Birdgirl

14 - To the Beginning of Us

Pulling into a free parking space at the frozen yogurt shop, Ice was still trying to put a finger on the change he saw in Kensi. The girl was still not scowling at him or dropping various deprecating comments. He wanted to ask but he was certain their budding friendship was still not in that level of confidence yet. Kensi was visibly happy and the glimmer in her eyes spoke of feelings blissfully bright that Ice could not help but feel a certain gratification for her. But she seemed...tensed.

He did, however, suspect that a certain girl called Lia was behind the brunette's uncharacteristic demeanor.

When Kensi is happy, the world could not help but be happy with her. It was as if her pale skin brilliantly shined and would become a formidable competition against the brightest sources of light, the sun might as well be nothing in contrast. Her slightly crooked teeth in full display contorts into a blithe force, capable of cloaking the world from emptiness and fix broken hearts. And Lia was the spark that ignited the blaze that devoured the hollowed out trees, dried grassland that grazed the barren fields and magically transformed it into a lush garden bouncing with life.

The pair had dropped the conversation about dating right after Ice announced his wingman capabilities. On the way, they engaged in quite the professional conversation about their classes and football, delving deeper into the championship that Ice was so eager to play for. However, that soon changed when the car slowed down into a complete stop and Kensi was fidgeting. The girl could not seem to stay still, evidently pestered by something.

"Can we like spend half an hour with them and I'll bring you back here later after you help me with something?" Kensi suggested despite the apparent hesitance, subtly pleading with her magnificent green orbs before Ice could shut the engine off. There was a hopefulness in her eyes and she possessed a certain vulnerability that came rarely -at least, according to everyone else but Lia.

The boy was reaching for the air conditioner switch but gradually retracted his hand while Kensi spoke. It was definitely new, the green-eyed girl asking him for help. Ice figured hell had to freeze over before that would happen and he looked at her slack jawed with eyes gaping. Apparently, that wasn't the case.

"You're actually scaring me, Kensi Lancaster." He muttered under his breath with tensed brows, finally twisting the air conditioning switch off and subsequently fumbling with the key securely lodged in the ignition. Unconsciously leaning away from the girl as a hint of fear and utter bewilderment flushing his features.

"What's with the full name?" Kensi matched his apprehensive expression, scrutinizing the hazel-eyed boy. But then, she pursed her lips, looking up while deep in thought - realizing that a part of her question was faulty. Grinning, she continued, "Well, two out of four of my full name."

Ice chuckled, happy to have released a certain amount of tension that was physically hurting his head and putting an incredibly heavy weight on his shoulders for the past couple of years that he had known the girl. Usually maneuvering dialogues with the most ease like a pro racer, he had never been required to think that much in conversations in his life and his careless demeanor vanished even under Kensi's soft gaze. Diana didn't give him that much pressure that stemmed from his heart and crawled to his neck, almost decapitating him.

"You were simply an intimidating person with a name that I always associated with Casey who occasionally glares at me." He shrugged in a feigned nonchalance, nodding. There was an underlying fear that he hid in that movement of the shoulders and he was cursing himself for losing his natural cool around most people. "You know, nothing much."

Kensi's features crumpled in amusement until a melodious laugh broke out of her shimmering lips. It was another side of Kensi that Ice had recently discovered, he was peeling a layer at a time and had only had a glimpse of the gentleness in the seemingly indestructible girl.

"I'm sorry, okay? You now know why. If you stop annoying me, I can promise to never glare at you." The green-eyed girl cupped her mouth, stifling her uncontrollable laugh and extended her free hand to the boy. "Truce?"

"Truce." Ice confirmed with an eagerness in his tone, gladly accepting the offer and firmly squeezing Kensi's hand as he grinned with no trace of his supposed arrogance. He was softly chuckling, finally finding ease in the conversation. There was a sense of accomplishment in those eyes of his. If there was any desire to make amends with Kensi, that was for his dear friend who he had been not-to-subtly teasing with the girl squeezing his hand, exuding confidence.

The insecurity slowly settled back down to Kensi's features as she recalled the date she had been planning since the previous day when she spent most of it away from her girlfriend. Slowly, she loosened her grip and lowered her hand.

"Will you help me? I have so many things to do in thirty minutes or less. I need to give her something and this has to be special. I want to show her how much she means to me and we've done so many things together as friends, and I want this to be different -I want it to be romantic. I have never planned out a date before. The closest one that I did was lay a blanket out in my backyard and I could have done more but I didn't. You've got to help me, Jaron." Kensi rambled imploringly, unable to control the gush of words that tumbled out of her mouth. Tightly, she clasped her hands together and held them by her chest, desperate for some sort of grip over the situation while practically begging. Her green-eyes were hooded, dreading the possibility of a refusal. "Come on! You're my first choice. I can't ask Amber. She would tease me to no end. Trevor is dating her and I'm not necessarily friends with your brother. The other two girls don't know Lia nearly as well as you do."

"No s**t?" Ice blurted out in his shock. He was left to ponder on Kensi's words once more and he was simply amazed. His hand found his forehead as he leaned on the backrest -literally taken aback. "Wow..." He breathed, trailing of and lingering on that single combination of letters. He shook his head as if denying something from himself. "This day could not get any weirder."

Kensi shot him an unimpressed look and crossed her arms. Her thick brows were raised with a hint of playful vexation that was effectively concealing her flustered state. She hated being vulnerable and open to rejection, and there was nothing she could do about it. Kensi firmly held onto the thought that she was doing it for her girlfriend and that was enough to lull the turmoil in her chest.

"Sorry. Sorry." The boy lifted his hands in surrender. He easily shrunk to an insignificant size until he dissolved with that pointed look of Kensi's green eyes. Clearing his throat, he reached to wipe the forming beads of sweat on his forehead. "So...uh...d-do you have anything in mind?"

"Yes, I just need you to help me pull it off." Kensi brushed her digits through her dark brown locks and sat back on her seat - obviously quite troubled that her plans might fail.

