Birdgirl

16 - Crossroads and Overlapping Paths

Stones of varied shapes, sizes and colors lined part of the exterior walls of the single-story modern home, fulfilling its aesthetic purpose while a color called Manchester tan filled everything else. Out on the pebble walkway, through the prairie-style windows, it was evident that the party was in full swing - not to mention the medley of sounds cannonading out to the world outside. Sweaty bodies with a kaleidoscope of scents filled the supposedly spacious floor plan of the single-story modern home. The hardwood flooring was barely visible.

Fluid, everything was fluid that the walls of the house shook along with the bass. Everyone was constantly moving - dancing, sucking faces while hands freely roam the other person's body as if searching for a lost treasure, or simply, the breathing of an unconscious, inebriated teenager.

Kensi was mortified. She loved occasional parties but the ones Lia had been lured into were quite wild, raunchy and maybe Kensi was feeling quite appalled that they didn't go to Mark Fletcher's party instead. They would have had the luxury of forgoing the one she was in the middle of. But Kensi decided it was the right thing to do at the time - stay in bed and hold her girlfriend while well aware that she was about to be slammed by a barrage of those breakdowns any time soon and she was ready for a hurricane.

"Hey, guys!" Lia enthusiastically greeted the boys in a yell, beaming brightly at them and dragging her uncomfortable girlfriend along. Thankfully, Kensi wasn't pulling on the opposite direction. Otherwise, the younger girl wouldn't be able to match Kensi's strength.

"Hey, gorgeous ladies!" Trevor reciprocated with his big, toothy grin and subsequently bringing the cup he was holding to his full lips.

Kensi waved awkwardly when she and Lia came to a stop right in front of the three, raising her chin to an eagerly smirking Jaron Phillips to acknowledge the giddy boy. Ice was eyeing the couple's interlocked hands, which wasn't a rare occurrence but still raised a suspicious brow at Kensi who rolled her eyes despite the open-mouth grin. She was failing at delivering her best condescending expression and the boy was internally leaping.

The quiet banter soon came to a stop when Kensi's green eyes found Landon, sporting the polar opposite of his older brother's demeanor - one was hot while the other was cold. That look alone would compel strangers to think the two boys weren't related, let alone brothers. Smile slowly vanishing and replaced by a tensed straight line, Kensi's thick brows slowly furrowed in her curiosity and annoyance. The way Landon stared down on Kensi was unnerving but she wasn't standing down. There was no way.

Kensi stood her ground firmly albeit her revved up, apprehensive heart and her emerald pools outshined the intensity of those bright blues. She felt challenged and soon, she needed deeper breaths before she began to pant and panting was a sign of weakness in her eyes at the time. Kensi desired to look unfazed. There was a discomfort in the pit of her stomach, a jabbing at the gut that told her brain that she was being...attacked...by no less than Landon.

Ice elbowed his younger brother to the rib, causing Landon to double over with a grunt expelled from his lips. It was rather conspicuous who the boy sided with. Ice then ambled towards Kensi's other side and slung his arm around the girl's shoulder while Lia watched expectantly despite the powerful skepticism brushing at her. Birdgirl was looking for a sign of hostility as the two weren't necessarily friends the last time she checked.

"He's always weird. Don't mind him." Ice reminded his new friend in a low voice that only Kensi could hear - beaming brightly with a youthful hint. Gently, he nudged the girl like he was shaking her out of her aggravation before he emitted a very playful greeting. "Hi, Kensi Lancaster!"

Kensi attempted to pull an unimpressed look but still could not suppress the grin fighting against her will. She huffed in amusement, realizing how annoyingly funny the boy was when she was not, essentially, jealous. Ice had helped ease the situation considering Lia didn't necessarily notice the dense, dark clouds Landon was reeling in, more curious about Ice's knowing look and what it meant. Regardless, Lia was pleased that the two were getting along without realizing a looming one.

"Hello, Icicle Popsicle. What do you want?" Kensi mockingly muttered in a low voice, exuding a sultry poise that reverberated through Lia's body and prompting the girl to shrug to fight off the shivers that taunted her spine.

Ice nodded incessantly, sucking on his lips while feigning irritation. He gulped some much needed air to maintain his arrogant façade and to muster even the slightest composure. Taking a very generous swig of beer, he sighed, he did not realize how tough the girl was and he might have just found the perfect person for playful banters but that was reserved for another day. The other three were not necessarily as cooperative and Duke, Duke was the worst to mess around with. Easily, Kensi Lancaster became a favorite and was immediately propelled to top ranks.

