live in the city. I'm from Hempstead, about twenty miles east of here."

"How'd you get here today?"

"I..." Made a rapid-transit... you see... I'm a wizard... Yeah, don't think that would go over well. "I took the bus."

"Do you want me to come to Hempstead or do you want to come here? Or," he chewed his lip, "Maybe you don't want either one."

Aww... he's so cute when he's nervous... Kit will still be out of town. I need something to do, and this might get interesting... "There's nothing to do in Hempstead. I'll come here."

"Great. What bus stop do you want me to meet you at?"

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Yesterday

"Now, you won't be able to get a hold of us, so call the Rodriguez's if something is wrong. And I know you're going out with Brandon tonight... remember to call Kit when you get back to the house, so we know you got home safely." Her father hugged her fiercely. "I can't believe I'm leaving you home alone for an entire weekend."

"Dad... I'm seventeen. I've spent weekends alone—well, without you anyway—in different galaxies. I think I'll be okay in the house. Now, go have fun on your trip." She hugged him again and waved good-bye to Dairine.

"Sure you don't want to come?" Dairine taunted. She was going through an outdoorsy phase and Harry, thrilled with the prospect, was taking her out for a weekend of roughing it.

"I think I'll pass."

Nita stood in the doorway until her father and Dairine finished packing up the car. She waved one more time as they pulled out of the driveway, then walked back into the house.

She flipped on the radio and flopped on the couch. What was she going to do for the next three hours before she had to meet Brandon? Kit was back in town, but they had spent the morning together. Besides, Kit would simply continually tease her about her new boyfriend.

Her boyfriend... She liked the sound of it. The last week and a half had been a blast. After their Saturday of Frisbee, she had met Brandon on Sunday to go rollerblading. After school Tuesday, she returned to the city again, via a bus station bathroom transit, for ice cream and a stroll through Central Park hand-in-hand.

I hope you know what you're doing... her elm friend had commented ominously as they passed. Nita ignored her.

On Friday, at Harry's insistence, Brandon had come over for dinner.

"This Brandon has seen more of you last week than I have. It's high time I met the young man who's stealing my daughter from me."

"Dad!"

"What?"

"Oh... I'll invite him, but promise me you won't say anything like that while he's here."

"Like what?"

Harry did do his best not to embarrass Nita throughout the dinner. Once Brandon had left, he commented, "Well, he seems to be a nice young man."

"He is," she insisted.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Present

Nice young man. Nice young man. He had probably never been referred to as a "nice young man" before and probably never would again. The naivety of it astounded her.

Nita? came a familiar voice in her mind.

K... Kit?

What's wrong?

N... nothing. I'm really tired.

Are you at home? Weren't you supposed to call me? I've been worried sick.

She jolted up and swore aloud. Sorry... I told you I was tired... I forgot... It was kinda late and I just collapsed in bed.

Okay...Nita felt Kit's hesitation. Well, as long as you're safe. I'll let you get back to bed. 'Night, Neets.

'Night, Kit. Thanks... and I really am sorry...

They broke the connection. Nita reviewed the conversation in her mind. It was never good to lie, especially in Speech. She had chosen her words very carefully. Hopefully, implied dishonesty wouldn't have too many adverse effects. She was tired, she did forget, and she had collapsed into a bed... it just wasn't her bed.

Sure, now she was worrying about effects. She rubbed her temples

How was she going to explain this to Kit? He knew something was wrong, though he never suspected she was doing anything wrong. He trusted her too much. Now, she had violated that trust.