Birdgirl

12 - Unhindered

Everything stopped for Lia that all she heard was the ringing in her ears and the rapid pulsating force in her chest cavity. She was certain that her heart skipped multiple beats with its haste. She had suppressed whatever feelings she had for her best friend for so long that even with the recent knowledge of Kensi's feelings for her, the green-eyed girl's words still came out as a massive shock. Her choice to give way for Duke was out of respect and well, love and she could not just regret it. However, even before the center-forward expressed his interest, there was no telling if Kensi felt the same way...until now.

For years she had shoved her feelings to the back most part of her head and her heart, that even when those feelings shined the brightest, the obstruction she put up created a shade that contained its rays. And because she was finally allowed to cut the unforgiving vines that restrained them, piercing her heart constantly with thorns, she had never felt so alive. It was liberating to be allowed to feel what had been the most intense she had ever felt for anyone.

Lia pressed her lips against the crown of Kensi's head, inhaling deeply as she did so. The fragrant aroma of the green-eyed girl's shampoo along with her natural scent traveled up Lia's nostrils, lulling the younger girl enough into sealing her eyes and basking in the glory that is Kensi.

"Can we sit up for a bit?" She suggested, brushing her free hand over Kensi's side. "We need to talk about something."

Kensi slowly pushed herself up from the bed and crossed her legs. She was smiling as she admired Lia who was still on her back. She then offered her hand to the younger girl who took it, setting her left hand above Kensi's palm. Something caught the green of Kensi's eyes and maybe she was too enthralled by her friend that she failed to notice it in a while. With Lia, it was as if she was under a spell and she often finds herself lured to the girl's radiant facial features.

"You still wear it." Kensi mumbled disbelievingly while helping Lia up.

The younger girl immediately knew what her friend meant without even looking at where Kensi's gaze was so intently glued on. She sat straight, tucking her legs beneath her before she reengaged her brown eyes to the greens that looked at her with such affection and curiosity. She blindly reached for both of Kensi's hands -leisurely brushing her slender fingers over the green-eyed girl's upper arm until it reached her hands and held them securely in hers.

The gentle touch caused Kensi's skin to burn while forming little hills with the miniscule hair that grazed her porcelain skin stood erect. Her heart decided to pound forcefully, her entire torso experienced a tremor. She could almost feel her hands throb along with her pulse that she feared Lia could not only see how nervous she was, the younger girl could feel it in her hands, too.

"I didn't want to just throw something away that means something to us."

A warmth engulfed Kensi's chest with a smile creeping in on her plump lips. She shook her head but her eyes never once let go of Lia's. Suddenly, Kensi's grasp on the situation returned just because of that sincere statement. Lia could easily break her into one flustered mess or build her back up as if she was reborn.

"It doesn't matter. It's just an object, baby." She assured her friend. A contented sigh slipped past Kensi's lips. "It's what it symbolizes that matters, and that twist tie is the promise of my presence, in tears and in gloom, in laughter and in bliss. 'In sickness and in health' sounds too cliché but that's what I meant." She chuckled softly as she slowly retracted her right hand from Lia's grasp to smooth out the younger girl's slightly tangled hair. "And you can't get rid of me that easily, babe. You mean so much to me."

Kensi had never been as unrestrained with her words. It was as if she was implicating a lifetime commitment that would eventually lead to marriage, and maybe she was. The thought of having Lia around for as long as they both shall live sounded like a beautiful harmony. Lia was euphoric and when she reclaimed her hold on Kensi's other hand, electricity jolted her soul. Within her was nothing but clear blue skies, the wind was light and fresh, flowers abound and birds were humming a soothing tune. She just felt as light as a feather.

Lia's chest heaved as she drew a lungs-worth of air in. She was preparing to do something she never thought she'd even have the chance to, let alone, the guts to. But Kensi was making it easy for her. The green-eyed girl had paved every bumpy surface and provided for her a smooth path -Lia could practically just glide through it.