There was a surge of disturbing thoughts clouding her mind. The possibility of her girlfriend's absolute repugnance would be the death of her and knowing Lia would attempt to make it seem like it was still the best crushed her when she could see through to the girl. Kensi had never been a pessimist. Lia could give her superpowers but the girl could easily take every guts in Kensi's body and throw it to the dump even without her knowing it.

"Boyfriend Kensi in action!" Ice chirped, unable to contain the bubbling desire to mention the nickname he had given the girl during the day he wrapped his arms around Lia to illustrate a point at the cafeteria. Raising a tight fist, he slowly tugged it down, feeling victorious. His gleeful expression soon looked quite uncertain as he recalled something. "Can I ask Diana first? She actually has to leave early but I'd rather she knows."

Out of everything the boy said, Kensi was more concerned about the first two words he uttered. It was the first time it had ever grazed her ears and she might be pleased to hear that. Furrowing her brows, she slightly c****d her head and wore an inquisitive look. "Boyfriend Kensi?"

A sly grin crawled upon Ice's thin lips and the curve that it presented Kensi with screamed mischief, that was more like the boy. Deciding on ignoring the comment and the knowing look, the green-eyed girl waved the boy off and decided on grilling him about another more pressing issue.

The tension on her brows remained intact as she drew her head closer to him. "What about that mystery girl you and the guys have been talking about?"

Shrugging, Ice answered simply as if it were the obvious. "That was a code ST."

"Oh." Kensi had to ignore the bubbling annoyance in her belly considering that the boy was quite flagrant with his intention of just sleeping with the aforementioned girl. However, she was pleased it wasn't one of her friends, that would have been a different story. "Are you really serious about Diana though?"

With a nod and pursed lips, Ice confirmed with sincerity dripping from his voice, "I am."

There was an utter lack of deception in his hazel eyes. If anything, the golden spectacles exuded of his sincerity and pride - something Kensi had not observed in them in the past. With a smile gracing her plump lips, she was evidently contented with the boy's answer.

Being the natural jokester with no particular care for the world, Ice gambled his chances to mess with the brunette. He suggestively bobbed his brows and threw in his supposedly repulsive signature smirk. "So, what will it be? Restaurant? Beach? Hotel?"

Kensi struggled to contain her amusement. Softly chuckling, she fought to maintain a condescending look as she shook her head. "I'm choosing to ignore that last one. But I know just the place. I'll text you the list while we're in there." Her expressions soon turned rock hard, the kind that Ice was used to but the usual hostility was missing. She wagged her extended finger at the boy as if threatening him. "And no one can know about this. At least, not yet."

"Lips are sealed. You have my word." Ice rubbed his hands as if dusting them off with a proud smirk shaping his lips. "Done and done but you might have to give me your number first."

The pair exchanged cellphones and swiftly typed their numbers away. Both hearts were warm and steady, both gratified by different yet similar reasons of utmost care and love for a person or two. Kensi may have not expected the extent of loyalty she saw in the boy. It was as if her previous painted image of him was swept clean with white paint to make a new canvass, blank and completely open to possibilities and so far, he had been painting clear blue skies for her. Ice was delighted to be given the opportunity to express his gratitude for his Birdgirl by helping the girl he thought was right for her.

Lia may have bound two people in an unlikely, yet beautiful friendship.

While Kensi and Ice were engaged in their light and surprisingly enjoyable conversation, exchanged numbers and up until the pair climbed out of the car, Landon watched them. Landon was watching with skepticism coursing through his veins and brows that seemed impossible to undo. Arms crossed, he leaned by the door frame with no intention of hiding out from either of the two in the confines of Kensi's car.

A pang of discomfort tugged at his gut as he observed smiles and evident laughter emanating from both Kensi and Ice. There was an unreasonable warmth in his chest, something completely different from what the pair was experiencing. He could be protective of his brother or Lia. Either way, he was not particularly taking a liking to the new friendship. He was contemplating on the multitude of possibilities for the conversation they were sharing and was dying to dig everything out of his brother.

"How did you suddenly become Kensi Lancaster's best friend?" Landon guardedly muttered in a low voice, grabbing his brother's arm and dragged him back out as Kensi and Ice made their way towards the shop. His entire body was boiling with curiosity and a certain apprehension that seemed to have been an alien feeling given that both brothers never gave as much regard to each other's lives.

Ice met Kensi's gaze momentarily, both nodding, quietly hinting their understanding. Kensi sauntered towards the counter to place an order while craning her neck in search of her friends and found Janiah, lodged between Amber and Diana in a pink round booth, waving at her.

The place was bright and friendly, and covered in white with wavy streaks of pink and lime green accentuating most of everything. Display cases holding various flavors and a menagerie of toppings with corresponding attendants lined on side of the place. Furniture and fixtures came in round edges exuding a playfulness. The prominent smell of sugar and a mixture of various fragrances from people abound grazed Kensi's nostrils.

"She's Casey's friend." Ice retorted, speaking as if it were the obvious and allowing his brother to haul him a couple more feet backwards. A smirk made its way to his lips sensing his brother's excessive distress.

"Yes, not yours." Landon clarified, finally coming to a stop and glaring at his brother. A contemptuous glint in his eyes came into view as he faced his brother. "What was that about?"

"Calm your t**s! It was nothing! What the hell is up with you?" The older boy raised his hands by his sides as he shrugged, finally noting the severity of the situation. When Landon didn't answer, instead crossing his arms, he settled for a speck of the truth while keeping his oath to Kensi. "She was just asking me about Diana. Besides, I thought we stayed out of each other's lives?"

Taken aback, Landon seemed to have been knocked back to senses. Straightening himself, dropping his hands limply to his sides, he reasoned, "I'm just making sure."

Mumbling an "okay", Ice waved his brother in dismissal as he quietly contemplated the situation. There was an apparent confusion settling in his mind given the odd shift of his brother's mood. They were just fooling around at the parking lot. Deciding on halting his thinking for the day, having reached his limit, Ice decided he might have just been experiencing an off day with the people around him being quite different than they seem.