Managing to lift his index and middle finger while keeping the solo cup in place with the other three, he looked at her knowingly. "Two things - stop calling me that and the details that you owe me."

His tone was growing desperate albeit his supposedly cool exterior and Kensi could see through him just by the faint glimmer in his hazel eyes. Ice was too eager and their audience of three, including the person he was conversing with, were quite enjoying his instability. It was only comparable to a person holding in urine, tiptoeing while clutching onto their crotch to prevent leaking. It was hilarious.

Pursing her lips in indifference, Kensi shrugged. "I'm not sure I can give either to you."

"Why?" Ice dragged the word out, whining like a little child with the most pitiful pleading look that he could congregate. Knowing he would not be able to pry anything out with arrogance, he switched strategies. "I thought we were a team!"

Kensi was evidently only messing with him. As much as she refused to divulge on details of her secret relationship, she owed the boy for the "services" he offered to render a stellar first date. Ice had gone above and beyond with the idea that Kensi conjured up, propelling the simple thought into reality. As it turned out, they were, in fact, a team -a really good one at that.

Relenting, Kensi huffed, dragging it out as if emptying her tarnished arsenal. "Fine. But we'll talk tomorrow." She dismissed without seeking for his approval. "We've got Birdgirl things to worry about."

"Right. Right. Priorities." Ice nodded in agreement which was too easy for Kensi. He could definitely wait another day. Birdgirl missions were as thrilling to him as the others, albeit the traumatizing experience in Trevor's house with him blurting out "he's big" rather awkwardly pertaining to his younger brother's package.

Kensi chuckled, tapping on the boy's forearm that was hanging from her shoulder. "Please let go of me."

Straightening up, Ice imitated a classic gentleman, complete with heavy-lidded eyes and chin held high and mumbled, "As you wish."

All the while, the other three attempted to eavesdrop on their conversation but could not salvage anything coherent. The pair were not only discrete but were particularly quiet, much to their friends' dismay. It didn't help that not one of the three were used to the feather light atmosphere encapsulating the two. It was simply an enigma, for now and Lia would have answers she sought for sooner or later.

"You guys want some?" Landon interjected, finding that the secret conversation had been concluded, and focusing his gaze on Lia and attempted to tug his lips further to offer a decent smile.

The boy was still having trouble adjusting to Ice's new friendship with the green-eyed girl. He was unconsciously searching for her signature scowl - pointed directly at his brother's head. There was no such thing as loathing in those eye rolls or the scoffs that used to be a blatant mock. Kensi looked pleasant and the only other person behind that grin, apart from Lia, was Ice.

The couple instinctively swiveled to face each other, communicating through their meaningful stares. Surprisingly, Kensi was understanding and was not necessarily displaying her extreme repugnance towards Lia's drinking. She was avoiding further conflict and decided on just shrugging to allow her girlfriend to decide for herself. Kensi was resorting to keeping an eye on her girlfriend and making sure she didn't drink too much instead.

Lia had another idea, though and surprised her little crowd with a simple three-worded answer. "Nah, I'm good."

As Kensi's brows shot up incredulously, the boys' jaws hit the floor with astounding force. Trevor and Ice were quick to exchange knowing looks until their eyes found the couple while Landon was too dumbfounded, propelled to a daze. It was definitely unusual. The youngest boy was struggling to find reason for Lia's choice. Somehow, he felt betrayed and was more inclined to blaming the green-eyed girl for the change of plans.

Their band of five, now four, had always enjoyed a cup or two of beer while scouring the place for a potential partner - one night stands or possible relationships. Landon was feeling left out with the other two boys occupied by their respective girlfriends, he was counting on Lia to keep tradition alive or simply to keep him company. However, with Duke out of the picture, Kensi had been permanently glued to Lia's side once more.

Lia had always blown them off for Kensi and Landon was actually hoping to have a great night, just like old times and his disappointment was skyrocketing. It was a celebration for the upcoming basketball season and he wanted it to be an actual celebration. But then, he had to inspect another reason for his behavior and he was to discover it in the following days.

"Three o'clock." Landon muttered, tipping his head towards the designated direction where everyone else's eyes were focused on other than Kensi who was somehow lost until she found their line of sight.

Why can't they just say behind you and slightly to the right or left? The green-eyed girl asked herself, furrowing her brows that were suddenly shooting up as she realized what they were looking at. On a black tufted Parisian love seat, situated against a wall and away from the dancing crowd were two familiar people seated comfortably. The girl's legs were draped over the boy's while their lips gracefully slid against each other's and hands clinging, holding tightly, afraid to let go it seemed. They looked too comfortable to just be friends.