"I wish I had roses somewhere here - or any flower conspicuously beautiful that you just have to stop and admire it because that's how you are to me." Lia began - chest bursting with such intense love that it hurt while it gave her pleasure at the same time. "And I wish I wasn't as broken as I was when I first saw you, just so you could know just how captivated I was of you. But in silence, which I have grown accustomed to, I admired you. I admired how naive you were, that you trusted people that hurt you in the end. I admired your grace and the rare times that you did fall down. I admired your weakness and the underlying strength that put you back on your feet. I admired your pain and your happiness. I admired your smile and your laughter. I admired your beauty and I admired your heart. But maybe it was best to allow you to bloom before I picked you up because if I thought you were beautiful then, you are the most beautiful you've ever been right now. I will continue to make sure your petals don't wither and as I've told you before, I'll always be there for you." She paused, offering a small, timid smile. "We can take care of each other, too."

A flood or some sort, inundated Lia's nostrils which was also the cause of the lump in her throat. She'd never shed tears of joy and her eyes stung as relief washed over her. She was unloading a burden in her chest that would only be replaced with joy if she let it all flow out of her. There wasn't much to hold her back now.

"What are you saying, Lia?"

Kensi dove into those deep chocolate pools to solidify a hunch, too eager to learn of the answers even before her best friend could speak. She, too, had yearned for that day, that opportunity that she thought she'd never have. And despite it happening gradually, with Lia taking steady breaths to muster composure, to Kensi, it seemed to have swooshed by and yet lingered with all the devastatingly powerful emotions that brimmed her chest.

"Will you allow me to make a mistake right?" Lia's voice wavered but her gaze exuded the same sincerity. "Because I'd really like a shot at making you completely happy."

A tear slid down Kensi's cheek and the green-eyed girl didn't even realize what was happening until Lia wiped the moisture away. She slowly nodded with the younger girl's hand still fastened ever so softly on her cheek.

"Do you really want to do this?" Lia desperately asked in a hushed voice, brows furrowing while she fought to cling to her control of the situation. She was quickly succumbing to her overpowering feelings for the older girl whose eyes were as glossy as hers. "Are you sure you want to be with me?"

Kensi bit onto her quivering lips, nodding in confirmation. Lia mirrored the gesture and aimlessly nodded with her best friend. Respite was all it took to open floodgates and tears began to free fall.

"Yeah?" The brown-eyed brunette choked out, whispering. Her best friend nodded again, reaffirming her previous unspoken answer. Lia sniffled while she drew air in, concealing her glossed, anxious eyes momentarily. That was it, she was about to say one of the most important words that will ever be released from her lips. "Because I'm about to ask you to be my girlfriend and I'd like to know that I'm doing the right thing for you and for me."

There was no stopping the salty droplets that decided to pour in great numbers down Kensi's cheeks. She had been through a very emotional day and a half, and for it to conclude that way offered great relief and endless stream of joy. It was admittedly a roller coaster from Lia's tattoo, Ice kissing Lia, the party, the fight that ensued during it, finding Lia drunk, Lia's drunken confession, Deborah's guilt trip and her own uncertainty of her worth.

Kensi lunged at the younger girl with her arms folded around her neck -Lia's were securely looped around the green-eyed girl's midsection. Kensi pushed them down until Lia's back hit the bed. She rushed to seize the younger girl's lips in hers and engaged themselves in a deep and passionate lip-lock that had been built up for years. It was an urgent contact that secured their new bond between each other. It was the apex of their relationship so far. Tears continually flowed out of their eyes while their lips were in a synchronized routine that sucked air out of their failing lungs. The lack of oxygen caused their heads to spin while their chests felt a conflicting physical chill and emotional warmth. Their hearts frantically beat as their life-giving muscles were inundated with the devastating effect of the kiss and their unfathomable affection for each other.

It was the first time they had ever made out and Lia's experience in the field was radiating that Kensi was almost intimidated.

"I love you." Kensi mumbled against Lia's lips. The three-worded phrase exponentially made her shoulders feel lighter and she could physically feel it. She had never conspicuously said it with the intention of letting the younger girl know it wasn't just a friendly or sisterly love anymore because at some point, it never did. It was love in its purest form. Those three words dragged all her sincerity along with it.

