Birdgirl

3 - The Truths We're Too Afraid to Admit

The chaos of reunion roared around Lia, Ice and his younger brother, Landon as they stood in the hallway of lockers in royal blue and gold of Palm Grove High. The novelty of their presence weaned minutes after each of their individual entrance but some curious eyes still lingered on them that Lia could feel them searing her skin.

Most of them, aimed at her, expecting a spectacle to unfurl.

They looked but they never asked if she was okay, not even those with sympathy streaming from their eyes.

They wondered if she would cry, breakdown at the sight of his old locker or one of his numerous pictures with the soccer team.

But Lia being Lia, faced them all with her chin held high.

Her tenacity never wavered where Duke’s life did. If anything, it only forced her into her shell, where she was safe and the world was only awarded a glimpse of her.

None of them deserved to see vulnerability shine in her eyes.

She left Kensi with a kiss on the forehead to get ready at home, where Eric was waiting for her in the kitchen with breakfast. Three months ago, he’d have already been rushing out to work. Their printing business was thriving and Eric took every opportunity to expand it from paper flyers and signs to t-shirts and mugs. But there he was, explaining Renee had already gone to work and asked her to stay and have a meal with him.

“Where’s Washington?” Ice looked around for their friend. “Think we should call him? He might have overslept.”

“I wouldn’t worry. He’ll turn up.” Lia absentmindedly answered. She briefly glanced at Landon, who was leaning against the locker next to hers, his thumb wedged beneath the strap of his knapsack that dangled off his shoulder.

Trevor didn’t usually miss their little gathering, especially on their first day but Lia had an inkling as to why after the text messages that greeted her that morning. It was at that point that she drowned out the Phillips brothers and the buzz of conversation around them, set on arranging her overflowing locker, fighting the smile that tugged at her lips for every time her skin brushed against the twist tie wrapped around her ring finger.

"What about Kensi?" Landon asked, gesturing to the brunette on the other side of the hallway with a swift movement of his bright blue eyes and ultimately cast his gaze on Lia to watch her reaction.

Lia’s ears perked up at the name but unlike Ice, she did not pick out the flippant lilt in Landon’s voice.

Please don't let it be her, in silence, Lia begged.

There was a Kenzie Garcia in her class. She knew of a Kenzi Lopez and a Mackenzie Dawson. The name and its variations were common.

Schooling her expressions, she swiveled to scope out the hallway. She was unaware of her tightening grip on her open backpack in her search for something to ground her, some sort of gravity to keep her from falling apart. Her gaze instinctively traveled to the direction of her Kensi’s locker and to her dismay, she was there, her own friends, shielding her from prying eyes.

In an instant, her mind had gone through several scenarios of Landon with Kensi, replacing Duke’s wild brunette mop with Landon’s short, neatly brushed golden tresses, the pale hue of his eyes with his brilliantly colored ones, his face with his, his lips with his. Landon would have to bend to kiss Kensi lower than Duke, being much taller than his five-nine.

Lia could swear her heart sank down the gaping abyss of her belly, inundated with emotions she refused to feel. And maybe, just maybe, there might have been a spark of jealousy jumbled in the array of thoughts and feelings.

But no matter the glaring possibility of her going out with someone like Landon in the near future, it wasn’t right to pursue her when she was just recovering. Kensi had just recently started smiling again and she’d be damned if she let anything or anyone, steal her light again.

Lia may be selfish with her feelings, barely allowing anyone a glimpse of her emotions, but she was protective of Kensi and she brandished it with no shame.

"What are you getting at, Landon?” Lia said, her voice was low enough to keep their conversation private but it was as lethal as a banshee’s shriek. Her piercing gaze was set on him, slaughtering what was left of his audacity to even make a joke. “That's insensitive! You know she just lost her boyfriend. I am not allowing that, and that's that. I don’t give a rat’s ass that we’re friends.”

Lia shoved the boy by the chest with such force, it sent him a step back. She was not at all fazed by the size of him, an inch taller than his older brother as he repeatedly gloated in the past. But he needed the height advantage being a point guard for the school’s basketball team.

“Ow.” Landon grimaced at the pain radiating from the back of his head and found Ice dropping his hand to the side, narrowing his condescending eyes at him.

