Jessi entered the Rack with a smile on her face. She knew Declan was there and was hoping he was feeling better than that afternoon. Reflecting on her personal feelings, she thought he overreacted to her winning by such a large margin. She'd believed that a hug would erase his negative feelings and that maybe they'd kiss afterward too. Her smile faded when she saw he wasn't alone. In fact, she could hardly believe how close he was sitting to a petite blonde with big lips and a chest to match.

Finding herself still standing by the door she scooted to a little magazine rack, fuming. After mere moments she calmed herself. Whereas before she would have confronted the bimbo right there, now she tried to assess everyone's motivations before acting rashly. She only couldn't repress her original impression of situations and she still had some trouble communicating with others her age. She knew she was pretty blunt.

She laughed at herself, something she'd only begun to learn to do. She wasn't just blunt, she was a sledgehammer trying to put a small nail into drywall. Not always of course, she worked pretty hard at it, but she certainly could work harder.

She listened into their conversation and immediately started blushing. She couldn't believe the directness of this girl! She was practically throwing herself at him, and by his heartbeat, he was lapping it up. Frustration ground her teeth for her as she tried to analyze their motivations, and her own.

Damn Kyle! He was her voice of reason, of conflict prevention. He'd had her read lectures and books to control her anger, which she freely admitted she had. It's just that she also knew deep in her heart that the anger was only there because she didn't have love there first. But because of Amanda – she spat out the name in her head – and because of a promise she made to Kyle, she couldn't pursue her first choice. When she'd promised, she'd known that Kyle was going to choose Amanda over her and that if she stepped aside but broke her promise, he would then turn her away as well. He wanted someone pure, someone virtuous.

Anger flared anew. She wanted to lash out at this girl, but she really wanted to confront Declan. Hadn't they talked on the phone for 38 minutes and 54 seconds last night, and played a great game of basketball that afternoon? When she spotted Lori sitting with Hillary and Amanda at a distant table – again with those sticky notes – she added to herself that he had little if any current emotional attachment to her. She hadn't actually snuck into his room for example, but merely called him up and talked. She then realized her mistake: she'd kept the entire conversation neutral, safe. In his shoes, she would see herself as a friend. She didn't think he could have missed hearing her offering a victory hug but she did know guys were notorious for selective hearing. She and Kyle didn't have that shortcoming.

Why did Kyle always enter her head? She ignored her question and continued her analysis.

Since her actions were the cause of the problem, her anger calmed somewhat. Declan was a good guy; he was Kyle's best friend; and he was someone she could trust to keep a secret. The only thing in her favour was that she'd once dated him, but everyone knew she'd been reprogrammed shortly thereafter by Madacorp to want Kyle. They'd kissed – a lot – and he'd even groped her a little bit. Or was that a corrupted memory? There were so many corrupted memories from the time when she'd dated Declan.

Sighing, she turned to leave the Rack, now that nothing was keeping her there.

A moment before she took a step, she heard a familiar heartbeat. "Hi Jessi, do you know where Kyle is," asked Amanda.

She turned and saw Lori and Hillary only steps behind her. "Yes, he's at the park by the cemetery."

Amanda visibly brightened at the news. "Great, thank you." Turning to Lori, "He's close by, he should be here soon. We should wait for him –"

Jessi interrupted her, "He's been there since immediately after dinner. He hasn't moved a bit." She found it peculiar but if Kyle didn't send her a message that he needed help she would stay away. She had to do that to keep herself from breaking her promise to him. Of course, it still bothered her to help Amanda but she was beginning to live with it.

"Thanks," Amanda said before turning again to Lori and Hillary. "I'll go get him." With only a nod from Lori, Amanda nearly ran out the door.

Jessi felt her eyes narrow for a moment before recovering. She said, "Do you have plans tonight? Could I come too?"

Lori answered, "Oh, no!" She paused for 1.7 seconds, "Amanda just wants to bring Kyle to the Rack to…" She trailed off, clearly thinking of something to add.

"I already understood she was bringing him here, but what are you –"

Hillary interrupted her, "Jessi, cupcake, did Declan turn you down?"

Leave it to Hillary to change the subject so abruptly. She wanted to continue her question to Lori but felt strangely compelled to answer Hillary. "No, we're friends." She intentionally left her face devoid of emotion.