The desperate need for air prompted Kensi to slowly pull back but she immediately yearned to lock their lips back together. Her lips were prickly and began to seek the feel of Lia's against hers. It was an addicting drug and she was never going to find cure.

Kensi propped herself up on her elbows. Both were perceivably gasping for air. Kensi's dark brown locks provided a veil over both of them, dimming the lights significantly and yet Lia could still see the magnificence in those green orbs. The younger girl lifted her right hand and lovingly traced the paths Kensi's tears took with a tranquil smile on her face.

"I love you." Lia retorted breathlessly. "I've waited three and a half years to say that."

There is just something so beautiful and so nerve-racking when love stories finally begin.

"Me, too, baby." Kensi proclaimed, feeling another onslaught of tears looming around the corner. "When I look at you, I just want to be able to say you're mine and that those lips belong with mine, you know?"

However, Lia had other plans. It hurt the younger girl to see Kensi cry and even when those were never tears of misery, it didn't seem to make much difference. The image of Kensi's consistently pained features left a lasting mark in Lia's head which also felt like a dull knife striking at her heart. Ever since Duke's passing, she had promised herself she would do whatever it is in her power to prevent such pain to invade Kensi's chest again.

"So, do we date first before we make this official?" Lia lightheartedly asked amid her strained voice. She was partially serious. She had never had a boyfriend in her life and she was finally coming to terms as to why. It had always been Kensi and her subconscious knew that, even when Lia tricked her consciousness into thinking otherwise.

Kensi let out a huff in her amusement as the smile that traced her lips widened. She shook her head, mumbling, "No."

Lia's curved lips broadened into a playful grin. She shifted her hand to Kensi's back, running her fingers against the girl's spine. "I guess you're my girlfriend now, then."

"That, I think I am. And you are mine, too." The green-eyed girl smugly responded, laughing softly. She descended her head slightly to peck Lia's lips. "But even if we didn't ask each other, I kind of felt somewhere along the way, we just will be."

"Somehow, I believe you." Lia agreed. The mischief in her smile contorted into serenity and the constant warmth in her chest intensified as a thought dawned on her. "And, baby,"

Kensi let out an inquisitive hum, looking deep into her girlfriend's eyes. "Yeah?"

"I'm all yours."

It just about made Kensi's heart plea for the regular skyrocketing pulsation to stop. She was just indescribably happy, they both were. Every frustration that had pestered their longing chests had finally been released and they weren't certain as to how their bodies could handle any more overwhelming happiness.

"I am honored, babe." Kensi confessed. Her arms were about to give out and so, with one more peck on the lips, she straightened herself and coaxed Lia into resume their cuddle session.

Bodies pressed firmly and hands clasped together, they professed their love once more and basked in the moment. Neither of them spoke but the silence wasn't wasted on despondent thoughts. They both were irrevocably happy and contented for once. They were easily claimed by sleep with their sound hearts, and physically and emotionally drained bodies. With one delicate kiss, Lia settled back on Kensi's chest, sighing before she let go and concluded the eventful day and a half.

The girls decided to spend their Sunday with their own families. Kensi joined her family of ten in a picnic by the beach. Mike and Jo's respective parents, siblings and a number of nephews and nieces joined them. It was easily a fiesta with just Kensi's immediate family. And despite missing her girlfriend terribly, Kensi mingled with the large brood and enjoyed the day with them while sending occasional text messages to Lia.

Lia and her parents went to the Hunt's after their Sunday mass. Lia needed the extra prayers to keep herself from sinking into unwelcoming misery after seeing how greatly affected Deborah still is with her son's passing that Kensi began to question if it was even right to move past it. The patriarch of the broken family seemed to have been able to muster genuine smiles as he engaged in a conversation with the Caseys. There were mild waterworks when Renee and Deb talked in private, leaving their husbands to chat about sports while Lia proofread the articles that seemed to never cease from flowing. She was reading through her e-mails as well and found out her tutoring session was scheduled on Monday, the following day, after school in her usual spot at the library.