If it was for revenge, nobody knew but Landon felt compelled to share his recent discovery.

The rest of the group were genuinely taken aback, especially the two girls. Eyes bulged out as gasps flew like a gentle gust but they could not help but feel a vicarious form of happiness for the two engaged in lip lock. Kensi's good friends had been slowly showing signs of attraction with lingering gazes and meaningful stares while the slightest touch seemed to have ignited very prominent sparks.

"Whoa! Janiah and Mark! I should have known!" Kensi was evidently surprised but her voice gave away the fact that she was happy for her friends, grinning contently at the rather affectionate sight. "I'm so happy for them. Don't they look cute together, babe?" Gushing, she gently tugged at Lia's hand to catch her attention despite it already being on her with her voice licking her girlfriend's ear.

Lia easily agreed, being hounded with the fact that she never once felt anything for the boy with her heart free of any trace of vile jealousy. She was compelled to examine her emotions and none of them were linked to the feeling of a lost opportunity, a lost chance at love. Lia was euphoric with Kensi, she had always been, and she wanted the world to be as happy as she. It would have been a beautiful place.

"You're happy? I thought you liked Mark?" Landon spoke with an uncharacteristic irritation, a malevolence that was intending to s***h happily beating hearts but failed miserably.

"I lied. It was just an admiration for his kindness and that's in the past." Lia concluded. She shuffled in her place and graced Kensi with her loving gaze, looking at the girl as if no one else was around. "Besides, you guys keep teasing me with someone else."

To say that Kensi was baffled is an understatement. If she denied being jealous, her raging pulse and the painfully struck chest cavity would have said otherwise. It was consuming her, the thought of her girlfriend having feelings for another person that wasn't her. She searched the other three pairs of eyes, noticing Landon's aversion but still continued her conquest to find answers.

"Someone else?" Kensi queried under her breath, furrowing her brows in utter discomfort and the sight of Ice's knowing and proud smirk while he arrogantly took a swig was striking a chord.

Trevor shook his head condescendingly at his immature friend and decided on ending Kensi's horror before they reached the point of no return. He, too, feared Kensi's wrath. Gingerly setting his hand over the green-eyed girl's shoulder and drawing her attention, he offered a gentle grin.

"Relax, Lancaster. She meant you."

Heat immediately crept up to Kensi's cheeks, flustered as she looked back to her girlfriend who was intently staring at her like she was the only thing that existed in the world which was an impressive thing to do considering the packed house. She was slowly melting beneath Lia's unwavering gaze while she attempted to even her breathing which was thwarted as a thought struck her.

"You liked Mark? Mark Fletcher? Quarterback? My friend?" Kensi was startled, firing rapid questions as they came and not bothering to rethink them nor did she restrain her overpowering emotions.

"I thought I did. But I don't like him. I never did. At least, not romantically." Lia answered truthfully in the calmest of voices but didn't quash Kensi's visible apprehension. "Please let it go." Lia coaxed pleadingly with the squeeze of the hand, wanting nothing more than to assure her girlfriend. Her eyes and body language exuded of a desperation and she was going to offer just about anything for Kensi. "Tell you what - we'll talk after this and you can ask me whatever the hell you want and I will be honest with you. Sound good?"

Kensi's nod of approval with the smallest of smiles prompted Lia to breathe out a sigh of relief. And yet, there was one more thing that she needed Kensi to know. Lifting her free hand up, she set it delicately over on the older girl's cheek and ran her thumb against the smooth surface. Her gentle, affectionate gaze told Kensi something that words never could.

Softly, Lia spoke with her words bleeding with unbridled love that not even the loud, boisterous noise could stifle. "I love you."

"I love you, too." Kensi retorted in the same breathy manner, having been robbed of air at the heartfelt confession that transcended past the friendship most people assumed.

The boys could feel the bolts coursing through the couple's eye contact and the shiver-inducing tenor of their raspy voices. It was an awe-inspiring sight that Ice's smirk could not penetrate, nor could it form as he was simply smiling, happy for his friend. It was a moment that none of them wanted to disrupt and even Landon was silenced.

It took an eternity, or so it seemed, for Lia to pry her eyes from her enchanting girlfriend and then cleared her throat to pull everyone's attention back to her, just her.

"So, where's your victim, Landon?"

"Oh...uh...she just left." The boy stammered with his blatant lie - never once scouring the place for the aforementioned girl which was quite suspicious for the other four. His anxiety crept up to his cardiovascular organ, feeling as if he was interrogated when he was not.

"What do you mean she just left?" Lia pressed, stepping closer to the boy, inspecting his conspicuously guilt-ridden features but awarding him with the benefit of the doubt. "The party just started. There are still more people coming in."