She turned her eyes to Lori who had a hurt smile on her face. Lori stayed quiet and Hillary replied, "So you just yanked her chain last night? Just playing with her?" Hillary stared down her nose at her.

"I can't have Kyle so –"

"Didn't ask about Kyle," Hillary interrupted. "Lori's your sister."

Jessi felt the conversation tumbling out of control. It was going in a direction she had never contemplated. And when she felt uncertain, anger was always close behind. She took a deep breath.

Hillary added, "You don't do that to sisters, girl."

"I called him last night and we just talked. I played basketball with him today but he didn't hug me after the game..." The truth just tumbled out of her mouth.

Hillary smiled in triumph, "You never made your move!"

Jessi couldn't hold back a half smile, "I'm shy."

Lori burst out laughing. It sounded mirthless. "I can't believe you just said that!"

She felt affronted, "But I am."

Hillary finished, turning her head. "She's not." Jessi's eyes followed the gesture, and landed on the bimbo draping herself over Declan, kissing him. They separated and she whispered in his ear. Jessi noticed Declan swallowing hard, a little grin on his face. She didn't want to know. They both stood and she gently pulled him along towards the front door.

A strong feeling of passion washed over her at that moment. She knew where it came from but couldn't deny herself that feeling. Seeing Declan flushed with lips parted dropped the last barrier to restraint. She took three quick strides to intercept Declan as the front door was opening. She forcibly cupped his head in her hands and kissed him. He kissed her back.

The front door to the Rack shut with a terrible clatter, not once, twice.

***

He was exactly where Jessi had told her. When he turned around, she smiled.

Kyle had a nose plug on. He looked really sheepish and she chuckled a little. She kept advancing and took his hands. Looking into his eyes, she kissed him. When they separated, she said, "Kyle, you need to learn to use the ability, not hide from it." She put her fingers to the plug, "Ready? Control."

She hugged him gently, knowing he might pull away any moment. She heard him sniffing every now and then. She was surprised when he hugged her back, and he buried his face in her hair. "I'm here for you," she whispered.

He didn't say a word. Slowly, carefully, he took larger and larger breaths of her hair.

She certainly noticed his reaction but it didn't bother her. It certainly pleased her that she had that effect and was comforted that she could count on him to wait until she was ready. All thoughts of plan B faded from her mind as she enjoyed the moment, their closeness.

He continued to breathe her in. She noticed that he seemed to shiver ever so slightly, as though he were cold. She hugged him tighter for a moment and pulled away. She could see the love in his eyes, and certainly something more. She held up the nose plug, an offering.

He shook his head, "You're right Amanda." His voice was husky. She kissed him before he could continue.

She knew it wouldn't last but she could barely contain herself either. The park was secluded, Kyle was always sweet and his powerful reaction to her presence made her feel more alive as well. With moments like this it was difficult to maintain her resolve to wait until marriage.

Kyle pulled away abruptly, apologized, and ran.

She sighed, calming down at the same time. But then, wouldn't it be truly special when it finally happened? She walked slowly to the Rack before she remembered about plan B. She hurried and opened the front door, expecting to see Lori and Hillary impatiently waiting for her. She'd apologize and tell them Kyle had left before she could ask him. Scanning the room, she stopped in mid-stride. The place was almost empty.

Her boss was working the late shift tonight. Turning to him, she didn't get to ask him anything. He was smiling broadly, "You missed all the excitement." After he finished the confusing description of events, she thanked him before heading home.

Once inside her car, she texted Lori. She soon received a text from Hillary. "Go home muff, B won't work." When she pressed Hillary further for a better description of what happened – like, with names – all she received was "Go home."

Although she didn't enjoy being blown off, she started for home. From what she'd heard, she could only envision Jessi swooping into the Rack, making out with a guy without any sense of decency, which then made everyone leave. But why would Lori be upset? Unless the guy... Her mouth opened wide as she drove.

***

A young man stood watching a car speed through a stop sign. It never even braked. Emotionless, he pulled out his cell and hit a speed dial. He didn't wait for a hello. "The project has been initiated. Step 1 complete."

He started walking away.