At eight in the evening on that Sunday, Lia was on her stomach with her arms dangling off the edge of the bed while she held her phone a good distance from her face. A pillow provided elevation with her chin nestling on it while she was reading Kensi's submission. She was pleased to not have spotted areas to improve which validated Mr. Rutherford's seemingly crass decision to enlist the green-eyed girl. It was never crass though. The guy was their English teacher, he is well aware of Kensi's writing skills. Lia was happy for her girlfriend and she was happy for herself, too. With Kensi on the team, it meant less work for her and boy, does she need a break.

Lia left her door open and was too engrossed in her task to notice somebody walk in. The person crept in on her tiptoes, making as less noise as she possibly could, even plastering her hand over her mouth to muffle her ragged breathing due to the anticipation. When she was in a perfect spot to initiate her surprise attack, she launched herself and laid on the younger girl's back -aligning their bodies and subsequently wrapping her arms over Lia's midsection with a little difficulty.

The impact caused Lia to lose her grip on her phone, causing the device to fall onto the fluffy red rug. She retracted her arms and set her hands on either side of her head as she concealed her eyes.

"You better be Kensi or I will punch you in the face." Lia lightheartedly threatened, dropping her head, face first, onto the pillow beneath her. She feigned hostility as evidenced by her firm voice. She knew it was Kensi though. Lia's heart knows the girl deeper than just conspicuous attributes. It knows Kensi's energy, it knows Kensi's aura.

"Why me?" Kensi propped her head up, giggling mischievously before nuzzling it back between Lia's shoulder blades. She was actually finding a lot of amusement in her own actions and immersed her senses with her girlfriend.

"Because it hurt and you're the only one worth that much pain." The younger girl's voice was muffled by the soft, malleable object.

Lia was hurt. When Kensi landed on her, the pressure was mostly on her lower back and Kensi may have kneed her leg, too. Air was literally ejected from her lungs with the force and the sudden contact. However, she also spoke of the truth. She may just been avoiding the dull pain that Duke's passing caused because her heart was not willing to go through it.

As much as Kensi would like to relish Lia's words and smile like a little i***t, she couldn't. Her girlfriend was in physical pain and she wanted to soothe her until it didn't hurt anymore. Even if it was some insignificant ache, she caused it.

"Aw, babe." Kensi swiftly propped herself up on her right hand, elevating her torso and knees. She was hovering above the younger girl. She pulled Lia's hair back and brushed it to the right. It revealed the younger girl's raised inked skin with her racer back tank. The green-eyed girl then set her left hand back down on the bed to help steady her. "Did I really hurt you?"

Lia groaned as she nodded. She then adjusted her head so she was laying on her right cheek. "You did."

"I'm sorry, baby." Kensi sincerely muttered. She lowered herself to allow her lips to plant delicate kisses over Lia's inked shoulder blade, shoulder and upper arm with the younger girl exhaling in utter pleasure. She then kissed her girlfriend's cheek and lips, lingering there as both savored the knee-weakening kiss.

"It's okay." Lia assured her. She rolled in her place until her back was comfortably against the bed, allowing her brown eyes to connect with Kensi's. "Hi, girlfriend." She breathlessly spoke.

"Hey." Kensi's lips tugged to reveal a contented smile, slightly gasping as the titled caused an uproar in her being. "What were you doing?"

"Going over your article."

The green-eyed girl let out a bitter laugh with a roll of her eyes. "I wouldn't mind if you changed Jaron's name. Mark did pretty well in that game, too, you know?"

Of course, she'd use Mark Fletcher's name. Kensi is friends with the boy without the knowledge that Lia had a crush on him, or something. If anything, Kensi would have refused to speak of her friend. She knows Lia doesn't have feelings for Ice, in the least.

"Way to throw shade, babe." Lia teased, looking at her girlfriend knowingly. She smirked when Kensi's pale cheeks sported a shade of pink in her embarrassment. "Is my girlfriend jealous?"