"He's kidding, Casey." Ice chimed in, attempting to pacify the situation despite his own disappointment at his brother. It was an ill-timed joke and Landon should have known better. He perched his hands on Lia's shoulders, slightly squeezing. He was distracted enough that he didn’t notice her wince. "I can assure you we're not even thinking about it. His face will meet my fist if he even jokes about it again."

"Whatever." Lia mumbled through gritted teeth, freeing herself from Ice's grasp. "I'm warning you – all of you, even Trevor. If you even think about messing with Kensi, I’ll come for you."

She took deeper breaths to regain her composure as the raging rapids of her pulse continually flowed out of her beating heart. Her chest was rising, expanding as far as it physically can go as she filled her lungs to full capacity before puffing everything out through her mouth.

"I'm sorry." Landon stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her torso and nestled his chin against the crook of her neck. Guilt consumed his being but fear was bubbling steadily. "It was a joke. A bad one. But we're hands off on Kensi. I promise."

And it was the truth and it was because of Lia. They had seen how her chocolate irises melt when Kensi came into view. They had witnessed the affectionate touches, the long hugs. And they had heard all the sweetest professions of love just by the way Lia spoke of her.

"I don’t like jokes like that." Lia admonished after a deep and long sigh, respite lowering her squared shoulders.

"We know." The Phillips boys said in unison with another familiar and particularly deep voice that belonged to the guy they’d been looking for.

"Nice of you to join us, Washington." Ice said, a meaningful lilt in his voice. He regarded Trevor with an appraising gaze much to his amusement. “Where were you?”

"I like the welcome, Ice.” He chucked like he always did. The laidback aura he carried radiating off him that Lia was tempted to bask in it, to cling to him for the rest of the day. “I didn’t realize I had a clingy girlfriend waiting for me.” He continued, evading the question without rousing suspicion.

“You can’t make me happy. Sorry, bro.” Ice bantered, feigning disappointment.

"So, my parents let me have the house to myself for the night." Trevor began, beaming his impeccably pearly whites at his three friends. The implication was written on his the way he jerked his brows and excitement was quick to flourish between the Phillips brothers but it was lost on Lia.

Worry washed the glee from Trevor’s face, wiping away the smile that seemed to always be there.

“You better be there, Casey.” He cast a pointed look at her, his brown eyes filled with skepticism as she gently closed her locker and swiveled to lean on it, her schedule clutched in one hand. “You’ve been missing in action all summer. We've only hung out once and that was yesterday."

“Fine.” Lia said, compelled by the guilt that was rising in her chest.

She couldn’t apologize for choosing to isolate herself, to slave away in her father’s shop and keep her mind from thinking about what happened to Duke. She had to do it or she would lose herself. She had to preserve what little she had or her parents wouldn’t have a daughter anymore.

Kensi needing her gave her purpose to crawl from the quicksand that was swallowing her whole. She forgot that she could just extend her hand and those three boys would have pulled her out of it.

"Hell, yeah!" Ice just about exclaimed, causing a couple of heads to turn to the small group.

Landon was quick to scowl at them, connecting with every curious gaze to ward them off with his. Irritation prickled his conscious mind while the other three had no trouble shrugging them off.

Unlike his brother, he carried the burden of caring for unnecessary opinions. He cared about his image and the way the rest of the world perceived him. He cared about the meaning behind the look of scrutiny posed at him. A tap to his shoulder, Landon glanced at his brother, already expecting the shake of his head that discouraged him from paying everyone else any mind.

Lia wouldn’t understand how she sought out Kensi again, admiring the smile she was wearing, speaking with Janiah and Amber, who recently joined. The joy beaming in her eyes made her strength brittle, weakening her knees and she missed it terribly. She wouldn’t know how long she stared until her green eyes connected with hers, forcing all the air out her lungs.

And she watched it like a blooming flower, the delicate smile she was wearing, broadening and it was all because of her. Swarms of butterflies filled the crevice of her chest, rounding her swelling heart. Even then, she wouldn’t admit her fondness for her stretched beyond friendship because for now, it was enough for her that Kensi knew she existed.

That she mattered to Kensi.

Just like a mirror, she matched her smile. She couldn’t see the blush rising to Kensi’s cheeks from where she stood but she saw her tuck strands of her light brown hair behind her ear, finding something interest on the floor all of a sudden.

