Ok, I decided to update, just for the heck of it. This chapter might not be very long, so bear with me. And be thankful I even updated…Sarah…Janni…hehe…ok, anyhow, on with the story…

Disclaimer: ok, lets see…hmmm…nope, I don't own that…not that…nope…oh! Wait…no…hmmm…YES! I own the plot, aaaaand…-drum roll- Boric and Diego! Haha!

Just then, Neal placed his lips upon hers. The kiss was sweet, and full of life, sending heat waves through her body. Oh…Kel's mind mused. That's why…

When Neal removed his lips from hers, all Kel could do was stare. And stare. And of course blush. Her blush was impossible to conceal, and it grew darker and more noticeable as the seconds flew by. And, Neal did notice, and started blushing as well. They sat in an uncomfortable, blushing silence before Neal finally spoke up.

"Kel…I…" Neal began quietly, working up the nerve to say what was on his mind.

"I know. You didn't mean to." Kel told him quietly, turning away from him. "No one ever does." Kel quietly got up and walked away, leaving Neal completely flabbergasted. What did she mean by "no one ever does?" had Kel been kissed before? Was she hurt by it? Neal didn't know what happened, but he would cause bodily harm to whoever did something.

(((Back in the room)))

Boric and Diego watched as Kel stalked back into the room, slamming the door behind her. Boric and Diego exchanged glances, and sat in the edge of their seats in anticipation.

"Oh this is better than I love Lucy re-runs!" Diego said excitedly. Boric nodded enthusiastically. Kel hastily crawled back into bed and lay there from some time. She cried herself to sleep. When Neal came, in, and went to the privy, he didn't notice her tear-stained cheeks or her soaked pillow.

(((In the morning)))

Kel woke up earlier than usual despite her late night, and headed off towards the mess hall. To her surprise, she wasn't the only one in the mess hall. Owen and Merric were there also, trying to comfort the squalling baby. Kel, her motherly instincts taking over, went over and helped them put the baby to sleep.

"Thank you Kel!" Owen said gratefully, and sat down with a plop. He was instantly asleep. Merric nodded to Kel in silent thanks and was also instantly asleep. Kel figured he was too tired to even talk. She chuckled quietly to herself and went to collect breakfast for herself and the two boys. By the time she had made her last trip up, all of the boys were there and were quietly awaiting the arrival of Lord Wyldon. No one noticed that Kel and Neal weren't talking, or looking at each other. Or acknowledging each other's existence. When Wyldon walked into the mess hall, Kel nudged Owen and Merric awake. They all stood for the Morning Prayer and then there was a series of thumps as each boy plopped down into their chair, to tired to stand for more than five minutes.

"So, Owen did you enjoy your nap?" Neal inquired lazily, deliberately not looking at Kel.

"Oh yes!" Owen replied enthusiastically, "I dreamed about the magical flying giraffes from poofy-land!"

Silence.

Owen didn't seem to notice; he was too intent on his food. It was then that Kel noticed that Neal hadn't sat down by her. And that she hadn't sat down by him. The order of the table went like this: on one side, there was Esmond, Merric, Kel, then Owen, and on the other side, it went Neal, Prosper, Iden, then Warric. This was not normal. Neither Kel, Neal, Merric, nor Owen were in their proper places. This worried Kel. But not that much. She was still pretty mad about the events of last night.

(((Later that evening)))

(((Merric's POV)))

Kel and Neal still hadn't spoken to each other all day. Merric was getting even more suspicious. Since this was the longest Kel and Neal had ever gone without speaking to each other. The previous record was four hours…Merric, who really wanted to find out what was going on, decided to follow Kel back to her rooms that night. He was a constant shadow as Kel visited Lalasa, his room looking for him, the privy (he didn't go in there though), and finally, her and Neal's room. Kel closed the door almost in his face, and he swore quietly. How was he supposed to find out what was going on when the door was closed? He pressed his ear to the door. He could hear Neal almost as if he were right in front of him. Which he kinda was.

"Kel, about last night." Last night? Merrc thought. "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, or bring back old memories, but will you tell me what you meant when you said that?" Said what? Merric was going to doe if he didn't find out soon.

"It's not important," Merric heard Kel mumble.

"Not important? Of course its important!" Neal half screeched. "I'm your best friend, you can tell me." He added in a much softer tone. Kel was silent for a minute before she opened her mouth.

"When I was—" She began.

"There you are Merric!" Owen hollered from the other end of the hallway. Merric swore again. He was getting good at swearing. It made him feel better inside. He didn't actually know why, but that is beside the point. Merric backed away from the door just in time before it opened to reveal Kel and Neal. Both with raised eyebrows. "I've been looking all over for you!" Owen said as he dragged Merric away. "Where have you been?"

Kel and Neal snickered at the sight of the chubby boy dragging Merric away. Merric looked horrified and mouthed the words "help me," before disappearing around a corner.

(((Boric and Diego's POV))) bold

(((Two minutes earlier)))

Boric and Diego were paying rapt attention to the conversation that was unfolding before them.

"When I was—" The heard Kel say before she was so rudely interrupted by a shout from the hall.

"Awww man!" Diego whined, "and just when she was getting to the good part!"

"I know!"

They watched as Kel and Neal stared out of the room for two minutes. They actually got bored halfway through. They have very short attention spans if something gets boring. Finally the chuckling Kel and Neal closed the door.

"How much do you think he heard?" Kel asked Neal worriedly.

"Not that much," replied Neal, "And besides, if he heard anything at all, do you think he would actually know what we were talking about?"

"True."

"Now tell me."

"Tell you what?" Kel asked innocently.

"Don't play coy with me. I know that trick."

"Fine. Well, when I was ten, and we had just moved back to Tortall from the Yamani isles, a couple of boys were playing a game. They all dared each other to kiss me. So they all did, and then laughed at me when I thought it was real. It hurt. One boy even pretended it was real for a time. Before he then brought all his friends along and had them hide in the woods while I made a complete fool of myself. I promised myself I would never ever love a man again."

"That's deep!" Boric said with a sniffle.

"And so sad!" added Diego, also with a sniffle.

"Oh Kel, I'm sorry, I didn't know," Neal said quietly.

"Yeah, well, it doesn't matter anyways, you won your dare." Kel said bitterly.

Boric and Diego winced at the comment. Then it hit them. He kissed her!

(((Ten minutes later)))

Boric waited outside of Lord Wyldon's office. Diego had stayed behind to make sure they didn't do anything "unacceptable".

"You may enter," Lord Wyldon called from inside his office.

Hehe. I know. I'm evil. But it is so very entertaining to read all of your death threats when I get them. They make my day. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink. 