In the shop, Ice immediately trudged to the booth where his friends were. He settled down next to Diana and shared the girl's cheesecake flavored frozen yogurt given that he did not necessarily enjoy sweet confections. They were sweetly feeding each other with Diana giggling every now and then while Kensi continually composed her check list.

The moment Ice drew his mouth near Diana's ear, his hazel eyes met the green ones who was watching intently. Both knew what that meant and when Diana nodded followed by a tender kiss on the cheek for the boy, a smirk coupled by a slight jerk of the brows made Kensi sigh. Landon sensed the movement, shifting uncomfortably in his seat next to his brother.

In less than fifteen minutes of melting the dairy confection in their mouths and occasionally participating in their shallow conversations, Ice and Kensi were out, exhaling a relived breath. Ice was familiar with the timed steps and planned out courses of action with Lia's Birdgirl stints. However, he was in a good combination of giddy and exceptionally eager with executing Kensi's plan considering for once, it was for Lia and not for him and the guys.

"Let's do this, Lancaster." Ice earnestly muttered with passion in his voice, holding his fist out to the girl as they headed out of the shop, eyes intently focused on the door. It was just like their wingman operations and he was welcoming the change just him and Kensi involved.

Kensi couldn't find it in her to protest. She bumped his hand, looking equally determined despite the seething nerves claiming her entire existence.

At thirteen and fourteen, Lia and Kensi's cheeks were a little full and chunky with their young age. Eyes glistened with splendor and awe of the world, and the little discoveries that graze their naive yet fearless minds swirled their curiosity. Life was supposed to be simpler then and yet both girls had developed emotional baggage with each day adding an increment that is making it a little unbearable for one young person to handle on her own. Their supposed bright, glimmering orbs were clouded with a hopefulness that they will stumble upon solace.

At the time, Lia only had Duke and Kensi was just building a friendship with a girl named Janiah. It wasn't because neither had the capability of making friends, they were simply closed off and felt no such need to expand their circle. While Kensi has nine siblings to keep her company, Lia kept to herself and Duke was simply a familiar fixture in her life that made her lips tug to a smile - drawing her attention away from her problems, temporarily, at least. The boy was around before she even revealed her eyes for the world to see and familiar is a good thing.

It was late September, four years prior, a Saturday, the day after Kensi handed Lia's textbook back to her. The green-eyed girl was walking across the park with an easy stride and holding a small bag of juice boxes in one hand. She was heading home from a little trip to the store. A beautiful fall day where heaps of leaves were haphazardly scattered among man-made fields of grass and light melodious laughter from children filled her ears, putting a content smile on her face.

It could have been the hands that provided solace that blew the gentle yet salty breeze that disheveled Kensi's long dark locks. The green-eyed girl halted, a couple of huge steps away from the red painted metal swing set - one of the two occupied but not...swung with supposed laughter and broad grins.

Brushing her hair back, Kensi's green eyes found the small frame of a girl that made her heart kick her in the chest, hammering with no restraint. An uncomfortable tug at her gut immediately settled as she took in the particularly gloomy disposition, head hung low with her foot aimlessly kicking the smooth gravel beneath.

Surrendering to the overpowering need to comfort the girl, Kensi approached her with as little noise as possible, taking one cautious and unsteady step at a time. She halted a measly two feet away from the girl, holding the bag with both hands.

"H-Hey, Lia...Am...elia." Cringing as the very unfamiliar nickname she had given the girl in private flew out before her mind could filter her words, Kensi laughed anxiously, flustered.

Relief washed over Kensi when Lia looked up with a timid smile, chuckling softly -a sound she had been yearning to hear since she'd heard it.

Lia ran a hand through her hair and ruffled it at the crown of her head. Her heart leapt when the familiar husky voice filled her ears, and in turn her whole being. It was the same voice that provided her warmth during her first day at school, the girl with the captivating green eyes that seemed to have been demanding to be seen. It was the girl who had been causing a turmoil in her chest, an abnormal feeling completely new to her.

Lia decided she liked the feeling of her fluttering heart and knew one thing that would make the feeling linger. She was going to make her smile. "Liamelia." She repeated in a thoughtful tone, feeling the word in her tongue and giggled. "Hey, Mack…kenzie."

Lia welcomed the needed sense of happiness in her chest, albeit only getting a glimpse of it. She was surprised at how the simple chaotic outburst of a word played with her heart strings in the most pleasant way. The word being her name - something she considered an ordinary in all the years of her life and one girl exaggerating its significance in her unusual uneasiness. Kensi had always been a lady of poise and confidence to Lia and that was one of the reasons why she admired the girl.

Kensi nervously rocked herself on her feet yet exposing her teeth in a shy yet sweet smile. She fought to keep her gaze connected to the inquisitive brown ones. Her cheeks were significantly reddening -a very noticeable one given her porcelain skin. She looked around for possible friends or family but the crowd of running children and their parents were a good distance away.

"So...what are you doing here?"

The younger girl shrugged, her mouth pressed firmly as if she was contemplating her answer. Having found only sincerity in Kensi's eyes, she truthfully answered, "I don't know. I wanted to be alone."

Defeated, Kensi nodded in understanding. Despite her unrivaled desire to waste time away with Lia, she decided on letting her have her peace. With a sigh, Kensi regrettably muttered, "Okay, well, I will leave you alone." The green-eyed girl was about to swivel when a thought occurred to her. Her powerful and stubborn urge to provide comfort to the girl she has had incredibly strong feelings for halted her movements and return her gaze to the expectant brown eyes that seemed to have been watching her. "And Lia, it'll be okay. Whatever it is you're going through will pass." She emphasized the name for a false sense of redemption and cover up the embarrassment.