"She just left, okay?" Landon gulped the remaining contents of his cup, taking refuge behind the red plastic container.

"What's going on with you?" Ice interjected, losing most of his patience for his brother and was squeezing his half-filled cup in his vexation – bringing its contents to the brim. Somehow, he was imagining it to be his brother's neck. It had been a recurring question that had been rephrased multiple times and he was getting impatient.

"Nothing." The youngest boy bit harshly, earning incredulous, irked looks from his friends and Kensi to shoot her brows up in disbelief. It made the girl uncomfortable and consider leaving the party.

"Let's find you another one, then." Trevor suggested, in the hopes of removing the tension that revolved around them. He was mostly the mediator of conflict between the Phillips brothers with their almost opposite traits. He sent his teammate a nod when Landon looked up, evidently grateful.

"What about that blonde?" Kensi, who was claimed by empathy, quickly added much to Landon's relief. She lifted her chin towards the direction of the specific girl and Lia smirked as she examined the situation. "She does not look like she's enjoying the extra attention."

Deep into the house, to the adjacent dining room with only a number of their peers loitering about, a girl, about Lia's height was leaned back on the black tempered glass table for six with a grim expression, mixed with disdain. The table was covered in various liquor and cups, both fresh and used ones that had traces of alcohol, even lipstick marks around the rim. The chairs were scattered elsewhere.

Towering over the blonde whose hand had been shielding most of her face was a brunette boy whose eyes stared with an intensity of a hungry predator. His hand was planted to one side of the girl and their heads were mere inches apart, apparently piercing through the girl's personal bubble. The blonde was tensed and if she could, she would have coiled into a ball and bounced away - shoulders slumped and head bowed down.

There will have been a great necessity to extract the boy from the girl when situations as such arose. Lia despised exponentially thirsty boys that only need just a little urge before they ponder on r****g the unwilling girl. She'd like to think that was one of her superpowers, to save the innocent. The guys don't normally sleep with the girls and if they did, it was mostly Jaron. Landon was never the type to participate in a one night stand.

Lia was quick to devise a plan and Landon being Landon, would require Birdgirl to talk him up to the girl and make sure the catch was reeled in before he would do anything. Otherwise, he would be a stuttering mess and that had spelled disaster in the past. She did think of another way though, and that meant gambling against the odds.

Lia looked to her friend for approval and earned a shrug and a very timid nod.

"Is this important to you? Is it new?" She asked with haste, reaching for the hem of Landon's undone button down, to which he swiftly shook his head. "You'll lose it in five minutes."

Landon found a nearby desk, or chair, and planted the empty cup onto it. It would leave him with his white V-neck, and would be gratified to feel a little colder with what little air in the humid space brushing against his skin. It didn't help that his nerves were seething, releasing beads of sweat from most everywhere.

"You!" Lia lifted an extended index finger, letting go of her girlfriend momentarily and pointing at Landon as if threatening him. The gesture expose the nature ring wrapping her ring finger and drew everyone's attention towards it. "Act social but cool. Don't stutter! Make it happen. Watch me and wait for me to call you but do not stare like an idiot." She raised her brows inquisitively, waiting for a nod.

"Got it?"

"Yeah, yeah, I got it."

"Good. Again, watch and wait for your cue." She retorted, grabbing Kensi's hand once again but kept her gaze on the boy.

Birdgirl was dead set on achieving success and was exceptionally serious about everything. Her strategies were usually well thought of, thinking of a contingency plan should they fail the first time. The entire time she spoke, there was tension clouding her features and as confident as she always looked while executing her tactics, within development, she was nervous. It was almost a crime to mess with the girl while she took to her wingman duties. They're supposed to be fun, but she had always too serious about them while the guys, well, they were simply thrilled.

But something was different with this operation - something she never thought she'd even think of.

"Here's the deal. We're going with a classic." Lia looked at her friends with urgency, a hesitation in her eyes that Ice had never seen before. She yanked Ice's cup and handed it to her expectant girlfriend.

"Babe, you're taking Landon and you will pretend to stumble and spill everything on the guy's shirt. He will want to change and odds are, he won't want to do it in front of that girl because we just ruined his game. Landon will hand him his shirt and you, Ice," Her gaze flittered to the boy, pleading him not to fail and received a determined nod before she could even say anything else. She decided Ice was her best bet considering how he acted around Kensi earlier. "-will stand close by to go and take him far enough so we could get the girl alone. I will be waiting right next to the girl to help Landon speak to her and Trevor will be our back up if anything happens."