That was why Trevor and the Phillips brothers wouldn’t think about going after Kensi.

They exchanged looks amongst themselves, knowing grins stretched across their faces.

“Hey, Kensi Lancaster!” Ice wiggled his fingers at her, expecting the dirty look that contorted her face and watched it all disappear as he continued speaking. “Amelia Casey says ‘hi.’”

"Why would you do that?" Lia yanked his hand down, securing it against his side as if she could lock it in place. Her laughter betrayed her despite fighting to sound condescending.

She ruffled her hair by the crown of her head, a habit she did when trying to regain composure or develop some sort of control of the situations.

“It’s rude to zone out on your friends.” Trevor chastised, nodding in an exaggerated manner.

“What were you talking about?” She humored them, her own patronizing look slapped across her face.

“The party, of course.”

"How do you guys think partying on Mondays is a good thing?"

"A party is always a good thing." Trevor shrugged his shoulders as he reasoned like it was the most obvious thing.

"A-" Ice said expectantly, eying the two other guys.

Lia rolled her eyes, knowing what was about to happen. She was not necessarily dreading it, she was just not comfortable with them making a mockery of themselves in the hallway riddled with high school kids. With lids sealed shut, she braced for what was to come.

"-Men." All three guys said in unison, with deeper voices and straighter postures followed by the loudest of laughs.

How she didn’t stop Ice before he could persuade the other two, Lia didn’t know but she was happy to see them laughing.

Everything was going to be okay.

"I have a class to go to. We can continue this during lunch" Lia took a step away from her friends when she heard the bell ring. She was halted by the hand wrapped around her slender wrist.

She swiveled to find Ice staring at her, an inexplicable fear in his eyes covering his ulterior motive.

He couldn’t take care of her if he couldn’t see her.

"You seriously have to come tonight." He implored.

Lia rolled her eyes. The only way she could ignore the intents embedded in his gaze was the fear of being late. Before she could even free herself from the shackles of Ice’s grip, Landon swung his arm over her shoulders. And just like his brother, be didn’t notice her wince.

"Can I see your schedule?" Landon grabbed the sheet of paper before she could ask why, inspecting the words written on it.

"I'm going to be late."

"That's just the first bell." He reasoned without glancing at her. He shook his head at what he saw, disappointment riddling his pale blue eyes. "How you picked all these science classes with a clear head, I wouldn’t understand. But it worked! They let me have some classes with you."

Landon was wearing a satisfied smile but Lia could not celebrate whatever milestone he thought he achieved.

"What did you do?" Her panic-stricken voice raised an octave higher, looking at him, desperate for an answer.

"I asked admissions for your schedule and told them to sign me up to classes I can take with my credits." Pride vibrated with each word of his explanation and the manner at which he handed her schedule back to Lia.

"Convenient." She curled her lips in playful disgust to suppress the smile that was fighting to come out. Because it was always a good thing to share a class with a friend. “And stupid. You don’t like anything science or math.”

"Nope." Landon agreed, nodding. "But I'm a genius. Let's go. We have Biology together after homeroom."

“You don’t sound excited.” Lia laughed, enjoying the grimace crumpling his face.

“Not at all.”

-

Trevor and Ice were walking along the same direction, exchanging small talk which was mostly about the party they were going to throw that night. It was only until they reached the door that they realized they had the same class.

An exultant high five later, they headed inside to find a pleasant surprise. Kensi was seated in the middle of the room, wedged between two empty chairs typing something in her phone.

For Ice, it was a relief. He could help keep Lia’s mind at ease if he could assure her Kensi was alright. He didn’t have to ask to know that she worried about her even if she should have been concerned about herself.

He sent a knowing look towards Trevor, silently sending him a message. They were going to take those two empty seats. With a nod, they made their way towards Kensi only to be disrupted by two boys he never wanted around any girl. They seemed to have the same idea as them and they were quicker as well.

Ice snapped his fingers repeatedly at one of them, the weaker one, watching his dark brown orbs widen in fear and the color of his olive skin turn ashen.

"You better think again, man." He warned, eyes boring into the anxious ones that were desperately trying to avert contact.