A grateful smile played at Lia's lips, enamored by the girl and her beautiful caring nature which only heightened the outward beauty she possessed. Feeling a little insecure, she averted Kensi's gaze. "Do you want to...maybe...join me? There's another swing right there." She pointed to the vacant seat to her left kept afloat by a link of chains. Looking back up at Kensi, she offered her a delicate and blithe grin. "And Lia is fine."

Kensi returned the gesture and then descending on to the swing seat with the younger girl watching her. She cagily set the bag down to her feet and reached for two apple flavored juice boxes that were sweating due to condensation. Breathing a necessary gulp of air for courage, Kensi lifted one of the red rectangular prism boxes and offered it to Lia whose eyes sparkled in delight and anticipation.

"Here." Kensi mumbled as Lia reached to accept the drink. "My little siblings asked me to buy them these but they won't miss two."

"I love apple juice!" Lia exclaimed, holding the box with both hands. "They're my favorite."

The green-eyed girl quietly celebrated her victory and etched the memory in her brain - she just had to remember a favorite. It didn't take a rocket scientist to notice the abrupt shift in Lia's demeanor. Whether it be her words, the juice or her mere presence, Kensi was feeling a vicarious happiness from Lia.

Minutes passed that both were aimlessly staring at the world in front of them, families enjoying picnics, children relishing in their freedom to frolic about, dogs leaping in pure bliss. The rustling of leaves along with the harmony of the birds and the smell of the grass provided both girls with a taste of paradise.

"My parents." Lia mumbled with a heavy sigh, unsure as to why she decided on delving in details of her apparent desolation. Kensi just seemed trustworthy and had enough space in her heart for another person. She exuded a welcoming comfort that Lia never found in other people.

There had always been a sense of ease when confiding in a stranger and yet it still took a lot from the girl who keeps to herself to simply express what she was feeling in words. Kensi wasn't one but both girls have not grown accustomed to each other just yet and on some level, they were still strangers.

"They're still heartbroken over my stillborn sibling. My mom has been crying so much and dad has to go to work on weekdays. I'm left to take care of her and he's just...he's different now." Remorsefully looking down on the empty juice box, she shook her head, biting her quivering lower lip. She rapidly blinked to rid of the excess moisture in her eyes as both pain from loss and regret stabbed at her heart. "I-I just...I don't want to wallow in grief anymore. It's depressing and I don't think I'm strong enough for this, for all of us. I feel suffocated and I feel like it's wrong to feel this way because I should be there for them but I'm not used to this."

Before Lia knew it, arms were wrapped protectively around her. Even when she was physically squeezed, ribs gathered in a bundle, the tightness in her chest loosened until the ropes fell to the ground, completely harmless. Slowly, her arms latched onto Kensi, her chin pressed against the older girl's head. With relief came the tears and no amount of blinking could prevent the salty beads from rolling from her eyes.

"I don't even know if it was a girl or a boy. I'm such a bad sister." Lia's voice wavered as her thoughts swam back to the day she saw blood running down her mother's leg. She instantly broke down, having no fight left in her. Her tough facade was long gone and was surrendering even with the knowledge that she was crying in front of someone for the first time and it wasn't just anyone, it was Kensi, the goddess she was at awe of.

Kensi was on her knees and wasn't certain as to where she fished the courage to bring Lia in an encompassing embrace but she was grateful for it. Despite wanting to relish in the natural mold of their bodies being pressed together, the green-eyed girl was focused on lulling the ache in Lia's heart.

"It's okay, Lia. I'm here. Just let it out." Kensi tenderly mumbled while her hands squeezed the girl's arms each time she feels her tremble. "It's okay to be exhausted of pain. No one is supposed to handle that on their own. You're allowed to be tired -you're human. We can't always be strong for other people and pretend we're okay when we're not. You're very sweet for taking care of your mother and you've been brave this whole time. You've been very strong, Lia. You have no idea how proud I am of you."

Sighing to release every sort of anxiety in her system and provide her new friend with utmost love, Kensi continued despite internally panicking. Was she doing a good job at assuring the girl it was going to be okay? She didn't know but she just had to try. "Tell you what, from here on out, I will take care of you. You can still be there for your family but you don't have to try to be strong with me."

A nod in understanding was all Lia could do, having been temporarily mute. Her strong, tattered heart was stuffed, inflated with every beautiful and sincere words that flew out of Kensi's mouth, and the girl herself. Lia was surprised with how light she felt almost instantly. Her senses were filled with the girl -Kensi's scent, her husky voice, the feel of her soft skin against Lia's. Everything seemed beautiful with Kensi and pain seemed insignificant and did not have a strong hold on her.

It took a long moment and incessant throbbing on Kensi's knees before Lia finally calmed down to little whimpers and sniffles to which Kensi twisted her head to press her lips against the girl's temple.

The physiological pain that rocked her knees were nothing to the condition of her heart as she held onto the trembling girl. It crushed her to ends that she never fathomed was possible. That had been the first time she felt Lia's warm olive skin and it felt right despite their predicaments.

"I'm here for you, okay?" Kensi reminded her, slowly pulling away with a gentle smile on her lips. "I promise."

Her heart broke when Lia's disheveled image came into view. The younger girl's eyes were bloodshot, tears stained cheeks were flushed while her nose and lips were reddened and swollen. However, those shiny plump lips molded into a small grin, gradually broadening until a timid chuckle resounded which prompted Kensi to release a sigh followed by a relieved smile.

Lia began wiping moisture off from her face with the back of her hand but Kensi halted her movements, gripping the girl's wrists gently. "Let me."

The green-eyed girl pulled the sleeves of her thin pullover sweater and began patting it over Lia's eyes and cheeks, smiling delicately when she'd finished. She proceeded to brushing the girl's stray strands of hair away from her face, lovingly tucking them behind Lia's ears.

"I'm sorry for crying." The younger girl bowed her head down, embarrassed by her tears.

If Duke or Lia's parents were to have a say on anything, they would have told Kensi the girl was incapable of shedding tears or speaking of her feelings. Even Lia was dumbfounded by what had just transpired. With Kensi, there was acceptance and no hint of judgment.