"Why can't he just spill it?" Kensi queried, pertaining to Ice before Lia could continue, apparent confusion written all over her features. Within the pit of her stomach was a commanding feeling of anxiety that was making its ascent up to her throat, ready to strangle her. It was a given that the guy will have been stronger than her and the thought of losing power was horrifying.

"He might want to punch him." Lia answered in a heavy sigh to which Kensi's jaw plummeted and terror quickly claimed her features.

Having to say it out loud made Lia's irrational concerns magically transform into an area of great concern and her girlfriend's reaction was the cherry on top. Was it too late to back out? Would Landon understand? Somehow, Lia's pride and ideologies were getting to her. She always delivered and she was not about to change that. Regardless, her lips were losing moisture and so was her mouth with her breaths becoming shallower.

Suddenly, losing an argument or being pushed harshly were looking more appealing than ever. Kensi wouldn't mind spilling the beer on her either. Having to meet the impact of a propelling clenched fist would be nothing short of excruciating and Kensi was forced to simply trust that her girlfriend knew what she was doing. But that did not stop her from worrying.

"Guys don't just punch girls." Lia assured Kensi with another squeeze to the hand but was attempting assure herself than anyone. The relentless wave of angst rippled stronger with each kiss to the shore. Shifting her gaze to Ice, she congregated her best determined, fearless Birdgirl look. "And, you will make sure he doesn't hit her. Don't fail me."

"I won't." Ice resolutely assured her with another nod and Trevor was there to pat his back encouragingly.

Everyone was aware of Lia's deep love and concern for the girl. It was why they watched over Kensi, protected her and stood up for her when the younger girl wasn't around. They even earned cuts and bruises while on the job and Lia had not even heard little grouses, instead, earning arrogant, boastful smirks and teasing that would linger on for days. Moreover, Ice's developing friendship with Kensi meant a higher level of concern for the girl, and he was protecting his friend - not just a friend of a friend.

"How are you even so sure? He could be the exception to the rule!" Kensi protested, airing another one of her concerns. It was just like her to hit a deluge of questions to soothe her immensely perturbed mind. "What if he does hit me?"

"I won't let that happen, baby. I promise." Lia assured her apprehensive girlfriend but within her chaotic mind she found herself pleading that Kensi does not get hurt. Her indomitable, steady gaze could only do so much to exude her grit. The sincerity, the honesty in her words and actions stole her friends' voices but didn't quite relish in her success, her mind running wild, thinking of the many possibilities.

Birdgirl looked to the four expectant pairs of eyes to confirm their understanding. "Are we good?"

"And why can't I just flirt with him instead? We will decrease the probably of getting punched to a zero." Kensi asked with a shrug, simply curious.

"No. You're mine." Lia shot the suggestion down with a growl, gritting her teeth. The intensity in those glaring brown eyes showed a ferocity that none of them were willing to test. Immediately, her worries were quelled but were replaced by another far more powerful than the last.

Lia was in a jealous rage and even if the boy were to magically switch into the sweetest, most harmless thing, she would still not allow her girlfriend to speak with him apart from the wingman strategy. Her pulse was wild and untamable and her chest heaved with every harder slam of her beating organ. That was simply not happening.

Kensi was quick to yank her girlfriend's hand towards her to coax her to calm down which was much easier said than done as Lia was seething somehow. Ice and Trevor slyly smirked and the former was fighting every urge to tease the green-eyed girl. He had successfully refrained from doing so, instead biting onto his mischievous lips to allow the girls space to breathe. Gaze up, he slipped his hands in his back pockets, straightening his posture to keep himself from overhearing the secret couple's seemingly private conversation.

"You heard me, babe." Lia pressed, making sure Kensi got the message. Her words were vile and venomous, and simply hearing her angered tone was making everyone cringe. A nod from her cautious girlfriend was all it took for her to continue, willing her jealousy to a minimum to proceed through deep breaths.

"You should stand a foot or two from us." She addressed Ice who nodded again, seemingly at a loss for words which came severely rare. "Just make sure you're close enough."

"I'll be watching all of you. Remember what we just talked about?" Like a leader on a mission, Lia queried with a command in her tone that had always been heard and respected by her loyal boys.

"Got it."

All of them mumbled in unison and Landon was simply overwhelmed just thinking about him speaking with the girl without Lia boosting his likeability to the prospect prior to him approaching. There was a first time for everything and yet, it might not have been the best time considering his trepidation. Clammy hands and labored breaths would certainly scare a girl away.

