Be My Stone

by Happy Palm Tree

Kara receives a box of her old stuff from Eliza and inside is a tin box she doesn't recognize. Hanging out with Lena, Kara finally gets around to opening the tin box to find a mystery inside that turns both their worlds upside down. Proof they knew each other when they were teenagers. How can the impossible not just be possible, but true?

3. Chapter 3

PART THREE

10 A.M., Sunday, Midvale, Danvers House

Rolling over in bed stretching Lena was first aware of how much better she felt, everything hurt less and she could move her foot without the intense pain. The second thing was that she was in a bed. Lena frowned whispering, "That's weird." All she could remember was falling asleep next to Kara on the couch; she was really confused on how she got into a bed especially since if she was remembering correctly all the bedrooms were upstairs. Lena sat up in bed and look around to see a second bed having been slept in but empty across from the one she was in. Then it hit her, she was in Kara's room, the one she shared with her sister.

"Okay but how did I get up here?" Lena said.

A sound from downstairs caught Lena's attention drawing her from her own thoughts and pulling her out of bed. She hobbled from the room happy that her ankle was healing so fast and stood at the top of the stairs to hear Kara talking to someone.

"I've brought everything in…No, I'm sure I've got everything. Thank you so much Mrs. Emerson for helping me with my errand. You've been such a huge help, if there is anything I can do for you to pay to back please tell me. I will be happy to do it. You've helped me so much these last couple of days…"

"You're welcome Kara. And please let me know if you and you're friend want to join us tonight at the movies." An older woman said. Lena didn't recognize the voice. Lena hobbled to the window, and immediately noticed a gray SUV parked out front. While she was looking through the window the woman at door left and got in her car leaving. The whole thing left Lena curious and she hobbled downstairs to find Kara.

At the bottom of the stairs she found Kara walking into the kitchen, she was dressed for the day in jeans, white running shoes and form fitting sky blue t-shite. Lena thought Kara looked super cute in her outfit with her hair pulled up into a ponytail.

"Good morning Lena! Did you sleep well?" Kara asked the moment she noticed Lena was awake. Kara greeted her with a big bright happy smile and a bounce in her step, she seemed really happy to see her and it as a great welcome for Lena. Even her own family seemed constantly exasperated by her presence and her last set of "friends" from school were also so careful and borderline cold her with all the time so to have someone genuinely happy to see her was such a nice change.

"I did Kara, sorry it was so late." Lena said reaching out to Kara with a quick touch that made Kara smile.

"No Lena, you needed your rest. I wasn't going to let anyone wake you up before you were ready." Kara said with her bright happy smile.

"You're so sweet." Lena said reaching out hugging Kara briefly.

"I woke up early this morning and went out with Mrs. Emerson to get groceries for us. My mom isn't supposed to be back until Wednesday so we have a few days to figure some stuff out. I wasn't sure what you'd need so I just got some stuff for a couple of meals. Mrs. Emerson was nice enough to give me the recipe for a homemade spaghetti dinner with garlic bread. The other meals are more like pancakes and twice baked potatoes, which is the only thing I know how to make. My mom has been trying to teach me how to cook, it hasn't been going well."

Lena smile and told Kara reaching out linking their arms together, "You're the cutest girl I have ever met, I like you so much Kara."

Kara just smiled wider her eyes practically twinkling. Lena loved it. She wasn't lying, she liked Kara more than any other girl she had ever met; she was the best friend she had been searching all her life for.

Kara led Lena into the kitchen and offered her powdered donuts and milk for breakfast. Lena admitted she had never had it before but was happy to try it, and after she did she fell in love.

"I've had other types of donuts before but not these tiny powdered donuts and they are so great. Thank you Kara for picking these up." Lena said. She was making sure to be extra polite since Kara was that type of girl, she wanted to make sure to treat her friend right and Kara seemed to respond in a positive manner smiling more and showing Lena all the groceries she bought while she was asleep.

A short time later while Lena was eating donuts and drinking milk while chatting with Kara, she asked, "Hey Kara, how did I get up to bed last night? I don't remember."

"I helped you. You were so tired and I didn't want you sleeping on a lumpy couch." Kara replied her smile never wavering as she grabbed a donut snacking on it.

"You're like the best person ever Kara. I don't know what I did to deserve meeting you." Lena said astounded by Kara's honesty and generosity.

"So, how are you feeling today Lena? How's your head?" Kara asked taking a seat at the kitchen table next to Lena.

"Much better, I don't feel like run over crap and I can walk without feeling like I'm going to fall over. I mean, everything still hurts a lot but nowhere near as much." Lena said then popped another powdered donut into her mouth.

"I'm so happy to hear that I was worried you'd need a doctor." Kara said.

"Me too, because if I did need a doctor I would have to call my brother and that would be the end to this." Lena said with a frown.

"What do you mean, end to all this?" Kara asked with a worried expression.

"When my brother finds out where I am he'll send more security to come pick me up and that will be the end of this. He's got control over me for another year and half so…Actually I take that back, he'll have control over me until after I finish college. I don't have any money of my own. Whatever my father left me when he died is under my brother's control, I can't touch it." Lena admitted trying to act casual about it but the bitterness in her tone was clear.

"He wouldn't allow us to be friends?" Kara asked.

"Yeah probably not just to punish me for not dying yesterday." Lena joked grimly chuckling.

"That's a horrible joke Lena. And that's a horrible thought. I couldn't imagine not being your friend. Now that I've found you I don't want to let you go." Kara admitted with a serious expression that immediately cheered Lena up.

"Me too Kara. And don't you worry, I'll make sure to memorize your phone number and email before this week is done so there won't be a thing my brother or step mother can do to stop us from contacting each other." Lena assured Kara which cheered the blonde up right away.

"Oh, so Lena would you like to go to the movies with me tonight? Mrs. Emerson offered to take us with her and her husband to the movie center a few towns over. I'm not sure what's playing but I thought it might be fun. I've only been twice and that was with my mom. Alex hates it when I ask to go with her and her friends. Alex says I embarrass her." Kara said.

"A movie with my best friend? Hum, I need to think about that Kara." Lena said with a serious expression that instantly made Kara visibly sad. Lena saw this right away and realized her mistake.

"Oh I'm sorry Kara. I didn't mean it like that. I was just playing with you. I'd love to see a movie with my best friend. If we can go out to Starbucks or something too, it'd be like my perfect night out." Lena said reaching out for Kara and taking both of Kara's hands in-between her own and holding them while giving her best friend a big happy smile.

"Really Lena? You're not just saying that? A lot of people have lied to me about a lot of things. I have a hard time figuring this place out, and the people here. They say one thing but they actually mean another. It's all so confusing." Kara said looking Lena in the eyes.

This confession hit Lena in the heart, Kara was laying herself totally out there and Lena wasn't used to that type of open vulnerability. Lena blinked a few times clutched Kara's hands tighter to her heart and told her friend with all the sincerity she could muster.

"I'm not just saying that Kara. And I won't lie to you. I'm sorry that people have done that before but I won't be like them I promise. I'm going to be the best friend you deserve. I really was just playing earlier, sorry if my sarcasm sucks. I'm not very good at it; mostly it just comes off as being bitchy." Lena admitted.

"I appreciate the apology Lena. It really means a lot to me." Kara said her smile returning.

"Hey, if there's anything I can help you with, you know about getting settled in here in your new home I'd be happy to help out. Anything for you." Lena said pulling Kara into a one armed hug.

"Really? Because there's a lot of stuff that Alex won't explain and Eliza says I'm too young to know. I don't agree. Where I'm from the Elders didn't keep anything back from children if they asked."

"What about all the stuff kids didn't ask about?" Lena asked curious.

Kara laughed and nodded as she admitted, "The Elders didn't share everything just the stuff we asked about, it was how they could justify keeping so many secrets. The whole…well you never asked thing."

"Adults man, they're always the same no matter where you go." Lena said shaking her head with a chuckle.

"I'm learning that." Kara said nodding in agreement then quickly followed up with a question. "So Lena can you explain to me how your boarding schools work? I'm still trying to understand the school system here and I'm confused about a few things."

The pair moved to a more comfortable room as they continued to talk. Lena was happy to answer any of Kara's questions until she realized that Kara had endless questions about everything. It was like she was brand new to the world which Lena found odd but pushed the thought to the back of her mind. Lena enjoyed Kara's innocence and her eagerness to learn. There was no negativity to Kara at all and it was refreshing to be around someone so positive. Lena was surprised by how fast Kara caught on yet shocked by how little Kara knew or understood about American society, it was almost like she was from a foreign country. And yet, when the subject moved to science Kara was an expert which impressed Lena immensely. Lena had never met a girl her own age who could talk science with her about the type of stuff her brother was working on without having to explain every term used. It was the best conversation she had ever had and she never wanted it to end.