He scurried away just as quickly as he sat. He left without a word and that pleased Ice. He smirked to himself before claiming the seat previously occupied and made himself comfortable, watching Trevor shoulder the other boy, Jeremy and sent him careening into the seat.

He clung to the satisfaction flourishing in his chest. Jeremy wasn’t the nicest, ready to spit the most disparaging words at any girl who declined his advances. He’d been sent to detention too many times for anyone to even bat an eye but he hadn’t been on their radar until then.

The commotion attracted the entire class' attention. Students were gasping, murmuring to each other or simply just watching the events unfold expectantly. It involved some jocks after all; ones that were considered nice guys who get in trouble a lot due to Kensi Lancaster.

“Watch where y-” The last of his words were stuck to his tongue at the sight of the towering basketball player.

"Is he bothering you, Kensi?" Trevor ignored him and the scowl he wore, addressing Kensi.

She shook her head despite the uncertainty, mostly surprised at Trevor’s presence. She would be lying if she said she wasn't thanking the heavens to the point of wanting to kneel down after she spotted Lia’s friends.

Kensi was unsure how she would have dealt with Jeremy O'Neal and his inappropriate advances.

"Then we don't have a problem."

"For now." Ice interjected, watching patiently on the sidelines but ready to pounce if deemed necessary. His elbow was on the desk with his chin on the palm of his hand as if nothing interesting was going on.

“Off you go.” Trevor’s grin didn’t carry the same carefree air. It was almost menacing how he aimed it at Jeremy, slapping a hand on his back rather forcefully that it made him jerk forward.

"You cocky d***s think you're a big deal." Jeremy spat, his narrowed eyes shifted between the two guys that had just interrupted his stride. His rage translated in the tone of his words and his body movements. His hands were clenched in fists with his brows seemingly furrowed permanently with the creases on his forehead.

"Oh, they are." A girl from the back of the room chimed in with the rest of the class agreeing with her in nods and indistinct chatter.

Ice looked towards her, her shy smile, the waves of her dark hair. He admired the spunk that forced her to speak up, almost amused that it all came from a small body. He was intrigued by her, enough that he stood up from his seat. She averted his steady, intimidating gaze and connected with Kensi’s, who shook her head to discourage her from saying anything more.

They were friends, he concluded. He could just imagine the troubled he’d be in if he acquiesced with his curiosity. Kensi might just s*******r him and feed him to the gators.

And as far as predators went, one was in his midst and he needed to get rid of him.

"Listen here, child," He looked down to Jeremy, glowering at him. "You can attempt to hit on any other girl but this one," He gestured towards Kensi with a nod of his head and then to the girl who just stood up for them. "Or that one, and we won’t have a problem."

Jeremy kicked the leg of the seat, leaving without another word from his spiteful mouth. But not without scowling at Ice.

“You okay?” Ice addressed Kensi, catching her off guard that she couldn’t frown at him, much less dismiss him with a malicious glare.

“Yeah. Thanks.”

It wasn’t the first time that the three boys came to Kensi’s defense. Just the previous year, Ice cornered a boy who tried to force Kensi into talking to him, going as far as grabbing her wrist to force her to stay.

They all loved Lia that much.

They were her wingmen, after all.

By lunch time, Trevor managed to have a little alone time with Lia at their usual round table, being the firsts to secure some food from the queue. He carried the tray for the two of them, a hand on Lia’s shoulder as they moved along.

"Thanks for last night, Casey. Amber is amazing! She’s out of this world." Trevor’s words bled with such admiration, Lia couldn’t help but be happy for him. He handed her a plate of chicken fingers and the tortilla chips with cheese dipping sauce they both wanted to share followed by her beloved apple juice.

He didn’t understand why she liked it that much, she had it almost everyday. ‘It tastes like pee,’ he’d told her once but Lia couldn’t be swayed, returning his comment with a smart-assed ‘so, you’ve had pee before?’

Trevor didn’t have anything refute her argument, leaving him laughing at his defeat.

“I hope my bike survived how gross you were last night.” She jested, unpacking the fairly big lunch Eric assembled for her and the three boys.

“I gassed it up.” Trevor fished the key ring where an eagle’s bust and the letter D dangled and leaned into the blue table to hand it to Lia, who was ready to make the trade with his keys.