With one more squeeze of their intertwined hands, Lia reluctantly released Kensi's and ran it through her mane, ruffling it at the crown as she always did. She was quite nervous, more nervous with her girlfriend involved. A violent pulse wreaking havoc within her chest, she was lightheaded and was breathing raggedly. The nerves were tormenting her beneath her skin, gnawing at the smooth surface.

If push comes to shove, she'd bail on her wingman duties and be at Kensi's aid. There was simply no way she'd back away from protecting her girlfriend. She ran her tongue over her lips, drenching the glossed surface and huffed.

In an instant, Lia switched from a regular girl to her wingman alter ego. Chin up in the air, she had a confident stride towards the target and everyone else stepped out of her way, somehow afraid to be in her path.

Lia's friends were watching closely, impressed by her unassailable poise, especially Kensi. The green-eyed girl crossed her arms as her gaze were glued onto her girlfriend's body. Adrenaline was pumping in her veins, plugging out her earing. Diana was an easy target, the girl was her friend. The blonde was a stranger with an intruder in tow and Kensi was desperate for the catch, hoping that it would soothe whatever bitter patch she and Landon stumbled upon.

"Your girl is feisty, Lancaster." Ice's frisky voice pierced through the barriers with a soft nudge to her arm with the playfulness bleeding in his tone. "She scares me sometimes."

"I know." Kensi retorted, monotonously and only giving the boy a speck of her attention. Her voice was low and breathy, a telltale of her anxiety but the sight before her was captivating.

Lia’s hips were subtly swaying but was certainly not intended for teasing and yet, Kensi could not take her eyes off her. That was her girlfriend, the other side to the sweet and charming one she had always experienced. No, Lia had never insinuated anything to her, not even playfully. The girl was too respectful of boundaries and since the walls came crumbling down just as the Berlin wall, Kensi wanted to experience all of Lia and leap over the non-threatening line.

"I wasn't done yet. You scare me ninety percent of the time. More than her."

"Good to know." The green-eyed girl snickered almost humorlessly, sinking her elbow to the boy's side who yelped in pain and his hand quickly flew to the sore area. "Now, be quiet."

To the pair's side, Trevor and Landon's reactions were nowhere near similar. They were another version of Kensi and Ice but Trevor was giddy as he always was and Landon was significantly tensed. Landon's mouth was as dry as a dessert while his hands were quickly harboring moisture with nerves torturing what was left of his tenacity. His breaths were labored and shallow and the sound of the two new friends talking next him was quite irritating.

"And we're ready for takeoff." Trevor commented excitedly, gulping the remaining contents of his beer and crumpling the cup in his ginormous hands.

"She's not a plane." Landon bit rather harshly and would have drew blood if the word was taken in its literal sense, maybe even tear skin off and snap bones as if he was a lion.

"Is your thong too tight or something?" The older boy spat with an uncharacteristic annoyance and shoved Landon lightly to draw his attention. Landon was losing allies with the way he was speaking with them and Trevor could only possess enough patience. Even Trevor could not find reason in his antagonism. "For real, dude. What's your deal?"

"Nothing." He quickly dismissed, evidently fuming.

"If you say so."

Scoffing, Trevor shook his head and focused on Lia's "takeoff" as he called it. That was just him. He never held grudges against anyone - well, except Jeremy O'Neal. He was always patient, the happy one in the group with the most positivity radiating from him. He always wore genuine grins that helped brighten most of their sour temperaments.

Meanwhile, when Lia reached the table, she settled behind the girl, to a strategic position to allow her to see her friend's and girlfriend's eyes for her go signal later on. She had reached for the cups and grabbed one, subsequently reaching for the sea of alcoholic bottles and Kensi took the biggest sigh of relief when Lia lifted a large plastic bottle of soda. It was simply a cover and Lia had no intentions of downing the sweet cola.

From where she stood, the blonde girl's disgust was too blatant to ignore. The girl was averting the guy's eye contact, her body was facing slightly to the right and was leaning farther away from him, possibly avoiding his poisonous breath. A subtle jerk of Lia's brows that was aimed at Kensi prompted Ice to whisper something at his friend's ear and then his brother's.

As planned, Ice ambled towards Lia, pulling his phone out to sell his cover. Soon after, Kensi was stumbling towards them while she and Landon were giggling, pretending to be quite intoxicated. Lia's heart was slamming severely in its confines and was loosening its bolts that kept it in place. Each step took her friends closer to the target and just like that, Kensi tripped towards the brunette boy, drenching his shirt from his shoulder blade down to the waistband of his jeans.

Kensi gasped, clutching the empty cup with one hand and her free one flew up to her lips. That did not take much theatrical effort, she was more than petrified by the sight of the boy's body language, tensed shoulders, clenched fists and jaw.

