Kim

"It's hideous!"

"That's what you've said about every dress, Alyssa!" Olivia leaned her head over the back of the chair.

"Why did I agree to this?"

"Because you have to go."

I unzipped the deep green dress and hung it on the back of the door.

"None of these are working."

A salmon pink strapless dress found its way over, "Here try this one," Olivia's voice called, "It's your color."

A pulled it down and held it up in the mirror.

I didn't even want to be going to the formal. It was just the junior's version of prom.

I slid on the dress, zipping up the back. I twirled in the mirror.

It was definitely beautiful. It made my skin a shade lighter and my hair a shade darker.

"Are you going to go with Jared?" Alyssa asked from next door.

I opened my mouth but said nothing.

Why would he ask me to the formal? There wasn't a reason to. After what happened a few days ago, I don't think I could even face him.

I tore the dress off.

"So we don't get a sample?" Olivia asked as I emerged from the dressing room.

"Maybe at the dance."

"So you're going?"

"Alone." I muttered.

Jared

I stared at the front door of Kim's house. I felt horrible about not checking on Kim last night. I even skipped a patrol this morning which I was sure I would hear about later.

I stood there for a few more moments before walking up the front porch steps and knocked on the door.

I heard the creaky floorboards before seeing Kim appear through the glass inlay of the door.

"Did you feel the need to make sure I wasn't drowning myself in the bathtub?" Kim smiled as she opened the door.

I smiled, "Just a precaution."

"Well, since I'm standing here, I'm obviously fine." Kim stood there for a moment, "Do you want to come in?"

I looked down at my feet, "Sure."

Kim opened the door wider.

"Sorry about the mess," Kim said, kicking a soccer jersey out of the way, "The twins ran through here a little while ago."

"Not a problem."

Kim picked up a toppled over lamp.

"They know how to ruin a place, huh?"

"Unfortunately yes."

Being alone with Kim was not a good idea at this point in my relationship with her.

"Can I get you anything? I don't want to be awkward or anything . . ."

"No, I'm good," I said, "You know, you scared me to death the other day."

Kim looked down at her feet, "Sorry, I didn't know – I didn't know anyone was even around."

"You're lucky I was."

My heart began to pound in my chest when she looked up.

"I wasn't going to go in any deeper if that's what you want to know."

Kim

Jared was kind of freaking me out a bit.

"Are you going to turn into one of those overprotective guy friends that a girl has?"

Jared eyed me, "I might just have to if you keep pulling stunts like that."

"Then I might just do that." The words rolled of my tongue.

Jared raised his eyebrows.

I felt heat rise on my cheeks, "That was not meant for your ears to hear."

Jared crossed his arms.

"I – I mean, I never really ever do things like that," Jared walked slowly towards me, "I was just so stressed out and I – I didn't really want to do anything that caused anyone else harm –"

I stopped, my heart beating fast.

I knew I was tall for my age. Being 5' 7" had it advantages, but Jared still towered over me by nearly a foot. I could feel the heat radiating off him, and smell the faint scent of cologne.

"If you don't want to cause anyone harm, don't do anything rash again."

I heard the car door slam.

Jared stepped back, clearly annoyed.

"Kimi, I saw the horses again!"

Charlotte burst through the door, and clung to my leg.

"Charlotte, we don't have wild horses in Washington."

I don't think Charlotte even knew what horses looked like.

"If I had known we had company, I would've given you two sometime alone." Aiden whispered the last two words.

I pressed my lips together.

"But they were horses!" Charlotte screeched.

I looked up at Jared, about to apologize, but his eyes were diverted to the lamp.

"I saw them."

"Alright, Charlotte I believe you." I mumbled, beginning to get annoyed

Jared

"I'm really sorry about that."

Kim clutched a handful of her hair.

"It's fine," I chuckled, "It's their house, not mine."

"I know it's just –"I covered her mouth.

"Stop apologizing for everything," I told her, "There isn't anything to apologize for."

I let my hand slide off her mouth.

"Do you know something about those "horses"?" She blurted.

My heart leapt into my chest, "Only from the legends. But the legends say that they're wolves. Not horses."

"How would you know that?"

"My grandfather was on the council."

Kim kicked a stone off of her front porch.

"Are you okay?"

She scratched the back of her neck, "Yeah, I'm fine."

Perhaps, I should have gotten it out in the open right then and there, but I was afraid to tell her. What would she even think? Would she even accept it?

"Jared?" She placed her hands on either side of my face, "You're really warm. Are you feeling alright?"

Her skin touching mine caused it to tingle.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine." I pulled her hands away and darted off her front porch.

Here you guys go! Hope you like this chapter!

If you would like to see Kim's dress, click on the link below:

shop/dresses/viewitem-PD761468

Much Love

IR