"You had better."

“Seriously, thank you.”

"Anytime, Trev. You know I got yo back. You feel me, son?" Lia puckered her lips, brows furrowed in her unfortunate attempt at emulating the self-assured grit of a mobster. She tapped her clenched fist that held the key on her chest as she nodded her head upwards.

Respite wrapped Trevor like a mother’s hug. It had been so long since he’d seen the playful side of his friend. It had been years and he was elated that the Lia Casey he met was still there, hiding behind years of lessons.

But respite could not shield him from embarrassment that he cupped his forehead, shaking his head at her. Confusion marred his face, staring at her, waiting for some sort of explanation.

"Is that supposed to sound gangster? Or was that an insult?"

"Fo sho." Came Lia’s brief answer, flailing peace signs with her two hands, flailing them in different directions before crossing her arms against her chest, posing.

"That did not make sense. Fo sho!" He wiped at the tears that were forming in the corners of his eyes from laughing so much.

Lia chuckled to herself, sighing as soon as it died down, well aware that she had just embarrassed herself in front of Trevor. But his reaction proved worthwhile.

She enjoyed a good laugh and at the moment, she needed it.

Her expressions soon changed and her brows had been pulled to the middle as a hard chastising expression took shape.

"Where were you today? Ice was just about to call you and don’t think you’re slick. I saw you looking at her. And did you seriously just compare it to a universe?"

He gushed about Amber and the second he did, there was no stopping him. He talked about her smile, the melody of her laugh and soon, he was going on and on about how sweet she was and the kiss they shared at the end of the night.

He perked up when he told her that they’d exchanged phone numbers and confessed that they’d been texting each other since he dropped her off.

“Thank you, man."

Lia was about to answer when she felt her phone buzz in her pocket. Her face lit up when she saw the sender’s name. It was Kensi. She’d been worried about her and running into each other all through the morning didn’t appease her in the least. She was too distracted with reading what Kensi sent that she merely shrugged Trevor off and said the first thing that came to her mind.

"Don't sweat it. All in a day's work."

I'm fine, babe. Don't worry too much. I'll see you later, Kensi wrote.

I'm not worried. Lia typed, shaking her head knowing that was a lie. I'll meet you at the parking lot. She concluded. She shoved her phone back in her pocket and looked up to see the Phillips brothers approaching them.

"What's up, ladies?" Ice came announcing his presence before putting his hand on the table and reaching for some chips with the other. He sat between his friends; Lia's left and Trevor's right. Duke would have been in the middle of him and Lia.

"Not much, woman." Trevor retorted and took a big bite of his burger.

"I see what this is. s****l tension sizzling like beef on the grill." Lia's right index finger darted between the two seniors. "Bromance?" She jested, jerking her brows repeatedly with her insinuation.

"Oh, that would be interesting as hell." Landon chimed in setting the tray with his and his brother's food on the table. He pulled the white chair across his brother back, scraping against the floor loudly.

With his comment, all three pairs of eyes were directed at him. He was reaching for Lia's chips. The only girl's eyes were widened, darting glances around the other two boys who were equally as shocked as the remark.

"What?" Landon queried as if it was nothing. The tortilla chip hovered right next to his mouth with the cheese sauce painstakingly dripping down his pasta and meatballs. "People just always refer to Jaron as the manlier one of us. If he decides to be gay, I'll be the manlier one."

Lia was quite worked up by what she just heard. It was as if she was personally attacked and in turn, offended by it. "First of all, it's not a decision nor is it a lifestyle. Get it right."

“Sorry.”

"Even if I was gay, my brother." Ice quickly said in the hopes of yanking Lia away from anger. He knew very well not to upset her even if he agreed with her. "I'd still be manlier than you."

“Whatever.” Landon dismissed. “I might need Birdgirl tonight.”

"Dude, hold up. Hold on a minute!" Trevor interjected, extending his long arms to halt anybody from speaking. He directed his gaze to Landon who was chowing down on a meatball. "What happened to Tracy? I thought you guys were hitting it off."

"What do I do?" The younger Phillips brother dropped his fork down, meeting his teammate's inquisitive gaze. "She felt a little uncomfortable when I recommended a better moisturizer and then later she won't talk to me."