Lena was learning that talking to Kara was nothing like talking to other people her own age. Kara was so much more innocent about some things while so much knowledgeable about other things it was such a strange mix. Sometimes Kara seemed so young and sometimes she seemed much older than her age. Lena was so intrigued by Kara, the more she learned the more she liked. Kara wasn't silly or dumb like other girls their age, she actually had real opinions about things and Kara cared about stuff, important stuff. Stuff that most people their age didn't care about like helping the poor and helpless and making the world a better place not just her neighborhood or town. Lena was shocked when she found out Kara wasn't volunteering at an animal shelter or an old folk's home which lead them into a long detailed discussion about what they wanted to study in college and what type of job they wanted after they were done with school.

Lena didn't want to talk about the plans her step mother and brother had for her, it was way too depressing for her to think about but she was happy to play what if with Kara over all the possibilities in front of them. And much to Lena's surprise Kara hadn't thought about what sort of job she wanted to do after school was over. So Lena began listing every possibly profession available to Kara. And when Kara began to show interest in maybe teaching or running a small business Lena didn't like it, she thought it was way too boring and began steering Kara toward more exciting things like musical theater or even journalism.

Hours passed by like this and before they knew it, it was after lunch time. The moment Kara realized how late it was she insisted they pause to eat. This time Lena insisted on making their meal, it was just sandwiches and chips but Lena was proud of herself especially when Kara asked for a second sandwich.

3 P.M., Sunday, Midvale, Danvers House

Kara was having the best day, she felt like she was flying which was weird because she was still on the ground. And yet, the feeling of elation and buzzing happiness remained and she knew it was because of her new best friend. Talking and sharing with Lena was so easy and freeing, Kara felt like she could tell Lena anything and she wouldn't be judged for it. And Lena encouraged her to share her opinion and ideas. No one wanted to hear what she thought not at school or at home. And Lena didn't judge or her push any "You have to be THIS WAY to fit in" that Alex or even Eliza had been pushing on her over the last couple of years not that Kara saw it as a bad thing, she was still learning to act and be human to fit in on Earth. But the way Lena encouraged her was like she was helping Kara really figure out who she was and who she wanted to be. No one had really done that for Kara before and Kara loved it. She loved all the attention from Lena and put a lot of weight in Lena's suggestions. It gave a Kara lot to think about in a good way.

After lunch Kara took their dishes to the kitchen when she heard the house phone ring. She ran to other room to pick it up, she did before it could finish the second ring.

"Hello? Danvers residence." Kara answered brightly.

"Hi Kara! How is everything going?" Eliza asked with a smile in her voice. Kara knew the trip with Alex was going well.

"Everything is going great." Kara answered right away.

"Mrs. Emerson says you've got a friend over. Are you having fun?" Eliza asked with a mother's concern. Kara immediately stood up a little straighter as she replied.

"Um yeah a lot of fun actually. I do have friend over and I'm sorry I didn't call to let you know sooner it was just last minute having my friend come over here instead of me going over there. We're supposed to go with Mrs. Emerson to the movies tonight. Oh and um, mom yesterday I was walking to the store when I saw an accident on the road. I called it in to the police and they came by to get my statement. They said they want to talk to you."

"What did you see Kara? Are you okay? Were you involved?" Eliza asked her concern very apparent in her voice.

Kara was quick to explain that she only saw the accident and reported it. She didn't mention anything else. Kara HATED lying to Eliza like that, it felt her skin was burning to do so but she knew that if she told Eliza the truth Eliza would cut her trip with Alex short and come home immediately. Kara couldn't do that to Alex so Kara lied. Then while they were discussing the police needing to talk to Eliza, Kara overheard a familiar beeping sound in the background. It was Eliza's cellphone ringing.

"Kara I'm sorry, it's an important call I need to take. Here talk to your sister for a moment." Eliza said passing off the phone to Alex before Kara could get a word in.

"Hi loser." Alex said with a teasing tone and for the first time in what felt like forever it didn't bother Kara.

"Hi Alex. Are you having a good time touring the school?" Kara asked genuinely curious about her sister's trip.

"I am. Hey, what's going on with you? You sound…happy Kara." Alex said suspiciously.

"I don't know what you're talking about Alex." Kara said unable to get the smile out of her voice.

"So mom was telling the truth. You have a friend over. Who is it?" Alex asked.

"You don't need to know. You don't know them." Kara said trying to deflect.

"So, then tell me. Come on, what's the big deal if you tell me their name and I don't know them?" Alex insisted.

Kara didn't say anything in return and there was a long pause until Alex laughed asking, "Oh wow Kara what did you do? This is serious isn't it? What are you hiding from Mom? You can't keep a secret if you tried so what's so important that you can't tell me? I mean it's gotta be pretty important right? So who is this new friend? What's his name?"

Kara took a deep breath, she wanted to tell Alex. She wanted to trust Alex but Alex could be so hard to read, sometime she was Kara's best friend and sometimes she could be Kara's worst enemy. Eliza told her that's just how sisters were on Earth. Kara just didn't know who she was getting today.

"Look Kara, you're my little sister. I know I give you a hard time and can be kind of an asshole sometimes, it's what big sisters are supposed to do. I'm sorry if I go too far once in a while and hurt your feelings. And I know I'm not the person you want to confide in but I want you to know you can. I won't tell Mom. I just hope you're having fun and staying safe. Like seriously Kara use protection. You know what I mean right, condoms…" Alex said until Kara cut her off.

"Alex! Are you talking about sex?" Kara asked in a loud hushed tone into the phone.

"Well yeah, you have a guy over don't you?" Alex asked confused.

"NO! I met a new friend and I invited them over, her name is Lena." Kara said with a look of disbelief and shock on her face.

"What? Is that all? God Kara you're so tame I should have known." Alex said laughing long and hard.

"Well, that's just part of it. The other part is I sort of rescued Lena from a bad situation and have been helping hide her from some bad people that are looking for her. I know it's just a temporary solution but until we can think of a better one, it's the one I've got." Kara admitted and Alex stopped laughing.

"Do you have a couple minutes Kara? I want to hear the whole story." Alex asked with a patience that Kara normally never heard in her sister's voice. Kara shrugged replying. "Yeah, okay."

Kara could still hear Lena in the other room so she quickly moved upstairs taking the cordless phone with her and went into her bedroom shutting the door for privacy. Kara kept her voice down and quickly filled Alex in on what really happened and how she took Lena in. Alex kept quiet just listening until Kara was done.

"That's some scary shit little sister. You did the right thing. Sounds like those security guys were doing more than just keeping Lena locked in a room. What assholes. I mean, who runs their charge off a road? They were straight up trying to kill her. And who hires people like that to watch their kid? I don't get really rich people, their like not normal in any way. Look I'm not going to say a thing to mom about this but if anything else goes down call us right away. Mom can always help. And if you and Lena haven't figured out a plan by the time we get home, I'll help you talk to mom. Be safe okay Kara?"

"Thank you Alex. You have no idea how much your support on this means to me." Kara said sincerely with tears welling up in her eyes.

"We got to stick together, we're sisters." Alex said and Kara knew she was being sincere. It just made Kara's smile even bigger.

Kara heard Lena calling out to her and slowly making her way up the stairs. "Hey Alex, I've got to go. Tell mom I love her. Talk to you later."

"I will. Have fun little sister." Alex replied hanging up.

Kara left the bedroom and rushed downstairs heading Lena off before she was even four steps up.

"Hi!" Kara brightly greeted her friend.

"Is everything okay?" Lena asked with a worried look.

"Yes. That was my mom and sister checking in. They are having a good trip. They want us to have fun tonight." Kara said her smile never wavering.

"Oh! Awesome. Hey, can we go for a walk. I need to get out of the house. I'm starting to feel a little claustrophobic." Lena admitted.

"Can your ankle handle it?" Kara asked offering her hand to her friend and Lena took it immediately.

"Yes!"

Kara laughed and grabbed her keys as they headed out the front door. They saw the mailman come by and drop mail off in the mailbox, he waved at Kara before driving off to his next stop. Kara waved back and asked if they could grab the mail before they headed out on their walk. Lena just smiled and linked her arms with Kara's. They walked together to the end of the drive where the mailbox was located. Lena let Kara go so she could check the box, as Kara pulled out a stack of mail a truck came speeding down the road toward them. At the last moment the truck came to an abrupt stop in front of them startling both Kara and Lena. Kara was worried they were going to get hit and stepped in front of Lena to protect her.

"Who the hell is this?" Lena asked frowning at the rude driver of the truck.

Before Kara could answer the driver side window rolled down and a young white man in a blue trucker's hat leaned out. Kara recognized him immediately; she instantly deflated and shrank as she said quickly and quietly. "It's Alex's friend from school, Randy."

"Hi Randy." Kara said with a weak smile and dread in her voice.

"Hey training bra! Where's your sister I want to show her my new truck." Randy said with a snarky look toward Kara and a leering look at Lena.

"She's not home." Kara said not bothering to look up at Randy her eyes were on the ground.

Lena noticed the change in her friend but remained quiet as she took the whole scene in.

"What? Not home. That sucks. Hey…who's your cute friend training bra?" Randy said winking at Lena.

"Just a friend." Kara said glancing at the trucks tires; she could feel herself shrinking more and more under Randy's critical stare. What Kara didn't notice was her friend's changing facial expression.

Lena was listening and watching this interaction between Kara and Randy and her deepening frown said a lot. Though Randy wasn't paying attention to Lena's facial cues or how uncomfortable he was making Kara.

