I'd never lied to Kerith before. And my stomache was tied in knots.
It took exactly an hour to get where I was going, and I felt every second of it.
When I finally got to the fountain, I started walking around it. I was there for a while. How would we recognize each other? I wasn't worried about it at the time.
On my fifth time around the fountain, I spotted Kerith walking in my direction.
I jumped back out of sight and broke out into a cold sweat. What was he doing here!
This had to be some sort of Karma. He was going to kill me when he'd find out what I'd done.
I pulled out my phone.
VelvetRose: Where are you? I don't see you...?
MidnightSun: You can't tell just from my unearthly good looks? Okay. Okay. I have platnum blond hair. I'm wearing a black vest over a purple shirt and pinstripe pants.
I glanced around the fountain real quick and went pale. I felt my heart stopped in my chest.
Kerith. I was talking to Kerith.
He turned when he felt my stare on him. I tried to move, but I was frozen in place. I saw recognition in his eyes, my expression explained everything.
The person I had been flirting with...
The person I couldn't stop thinking about...
The person I'd fallen in love with...
Was my Brother.
My Twin Brother.
My eyes unfoccused and I felt Kerith's arms around me suddenly, holding me steady.
"Jaryn?" I heard him say. But everything was going dark.
I'm... in love with my brother...
...in love with my br...
...in love wit...
I slipped away into the darkness. Away from the fear and the pain.
... he'll never forgive me.
When I opened my eyes. There was light streaming through my windows, and I breathed a sigh of relief. It was all a dream. A nightmare.
Suddenly, a hand reached out from nowhere, brushing my hair out of my face.
I jumped, sitting up and pusing myself against the the headboard away from...
My brother.
Who was sitting on the edge of my bed, looking at me with concern.
... He'll never look at me the same way again, he must be disgusted.
I felt a tear slip down my face.
"Oh Jaryn." The tenderness in those two words were too much for me. I broke down sobbing.
Kerith pulled me into my arms, rubbing my back gently with his hand.
"Shh, everything's going to be ok." He whispered to me lovingly.
"I...can't...lose...you." I gasped out.
"You won't ever lose me. I'll always be here for you." He assured me.
"I love you." I whispered into his shoulder.
"I love you too, Jaryn." He said back.
"No Kerith, I -Love- you." I choked out.
He didn't say anything at first, he just held me close, and rubbed my back, but the fact that he didn't shove me away in disgust was all I needed for now. I could feel myself relax into him.
It was impossible to know exactly how much time passed, but the light started to fade in the room.
"Hungry?" Kerith asked kindly.
"Yes please." I was so relieved to hear his voice, his tone was normal, if not a touch sad, but there was no anger or disgust there.
He slowly pulled away. His arms lingering on my shoulders, as if he were afraid I might pass out again.
He gave a half smile before getting up, and pausing before he left the room, he turned back and offered his hand. I took it gladly. He gave my hand a brief squeeze before he walked to the kitchen.
When we got there, I sat on a bar stool, and Kerith turned his back to me, cooking on the stove. Soon he was finished, and we sat side by side eating yet another chicken meal.
"So you don't hate me?" I whispered over my barely touched meal.
"Never." Kerith said. Before stealing some of my food.
"I mean it." I said, looking at him intensly.
"So do I." He said, matching my expression.
I broke eye contact, looking away first.
"So where does that leave us?" I asked helplessly.
I felt him take one of my hands and felt his finger run over my knuckles.
"It's hard to explain. You mean everything to me. I'd do anything for you. I do think what I feel for you is more intense then friendship, but I can't say for sure that I'm attracted to you. I don't want to break you're heart, just know, I'll never push you away for being attracted to me."
I threw myself into his arms and he held me close.
"I love you." He whispered to me.