Trevor practically slapped the top half of his face as soon as Landon aired his reason out. Lia who was busy unravelling her roasted lamb sandwich Eric made, swiftly shifted her attention to the point guard with eyes that could not be wider.

"A little?" Ice practically lunged himself at his brother. He stood up, his hands on the table while he intimidatingly towered over everybody else. "She probably thinks you're gay now, like we all do."

"I am not gay!" Landon reasoned forcefully without caring for whoever heard him speak. "I just have an incessant need for vanity." He timidly continued.

"Sure." Trevor muttered.

Ice shook his head, saying, "I don't know how we're related."

He reached for his burger and orange juice from his brother's tray before descending back on his seat.

Lia suddenly hissed in pain with her features scrunched up. The aluminum foil sheet that wrapped her sandwich had given her a half-inch cut. She put pressure on her middle finger to let blood out, not minding the incessant stinging pain, before she wiped it with a paper napkin.

"Get that away!" Ice exclaimed, pushing his seat closer to Trevor. He was squeamish and blood made his stomach twist. The slightest droplet could make him throw up. His gag reflex had kicked in, forcing him to slightly double over.

Landon was more than pleased with the situation. He was snickering as he pointed to his brother who was not at all impressed.

"There you go." Trevor muttered, unimpressed yet amused by his friend. "You most definitely are related. And as Casey would put it, fo sho."

"Fo sho, son." Lia began giggling, shaking her head at the memory of her actions mere minutes ago. The rest of the guys soon began chuckling with her which embarrassed Lia, making her face show a natural pink tint with her blush.

"Anyway, what were you talking about?" Landon queried, muffled by his full mouth.

It took a bit for everybody to understand what he just said due to the fact that his speech was slurred.

Trevor shook his head as he remembered Lia's statement which he was unable to contest, or start a one man protest with. "Casey said all in a day's work after she helped me talk to Amber. I mean, what do you mean work?"

"I don't think you exert enough effort for it to be qualified as work." Landon reaffirmed, nodding.

"For real!" Ice agreed with his hands holding his half eaten burger. "I mean, we pull the same stunts and they don't work."

Lia lifted an index finger up, signaling she needed a minute as she chewed on her food. She covered her mouth with her free hand, swallowing. She reached for her juice and took a big gulp and exhaled deeply.

"Okay." She spoke, her tongue flitting against her teeth, looking for remnants of her food. "Girls feel different when another girl gives them compliments." She explained, darting glances among the three guys who were huddled closer. "A lot of times, girls see other girls as threats, competition and when they flatter them with enough sincerity, they don't see them as such anymore and they will become a good companion knowing they could share the same insecurities. They understand." She finished, sounding as if the subject was a no brainer.

"That was a mouthful and then some but that was good information." Landon spoke up with minute pieces of his food flying out his mouth, chomping loudly.

"Will you swallow before you talk?" Lia scolded, wiping at her face. "Nobody ordered cloudy with zero chance of precipitation and a hundred percent chance of pre-digested food shower."

Trevor shook his head with his winning grin. "Still the same sarcastic little Casey."

Lia held her hands to either sides of her body, smirking. "In the flesh."

"What is that you're wearing?" Landon asked despite the still occupied mouth of his. He pointed his fork at Lia's left hand.

The Latina immediately knew what the question was about. She retracted her arm and looked at the specific finger tenderly. She traced the neatly wrapped twist tie. "This? Kensi gave this to me. A symbol of her promise, of our friendship." She spoke without glancing up.

"Or something that could bloom from it." Ice murmured, innocently looking elsewhere as he scratched the back of his neck.

“What?”

“It’s cute.” He said louder, clearer. “I’m glad you have each other.”

-

The rest of the school day was uneventful for Lia except for Landon's constant badgering with the party. He absolutely wanted Birdgirl there, even suggesting to drag Kensi with her.

The group of four were talking right next to Lia's bike with the only girl holding her spare helmet. She secured a wayfarer over her eyes to save herself from squinting against the natural light. Trevor only stuck around as Amber was still not out of her class. Ice had finally caught his restless head, swiveling to different directions in search for his unofficial girl.

"Where is she?" Ice narrowed his eyes at the school's main entrance with the ray of the sun directly aimed at them making the coppery particles of his eyes glisten against it. He raised his hand up to conceal the blaring light. "Do we know her?"