"Hey cutie I'm Randy. Why don't you go throw on a bikini and I'll take you to the lake and we can hang out." Randy said looking Lena up and down like a piece of meat.

Lena who was still dressed in her sleep clothes was done listening to this guy. She rolled her eyes asking the guy with an angry tone in her voice. "Why do you insist on calling Kara by that horrible name?"

"What do you mean? Training bra?" Randy asked and began laughing like it was the funniest thing in the world and Kara shrunk even more. Lena's eyes narrowed as she asked, "What's so funny? Fill me in Randy."

"Little tits wore a training bra to the lake under her bathing suit. She looked ridiculous. So that's her nickname. What? It's all in good fun. Little tits don't care." Randy said still chuckling at his own joke.

"You must have the smallest dick in town." Lena said glaring angrily at Randy.

Instantly Kara looked up at Lena, she was shocked anyone would talk like that to Randy, the most popular boy in school but Lena wasn't backing down. Kara turned to see Randy's face go through a cascade of emotions shock, alarm, disbelief, embarrassment until his face was red with shame and he stammered trying to come up with a comeback. He finally settled on, "What the fuck did you say to me?"

"I said you have a small dick Randy."

"You bitch! Who do you think you're talking to?" Randy sneered.

"I'm talking to small little man who likes to bully people. Look Randy, I know you must have a small useless dick if you're picking on cute girls like Kara for no fucking reason other than to be an asshole. I don't know what your problem is, why you act like a douchbag to everyone and I know it's everyone. Kara's not the only victim of your crap attitude. Guys with tiny dicks always have a chip on their shoulder. Maybe your mommy and daddy don't pay enough attention to you or tell you they love you enough but acting like a total douchbag to people is all the proof I need that you are trying to compensate for something. I mean come on Randy, a truck…Who are we trying to fool here? Not me."

Randy blinked, clenching his jaw unsure of what to say his whole face turning beet red. He looked like he wanted to get violent only a neighbor's car came down the street. Randy saw the neighbor and sneered one more time. "Next time I see you bitch, it's on!"

"You wish limp dick. I wouldn't give you the satisfaction." Lena sneered back with disgust.

Randy took off speeding dangerously down the street while Kara stared at Lena with awe and new found respect.

"You're my hero Lena." Kara gushed once they were alone.

Lena suddenly grew shy, she smiled and shrugged, and when she looked up at Kara again she simply said. "No one talks to you like that Kara."

"That's why you're my hero."

"Hey, how does your sister know that asshole? Please don't tell me she's dating that prick." Lena asked. Kara laughed and they linked arms again to head back toward the house.

"No, Randy likes Alex but she's just good friends with his sister. She doesn't like Randy at all." Kara explained.

Kara had a small smile for a moment then it fell as she frowned and she looked to Lena with a worried look and Lena patiently waited with an encouraging smile. Kara sighed and looked away as she confessed. "I used to think Randy was handsome. I sort of had a small crush on him until that day at the lake. I think he's a total jerk now."

"Yeah, I get that. I've done that too. Funny how that works out, the worse a person is the worse they look. Like the ugly on the inside makes them ugly on the outside no matter how perfect they look the ugly always seeps out." Lena said with a raise of her eyebrow and Kara nodded vigorously in agreement.

"I noticed that too!" Kara said.

Kara dropped off the mail inside the house and they walked to the left toward the creek. Lena was still limping but it wasn't as pronounced as it once was and Lena didn't seem to be in any pain.

"I'm glad your sister isn't dating that asshole. They can sneak in you know. Assholes don't always show you their true sides until they've hooked you and it's too late. If that happens you can get hurt real bad." Lena said staring head of them.

Kara frowned looking at her friend she knew Lena wasn't speaking generally. When they were talking earlier Lena had briefly mentioned in a couple of different ways making some bad decisions at her previous school but didn't say anything more. Now Kara felt comfortable asking questions.

"Lena what happened at your school?"

"The whole truth?" Lena asked in return glancing at Kara with a heavy expression.

"You don't have to tell me if you're not comfortable."

"No, I trust you Kara. I know you won't hold it against me or think I'm lying like my step mother or those asshole teachers." Lena said her voice getting a hard edge to it.

Kara patiently waited as Lena took a few deep breaths before explaining, "I didn't have any friends when I first got to the school. Then this cute guy, a popular guy, started paying attention to me. I liked it and we started dating. I thought he really meant it when he said he loved me and wanted to be with me. He introduced me to all his friends. I thought I had real friends of my own but it was all fake. They used me to steal a bunch of stuff from the science department. They had been doing it for a while. I had no idea. When the teachers caught on they set a room on fire to cover their tracks setting me up to take the blame. I thought at least my boyfriend would be there for me, to vouch for me since I had nothing to do with it but nope, he was their number one witness against me. I found out then he had been dating a girl in his group of friends the whole time he was with me. Everything he said to me was a lie. And before I could confront him or any of them or even attempt to clear my name my brother yanked me from the school and brought me here. I didn't even get a chance to pack or grab any of my stuff. I was just put in a car and flown here against my will."

Kara had tears in her eyes listening to Lena. She was amazed by how composed her friend was as she spoke but the far away painful look in her eyes told Kara Lena was holding a lot back. Kara desperately wanted to reach out and hug Lena but she wasn't sure if Lena would accept the gesture of comfort or not. Lena took another deep breath; Kara could see Lena fighting back tears as Lena looked to the ground shaking her head as she confessed just above a whisper.

"I'm such an idiot Kara. I fell for all his lies. I just wanted to fit in for once. I wanted to be loved for real, he said he loved me. I believed him. It was all lies, it's always lies. I was so blinded by his stupid bullshit I didn't see his shitty friends use me. I'm such an idiot. I don't deserve love. Every time I try it blows up in my face."

Lena burst into heavy sobs, she covered her face with both her hands crying until her whole body shook. Kara didn't hesitate, she rushed over reaching out hugging Lena gently but firmly and Lena opened up wrapping her arms around Kara pressing her face to Kara's shoulder crying harder.

"You do deserve love Lena. Everyone does. Please don't think less of yourself just because this guy was a jerk. The right person will come along and give you all the love you need and deserve. Just you wait and see you've got great things coming to you." Kara said softly into Lena's ear and Lena cried harder.

The pair of friends stood there holding each other until Lena eventually stopped crying. Kara wasn't keeping track of the time, she didn't care how much time she spent holding Lena all that mattered was that she was making Lena feel better. When Lena let Kara go her eyes were red and puffy, she immediately apologized to Kara. "I'm sorry for crying all over you."

"It's okay. You can cry on me anytime. I'm your friend Lena, you don't need to apologize." Kara said with a small smile.

"Thank you Kara."

"Hey, we still have time before Mrs. Emerson is supposed to pick us up for the movies. What would you like to do until then? Anything I can do to help cheer you up?" Kara asked with a big cheerful smile.

Lena was still wiping her face clean of tears and snot as she quietly thought it over then smiled a small smile as she shyly told Kara. "There is something you could do that would really cheer me up."

"Really? What? Name it and I'll do it. Promise." Kara said her smile getting a little bigger in her excitement.

"Could you sing for me?" Lena asked with a shrug and shy look.

Kara froze and her eyes went wide. Of all the things Kara thought Lena would ask for she never thought Lena would ask for that. Kara opened her mouth to answer but then closed her mouth like a fish trying to breathe as nothing came out again and again. Stunned and unable to answer Kara looked to the ground and shrugged and began mumbling in a string of excuses that strung together. All of Kara's insecurities and fears about her voice and her abilities to sing came flooding back freezing Kara from the inside out robbing her of her speaking voice, and of her motor skills making her flail her arms and hands in panic. The anxiety drowning Kara suddenly came to a screeching halt when she felt Lena's hands on her arms gently stopping her and getting her full attention.

"Kara, calm down. I'm not asking you to sing in front a crowd of thousands or even in front of anyone else. I'm only asking you to sing for me right here right now." Lena said in a calm soothing voice that made Kara look up into Lena's gentle green eyes.

All Kara could see in Lena's gaze was trust, understanding, support and something else. Something that made Kara want to believe Lena and take that leap of faith. The anxiety inside of Kara slowly twisted into something new, an electric feeling that blossomed from inside her stomach that spread out to her arms and legs like little sparks all the way to her fingertips and toes.

"Kara you have the most beautiful voice I've ever heard. Please. It would really cheer me up."

Kara stared hard at Lena for a long moment while Lena patiently waited for an answer. Finally Kara said with a terrified expression, "What would you like me to sing?"

"So you know all the song off the Alessia Cara album Know It All right? Can you sing me River Of Tears? It's the song that's been speaking to me the most. I would really love to hear you sing it." Lena asked shyly biting the bottom of her lip.

Kara's first instinct was to say no but the silent pleading look Lena was giving her was melting any resistance she had left. Kara smiled weakly and nodded. Kara did know all the songs from that album but she didn't know the well enough to sing them without hearing the music. She had an idea.

"Yes. Do you want me to sing the song right now?" Kara asked trying to relax but it was hard her whole body felt like it was buzzing.

