I know, I know, I know…Kel isn't the type to open the door half naked. But as I clearly forgot to mention, Kel was changing into her nightclothes, that's why she was half naked, and she was too deep in thought to realize it. See, she was thinking about Neal. Is that better? I think I made an error in the last chappie…isn't Faleron a year older than Kel? So that would make him a squire right? And I'm glad the kiss on the cheek thing counted. Hopefully, Kel will get a real one today. Or maybe tomorrow…depends on when I write that part…if I write that part…

Disclaimer: I do not own this. I repeat, do NOT own this. I repeat…

He suddenly leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek.

All Kel could do was stare. And maybe blush, but mostly stare. She was staring at the spot Neal was standing a few minutes ago. Where he was standing when he kissed her. Then he had rushed out the door without a backward glance. Kel could not believe what had just happened. Neal had kissed her. Not a real kiss, but a kiss nonetheless. But what if he had done it on a dare? Kel thought to herself. She couldn't bear to think that he had done it on a dare. It would break her heart.

"Milady?" Lalasa asked, "Are you okay?"

"Yes. I'm fine," Kel replied, coming out of her reverie.

"As you say milady," Lalasa replied with a smile, and retreated behind her little wall thing. Kel sighed and started getting ready for bed. Again. She was crawling into bed when an image filled her minds eye: it was Neal, smiling and looking at her. She fell asleep with a smile on her face.

(((In the morning)))

Kel left her room, aware of the events of last night. She avoided all of her fellow pages as best she could, without being conspicuous. When she reached the mess hall, she discovered that avoiding pages was impossible. She gathered her tray, porridge, and some fruit, and sat down in her usual seat at her usual table. The only problem with that was that Neal sat on her right, and Merric on her left. And everyone else everywhere else.

All of her friends sat down around her, not saying a word. Not even looking at her. Or trying not to at least. The Neal arrived. She watched him collect his food and walk all the way to their table, her spoon frozen in place. Merric and Owen watched this with interest, noting that Neal seemed to be aloof in his own thoughts while Kel seemed to be transfixed with Neal. Merric didn't know what was going on, but he intended to find out.

Neal walked up to the table and sat down. He began eating his breakfast without even glancing at Kel. Kel sighed quietly, resuming her breakfast. Neal wasn't the only one not talking…the table was silent. Almost as if someone had died. Kel looked up from her porridge, and saw all eyes on her. Kel, deciding to end the silence, spoke up.

"Good morning boys," She said, cheerfully, attempting a smile.

"I hate to break it to you Kel, but you're a little bit late…" Merric replied, trying not to stare. Kel glared, and most of the gang chuckled. All except Neal. She looked at him, expectantly, waiting for his remark that would brighten her day. But it never came. Neal didn't even look up. A flicker of sadness showed in her eyes before she banished it behind her Yamani mask. He did it on a dare. Kel thought. That's why he can't look at me.

(((Neal's POV)))

I can't believe I kissed her. She probably hates me now. Neal thought miserably. But it had felt so right. And he couldn't help himself. She was just standing there, in her breeches and shirt like always. But why was that time different? Neal asked himself while eating his porridge, completely unaware of the hesitant, slow conversation going on around him. Maybe it was the fact that he had seen his crush half naked in front of him just an hour before. Crush? Neal's mind asked. Neal's mind asked. Yes. Crush. Neal's mind smiled. Or maybe it was the fact that his crush had her shirt practically unlaced, and going past the "LOW" mark for Kel. (Which was just below her shoulders…) He had thought she looked good like that. She should do that more often…But he kept returning to the thoughts that…SHE HATES ME! And Oh Mithros! I have a CRUSH on my BEST FRIEND!

(((Kel's POV)))

Kel really didn't know what to think after Neal was so clearly ignoring her. Her best friend. Ignoring her. The conversation that was going on was innocent talk. She noticed that all of her friends clearly avoided anything that had to do with knighthood, for fear it might lead on to talk about teaching, then to teachers, then to classes, then to health class, then to homework, then, finally to the incidents of last night. And anything else that could lead to the "incident". Such as insert anything you can think of that could eventually lead to the "incident" as Kel had put it. So basically they talked about the weather, food, and the weather in particular.

Kel decided to take action.

"Guys," Kel began, her tone of voice suggesting that this was important, "I have something to say." At this all of the boys (including Iden and Warric, who weren't even there when the "incident" happened) were paying rapt attention. Neal was looking at her with a strange emotion in his eyes, that Kel couldn't quite place. Was it hate? Was it regret? Was it…love? Kel took a deep breath and began. "I am sorry for what happened last night." Not a hair moved. "It was my fault, and I am sorry. I wasn't paying attention, and I was…lost in my thoughts." She said with a glance at Neal. "And only until after you left, did I remember that I had forgotten to lace up my shirt. I am sorry if I offended any of you. I truly didn't mean to." By now Kel had acquired a small pinkish tint to he cheeks. Kel looked down, afraid to see their reactions. A warm hand clasped her shoulder. So did another. She looked up into the smiling faces of her friends.

"Kel, we weren't even mad in the first place," Merric said.

"Yeah!" Owen piped up, "in fact, we didn't mind it at all!" Merric slapped his forehead. "What?" Owen asked innocently. Esmond leaned over to explain it to him. "Oh! Sorry Kel!" He said, sheepish. "I didn't mean it the way it came out!"

"I know," Kel replied calmly. She looked up into the face of the person whose hand still clasped her shoulder. It was Neal. She smiled up into his face tentatively, as if asking if he was angry. He replied with a smile and a reassuring squeeze of her shoulder.

(((That night)))

Neal caught her just as she was about to enter her rooms after their study group was done.

"Kel, I thought what you did this morning at breakfast was brave. I don't think I could have done that." Neal said in a half whisper. He then seized her in a fierce hug. "You are the best friend I have ever known." He whispered. He looked like he was about to kiss her again, but thought better of it. He let go of her with a smile and strode down the hallway. Just as he was about to turn into his room, he stopped. He turned around, an odd look on his face. "Oh and by the way Kel," He called, "you should wear your shirt unlaced more often." He then disappeared into his room before Kel could reply.

I know, its short. And I know, no kiss. But a kiss next chappie I PROMISE! I just needed a filler chapter. Oh, and incase some of you guys didn't notice, I changed my Penname…it is now: Sunkissed Guacamole. I just thought Guacamole13 was boring. I think it is kind of weird though…and SARAH made me do it! Has anyone else noticed that all of my stories are about romance? And that all three of them have Kel in them…in fact, two of them are solely ABOUT Kel…ANYways…review please. Because it makes me feel happy.