"Oh, my god! I'm so sorry!"

It was expected when the brunette boy swiveled to reveal his enraged features. His shoulders raised as the cold sensation of the beer raked his skin. He snarled, eyes tearing Kensi bit by bit which set off something in Landon that prompted him to forget of his grievances. Kensi was important to Lia and he'll be damned if he allowed any terrible event to unfold.

Kensi would have sank her neck and then her head down and be swallowed in her shoulders if she could. She'd make a great turtle if you ask her. Her grip on the cup tightened and it was cracking in her hands, thinking about simply bolting out of there and run home. Arms were shielding her face with the reverberating thought of the throbbing agony she'd have to endure if she did get hit.

The atmosphere was instantly hot and humid, and provided a seemingly physical restraint that prevented the five friends to breathe freely. Landon's brother, teammate and Birdgirl were all hopeful that he'd possess scrupulous chivalry that would both save him and Kensi, and get the girl. It was his chance and he was taking it.

"Watch it, bi-"

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa, dude!" Landon kept protective arm between boy and Kensi, more so, restraining the guy's movements and was keen on preventing the name calling. Quickly, he hid Kensi behind his back and was face to face with the boy with an equally menacing scowl. "She said she's sorry!"

Lia's distress was evident in her eyes and she was swallowing hard to ensure her airways were unobstructed. She allowed apprehension to engulf her in its agonizing clutches -legs seemed to have involuntary reflexes and were battling it out with Lia's head and consciousness. Her heart told her she wanted to go and be with her girlfriend and her legs agreed but her mind was stronger. She was faced with a dilemma, one that she feared. She may have just thrown her girlfriend in a situation she had been consciously avoiding since the beginning of summer.

Meanwhile, Kensi was surprised by Landon, relieved that the boy had decided on shielding her from the angered stranger. She was panting and was clinging onto the boy's shirt, balling the fabric in her hands. Her saving grace came when Trevor took the reins and held her wrist, taking her back to their previous spot.

"What? I dare you." Fueled by deafening adrenaline and momentarily numbed from fear, Landon challenged the boy with the intensity of his stare. He was around three inches taller than the intruder and fitter to and in control of his body to dodge whatever attack, physical or mental, he could throw at him.

When the brunette boy made no attempt to start an unnecessary squabble that would likely involve Ice and Trevor, Landon took his shirt of and shoved it in his chest. He was cautious but hopeful that he'd prevented a combat where they'd have the upper hand.

The guy merely shook his head and was on his way, mumbling, "Whatever."

Lia and her friends all ejected a breath of respite, eyes partially closed as their relished in the liberation of their nerves. Kensi found the apprehension in her girlfriend's features and managed to send a wink her way. The motion gave Lia enough strength to focus on the problem at hand once more and it came in the form of Landon's flustered state.

Birdgirl c****d her head to the side, giving Landon a glare and urging him to speak.

"Are...are you okay?" Landon stammered as the high of adrenaline abandoned his body. With his uncertainty, he approached the girl but allowed her enough space to show he meant no harm. His hand flew to his hair, brushing his strands up away from his face while secretly wiping his sweating forehead. "I saw you two and I just had to do something." It wasn't necessarily a lie but the ends did justify his, well, fabricated truth.

"Y-Yeah, yeah. A bit shaken up but I'm fine. I mean, he didn't do anything. Thank God!" The blonde confessed with an apparent relief but made no attempt to meet the boy's blue eyes.

Landon's gaze darted towards Lia whose hands were on either side of her face, pulling her cheeks down in her gripping frustration. She did not just risk Kensi's perfect pale face for him to back down.

He dumbly opened and closed his mouth before mumbling in the same stuttering fashion. "A-Are you...sure?"

The blonde nodded weakly and the curiosity in Landon's being was heightening. The girl was equally as flustered, as bashful as him and there was a defenselessness in her after what had transpired. There were very limited ways to go about the situation and show her that he definitely was harmless. Deciding on choosing familiarity, the boy introduced himself.

"I'm Landon, by the way." He unsurely extended his right arm and offered his hand to the girl whose gaze was staring intently at the soft and gentle surface of his limb.

Lia was getting impatient, wanting nothing more than to be by Kensi's side. She reached behind the girl to retrieve a water bottle and pushed herself off the table. Quickly, she rounded Landon's back and handed to bottled beverage to his left hand. Landon dropped his hand and lifted the other, offering her the clear, hydrating liquid.

"Here. You should have this. I promise this is still sealed." He rambled, rapidly shooting the words out of his mouth with such insecurity that the girl never expected from him after what she just saw.