"Yes, if you could." Lena answered her face bursting into an excited smile.

"Okay but before I do I need you to close your eyes and count to ten slowly? I need a second." Kara said.

"Sure! Whatever you need." Lena said. She closed her eyes and started counting out loud slowly.

Kara watched Lena for a brief moment then used her super speed to run back to the house turn on the music player that was still in the bathroom from the night before. She turned it to the proper song and ran back to Lena's side. Lena was still on number eight when Kara returned. She could hear the music of the song begin and she reached out taking Lena's hands in her own. Lena opened her eyes and smiled at Kara who smiled back but looked away as she started singing in a soft voice.

"Still got the flowers that you sent. And the note you wrote that said that we we're meant. To be forever. I keep them all as evidence, in a drawer under the mirror. Filled with empty promises."

Lena squeezed Kara's hand as she sang giving her encouragement and Kara's voice grew stronger.

"I don't know why. I keep. Letting you lie. To me. Hard as I try, it seems I can't break away. I thought that you would be the hero. Come and save the day, but you're a villain. Your sins un-forgiven."

Kara grew more confident as she sang but when Lena began using her thumbs to rub the back of Kara's hands she looked up at Lena to see her friend watching her with total love and admiration. Kara felt comfortable to really let loose and give the song her all. Her confidence growing with each word she sang, Kara put effort into her voice for the first time and it felt amazing.

"Cry me a river. Build myself a bridge. I've over this. Can't let memories, become the death of me. I'm glad to see, everything that you are and I believe that you are. Everything I needed but I don't need no more.

I'm going down, and you have watched me drown. In a river of tears, lost beneath the stream under the waves I've found the strength to say. The river of tears, has washed me clean. Go ahead and wish me well, I'll cry a wishing well. I'll fly before I fall, I set sail and drift away. So I won't need you here. Love sink and hope floats. In a river of tears. In a river of tears."

When Kara was done singing the song Lena had tears in her eyes, at first Kara was worried the tears were because she sang badly only Lena quickly assured her that was not the case.

"That was so beautiful Kara. Oh my god, that was the most amazing thing I have ever heard. Will you do another song for me? Any one you want? I just need to hear you sing again." Lena asked squeezing Kara's hands in excitement and silent pleading.

"Sure."

5:30 P.M., Sunday, Midvale, woods behind the Danvers House

Lena was so excited. Her heart was racing and there was this tingly sensation all over that made her feel a little dizzy when she listened to Kara sing that song for her so when Kara agreed to sing another one Lena could barely stand still she wanted to wrap her whole body around Kara in response. Only her fear that Kara wouldn't like a whole body hug kept Lena in place.

Kara smiled at Lena then began singing to her again. This was another familiar song but the one Lena had never really paid all that much attention to. However, today was different because Kara was singing this Alessia Cara's song "Stone" to her. Lena hung on every word out of Kara's mouth.

Kara smiled sweetly at Lena holding her hands looking into Lena's eyes as she sang, "So much on my mind. I think I think too much. Read between these lines, unspoken weight of words. But time comes to rest when you are by side, it blurs. And I will follow where this takes me. And my tomorrows long to be unknown. When all is shaken be my safety. In a world of uncertain say you'll be my stone."

The late afternoon sun was coming in through the canopy of leaves over heady from the close knit of trees hanging over the creek. The filtered light kept Lena in the shade while bathing Kara in sunlight making Kara's hair even more blonde and highlighting Kara's eyes. Lena had never noticed how clear and blue Kara's eyes were; Lena felt like she could stare into them forever.

"Change in every wind, the sands of time don't know our name. Oh, nothings sure, but surely as we stand, I promise I will stay the same. And I've never seen forever, but I know we'll remain. And I will follow where this takes me, and my tomorrows long to be unknown. When all is shaken be my safety. In a world uncertain, say you'll be my stone."

Lena didn't want this to end. All she wanted now was to hang out with Kara and listen to her sing.

"Oh steady me, be my source of gravity while my world's unraveling. Say you'll never change. Ooooooh. Oh! And I will follow where this takes me, and my tomorrows long to be unknown. When all is shaken be my safety. In a world uncertain, say you'll be my stone. Be my stone. In a world uncertain, say you'll be my stone."

After the song Lena let go of Kara's hands to clap and praise Kara making Kara blush and shy away. Lena didn't let it go she kept telling Kara how good she sounded and how much she wanted to hear another one. However, Kara noticed the time and announced, "We need to go back to the house and get changed. Mrs. Emerson will be picking us up soon for the movies."

"Kara you have to promise me something before we go."

"Okay. What?"

"Sing for me again later when we're alone. Please?" Lena asked reaching out and wrapping her arm around Kara's waist and halfway hugging her. Kara leaned into Lena and nodded as she replied, "Okay, for you I will. You're the only person though, I hope you know that."

"I do! And I love it." Lena said with a happy giggle.

They walked back to the house and before they even got inside Kara offered to bring her clothes downstairs so Lena wouldn't have to go up and down the stairs saving her ankle a little more. Lena was very appreciative of the gesture and told Kara yes. Kara rushed straight upstairs as soon as they got to the front door to get the clothes for Lena. And for a few moments Lena could have sworn she heard music coming from upstairs and that confused her because she couldn't recall either of them going up stairs to turn any music on. Kara soon returned with clothes for Lena and she changed in the downstairs bathroom into what she soon learned were Kara's sister's clothes just a pair of black jeans and white t-shirt with a light gray jacket. Kara came downstairs dressed in blue jeans, white and blue running shoes, a red t-shirt and blue and black flannel shirt as a jacket. Lena loved the look and thought Kara looked super cute and she made sure to tell Kara that right away.

"You look super cute Kara."

"Really? I don't look like a huge dork because that's what my sister says every time she sees me wear this." Kara said with a frown.

"She's crazy because you look great in that." Lena assured Kara making the blonde perk up and smile.

"Thank you Lena. You look great too in my sister's clothes. Better than she does actually." Kara said with a small laugh.

"Thank you for that Kara. It's nice to be in something clean." Lena said.

"Of course Lena, I wasn't going to make you put on your busted up riding gear to go to the movies." Kara said then turned toward the door as if she heard something.

"Mrs. Emerson is here." Kara announced.

"How do you know?" Lena asked confused on how Kara would know such a thing without any sort of alert or warning or call.

"I heard them coming up the drive." Kara answered with a smile.

A moment Lena heard the engine of a car come up the drive and she saw the headlights through the windows.

"Wow. You're good Kara. You're really good. You can do a lot things Kara." Lena said with a flirty smile. She offered her arm to Kara as they walked to the door and Kara took it, picking up the house keys as they left locking the door behind them.

Mr. and Mrs. Emerson greeted them as they approached the minivan, "Hi girls!" Then as they climbed into the back Mrs. Emerson asked, "Are you excited for tonight?"

"Yes we are Mrs. Emerson. Mr. and Mrs. Emerson this is my best friend Lisa. Lisa this is Mr. and Mrs. Emerson from next door." Kara said making the introductions.

"It's very nice to meet you Lisa, any friend of Kara's is a friend of ours." Mrs. Emerson said with a welcoming smile.

"Thank you Mrs. Emerson, Kara's told me many wonderful things about you and your amazing cooking." Lena said politely back.

"Did she now? Well, then I may have to make you both something special to share for tomorrow night if you're willing to come back again." Mrs. Emerson said obviously excited to cook for someone new.

"I think I might be able to swing that. My parents both volunteer after work so I'm left home alone a lot. It's great to have someplace to go and someone to hang out with." Lena said, lying a little bit.

Lena looked at Kara and they exchanged silent knowing looks of understanding about the small white lies they were sharing with these very nice neighbors about who Lena was and what her name really was. They both turned their attention back to the nice elderly couple up front.

"Are you guys excited to go out to the movies tonight?" Kara asked as she buckled in. Lena took her seat next to Kara and made sure to buckle her seatbelt before Mr. Emerson had even backed out of the driveway.

"We sure are." Mrs. Emerson answered.

"So how was your day girl's?" Mr. Emerson asked as he drove them to the movies.

"It was great Mr. Emerson. How has your day been?" Kara asked.

Lena began zoning out of the conversation and staring out the window while Kara politely chatted with the nice elderly couple. Lena kept her eyes on the passing scenery thinking about all the people out there looking for her. She knew she needed to keep a low profile and the going out wasn't the best idea but if Kara wanted to go the movies Lena would take the chance and go to the movies. Plus Lena needed to get a message to her brother to let him know what really happened but she couldn't do it anywhere near Kara's house or it would lead them right to her. No, she knew she needed to be smart about it and would wait for the right opportunity.

They left Midvale driving east to the next town over to their large movie theater. Making great time to the theater Lena was surprised by how fast they reached their destination. Lena followed Kara out of the car and silently marveled by how relaxed she actually was, she knew she should be more on edge being out in public and yet the longer she was with Kara the better Lena felt about everything.