Kensi scoffed, growing increasingly defensive. She pushed herself off her girlfriend and laid down next to her, sharing the same pillow.

"He kissed you, okay?" She begrudgingly reasoned with her intense gaze boring onto the measly white ceiling. "That's just one of the many things."

The light and welcoming warmth in her chest became the vile poison that is envy. She could recall every single time that Ice would deliberately hold Lia close while she was around, he could hold her by the waist or slung his arm over her shoulder. At times, Ice would wrap his arms around the younger girl and then look at Kensi as if he was challenging her.

"Apart from that though," Lia began, adjusting so that she was lying on her side. "He should be your favorite from the three guys."

"That is highly unlikely." Kensi stubbornly contested, crossing her arms.

The younger girl began chuckling softly at how worked up her girlfriend had become. She kissed her cheek lovingly, letting Kensi know that she loves her and not anybody else. While Kensi was wallowing in bitterness, Lia couldn't help but enjoy the situation. She knew it was bad but having Kensi Lancaster throw a jealous fit for you is a big deal. But she understood how consuming jealousy is, how it sucks every positive glint in your tired body and she had to do something.

"He was trying to make you jealous and get you to 'admit your feelings' for me." She lightly shook her head as if telling the boy off in her head. "He has been pushing me to do the same, too. He wouldn't believe we're just friends. Well, all of them didn't but Ice is the most persistent. He is trying to provoke you but with the best intentions. He's like our fan club president."

"Oh." Kensi was halted, snapping her head towards her smiling girlfriend. "Well, that was embarrassing. I thought he was just messing with me. I don't think you could blame me for being territorial though."

Lia brushed the back of her hand over the green-eyed girl's cheek with Kensi's eyes retreating behind her lids as she took a deep breath. "Territorial sounds like something you use for dogs, babe."

"Yeah, whatever. You're mine either way." Kensi smirked smugly. She copied Lia's position until her body was completely facing her girlfriend. Her expressions grew curious with her brows furrowed with one question nagging her head. "Are you going to their next game? It's in Miami Beach. Then it's two games before the district tiebreakers and then one more game before regional semifinals."

"I don't know. I do know sports writers are required to go." The younger girl responded playfully, much to Kensi's dismay.

The green-eyed girl's lips displayed an amused toothless grin with her eyes aimed upwards. She had found a loophole. "Well, this sports writer is asking her girlfriend to come with her."

"I'll think about it." Lia feigned indifference, pursing her lips as if she was deep in thought.

Kensi wasn't having any of it. She kissed that look away and Lia's hand instinctively landed behind the green-eyed girl's neck, pulling her closer. Both of them smiled against each other's lips amid the nerves that still travel along with their deep affection towards each other.

"Babe, you have to cover try outs and practice games, too."

Lia's statement caused Kensi to pull back and stare at her girlfriend in scrutiny and probably offence. Her lips were pressed tightly against each other and her brows had the same tension that caused creases to surface. Clearly, Kensi did not know the extent of her responsibilities but she'd do anything for her girlfriend. However, something else concerned her.

"How did you do all this and still party every night?" Kensi raised her brows incredulously. She was barely having enough time to socialize with her homework and desire to spend time with her best friend and recent girlfriend. She narrowed her eyes at Lia's seemingly innocent grin. "Which reminds me, I'm making ground rules on your wingman duties." She pointed at her in warning.

Lia laughed, sending her head backwards. She had it coming given Kensi's annoyance over certain things she had done. Lia found humor in it but Kensi's stern features were unwavering. She cleared her throat while mustering a sense of seriousness.

"Okay. What are they?"

"Number one," Kensi began, lifting her index finger between them. "No kissing on the mouth or any erogenous parts of the body. You're strictly upper limbs and cheeks, my friend." She poked the finger over Lia's upper arm in her threat. The younger girl smiled but nodded in affirmation.

"Number two, I'm coming with your asses just to make sure you don't break number one!" Kensi insisted, her tone severe but her firmness wavered. "Is that okay?"

Lia bit her lips to stifle a laugh. "It is."