"I told you, it's okay." Kensi assured her as she sat on the gravel in front of Lia and crossed her legs.

Lifting her head, her brown eyes settled for the loving gaze in those greens that stared back at her. "Thank you, by the way."

The older girl furrowed her brows despite the grin on her lips. "For the book?"

When Lia shook her head no, Kensi tried again. "Juice box?"

Another shake of the head rocked the younger girl's head but was soon halted by a nod when she realized she had not thanked Kensi for the beverage.

"That, too but it was the first time I ever smiled and laughed all day. You just came and made me smile without doing anything." Lia explained, despite the uncertainty she felt in her chest. She was worried about scaring the girl away with that unabashed confession. In the end, she felt as if Kensi needed to know. "Thank you for being you, Kensi. You're a really beautiful person and I'm not just talking about your heart."

A proud smile appeared across Kensi's lips that sparkled her already mesmerizing eyes. The kindness of the girl and her sweet nature exuding in that gesture. "When you feel down next time and I don't want there to be next time, but if that's the case, you know where to find me. We can be alone together, just like right now."

Kensi's words were stained with pure sincerity and Lia was uncertain whether to be scared of it or not considering that up until the previous day, they had not spoken to each other. She settled with the thought of Kensi having the biggest of hearts and that the world needed more of her.

"I'll hold you to that."

A corner of Kensi's lips tugged to form a half smile. "I'm counting on it."

Lia realized something that day. She could hide everything from the world with all her might and every ounce of pain could live in her heart but when Kensi was around, she had an assurance that everything will be alright. She found that the green-eyed could easily make her open up even when she never wanted to. Not even her childhood friend whom she sees everyday could make her speak when she didn't want to.

That day was the beginning of a friendship that neither expected to flourish.

Presently, the couple had just stopped at a designated parking space and Kensi allowed her girlfriend to get off the Harley before her with their helmets loosely dangling over the handle. Lia extended her hand for the green-eyed girl, ready to assist her with an adorable grin on her lips. On the way, the younger girl had been racking her brain about where Kensi could have taken her and a smile traced her lips when she saw the familiar rows of trees and greenery leading up to where they finally were.

"Are we going to the place I think we're going to?" Lia asked, looking at her girlfriend knowingly. She reached to brush her hand through her hair and again ruffled it by the crown which made Kensi inhale deeply as she reminisced on that day.

A surge of heart-tickling nostalgia hit both of them forcefully like a bullet train. At one point, Lia had to hold onto her girlfriend to prevent herself from being dragged along with the force. Kensi watched her girlfriend lovingly, noting the obvious disparity in her features. Lia's had lost the juvenile roundness of her face, her cheeks molding perfectly in her elongated face to a sexy, matured look with her prominent cheek bones and sultry look in her eyes.

Kensi merely smiled, shifted to interlock their fingers and dragged the girl towards a trail paved by joggers and strollers frequenting it with majestic trees lined to either side, providing a natural canopy above them. She directed them to the place she brought Ice to only minutes ago with her free hand reaching in her front pocket, fumbling with a certain round object that made her giddy.

Lia's hearty laugh suddenly spilled in the open air and mixed with the calling of the birds and the rustling of leaves which filled Kensi's ears and ignited her soul at the same time. The simple vibration was a harmony in itself and Kensi relished in that joyful music, hoping that only happiness dwelt in her girlfriend's heart. The crashing of waves and the cracking sound of foam could be heard from the nearby shore line which made the air significantly salty, just the way both girls liked it.

"We just talked the day before and you just went ahead and gave me a nickname." She teased through fits of giggles that made Kensi's heart skip a beat with a pang of embarrassment as she remembered how her tongue tripped that day. She pushed her girlfriend by the shoulder with her free hand and sent her back but steadying her before the green-eyed girl completely lost her balance. "Whoa there, clumsy."

Kensi snapped her head towards the younger girl, eyes narrowing in a feigned annoyance. Drawing her face closer to the girl in front of her and lightly shaking her head, Kensi gave Lia a light peck on the nose. "I didn't hear any sort of complains, Lia!"

"It's Lia...Am...elia, babe." Lia stuck her tongue out, enjoying Kensi's humiliation. She attempted to pull her girlfriend with her and continue their trek but Kensi had other plans.

Tugging Lia back to her, determined to say what's on her unbelievably contented mind and somehow get the younger girl back. Kensi playfully narrowed her eyes at the brown ones, curling her upper lip as if she was growling. "Well, aren't you the meanest."

They enjoyed their time like children with no care for the world, a necessary break from their typical normal lives with harsh realities that kill a part of every person each day. That day seemed simple, too simple that it wasn't real. Lia was so used to pain that when a trace of glee brushes against her consciousness, she holds onto it and wishes it never falters. There was no speck of a doubt that Kensi to her is one of the greatest joys she had ever been blessed with.

Giggling, Lia wriggled her hand loose and planted both over Kensi's cheek. Leaning in while gently pulling her girlfriend, she planted a quick kiss. "This is a reminder." Repeating the movement which flushed Kensi's cheeks a deep red while her stomach filled with fluttering bugs, Lia continued. "I may be mean, although I don't think I am, but this meanie loves you so much."

Kensi's hands found Lia's waist and drew the girl in, recovering from the kiss to risk her life for another one that prompted her girlfriend's goofy grin to surface. The frequency of their kisses in the past two days had been insane, almost as if the other's mouth was a source of oxygen. Kensi may be more insane given that she was still not used to those passionate kisses which make her feel as if she was trudging through a dream, one she wishes she never wakes up from. Her heart was going on overdrive, making her lightheaded, panting with her exhausted lungs.

"I love you, too." The green-eyed girl admired the euphoric look in Lia's features, something she did not see the first time they were in that very park.

The gloominess in that beautiful face etched in Kensi's brain and she vowed to keep it from settling on it ever again but well aware that she could not erase scars, and she was okay with that. Scars help people grow, they strengthen or destroy people and Lia seems to have been recovering well from the loss of her sibling but there was a cut that she was not dealing with and it was getting deeper with each day she buries it at the back of her mind. And something in Kensi's heart is tortured with the mere sight of a frown in the girl's supposedly vibrant face.