Lena fell into step alongside Kara as they followed Mr. and Mrs. Emerson to the box office to purchase their tickets. Kara turned to her with an unsure expression on her face; she bit her bottom lip as she asked. "We are on time and can see a bunch of movies. Want to go with Mr. and Mrs. Emerson or go so see something different?"

Ahead of them Mr. Emerson was buying his and wife's tickets then told the young man behind the glass that he was also picking up their tickets as well. Kara was shocked and quickly protested but Mr. Emerson wouldn't hear it.

"No, no, no girls. It's my treat, I insist. You two pick any movie you want. I know you're not interested in watching the western picture with Mrs. Emerson and me so go enjoy yourselves. Just meet us back at the car when you're done." Mr. Emerson said.

"Thank you so much Mr. Emerson, that's so sweet of you." Lena said. She was privately surprised by how nice and generous these people were but then again she was still not over how nice and generous Kara was. It was so far removed from the people and the world she grew up in it almost didn't seem real.

Kara and Lena quickly discussed which movie to see out of the ones that were starting in the next twenty minutes. They found a comedy that was getting out around the same time the Emerson's western would be letting out so they got tickets to that and made their way to the concession stand to get a drink and popcorn to share. Lena noticed the packed lobby with dozens of kids their age and younger wandering around and was about to ask Kara if she knew any of them when she saw Kara watching a large group of them with a sad expression on her face. However the second Kara noticed Lena watching the blonde quickly hid it behind a bright smile that would have fooled her had Lena not seen the sad frown a moment before.

"Would you like any candy or something? My treat?" Kara asked with a genuine bright happy smile.

"Nah, the popcorn is good enough. Thank you Kara." Lena said with a fake smile of her own. She had not been without money or at least access to her credit cards for this long ever, she felt completely broke and really hated having Kara pay for everything. A huge part of her wanted to break down and pull out cash like she knew she could but she also knew if she did that her brother's people would be there within the hour to pick her up.

Lena quietly stood next to Kara while Kara paid for their popcorn and soda. They walked together to their theater and seats with Lena taking notice of how Kara shied away almost hiding away from the groups of kids that Kara obviously recognized. They found the theater half full and found seats together in the back. Lena waited until they were seated and settled before very quietly asking her friend.

"Hey Kara, is everything okay?"

"Yeah! Everything's fine." Kara answered brightly. Just then the group of people that Kara had been hiding from entered the theater and took seats in the middle toward the front. Kara's bright smile crumbled and disappeared. Kara looked over to see Lena watching her and tears welled up in Kara's eyes.

"Please Kara talk to me." Lena pleaded.

"I'm sorry if I'm ruining our night out." Kara said softly with a weak smile. Kara looked as if she were going to burst into tears at any moment. Lena reached out taking the soda away from Kara to set it in the cup holder and then took the popcorn out of friend's hands so she could reach over and take Kara's right hand and hold it.

"Kara, please. I just want to know why you're suddenly so sad. You're my friend, I want to help. Let me help." Lena whispered.

Kara's shoulders slumped even more she looked away as she confessed. "Those kids that just came in, they're from my school. They're friends of Randy and just like him. They like to pick on me all the time. I don't want them to see me or they'll use me as their punching bag for the night if not until school gets back into session. Alex tries to get them to back off and sometimes it works and sometimes it just makes it worse."

"God Kara, I'm so sorry. Well fuck that and fuck them. As long as I'm your friend that bullshit stops right now." Lena said vehemently. She was angry. Lena couldn't believe even one person would pick on someone as sweet and nice as Kara but to have a whole group of assholes do it was unbelievable and Lena wasn't going to let it happen anymore. Lena gave Kara a confident smile and a squeeze of her hand in a show of solidarity. The theater went dark and Kara's real smile returned, she leaned over cuddling up to Lena holding onto Lena's arm and hand and resting her head on Lena's shoulder. The trailers began and Kara whispered, "Thank you Lena."

Lena leaned over and kissed the top of Kara's head. Kara soon forgot all about those assholes from her school up front and was excited whispering about the various trailers they were watching. Lena answered when addressed but was mostly silently seething at the people Kara had pointed out. The anger she had felt at Randy for treating Kara like that was nothing compared to this group of assholes that reminded Lena too much of the assholes from her last school. Entitled pig headed jerks that liked to see people suffer. Lena wanted to make them pay…somehow.

Kara leaned into Lena more holding tightly to Lena's hand while using her free hand to eat popcorn. The movie started and Lena tried to let it go and focus on what they were watching. And for a short while that worked, Lena was able to get lost in the comedy and enjoy it with Kara laughing through most of it. Then halfway through the movie she noticed half the group of assholes get up and leave together.

"Hey Kara, I need to use the bathroom. I'll be right back."

Kara nodded and Lena quickly left the theater. In the hall outside, Lena saw the group of girls head toward the bathroom and followed them. Lena followed them into the bathroom and used a stall next to one of the girls to quickly urinate. The girls were talking loudly and very wrapped up in their own conversation, they were talking about a party taking place later that night at some person's house and how excited they were. They also loudly discussed their plans on what they were going to do with their dates. Lena didn't care what they were talking about but were glad they weren't talking about Kara. Then she overheard one particular girl bragging about how she had everyone's cash for the party and how her boyfriend was going to buy all the booze after the movies. The girl was excited because it would make her very popular to be one the one that got them all the booze for the party since the last hook up they had dried up.

Lena sat on the toilet in the closed stall still trying to come up with a payback plan on these people when she heard most of the girls leave, with one staying behind to use the stall next to hers.

"Come on Toni hurry up! We're missing the movie!" One of the girls called out and the girl in the stall next to Lena began to rush. As the girl hurried to wipe and pull up her jeans and flush Lena heard something hit the tile almost the same moment the stall door slammed open and the girl ran out without washing her hands.

Lena looked at the floor and spotted a pink and gold wallet on the ground and quickly picked it up. Lena flipped it open and found Toni's ID, a thick wad of cash, credit cards and a bunch of other stuff she probably needed for school and fun. Lena laughed and grinned, "Well this changes things."

Lena pocketed the cash and turned the wallet into the theaters lost and wandered the lobby for a few minutes until she found a cute boy to talk to. A guy in his early twenties with blond hair and brown eyes, Lena walked right up to him and began flirting heavily with him. She asked his name and touched his arm commenting that he must work out because of how muscular he looked. The guy ate it up and started flexing for Lena, they talked for a few minutes in which Lena made sure he wasn't from the same town as Kara. Lena reached out grabbing his hand running her fingers up and down his arm as she asked him for a favor.

"Hey Jack, can I borrow your phone? I don't have mine with me and I really need to send an email to my folks so they don't worry about me. Could you help me with that?"

"Sure Lisa, I can help you out with that. Here you go? Hey who are you here with? You got a boyfriend? Can I take you out after your movie is done tonight?" Jack asked with an eager smile.

Jack handed Lena his cellphone and Lena smiled brightly as she took it. She kept talking to him as her fingers worked like fire finding the right app and typing out a quick email to her brother then deleting it from the guy's phone.

"I would love to go out with you Jack but I'm busy tonight and tomorrow night. Sorry. But thank you so much for letting me borrow your phone for a moment. It was super helpful."

"Hey, can I get your number? So we can keep in touch." Jack asked still hopeful.

"I have your email. I send you something. Thanks Jack." Lena said giving Jack a light chaste kiss on the cheek before leaving him in the lobby and heading back to her seat and the movie she was watching with Kara.

Lena felt great to have gotten all that done, she knew without the cash to buy liquor the party would fail and now that she had sent word to her brother about how that awful security team tried to kill her he could do what he needed and hopefully give her the space she needed. At the very least her brother wouldn't be able to track her to Kara so her friend would be safe from the drama that was her life.

Lena was in great spirits when she returned to her seat but the moment she sat down she immediately noticed something was off with Kara. The blond was sitting stiffly in her seat pulled far away from her as if Kara were trying to get away from Lena and she had a noticeable frown on her face which was not like Kara at all. Lena tried to reach out to Kara to take her hand as they had done before only Kara slipped her hands into her pockets rejecting Lena hurting Lena's feelings. At first Lena wasn't going to say anything, she thought she just missed a sad part of the movie or that maybe she had misinterpreted Kara's rejection only this odd behavior continued all the way until the end of the movie. By the time the credits rolled Lena was totally preoccupied by Kara's swing in mood. She leaned over to ask but Kara got up right away joining the crowds heading for the exits.

"Shit." Lena whispered as she rushed to catch up to Kara.

Out in the hall Lena spotted Kara's classmates in a huddle arguing loudly with each other over a missing wallet. Lena ignored them and kept after Kara who was heading for the doors and the parking lot. It wasn't until they were both outside that Lena called out, "Hey Kara! Wait up!"

Lena jogged to catch up, she was glad her ankle was better or she wouldn't have been able to catch up to a seemingly angry blonde. Kara didn't and kept walking back to the Emerson's minivan.

"Hey Kara, what's going on? Is something wrong?" Lena asked when she finally reached Kara.

The blonde turned away from Lena her arms folded in tight to her chest. Lena didn't hesitate and reached out gently grabbing Kara by the shoulders to get the blonde to turn around only to be shocked when she noticed Kara had tears in her eyes.