"Okay. Number three,"

Kensi listed her restrictions with no particular order. Her words flowed unhindered given that, unlike the days prior to the night before, she figured she had every right to prevent Lia from doing certain things she had been doing for Trevor, Ice and Landon. The green-eyed girl was not particularly supportive of Lia's ventures into the sea of mostly intoxicated individuals, even as her friend. Kensi feared that somebody would take advantage of Lia and the younger girl could not defend herself, or if something was taken away before she could even react and anything didn't always been an inanimate object. Lia could be violated - not just by actions but words as well.

Lia's eyes grew heavy as they reached restriction number fifteen which forbids girls and boys from holding Lia "a certain way". She yawned and was quick to conceal her gaped mouth with her hand while she tightly sealed her lids.

"Are you seriously falling asleep on me?” Kensi grumbled. She shook Lia by the arm, forcing her to stay awake. "Babe! This is important. I don't want other people touching you the way I should."

"I got everything babe." Lia assured her. "They're all here." She pointed to the most poignant part of her body, making Kensi's heart swell. "I just need to rest my eyes for a bit. I did my homework this morning, went to church and read for this week's lessons and went over articles. I'm very tired."

"Okay." The green-eyed girl agreed. She leaned to place a chaste kiss on Lia's forehead. "Come here." She opened her arms for her girlfriend who quickly adhered to her request.

Kensi looped her arm securely around her girlfriend while her hand interlocked with Lia's, sighing contentedly. The silence had never bothered her before and maybe she enjoyed it as long as Lia was there. In silence, she would think and check up on her life, and often finds things to tug her lips down while it wrung her chest. Three months ago, she could only see darkness with a faint flicker of light, that light being Lia. Under normal circumstances, that light was the brightest but always had a limit. Something would hinder it and somehow dull it, at times.

But things change and fortunately for Kensi, and Lia, the change meant that they could finally express their true feelings for each other.

As time ticked away, Kensi found herself happily humming a tune. Lia was true to her words, she was merely resting her eyes and was still awake. She was listening to her girlfriend's steady heartbeat and then the little timid reverberations of her vocal chords until hushed words spilled out of Kensi's lips.

"We've seen our share of ups and downs. Oh, how quickly life can turn around in an instant." Kensi sang quietly but the volume of her voice was gradually rising. It was a slower ballad and not its original rock genre. She had no idea why she began singing that song. It was more of a spur of the moment kind of thing that fit what she was feeling.

"It feels so good to reunite within yourself and within your mind. Let's find peace there." She kissed her girlfriend's head as she prepared for the chorus. She was addressing the song directly to her because with Lia, she feels as if she could be anything. "When you are with me, I'm free." Her hand began running up and down Lia's upper arm. "I'm careless -I believe. Above all the others, we'll fly. This brings tears to my eyes. My sacrifice."

Kensi found herself biting her lips when she felt Lia stir in her arms. The younger girl looked up at her, smiling delicately. "I will always love that raspy voice but that was like the song I'd least expect to come out of you." She softly giggled. "I'd expect any song from Lana Del Rey or 'Speechless' by Gaga. You sounded so sexy singing that." She lifted their interlocked hands and gave the back of Kensi's a lingering kiss. "Can you sing that for me?"

"You're lucky I love you."

Kensi had to go home before midnight. She was Cinderella for a night given that her extended family were still in their house and her parents thought it was rude to leave them despite her seven remaining siblings. She promised to return in the morning to come pick her girlfriend up and she did. They were in Kensi's car, a good fifteen minutes early and they had a couple of hours to make up for. Unfortunately, during Mondays, both girls were too busy and their lunch breaks don't coincide.

"Do you want to tell our friends today?" Lia asked as Kensi pulled into the parking lot. She immediately reached for her girlfriend's hand, tightly squeezing it.

Kensi shrugged, raising her brows as if she was guilty of a crime. She was uncertain as to how Lia would react to her answer. She was more than proud to have her but she wanted to have Lia to herself first. Both of them anticipated an eternal attack of teases from their group of friends.