Kensi lifted her hand to gently brush her knuckles against her girlfriend's cheek. Her cheeks had finally gotten a break with her tightly pressed lips. "How are you, babe? Since that day."

Taking a deep breath and expelling an audible sigh, Lia grinned as she set her hands over Kensi's shoulders which was an indication that Kensi was right, she had move past from her sibling's demise.

"Better." She confessed truthfully and wrapped her arms around her girlfriend's neck, drawing her in and rested her forehead against Kensi's. There was an urgency in her actions as if the feel of Kensi's body against her was the only thing keeping her alive. "So much better because you walked into my world and I can't deny that to myself nor should you because you've made my life bearable." Lia shook her head, instantly dismissing the notion with tears stinging her eyes. She moved her hands to settle over her girlfriend's neck, brushing her thumbs against Kensi's jaw.

"No, you've made it a joy to wake up each morning knowing that I am alive. You make me look forward to tomorrows and that's huge considering that I was just alive then and now I'm living with the simple thought that you're there and I get to see those incredible green eyes and that unbelievably beautiful smile again. Baby, if tomorrow means I get to see you another day, then there is no doubt in my mind and in my heart that it's going to be my favorite day."

As if on cue, Kensi grinned with an explosion in her chest and the warmth traveled through her veins and made tears cloud her green-eyes, as well. Lia's words echoed in her head and she was too overjoyed that she played a critical role in those glistening smiles and joyful laughter. And the brightest, most apparent feeling in Kensi's chest was that she had fallen for the girl all over again.

Averting the green eyes, she looked up to pretend to be in deep thought only to refocus back to those expectant orbs with a content grin on her lips. A deep shaky breath later, Lia continued, "The only difference now is that you, Kensi Lancaster, are my world. You have no idea how much I love you."

Kensi was taken aback, her mind raced against the rapid beating of her heart with thoughts bouncing in her head. She could no longer form coherent sentences with her mouth dumbly opening and closing, an attempt at speaking. Shaken away from her thoughts due to her girlfriend lightly smacking her shoulder, Kensi furrowed her brows at the younger girl, quietly asking her what the infliction of pain was for.

"Thanks for returning the book you stole." Lia giggled, enjoying Kensi's dazed state and laughing at her own joke. "I had a test to study for and I was going crazy looking for it and I found a different math book with the name 'Kensi Lancaster' on it." She extended her index finger and wagged it in between them as if warning the green-eyed girl with a convincing annoyed expression. "And don't get me started on that day's lessons. While everyone else had their books, I was trying to get a peek at the ones close to me."

Kensi sent her head back, laughing at the reminder of her mischievous ways and Lia struggled to stifle her own laugh and maintain a condescending look.

"I don't think I want to apologize for what I did." The green-eyed girl shook her head in dismissal. "Nope, not happening."

"I don't want you to either." Lia instantly agreed, grinning with the thought that if it hadn't been for Kensi's potentially educational-disastrous plan, their friendship wouldn't have taken off sooner. Curiously, she looked to her girlfriend, asking, "How did you switch them?"

"That's a-whole-nother flashback, babe." Kensi retorted, pride written all over her face. She pushed herself off her girlfriend gently and reached to link their hands back together. "Let's just go. It's just somewhere here."

"Oh, I know where it is." Lia walked ahead, dragging Kensi along with her who finally allowed the movement.

When they reached the familiar swing set, the bright red color looking significantly dull through the years of sunlight, rain in the extremes. Everything seemed to be in its right place except for a similar blue flower sitting on the right swing seat, the insulated picnic basket and a small table in between the two seats and a menagerie of flowers adorning the chains that held them in place.

Lia gasped with her hands reaching her gaped mouth, her glistening eyes raking everything before her and her heart, it beat harder in her chest, abusing the walls that contained it. No one had ever done anything of the sort for her and her overworked cardiovascular organ beat for every single thing she loved about her girlfriend. The swing set looked like a little garden on its own, paradise maybe and Lia was still disbelieving that it was all for her.

Kensi sighed in utmost relief. Ice had followed through and she could never thank the boy enough. The boy made her vision come to life and she had left him to finish while she picked up the bike.

Looking back, both girls were still at awe at how far they have gone. Lia only admired the green-eyed girl from afar, thinking of her as an impossible dream that she refused to admit in her heart of hearts. She had set the girl up high on a pedestal while she was merely able to look up and be at awe of her magnificence. Kensi never thought that her little book-stealing plan would work - devious but effective.

Feeling a vibration in her back pocket, Kensi retrieved her phone and opened it up to a text message from Jaron Isaac himself. He apparently stayed back, hidden, to make sure nothing would happen to their work of art.

He wrote: "Don't worry about bringing everything back. I'll come pick them up when you two are done. I will leave you to it. Oh, by the way, please don't hurt my Birdgirl. We love her. Good luck, buddy!"

Quickly, Kensi typed a reply with a playful smirk on her lips. "Thank you! I won't. I promise. I love her, too, you know! But I owe you, Icicle Popsicle!"

"Buddy." Chuckling softly, Kensi mumbled with an erratic voice as she looked up, nodding in agreement with a grateful smile on her lips. Ice had apparently earned her friendship and maybe he was right about being Kensi's best wingman with no competition in sight.

"What?" Lia looked to her girlfriend, the pleasant shock in her face still present amid her confusion.

Kensi pushed her phone back in her back pocket, ignoring the vibration that rocked the device almost instantly knowing who it could be. Her gaze found her girlfriend's flustered features, taking a moment to inspect those brown eyes widen and light up in a combination of happiness and utter surprise while her kissable plump lips slightly agape.