"Oh my god Kara! What's wrong? Why are you crying? Did something happen while I was gone? Did those assholes from your school say something to you? If they did I swear I will kick their ass with my heavy biker boots!" Lena said her own anger rising up at the thought of anyone harming her friend.

Kara looked at her with a puzzled rather confused expression and shook her head no. She looked away with a heavy sigh then said, "Don't you have a date to get to? Some place more important to be than to hang out with me?"

"What? What are you talking about Kara? There's no place I'd rather be than here with you." Lena said. She was confused about what Kara was talking about and now her expression matched Kara's.

"You were gone so long during the movie. I thought you were sick or something so I went looking for you. I…I saw you with that older guy. I thought you were going to ditch me." Kara said her face twisted into a frown, tears filling her eyes about ready to spill over.

"Ditch you? Never! Kara, I would never do that to you. You're my best friend. I needed help doing something and that guy was the perfect patsy, that's all. An end to a means nothing more." Lena said.

"Patsy? I don't get it." Kara said. She unfolded her arms and put her hands on her hips.

"You remember what I said about my family? You know especially my brother? Well, I needed to email my brother and I couldn't do that from your house or anywhere near where you live because my brother is really smart and would use that to find me. So I found that guy who lives one town over, and away from you to use. I just borrowed his phone to send the email. That way when my brother traces it looking for me he's just going to find some dumb guy I flirted with for half a second to get what I needed. I wasn't going to put you in harm's way Kara."

"Oh!" Kara said her whole face lighting up with happiness. "I'm so sorry Lena, I thought…"

"I know and I'm sorry. I should have said something when I left for the bathroom. I just thought I could take care of it without running the movie. I'm sorry for making you worry like that. My fault." Lena said apologizing.

Kara rushed over giving Lena a big hug which Lena was happy to return. When they released each other Kara insisted on taking Lena's hand again and holding it.

"Hey, is your brother dangerous Lena?" Kara asked.

"Yes." Lena said looking her friend in the eyes. Usually Lena would lie when asked this question but she couldn't bring herself to lie to Kara.

"Lena, who's your brother? Would I know your last name?" Kara asked.

"Promise me you won't think less of me if I tell you."

"I promise." Kara replied without hesitation and Lena completely believed her.

"My brother's name is Lex Luthor." Lena said looking down at her feet. Not for the first time, she felt a little shame in sharing who she really was and what family she was from.

"I know that name. I've seen him in the news. I think my cousin used to be friends with him." Kara said without a hint of judgment in her voice which really surprised Lena.

"So you know who he is. What he's been accused of?" Lena asked.

"I do. He must be really protective over you. The way you talk about him, he must be a great big brother. Oh! He's going to hurt those men he hired to protect you isn't he?" Kara asked in a rush suddenly putting all the pieces together. It made Lena laugh and she suddenly felt better about all of it.

"You don't care that I'm a Luthor?" Lena asked amazed by her friend.

Kara smiled, her eyes twinkling as she replied, "No. Why would I care Lena? You're not your brother or your family. You're Lena. You're your own person."

A car with their windows down pulled up to the empty spot next to the Emerson's minivan blasting the Yeah Yeah Yeahs song "Maps", the couple inside sat with the car still on to finish listening to the song. Kara and Lena stood there silently looking at each other just smiling at each other happy while sort of not really listening to the song.

"Wait…They don't love you like I love you. Wait…They don't like I love you. Ma-ah-ah-ah-aps. Wait…They don't love you like I love you."

As the song ramped up Lena smiled a little more, shy and excited and nervous and leaned over kissing Kara on her forehead. She wanted to show Kara how much she cared and what she was feeling only she didn't know how. She had so many confusing emotions and feelings and urges surging inside of her and usually Lena would rely on her methodical mind to rationally look at things and figure them out only her time with Kara was up in the air, it could end at any second. It made every moment precious and special. She couldn't wait and take it slow, if she felt something Lena wanted to show it, she didn't want to waste a moment of it.

The couple parked next to them just sat in their car with the music on, the next song played was Empire Of The Sun's "Walking On A Dream". Lena couldn't help but listen to the song, it had a great beat and she had heard it once or twice before somewhere, she couldn't remember where and it kept drawing her attention.

"Never looking down, I'm just I awe of what's in front of me. Is it real now? When two people become one. I can feel it. When two people become one. Is it real now? When two people become one? I can feel it. When two people become one…Catch me I'm falling down. Catch me I'm falling down…Don't stop just keep going on. I'm your shoulder, lean upon. So come on deliver from inside. All we got is tonight that is right 'till first light…Is it real now? When two people become one. I can feel it. When two people become one. Is it real now? When two people become one? I can feel it. When two people become one."

Lena felt herself moving along to the music unable to stop herself the beat was infectious. Then she looked over to see Kara dancing in place and stopped to stare. Kara was grinning happily and moving her hips in time with the music and Lena was entranced. A few moments later Kara noticed Lena wasn't moving in time with the music anymore and suddenly stopped very aware she was dancing alone.

"What's wrong? Oh geeze do I look like a dork? Alex says I dance like a dork." Kara said her smile fading.

"What? Oh no! Kara you looked great, I was admiring not judging I swear. In fact when we get back to your place can we have like our own private dance party?" Lena asked with a mischievous smile.

"Yeah! That sounds like fun." Kara said her smile returning.

9:45 P.M., Sunday, Midvale, Danvers House

Kara climbed out of the minivan first passing the pizza and keys to Lena as she stepped out thanking the nice elderly couple for the ride. Kara shut the door then walked over the passenger window to thank Mr. and Mrs. Emerson for the nice night out.

"It was nice having you with us for the ride. I'm glad your movie was good. I'm still having second thoughts about our movie. Maybe next time we'll see a movie together. Goodnight girls." Mrs. Emerson said.

"Thank you again for helping us get dinner, I would have been eating popcorn." Kara said with a light embarrassed giggle.

"Oh Kara, we would have never let you girls go hungry like that." Mrs. Emerson said with a shake of her head. Mr. Emerson laughed commenting, "If you hadn't suggest stopping for pizza on the way back the Mrs., would have cooked you girls up a huge feast the moment we got home. You saved me doing all those dishes, so thank you."

They all laughed and Kara thanked them one more time waving to them as Mr. Emerson pulled the Minivan out of the driveway. Both Mr. and Mrs. Emerson waved to both girls as they drove away. Kara waved to them one more time then rushed after Lena who was already at the front door unlocking it while carefully balancing the pizza in her other arm.

"Here let me help!" Kara said grabbing the pizza from Lena.

"Thank you, I was afraid I was going to drop it." Lena said with a smile as she pushed open the front door.

"I still would have eaten it. I'm starving." Kara said.

"Me too." Lena said shutting the door after Kara was inside.

Kara led the way to the kitchen setting the pizza down on the table. Lena was right behind her, she set the keys down on the kitchen counter asking, "What can I do?"

"Will you grab us cups and drinks please? I would like some water. I'm still thirsty." Kara said as she pulled out two plates for them and grabbed a handful of napkins.

"Sure." Lena said and to Kara's surprise found the cups on her first try. Kara was impressed, she knew Lena was smart but the brunette was constantly impressing her even with the little things like remembering which cabinet the cups were in from watching Kara pull one out. Lena filled both of their cups with cold water then met Kara at the table and sat down.

"Hey, so what did I miss when I went to the bathroom, you know during the movie?" Lena asked.

Sitting next to Lena at the table Kara explained the plot points of the movie that Lena had missed and they discussed what they did and did not like about the movie. They agreed that they both liked it and would watch it again despite a couple of flaws in it. They kept talking about the movie while eating then talking about other movies then music and eventually the music they wanted to dance to. When they were finished with the pizza Kara threw the box away in the trash and they moved upstairs to grab the IPod and Bluetooth speaker. Lena insisted on playing DJ setting up a playlist for them to dance to.

"I don't know Lena. I'm not a dancer. I'm not good on my feet." Kara said protesting.

"Kara! Come on, we're alone. You can dance in front of me can't you? You trust me right?" Lena asked giving Kara a loaded look and a raised eyebrow.

Kara felt her mouth go dry and her stomach turn into small knots as she nodded yes. She finally managed to say, "Yes I trust you Lena. I'm just shy. I'm always told I'm bad at this every time I try so I don't like trying in front of other people."

"I'm not other people. I'm your best friend. Come one get comfortable and relax. I want to have fun with you Kara." Lena said reaching out and taking Kara's hands with both of her own pleading with Kara with her big expressive green eyes. Kara was helpless to refuse her.

"Okay." Kara said with a weak smile.

They kicked off their shoes and turned on the music. Kara started asking Lena questions about what types of dances she knew how to do and Lena showed her what she knew. Kara was a fast study and was able to do all of it in no time. It was just what Kara needed to relax and let go, soon she was dancing freely with Lena just enjoying the music. Kara was having so much fun, dancing with Lena was the best. She didn't feel self-conscious or embarrassed to try new things or go wild or even dance with Lena as she had seen lots of couples do at dances and in movies. That was her favorite so far, dancing with Lena like couples do. Kara really enjoyed holding on to Lena moving to the music with her, it was exciting and thrilling almost like what flying felt like and Kara never thought she'd be able to replicate that feeling on the ground.

