Note: Sorry for not uploading for such a long time! I have been really busy with schoolwork (I swear there is a conspiracy between schools and theaters to show all the good movies when we are being buried alive by homework). Anyway, enough, here's the next chapter. Enjoy (and review)!

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Chapter 7 : Would you like to try?

For the next few weeks, my life revolved around the Ororo's ward. I went day during every break I had, I rushed down to the ward. I only planned my lesson at night after she had fallen asleep. Weekends were spent talking to her.

Oh, yeah. We talked a lot.

I know it sounds strange, seeing that both of us are not known for our eloquence. In fact, when she first came, I thought she was mute and spent a few weeks communicating with her through sign language, waving my hand wildly and she finally said, "My name is Ororo".

Those were the first words she spoke to me, and our relationship developed from there. I taught her English while taught her Swahili. I have to admit she has had much more success in learning English than I had in learning Swahili. She can now speak English fluently while the only Swahili I know is "how are you?" "Hello" and "Goodbye".

Anyway, back to the topic. We just talked about life, hobbies, dreams…

And our childhood.

It something I have never talked to anyone else about, and I don't believe she has either. It something we both avoided mentioning altogether, because no one else will understand what we went through.

But we could talk to each other about it, it was strange at first, but it was nice to just let out all the pent up secrets inside you.

Today was the fourth week since she was injured.

Today was also her birthday. And I had no idea what to get for her.

I know, I'm a moron.

I went into the ward. She was propped up with a pillow, Jean was changing her bandages.

"Sorry, I'll come back later" I said, closing the door.

"You can stay, it almost done." Ororo said, wincing a little as Jean continued re-dressing her wounds.

"Done," Jean said, finishing up the last snitches and left.

"Hi" I said, sitting on the seat where Jean had been on moments ago.

"Hi" she said, sounding a little sad.

"It's a beautiful day" I said, trying to engage her into a conversation.

"Yes, it is." She said, gazing wistfully at the gardens through the window.

An idea struck me.

"Hey, do you want to go outside?" I asked her.

"But… I can't walk yet, and there's no wheelchair in the mansion." She said, sounding dejected.

"I'll carry you." I said, looking at her, wishing she would say yes.

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"Are you sure you're not tired?" Ororo asked me. We were only halfway in the lounge, on our way to the gardens.

She had her hands wrapped around my neck while I carried her. It felt kind of good. Weird. But good.

"We have just been out for five minutes." I laughed.

"If you are tired we could turn back. I don't mind." she said nervously.

"I really not tired, don't worry. You're not that heavy." I said and continued walking towards the garden.

We reached the garden soon, which was a good thing because she kept asking me if I was tired.

But when she reached the garden, she stopped.

I think she really missed the gardens.

"Did you take care of the plants?" she asked, gazing up at me.

"Yeah, the rest helped too. We each took care of a part of the garden." I said, "I didn't want you to be upset if the plants died."

She looked at me, her eyes a little teary. Why does it seem like she has been crying a lot lately?

"You don't like it?" I asked worriedly.

"No," she shook her head, "It's beautiful."

"Well then, you want to rest for a while first?" I asked her.

"Okay"

We sat down at a stone bench underneath a large elm tree. I sat on one side while she laid down to the bench. As she was too tall, she had to place her head on my arm.

"You miss the garden, don't you?" I asked her.

"Yes," she nodded her head, "I haven't been able to come out since…"

"I'm sorry" I apologized, "I really am."

"No, I didn't mean it that way," she shifted into a more comfortable position, "I don't regret it, I'll do it all over again if I have to."

I felt tears in my eyes and looked away, biting my lip and trying not to let my feelings show.

"We should get going. It's getting late" I said, carrying her up again.

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It was already in the evening when we reach her room again. I put her down again.

And kissed her on the lips.

I didn't plan to do it, honestly! It just …happened! It was on the spur of the moment. I was just a kiss on the lips. No tougue, no nothing!

But that did not stop my face from turning bright red. I am sure she would have seen it. I wouldn't even be surprised if a person standing in the gardens could see it.

Ororo looked up at my, her expression between a puzzled look and a shocked look.

She spoke first, I was still frozen in shock and horror of what I had done.

"I've never kiss a guy before." She said.

Great. I had taken away her first kiss. Any moment now she would be giving me my first electric shock.

"Oh…" I mumbled.

"I think you're…not bad." She said, blushing a little.

She thinks I am not a bad kisser? Inside I did a somersault and a back flip. I felt like I was on cloud nine.

"Really?" I asked, trying not to grin too widely and look like an idiot.

"Yes." She smiled and blushed more.

"Well then, you want to try again?" I asked, grinning.

"Sure"

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Sorry if this chapter seems a little long-winded, next chapter we be moving into the main story, with Arcade and other characters.