Raising her hand, she reached to delicately trace the tip of her finger over the bridge of the girl's nose who promptly scrunched it up. Her smile could never be any softer as her gaze was set on a bashful Lia and the girl could not be more beautiful. Then again, Kensi constantly proved herself wrong knowing that she sees Lia morph into a beautiful goddess each day.

"Nothing, baby."

Lia didn't press further, allowing her girlfriend some privacy and being completely lost in all the things that Kensi had done for her in an hour or less. She was enamored by the girl in her dreamy yet meaningful gaze and to Lia, no one was more beautiful than Kensi.

If Lia's heart was a volcano, the lava it would spew out would have been hearts and flowers, and all the good things in the world. Her eyes were glossed with the overwhelming happiness that resided in her chest. She was simply bursting with Kensi's love and she could only wish she radiated it to assure the girl she was doing everything right in their relationship.

Knowing the significance of that spot in the park, Lia smiled warmly as she held onto her girlfriend's hand tighter. "This is your favorite place?"

"I honestly have tons of them but they're not just places." Kensi's mouth contorted into a half-smile while her green eyes spoke of her admiration for the girl. "I could think of hundreds right now and it could be as insignificant as gravel we're standing on or the seats in classrooms. But they have one thing in common and that's you. My favorite place is anywhere with you, baby girl."

Lia's brown eyes were once again concealed in a layer of moisture. Her lower lip jutted out as a frown made its way on her face and it wasn't one of misery but simply of her being at awe of her girlfriend. She fought to swallow a lump in her constricting throat if she were to speak again.

Finding her voice upon a deep breath, Lia inquisitively looked at Kensi with a blush residing on her cheeks. "But why all this? When did you even find the time to do this? Did I miss an anniversary? I don't think it's your birthday." Her eyes widened as a gasped shot past her lips, faking shock. Her playful side had always been her reprieve, something that could give her the audacity to still connect her eyes with Kensi's. "It's not my birthday, is it? Do I have amnesia?"

Kensi could only smile at her girlfriend, admiring her in her vulnerability and her playful tendencies which only surfaces around the green-eyed girl. Her heart was filled to the brim, everything about Lia enthralled her. "I just thought we needed to celebrate our relationship. It took us four years to get here."

The younger girl's shoulders dropped with a look of veneration in her eyes. The playfulness in them long gone after her girlfriend's confession. "You're perfect, you know that?"

Kensi's cheeks were sore from her constant smile and the wider tug at her lips magnified the tender feeling but she could not care less. Her insides were dancing, maybe exerting themselves too much to hold her weight. Knees were weak but fought a valiant battle to stay upright.

Shaking her head, Kensi repositioned herself to stand right in front of her girlfriend. Her right hand reached for Lia's left while her left fished for a specific hoop in her pocket. She ran her thumb over the white twist tie, slowly lifting her chin to meet Lia's curious eyes.

"You might not need this anymore." She shyly proclaimed, slowly pulling a ring out and held it between her thumb and index fingers which made Lia's eyes bulge out in awe of the object.

It was a nature ring with little white flowers encased in a clear resin and kept eternally beautiful.

Kensi slipped the ring on her girlfriend's ring finger, right next to the twist tie. The green-eyed girl reached to untangle the white object but was immediately ceased with her girlfriend's hand over hers. Looking up in her confusion, her eyes settled upon Lia's quivering lips.

"Keep it there." She choked out. Swallowing another colossal lump in her throat, a stray tear descended down Lia's cheek with Kensi there to catch it. Lia never even thought a relationship between her and the green-eyed girl was possible and her chaotic mind struggled to make sense of everything but they were there, together and very in love. "I want to keep it."

"Don't cry, baby." Kensi lovingly cooed, setting her hand over her girlfriend's cheek and ran the thumb over her cheek bone.

"God..." Lia huffed, reaching to put her free hand over her parted lips. She shook her head disbelievingly with her eyes darting between those green-eyes and the ring on her finger. "I wonder how the world thought this up, how they thought I even deserve all of this, all of you."

"I ask myself the same thing every day."

The younger girl latched her hands on her girlfriend's neck, hurriedly pulling the girl in and molded her lips against Kensi's. The staggering emotions that rushed from the slightest touch ravaged their souls and prickled their flesh. It raced to their heads, overwhelming their lucid state with heads spinning in delight while hearts rapidly hit their chests with force.

The couple wobbled their way to the swings, Lia taking the flower in her hands and subsequently sniffing it, the fragrance traveled up to her nostrils. Kensi admired the girl, blindly opening the picnic basket to retrieve the bottle of non-alcoholic sparkling apple cider and popped it open with a light pop which drew her girlfriend's attention.

"So, from juice boxes, we've moved to cider." Lia expressed, raising her brows playfully challenging the green-eyed girl.

Kensi shrugged, smirking in an arrogant manner as she raised the bottle. "Hey, it's still apple."

Both girls enjoyed their drinks and the bacon-lettuce-tomato Panini Ice had packed for them over lighthearted and meaningful conversations that mostly involved their history. It was still surreal for both girls having one of the worst years of their lives suddenly go topsy-turvy in a matter of months.

"Excited about the away game?" Lia asked, folding the aluminum foil that once held the succulent goodness that was the sandwich.

"Not necessarily." Kensi mumbled as she cradled some partially digested food in her mouth. She held up a finger and swallowed, furrowing her brows in the process. "Do I have to cover all the sports our school participates in?" She reached for her glass and took a swig of it.

"There are a couple of sports writers, actually. Yours, which was mine, covers football, soccer and basketball boys." The brown-eyed brunette explained, fumbling with the ring on her finger, unconsciously smiling as she thought of Kensi while speaking with the girl.

Kensi released a relieved sigh. "I thought I had to cover everything. If that was the case, I would have backed out." Her gaze fell on the last bite of her food before connecting her eyes with Lia's with a hopefulness in her green ones. "Are you coming with me?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world, my love." Lia's serene features suddenly contorted into that of shock as she recalled an important subject, lifting her index finger urgently. "Oh! I bet you can't guess who I tutored today."

