Three months had passed since Kel's love had been returned and the couple were still as romantic as ever. Their passions were somewhat limited due to the Stump and their classmates but they did what they could, a walk in the grounds here, a quick kiss there. Kel knew Neal wanted more, the number of hints he had dropped since that first day was increasing rapidly, and for the first time so did she. She loved him, didn't she? What possible reason did she have not to want him? All the same she was glad of the anti-pregnancy charm that she had received the birthday after her monthlies had started.
The day of the Test arrived and Neal arrived in her room right on cue. But unfortunately he also arrived with everyone else, who always came to be checked over before an exam or other important event. She told Owen to straighten his shirt, and asked Lalasa to fix a small tear in Seaver's hose. Then she came to Neal.
His hose were awry. She bent to straighten them but hesitated. What would her friends say? She hadn't personally adjusted anything for them. They would be suspicious. She couldn't risk that. Kel stood up.
"Fix your hose Neal." The hurt in his eyes was almost more than she could bear. She dragged a stool over and climbed up on it to comb his hair flat. As she ran her fingers through his hair (something she had always longed to do) she fought the urge to gently kiss the top of his head. But not only were all her year mates watching but she wasn't sure she would ever get to kiss him ever again. Neal was angry. Angry with her.
An hour later they were both squires. What should have been a celebratory meal was eaten in frosty silence. Kel was pleased to be a squire but would have been even more pleased to share her joy with her friend.