"I think I want to enjoy us for a bit before we let other people in. Because knowing Amber and Jaron, it'd be like we have more than two people in this relationship." She timidly looked at her girlfriend with a small toothless smile. "Are you okay with that though?"

"I am. Of course, I am." The younger girl assured her, sensing Kensi's distress. Her eyes were exuding nothing but pure sincerity. Nevertheless, she just had to mess with Kensi. The glint in her chocolate orbs contorted into utter mischief with that annoyingly aw-worthy smirk of hers.

"And it's Ice, babe."

"Shut up." Kensi's mouth slightly gaped as she dropped her head backwards in defeat. It was an effective way to hide the deep blush that set on her porcelain cheeks. Warmth was quick to devour her entire head while a cold unwelcoming blanket hugged her apprehensive torso. She rolled her eyes, huffing air out.

Lia couldn't stifle her gleeful grin. She steadied the older girl's head, latching her hands on either side of her face. She was leaning in to kiss her girlfriend on the lips but Kensi was leaning away from her, preventing the lip-lock.

"Denied, this early in the relationship." The younger girl quipped, dropping her hands. She adjusted in her seat, leaning on her left arm as most of her body faced her girlfriend. She mustered her most pitiful look, jutting her lower lip out while widening her glistening eyes. "I'm sorry. Forgive me?"

Kensi let out a frustrated sigh. She narrowed her eyes at her girlfriend as if she did not buy the apology and shook her head condescendingly. "I will if you stop teasing me."

"Okay. Okay." Lia relented and sat straight. She raised her hands, signaling her surrender. "Just please let me kiss you."

The green-eyed girl still refused to make eye contact. She, instead, tapped her cheek with grin on her face. Lia adhered to the silent invitation and leaned in, only for Kensi to twist her head at the right moment for their lips to touch. Smiling, Lia began to move her lips with her girlfriend following her lead. It was still as euphoric as the first time.

They went through the school doors with hands laced comfortably. The hallway was filled with the usual groggy teenagers, dragging their feet while others were more alive, chatting up with their friends about the events of their weekend, the football game last Friday or a project due. Everyone was used to Kensi and Lia physically linked to each other that they didn't draw any unusual attention.

Landon was waiting by Lia's locker as per usual, waving frantically at the younger girl. He was happily smiling like a sugar-addicted child seeing chocolate cake. Somehow, his eagerness died down when he laid eyes on Kensi who was all smiles that morning.

"Hey!" He greeted Lia with a hug while he nodded at Kensi with an uneasy smile. "How was your weekend?"

Both girls looked at each other and immediately smiled. There had always been meaning behind every single glance that the two girls shared and Landon had always seen it. However, during that day, he could sense something different and it troubled in his belly to a great extent.

"Great." Kensi and Lia said in unison, looking deep into each other’s eyes before the older girl excused herself to go retrieve book from her locker while Lia was halfway into entering her lock combination.

"Is there something I should know?" Landon apprehensively asked, standing behind Lia with his hands clutching the straps of his backpack that hung over his shoulders.

Lia pulled the small blue door, furrowing her brows as she processed her friend's words. She shoved books in her bag while depositing others into the small confines of the metallic box. Something in Landon was different -like something was plaguing his usually nervously giddy state. In fact, Landon looked as if he was about to burst.

"Is there anything I should know?" Lia countered, turning on her back to face a tensed looking boy. "Did you get in trouble at the party I skipped?"

Every color in Landon's face dissipated. Lia could tell he was hiding something from her. She had always been cleaning up their messes every now and again. It was a bother but that was part of her wingman and friend duties. Landon had always been the last one to admit any fault, the other two guys laugh at their failures as if it didn't happen to them.

"N-No. Why would you say that?" He furiously shook his head, eyes gaped. He was conspicuously agitated. "But...but yeah, why did you skip?"

Lia huffed in annoyance. She momentarily forgot about Landon's problem as hers came back, haunting her. She pulled the corners of her lips, mustering a fake smile. There was just no other sets of emotions associate to that, it had always been gut-wrenching pain.