The green-eyed girl gave her girlfriend an unimpressed look, munching away. "Wild guess -Jeremy O'Neal?"

Furrowing her brows in an apparent confusion, Lia sat straighter and kept an incredulous eye at her girlfriend. "I stand corrected. How'd you know?"

"He came out of the library before you. How was it? Please tell me you didn't scar him for life?"

Lia laughed wholeheartedly, shoulders jolting in her bliss, remembering the text message from Kensi. "You really don't trust me."

Kensi eyed her knowingly, a half-smile painted on her lips. "I quote, Birdgirl extraordinaire."

Lia reached for her own glass and tilted it to her girlfriend. "Touché."

Refilling both their wine glasses with the sparkling apple cider, Lia's curiosity finally took hold of the girl as her shock had subsided. Looking around and finding ample passersby, she was certain at least one of them would think of stealing the elaborate set-up.

"Did you do this yourself, babe?" The younger girl queried, cradling the glass in her hands. "Did it ever occur to you that some people could easily steal these?"

Kensi shrugged, exuding nonchalance. "I had a little help from a friend, a buddy."

"One of the girls?"

"Guess again." A smirk formed on Kensi's lips given the knowledge that Lia would never expect an alliance forming between her and Ice.

"Trev?"

Kensi merely shook her head with Lia's heart slowly but surely picking up pace as each name gets mentioned and trashed almost immediately.

"Landon?"

The smile on Kensi's lips grew substantially as Lia noted another shake of the head. The younger girl's jaw plummeted, slamming forcefully against the ground with only one name left.

"Wait! Jaron?" She emphasized Kensi's preferred name for the boy.

"Yup! Icicle Popsicle!" Kensi merrily announced, enjoying her girlfriend's amazement.

"Whoa, okay." Lia rapidly blinked as if it would make sense of the situation with the nickname augmenting his distress. She ran a hand through her hair, ruffling it in her typical fashion. "What the hell happened in the one hour I spent tutoring Jeremy?"

Shrugging the severity of the situation off, Kensi simply answered, "We talked - clarified things."

"Should I be worried?" Lia drew her head closer to her girlfriend, dragging her partially portable seat along with her. A seething discomfort settled upon her gut as she contemplated on the "things" Kensi was speaking of.

"No. I don't think so."

Cocking her head to the side, Lia asked, "Does he know?"

"Nah." Kensi waved her hand dismissively. "I just told him I wanted to take you out on a date. We could say I didn't ask you yet. Our cover is still solid."

"You know, I don't really mind if they found out. I'm not ashamed of you at all, babe." Lia reached for Kensi's hand and slipped her fingers through the gaps. "If anything, I'm proud -very, incredibly proud."

Kensi's entire torso was infiltrated with colorful bugs that are filling the space while managing to flap their wings with all their might. It didn't help that Lia stared intently at her, observing her with admiration.

"It's the thrill of sneaking around that's got me all hyped up. Amber almost caught me before we went to get frozen yogurt." The green-eyed girl informed her girlfriend. "If she finds out, everyone will know."

"Yup." Lia chuckled softly, knowing that Kensi spoke of the truth. "I'm counting on that."

Her gaze fell on the glass in her other hand. She brought it to her lips and chugged the remaining volume of the beverage and subsequently inhaling deeply. Lia could feel heat against her skin, sensing her girlfriend blatantly staring at her, admiring her beauty.

"Alone together, huh?" Lia reengaged her eyes to Kensi's despite the stir in her chest every single time her girlfriend looks at her.

Kensi hummed and nodded in affirmation, "Four years later."

"I like this." The younger girl breathed simply yet sincerity abound in her tone.

"Me, too." Kensi agreed but soon her brows were sent up high, remembering how nerve-racking the whole ordeal was, worrying if she had picked the right place, drinks, food, time and everything else that served as haunting ghosts. She and Ice shed a considerable amount of sweat while their souls seemed to have left their bodies each time specific items are forgotten.

"Believe me, I do, too but I never realized being the guy in the relationship is hard work." She chuckled at the memory of her and Ice running around, scrambling to finish everything and then remembering her girlfriend's reaction which was everything she'd hope for and more. "But it actually is worth it when you see the sparkle in her eyes which lets you know you made her happy, you made her feel special."

"How are you even sure you're the guy in this relationship?" Lia challenged, crossing her arms with a smug look across her face. "For all you know, I could be planning something for you."

Kensi laughed, enjoying her girlfriend's playfulness. "This isn't a contest, babe."

"I know," The younger girl set her glass down to the table, enclosing Kensi's hand in hers. "But you're special and I need you to see it."

Lia's smile has always seemed bittersweet to Kensi. Behind the gleeful expression lies an ache that was slowly overpowering her and it was only a matter of time before it renders her to her knees and be at grief's mercy. The green-eyed girl had wondered when that day would come. She had convinced she was ready for it, for her girlfriend's downfall but that didn't mean she wasn't scared, mortified to see only pain in those brown eyes.

The sun was beginning to set when both girls made their way back to the Caseys home. Lia wrapped her arms around her girlfriend's midsection, closing her eyes to immerse herself in pure bliss. She was convinced she was floating and the air against her skin provided her with a great illusion. Everything was right and she wished it would just stay that way.

However, it was as if fate was set on making life a little more challenging than it already is, and it seemed as though it wasn't pleased when Lia was happy. The moment the younger girl set foot in their house, her eyes found their dining table with a bunch of bright yellow bananas with speckles of brown and black all over them. An imaginary spotlight shined on the object which blurred the rest of the room, even numbing her hand that was squeezed in Kensi's. The fruit seemed to have been mocking her.

Immediately, her stomach churned painfully with a forceful jab to the gut. Her mind was in chaos and Lia desperately needed reprieve. Orbs wandering to her parents' wide, bewildered ones to her girlfriend's concerned green eyes until she found the stairs and she knew where those would take her to.

"Excuse me." Lia hurriedly muttered, bolting towards her room as tears prickled her eyes.