Soon Lena was drenched in sweat and Kara was barely panting. She kept bopping to the music while Lena collapsed on the couch to drain her water glass for the tenth time.

"How are you not sweating?" Lena asked watching Kara carefully.

"I don't sweat." Kara replied casually.

"I want your genes. I'm sweating like a pig in the summer sun." Lena said pulling her shirt away from her chest in effort to cool off.

Kara laughed, "You're so funny Lena."

"Thank you, I try." Lena said with a happy smile.

"Hey Lena, you've had boyfriends before right?" Kara asked with a shy smile and nervous tone to her voice. She sat down next to Lena taking a small sip of her own water.

"Yeah, three to be exact not an expert by any means, why?" Lena asked.

"How do you flirt successfully with a guy? Every time I try to flirt with someone I like I just turn into a clumsy dork." Kara said with a frown.

"Well, you could dance for them. You are a great dancer, like really natural." Lena said with a raised eyebrow that made Kara blush and smile shyly.

"I need more water." Lena said getting up and walking to the kitchen. Kara was quick to follow her.

"What else could I do?" Kara asked.

"You could show off your body a little, or maybe smile at them or you could talk to them." Lena said refilling her glass.

"Yeah…I don't know about that. My body isn't as nice as yours Lena. Like you have a great butt, like a distractingly great butt but my butt is so tiny and flat. That wouldn't get anyone's attention or keep it. Your smile is like mesmerizing and lights up a room, I look like a dumb dork. And talk to them? You're the only person I've a real conversation with that wasn't my family. I think I'm doomed." Kara said complaining with a dejected look and slumped shoulders.

Lena however looked absolutely delighted by all the compliments, her whole face lit up with happiness and surprise. She asked with a huge smile, "You think I have a great butt?"

"Yes! Lena you're beautiful. It's no wonder you've had three boyfriends and I've had none." Kara said with a heavy sigh.

"Kara, don't tell me you don't think you're beautiful too? No, don't even say it. Kara you are beautiful and not in that you're a wonderful person on the inside way that people say to those who really aren't that great looking. I mean it in the way that you are gorgeous on the outside Kara. Like the boys at your school must be blind to not notice you, because the first thing I noticed was how pretty you are and gorgeous your eyes are. Kara, you are beautiful."

"Really?" Kara said. She could help but blush a little. No one had ever been that blunt with her before, it felt amazing.

"Yes. Don't make me have to say it again. I may start to think you're vain." Lena teased and Kara laughed.

"So show me Lena, if I get a guy to dance with me. How do I flirt with him? I wouldn't want to mess up my chance at like, you know happiness." Kara said with a hopeful look that made Lena roll her eyes.

"Okay let's go back to the living room and we'll put on some slow songs to practice too." Lena said. She reached out taking Kara's hand and led her back to the living room. Kara loved it when Lena did little things like that; it gave her that feeling of flying again in her chest.

Kara waited in the center of the living room while Lena played DJ again and put another playlist on. Lena smiled warmly as she walked over to Kara, "Okay so I put on some fast songs and some slow songs so we can practice both. Okay?"

"Okay! What should I do first?" Kara asked.

Lena just smiled and bit her bottom lip and looked Kara up and down in a very appreciative manner that excited Kara even though she didn't know why.

"I want you to flirt with me while we dance, move closer and touch me when you can to show me you like me. Then get close and dance with me like we were before. The more you press your body close the more I know you want me." Lena explained and Kara took the instruction very seriously.

"Hey Kara, most important of all I want you to relax and have fun with this. I'm not some dude who's going to judge you. It's just me. Okay?" Lena asked and Kara smiled nodding yes. She relaxed taking a big breath and letting it out as the music started.

They had already danced to this song before so Kara didn't feel any pressure dancing to it again. She started moving in time with the music and watched Lena do the same, both girls smiled at each other. Slowly they moved toward each other until Kara reached out taking Lena's hand gently pulling Lena close until they were dancing close together.

"Good Kara, now slip your arms around my neck and pull me even closer and move your hips in time with mine." Lena said making sure to look Kara in the eyes. Kara followed Lena's instructions and in moments they were dancing pressed up against each other practically grinding on each other.

Kara's excitement inside her chest grew, she began to feel flushed and an odd strange tingling began between her legs that she had never felt before. She had never danced like this with anyone before; it was strange and brand new and was making her feel things she didn't know what to do with. Kara didn't want to ruin the moment so she said nothing and kept doing as Lena instructed. And Lena was smiling even with her eyes as she held on to Kara by her lower back. Kara loved it.

"Okay so if you're doing this go ahead and grab the ass. If the person you're dancing with doesn't like it they'll let you know right away and stop dancing with you otherwise you're in." Lena said with her mischievous smile that Kara loved.

"In where?" Kara asked confused and Lena laughed again. "God Kara I love you so much."

"I love you too Lena." Kara was surprised Lena had said those words to her but she was even more surprised by how natural and easy it was to say it back to her friend.

They both smiled at each other for a long moment before Lena looked down breaking the moment and going back to what they were doing.

"Now grab my ass like you mean it." Lena said firmly and Kara reached around grabbing Lena's ass with her left hand giving it a light squeeze as they danced grinding on each other.

"Perfect! If I was a guy I would be dating you." Lena said proudly.

Kara beamed with happiness and pride. The song came to an end and they released each other to take a fast break and drink water.

"Okay next step is the slow dance." Lena said.

The slow song began and Lena reached out offering her hand to Kara which she took allowing Lena to pull her in close. Kara was surprised when Lena wrapped her hand around Kara's back pulling her in even closer taking the lead. They began to sway in time with the music with their faces only inches apart.

"You are doing amazing Kara. You flirt like a pro. If I didn't know any better I would have thought you were lying about not knowing how to do all of this." Lena said teasing with a flirty smile.

Kara blushed looking down for a moment, when she looked back up Lena piercing green eyes were right there waiting for her taking her breath away. Kara swallowed the lump in the back of her throat and said, "All due to you and your amazing instruction. You're a fantastic teacher Lena."

"Okay, so when you're slow dancing with your date and you're really feeling it and feeling them and you're ready lean in and kiss them." Lena said with an easy smile.

"I've never kissed anyone. Is it hard?" Kara asked innocently and Lena burst out laughing letting Kara go and totally breaking the moment.

"What did I say?" Kara asked frowning and worried she did something wrong. It took a long moment for Lena to stop laughing and she had to wipe tears from her eyes. By that point Kara's feelings were hurt and she had taken a seat on the couch with her arms crossed.

"I'm sorry Kara. It's just if you're with a guy and you're ready to kiss and make out yeah things might get hard." Lena said still giggling.

"I don't understand." Kara said.

"What don't you get?" Lena asked taking a seat next to Kara.

"What you mean by hard? How do guys get hard? Sometimes I don't understand hu…people here." Kara said frustrated.

"Did you not take anatomy class?" Lena asked.

"No, I missed that class."

"Oh, well guys when they get sexually excited by touching or kissing or things they see that they like well, their dicks get hard. Like stiff so you can tell right away that they're aroused and into it."

"Oh! Oh." Kara replied a little shocked but very glad for the information. She thought back to those times at school when she had noticed a guy acting weird and were covering their crotches and began to wonder if maybe that's what they were hiding.

Lena laughed again and sat back on the couch. The music continued on and it was another fast song but Kara's mind was on what Lena had said.

"Hey Lena, will a date think less of me if I've never kissed anyone before. You know, is it bad that I haven't yet. Is it important to get a date?" Kara asked.

"Well, no. I didn't know how to kiss when I had my first boyfriend. Why Kara, are you worried?" Lena asked.

"Yeah. I'm afraid if I don't know how people will think badly of me more so than they already do. I just want to fit in." Kara said with a heavy sigh.

"Hey, why don't we practice so when the time comes you'll be good to go?" Lena suggested.

"You would do that for me?" Kara asked. She never would have thought Lena would do her such a huge favor but Lena was offering and seemed totally comfortable with the idea.

"I would do anything for you Kara. What are best friends for?"

"What do I do? How does it go? I've only ever seen it in the movies." Kara admitted a little embarrassed.

Lena quickly explained the mechanics of kissing, what Kara was expected to do and what was expected of the person you were kissing if they were a decent person as well as explaining how it could progress into further sexual activity. Lena reminded Kara that it was always okay to say stop and to say no if she was uncomfortable.

"Remember Kara you always have the right to say no, and don't let anyone pressure you into something you're not ready for." Lena said.

"Thank you Lena, I appreciate this." Kara said.

"Of course, I've always got your back."

"So what do I do? What do we do?" Kara asked biting her bottom lip in frustration.

"Here, I'll take the lead then when you feel ready you take the lead. Okay?" Lena said.

"Okay."

"Are you ready?"

"Yes."

