Chapter 13

Adella awoke with a gasp. She grabbed her chest and held back coughs. What…What was that? She gathered her thoughts. A dream…Ha, it was more like a nightmare… She remembered who attacked her in her dream. She pulled her knees up to her chest and put her head down. "Zolo wouldn't do that to me…would he? But…he's very powerful and capable of doing anything…What am I thinking? One silly nightmare about him and suddenly I'm afraid of him? I shouldn't think that was about him." She coughed into her knees. "I need some water." She slipped out of bed and adjusted her shorts pajama shorts. She smoothed down her hair and pulled her pajama tank top down over her stomach. She sleepily left the bedroom and felt her way to the kitchen. As soon as she opened the door, she felt like running and hiding. Zolo was sitting at the table.

He looked up from polishing his swords at her. They just stared for a moment. "Hi."

Adella felt her face flush red. "Yeah." She remembered what she had told him two nights ago. "Uh…" She made her way over to the cupboard and took out a glass. She got herself some water and faced the wall. What do I do? She had noticed that Zolo's expression was totally different from her nightmare. But he had his swords, just like--She shook her head. No, he won't hurt me.

"So, um, how've you been?" Zolo asked casually.

She turned around to him. "Oh, me? F-Fine, just fine…I was uh, thirsty, so I came to get some water…" What am I doing! He didn't ask me twenty questions! Why am I saying so much! "I'd better go."

"Adella." He rose from his seat and stood in front of the door.

"Z-Zolo…w-what are y-you doing?" Her hands became clammy.

"What do I have to do to convince you that I love you?"

She noticed a hint of sadness in his tone. "What?"

"Adella, I love you. Why won't you take me back?"

"Zolo…I…just can't…" I don't know how…

He put his head down and sighed. "I understand." He went back to his seat. "I mean, why would you take me back? After all that you went through. It's only fair, right? That now I have to suffer. I guess you could call it pay back…"

"No, Zolo. It's not like that…" The ship hit a waved and bounced. "Huh!" Adella fell forward, right onto Zolo. Their lips touched. Both their eyes became wide. Her cool shattered as she jumped up. She covered her mouth.

Zolo was equally surprised. He stood up. "…Adella…"

She turned away. "I have to go." She headed for the door.

He grabbed her arm. "…Did you really come here for water?"

She looked at him. "What're trying to say? Of course I came here for water! What else would I be doing up at night?" She almost yelled.

He brought her closer to him. "You're lying…"

"Lying? Why would I lie, huh!" She was getting angry.

"Adella…Stop talking." She obeyed reluctantly. Zolo leaned forward slowly.

What is he doing! He's gonna kiss me! Get away! Stop! As much as her brain told her no, her heart said yes. She couldn't hear her brain, her heart was louder. Much louder. She felt the touch of Zolo's lips against her own. It was surprisingly soft, the way he kissed her. It was timid at fist, but when he discovered that she had no objections to it, he deepened the sought after kiss. He gently let his tongue probe between her lips, then entered her mouth. This isn't happening…No, it's not…Zolo's kissing me… Adella began to cooperate. Zolo squeezed her tighter and kissed her deeper. And Adella helped.