"Duke's mom came."

Landon was evidently taken aback, sending his head backwards. He, too, dreaded seeing the woman. It was like she was the source of everyone's misery.

The bell soon rung, signaling for first period. Kensi was quick to stand by her girlfriend's side and snatch her hand. She led the brown-eyed girl to class with Landon nervously trailing behind them. Kensi left Lia with a soft kiss on the cheek. The green-eyed girl practically skipped to her class, leaving Lia standing there, shaking her head with an amused smile.

The hours they spent at school was treacherous without seeing each other. Lia had never been tardy and Kensi knew that it would take a lot of convincing to coax her girlfriend into meeting her in between classes. They again settled for text messages, holding phones behind books or underneath tables. The uneventful day could not end sooner but the two girls were finally standing by the library right before Lia's tutoring session. Their arms were tightly wrapped around each other, reluctant to let go.

"I'll come pick you up in an hour, okay?" Kensi grinned, conflicting emotions clouded her. On one hand, she was happy they were reunited - on the other, they had to say goodbye again. She absolutely needed her time with her girlfriend. "Don't study too much. You're making us all look like dumb idiots."

Lia shook her head in disagreement, knowing just how incredibly smart Kensi is. "Those two words will never suit my girlfriend, thank you very much." She smugly dismissed Kensi's lighthearted comment.

Kensi laughed softly as she pulled back and held onto Lia's hands, her thumbs running the bumpy path of the younger girl's knuckles. She was desperate to see those brown eyes she loves so much with the knowledge that she'd have to wait another hour. She was just so enamored by Lia.

"Do you need a kiss for that?"

The younger girl scrunched up her nose, nodding. "Pretty much."

It was a quick kiss to keep their cover intact. There weren't that much students around the halls of Palm Grove High during that time. Most students would gladly bolt out of the school and into the arms of freedom.

"Let's not keep your student waiting." Kensi let out a sigh, looking at Lia without the intention of moving anywhere. "One hour. I love you."

"I love you." The younger girl begrudgingly wriggled loose of her girlfriend's grasp. "Now, scram before I grab you again."

Kensi backpedaled, smiling like a little child while Lia took slow and small steps towards the library door. She pushed the door open, and stared at Kensi long enough before she finally slipped in. It was hard but her heart still managed to be filled with nothing but bliss just because she saw the green-eyed girl again.

Lia's usual tutoring spot is the far corner of the library, close to the stacks of world history books. It's the quietest there and it wasn't just because of the seclusion. Students just don't wander to that part of the library as there are other newer, somehow improved, versions sitting on the other side. Furthermore, the access to the internet and the rows of computers on the other side of the library exacerbated her sport being deserted.

She was not surprised to see a boy with noticeably light brown hair that came in lose curls. He was wearing a royal blue hoodie and he was hunched over an opened notebook. His left hand was lightly tapping a yellow pencil on the wooden surface while his right was rubbing his temples. Lia was glad he was working on his homework before she got there. He's determined, at least.

"Hi!" Lia greeted as she rounded the table to sit on the other side of the boy. She threw her hand out to shake his. "I'm Lia, your tutor."

"Jeremy." The boy retorted casually. He slowly stood up to acknowledge his student teacher, respecting her presence and eternally thankful in his head. He extended his hand, taking Lia's. He then lifted his head up and exposed his pale blue orbs. "Nice to meet-"

Both of pairs of eyes widened while their supposed welcoming and gratified grins disappeared from their features. They'd recognize each other's faces anywhere. It was almost too eerie to be face to face when they usually avoided each other. They found themselves frozen and their hands remained clasped.

Lia felt something and it wasn't just disdain or disgust. It was something more powerful than that, more demanding. It had awakened something in her, a longing, or some sort. But why?

"I know." She coldly muttered, seemingly drawn into those blue eyes, they required to be stared at. It was the first time she had actually seen them up close and yet it looked too familiar to her. Nothing made sense. "Your reputation lives among the school's halls. It precedes you."

"Oh, but it's not just mine. It's yours, too."