Trevor simply grinned, nudging his friend by his elbow. "Are you jealous, sweetheart?" He jested.

"Dude, she's hot." Landon chimed in, knowing who Amber is. He put his hand on Trevor's shoulder. "We've shared a couple of classes since freshman year."

"Eyes and girly paws off." The basketball center warned, eying Landon's pedicured fingers.

The other three bellowed in laughter while Landon retracted his hand and balled his fists to hide the nails in question. He was not necessarily embarrassed as he was used to all the teasing.

"Six o'clock, Casey." Trevor spoke as soon as he saw the girl Lia was waiting for.

Lia turned to her back and was at awe at what she saw. It wasn't her clothes, not her long wavy dark brown hair that draped loosely over her shoulders, not even the dark, smoky make-up that she had not seen in a long time. It was her essence, her aura.

Kensi simply looked happy. The smile on her shimery lips radiated her light, blissful spirits. The glint in her eyes the moment they landed on Lia shone that it would light even the darkest of worlds. It was as if nothing happened a few months prior.

That was the Kensi Lia met in middle school.

She pulled her sunglasses off, resting it on top of her head. She just had to have a better, unobscured look despite Kensi's blinding skin complexion, especially against the sun's rays.

Lia had seen that look earlier that day, they had come to school together. But it seemed as though no matter how many times she's seen it, it still had the same effect on her. Kensi still made her feel breathless.

The closer she got, the more air-deprived Lia was.

"Hey guys." Kensi greeted them with a slight wave of the hand, regarding Ice with a nod. She shifted her gaze to a baffled Lia. "Hey Lia." She threw her arms around Lia's shoulder and gave her a tight squeeze, taking a deep breath. "I missed you."

The world was shut off as both girls latched onto each other. Lia put her free hand on Kensi's lower back, holding her as their bodies were firmly pressed against each other. Her eyes had instinctively shut in her friend's hold, significantly offering her serenity. It had elated her every single time he saw Kensi smile. That smile she had just seen was special.

The three guys stood there, glancing at each other, wondering what they were supposed to do. But Ice couldn’t help but be grateful that they had each other.

Because no one could calm Kensi like Lia could.

"We're leaving." Landon choked up amid his dry mouth. He pushed the two other guys away to give the two friends some space. Ice was the hardest to push given Trevor had already spotted Amber who was smiling brightly at him.

"I missed you, too." Lia mumbled breathlessly. It wasn't how tight Kensi had held her, it Kensi's mere presence. "Do you want to go home now?"

"I heard everyone's going to Trevor's party. Are you going?" Kensi mumbled against her friend's shoulder. "I mean, I know you have these wingman stuff to do."

"Yeah, I do." Lia regretfully retorted, sighing in defeat. "Wait," She gently pushed Kensi as she herself pulled herself back as a realization dawned on her. Her brows were stitched in the middle, forming a lopsided arch. "Are you going?"

Kensi nodded timidly and held her head low which made Lia's stomach sour painfully. She was beyond nervous and her heart could have melted in the acidic mixture that is forming in her belly.

"Are you ready for those things?" Lia lifted her friend's chin up to meet her striking green eyes which were later concealed as Kensi relished the gentle touch.

Kensi shrugged with a slight, awkward smile. She reached for Lia's free hand, squeezing it. "I was hoping to go with you. I'll always be close by. We'd be attached at the hip."

"Are you sure?" Lia probed, raising her brows. Her big brown eyes spoke of her concern for the girl in front of her.

"I am. Just as long as you're there." The green-eyed girl offered her another shy, toothless smile. "Hey. I told you, don't worry. I’m fine and I’ll be fine with you." She nudged her by the shoulder, sending Lia's torso slightly to the back.

Lia let out a long, deep rooted sigh, nodding incessantly in agreement. "I don't really trust the guys around you but we can ditch them after we reel their fishes in."

"Sounds like a plan." Kensi agreed, beaming at her, reaching her eyes this time.

"Ready to go?" Lia probed, lifting the helmet up.

Kensi's eyes widened, glistening in excitement. At times she would pretend to be scared of the intimidating speeds just so she could hold on to Lia tighter.