Lena licked her lips and reached out gently cupping Kara's face holding her in place then leaned in closing her eyes and pressed her lips to Kara's. At first Kara tensed up when Lena touched her face, she had to force her eyes closed as Lena had instructed her to do but when she felt Lena's lips touch her own Kara melted. Kara never expected Lena's lips to be so soft and perfect and to feel beyond wonderful. It was a new experience that she really, really liked. Kara reached out with her hands to hold onto Lena's waist as they kept kissing lightly with just their lips. After a moment Lena broke the kiss and pulled back.

"That's was awesome! Now let's try it with some tongue." Lena said her smile never leaving her lips.

"Okay!" Kara said. She was eager to kiss Lena again.

This time Kara initiated the kiss leaning into Lena pressing their lips together. Lena tangled her fingers into Kara's hair on the back of Kara's head gently pulling her in a little more as Lena opened her mouth and sought out Kara's tongue with her own. Kara felt Lena's tongue and opened her mouth reaching out with her own, when her tongue touched Lena's and they danced together in the most wonderful way Kara's head began to spin. The kiss slowly grew deeper and Kara held Lena a little tighter.

Suddenly the house phone rang shattering the intimate moment and startling both girls into breaking the kiss and backing away from each other like they were both on fire.

"Oh the phone! I'll get it." Kara said. She rushed off to answer the phone, leaving Lena standing there in the middle of the room looking flushed and wide eyed. Kara had left the phone on its cradle to recharge in the office she picked up the call on the third ring.

"Hello Danvers residence?" Kara answered still trying to get her rapidly beating heart under control. She was flummoxed by how kissing Lena had affected her it was totally unexpected and unnerving. She almost wondered in the back of her mind if something was wrong with her for responding like that.

"Hi is Bob there?" A man asked.

"I'm sorry there is no Bob here. I think you may have the wrong number." Kara replied politely.

"Oh I'm sorry is this 555-302-9712?" The man asked.

"This is 9713. Sorry." Kara said. She could hear Lena walking in the kitchen and refilling her water glass.

"Oh, I'm so sorry to bother you. Thank you for your time." The man said politely.

"No problem sir. Have a good night."

"You too Miss."

Kara hung up the phone, she took a moment to compose herself and take a few deep breaths before heading back to Lena. She found her friend still in the kitchen drinking water and muttering to herself, "So hot." When Kara walked in she startled Lena making the brunette spill half the water in her glass and yelp in surprise. Kara laughed and instantly apologized.

"I'm so sorry Lena I didn't mean to scare you."

"That's okay. I was a little lost in my own world. Was that your mom?" Lena asked with a nervous smile. Lena walked back over to the refrigerator to refill her water glass.

"No, it was a wrong number."

"Oh. So, that was a great job on the kissing Kara. You're good to go." Lena said a light blush creeping up her neck to blossom on her face. It was just enough for Kara to notice but she didn't comment on it, she was too distracted by Lena's compliment.

"Really? I did a good job? Wow. Thank you. You know Lena, you're a great kisser. I really hope the first person I kiss on purpose is as good as you or I'm going to be really disappointed." Kara said. Lena grinned, the blush getting a deeper shade of red.

"Thank you Kara, you're so sweet to me." Lena said with a loving look directed at Kara.

"Just telling the truth. Hey, I know it's getting late with it being past one am now. Do you want to shower first or after me? It thought we could shower before we go to bed." Kara said.

"You go first, this is your house." Lena said with an indifferent shrug.

"Do you want clean sleep clothes?" Kara asked walking back to the living room to clean up.

"Clean sleep clothes would be great if it's not too much trouble. I did spend most of today in what you gave me last night." Lena replied.

Lena realized what Kara was doing and jumped in helping Kara pick up and tidy up the living space making it as neat as before their epic dance session. They walked the house shutting off all the lights and locking all the doors before heading upstairs together.

Kara gathered her clothes and a clean towel then went into the bathroom. She planned on taking a relatively fast shower. Once she was alone in the bathroom, she did take her time undressing and getting in to the hot water. All the dancing earlier was so much fun but the educational lesson Lena gave her after was sticking to Kara's mind like melted candy on a sidewalk, it wasn't going anywhere and it was all she could think about. Kara stood under the hot water trying to clear her head but it didn't work, every time she closed her eyes the intense sensation of Lena's soft perfect lips on her own came back making her heart beat fast and causing that tingling sensation between her legs to return. Kara turned off the hot water and turned on the cold water and stood under it until Lena knocked on the door.

"Hey Kara are you okay? You've been in there almost an hour?" Lena called out.

"Yeah, just finishing up. Coming right out." Kara said sticking her head out of the shower for a brief moment. She turned off the water and used her super speed to get out, dry off and get dressed. She was out the door before Lena had a chance to walk away from the bathroom.

"Wow, you weren't kidding were you?" Lena said teasing and Kara laughed nervously.

"It's all yours. Oh, wait let me grab you your clothes first." Kara rushed off and got Lena a change of clothes and a fresh towel handing it all to Lena to who went into the bathroom shutting the door.

Kara shook her head, silently chastising herself as she walked to her bedroom and flopping down on her bed. She could hear the water running in the bathroom and she could hear Lena humming through the water. Kara stared up at the ceiling and tried going over all her different feelings. In a heavy sigh she said in a confused whisper, "Kara what is wrong with you today? What is going on with you?"

Kara continued to lay there until she heard the water shut off, that's when she got up and fixed her sisters bed making it for Lena. By the time Lena left the bathroom Kara was back in her own bed lying down, it was late and Kara had a lot on her mind. Lena was pulling down her hair, running her fingers through the long length as she walked into the bedroom wearing the clean sleep clothes.

"I feel like a new person. I felt so gross covered in all that sweat. I envy you Kara." Lena said with a light sigh.

"What do you mean? What's to envy?" Kara asked rolling over on her bed to look at Lena better.

"You don't sweat so don't get that gross icky feeling at the end of the day. I envy that. You made me sweat Kara, best workout I've had in ages." Lena said.

"You work out?" Kara asked with a tilt of her head, she was confused. She had no idea why Lena would exercise outside of needing to for school.

"Of course I do. I don't want my ass getting fat. I need to watch my weight." Lena said looking at Kara with a curious expression as if she didn't understand Kara.

"Hum…People here are odd to me sometimes. I find some of the things you do so odd. I don't think you need to be so hard on yourself Lena. You have a beautiful body and are quite toned; I think you're very healthy for your age."

Lena just stopped what she was doing, fingers midway through her hair to stop and stare really hard at Kara with a very serious contemplative look on her face. Lena blinked three times before licking her lips and stepping toward Kara with her arms crossed over her chest. She raised one hand up placing her pointer finger over her lips for a moment before saying, "You know Kara sometimes you can be super weird and say just the strangest things. And yet even though I've only know you for a short time, I totally understand your weird way of saying stuff and I really appreciate it. Thank you for the great compliment. You make me feel great about myself."

"You're welcome Lena but I'm just saying what I know to be true." Kara said honestly.

"I know that's what makes it so great. I know you're not bullshiting me or blowing smoke up my ass. I appreciate you're being real with me." Lena said. She smiled lovingly at Kara then a moment later she turned to the bed she was going to sleep in and stopped.

"Is something wrong Lena?" Kara asked.

"Yeah, sort of, hey Kara do you think I can ask a favor for tonight?" Lena asked. She turned around and looked to Kara with a pleading nervous expression.

"Sure. What do you need?" Kara replied. It was a loaded question but Kara knew how strong her feelings for her friend were. She would do anything for Lena all her friend had to do was ask. It didn't matter she was a Luthor or that her brother was known to publically go after Aliens and after her cousin specifically. Lena was her friend, her real friend and that mattered, a lot. So if Lena needed something Kara was going to do whatever it took it give it to her.

"I don't want to sleep alone tonight. Can I sleep with you in your bed? You can say no." Lena said. The brunette was looking at her feet and entwining her fingers together in a fidgeting mess.

"Is that all? Sure. Climb in." Kara said. She smiled pulling up the blanket and sliding under while making room for Lena in the bed.

"You're the best Kara." Lena said. She climbed into bed next to Kara and quickly cuddled close wrapping her body around Kara's. Kara managed to pull the blanket up around them both.

At first Kara was surprised by Lena's instant physical closeness as soon as she got into bed but having Lena's legs wrapped around her waist and Lena's arms wrapped around her torso calmed all tenseness Kara initially felt. Then when Lena nuzzled her face into Kara's shoulder and neck almost lying halfway on top of Kara, Kara felt the tingling sensation between her legs come back. It was the most exciting, anxiety ridden maddening physical feeling rolling through Kara as she lay there under Lena. She didn't understand what her body was trying to tell her, she knew she liked it but it was scary at the same time. She didn't understand what these urges were or why she was having them now. It was such bad timing; she didn't need this when she was trying to go to sleep with her best friend. All she wanted was to go to sleep but instead she was so hyper aware of how Lena smelled, which was amazing! And the sound of Lena's breathing, which was so soothing and nice, as well as how strong Lena's heartbeat sounded. And how nice the weight of Lena's body felt on her own, it was so nice. Kara liked it all so much.

Lena fell asleep as soon as she was on top of Kara who stayed awake another half hour to enjoy the situation before being lulled to sleep by Lena's strong rhythmic heartbeat.