What he heard next, he didn't anticipate. It was a coy giggle, one that played with his heart and boosted his confidence. Sure enough, the lifted her chin and blessed the boy with her arctic gray eyes which were glistening in gratification and narrowed in her slowly forming smile.

"I'm Ava."

Lia was quick to abandon the pair who seemed to have been getting along. With the blonde's nerves, the younger girl was more than confident Landon would be able to handle himself. Thankfully, he did.

Birdgirl offered her hand to her grinning girlfriend and the sight of Kensi brought her nerves back, the concerns she was forced to shove aside to uphold her duties. Kensi almost received a fist to the face that night and Lia might have been sent to jail for decapitating a boy. She was that protective. She realized something in those moments of control that she was faced with crossroads as far as her life being Kensi's girlfriend and the boys' wingman.

There were a multitude of options to prevent bruises or broken bones on Kensi's body. Lia could choose for Kensi to be just an audience or simply leave her at home, where she's safe. Fortunately, it was only Landon who needed her help and she was desperately pleading the heavens that the boys could clamp onto their relationships.

"Good job, girlfriend." Kensi said to Lia's ear as they strode towards the two boys who were celebrating another wingman success with high-fives and shoving, and well, alcohol. She squeezed Lia's hand tightly, settling for the platonic gesture considering she could not steal a kiss.

"Are you okay?" Lia queried, halting them both just a couple of feet away from the boys. Her features expressed her deep concern and worry for the girl, and her eyes were brimming with tears from her frustrations. She set her hands on either side of Kensi's face, searching for a sign of fear but found nothing. "You got me worried there and I would have never forgiven myself if anything happened to you, babe. I was going to just abandon everything to protect you. Please tell me you're okay." She implored in her desperation, lips quivering as she was close to tears and not particularly caring if the world could see the mighty Birdgirl weeping.

Kensi leaned in to plant a lingering peck on the girl's forehead, assuring her that she was alright while also expressing her love for Lia. She pulled back, smiling delicately.

"I am, babe. I promise, I am."

Lia blurted all of a sudden after incessantly shaking her head, winded. "Let's go home."

Kensi pulled her head back with furrowed brows, allowing for enough space to scrutinize her girlfriend who simply smiled up at her. Just seconds later, Lia told the other two guys of her decision out of camaraderie and was immediately dragging her surprised and relieved girlfriend out the door.

Something gradually changed in Lia since that summer. While she often indulged in alcohol, drowning her worries with it, that night she didn't. She had another living soul to worry about. She had Kensi by her side and even when the green-eyed girl was slowly adapting to her world, she was not as willing to let the change completely take place.

The probability of her girlfriend getting hurt was not the only reason, even when that was one of the biggest ones. She simply did not have much of a reason to stay within the confines of the party, the celebration. She thought she did not have debilitating emotions to drown. With Kensi's help, she was slithering up the grips of reality, and even if she was scared, she was willing. More importantly, Kensi was a reminder that life was still worth living without a substance clouding her judgment.

If anything, Lia only needed her girlfriend's quintessence to make for a beautiful lifetime.

That Saturday, Kensi, Lia, Landon and Trevor were seated on red bleachers, watching a heart-pounding game of football in the rivaling team's home field. The air was hot and intense and the scorching heat of the midday sun had nothing to do with it. An asphyxiating feelings seized spectators and players alike while beads of sweat were coursing through most people's skins as the gripping game progressed.

Kensi was still dressed in Lia's practice jersey albeit her new willingness to be marked as Jaron's friend by wearing his jersey number. It was the first away game Kensi had to write about, and it was one of the most important of the season. It was the last district playing date and she wanted to simply bask in the adrenaline and the masculine air but couldn't. With the recorder in Lia's gradually sweating, nervous hand and the notepad and pen in hers, she intently watched the game while scribbling corresponding notes.

"Come on. Come on. Come on." Landon mumbled repeatedly under his breath as his anxiety swallowing him and was perspiring relentlessly. He was hunched over, elbows resting on his legs while his hands were clasped together. He could not contain his raging nerves for the life of him and his leg continually bounced up and down, shaking his vision.

"Will you calm down?" Lia shoved the boy to the side by his shoulder which propelled his body to slam against Trevor's. The older boy was quick to send him back to Lia who was mumbling a menagerie of profanities.

"Shh!" Kensi chastised before a fight could spark, setting her pen against her lips but her focused eyes never left the field. Her thick brows were stitched together with the tension bearing her down. It was not just the noise, she was struggling to focus on her task while she was constantly drowned in the game. "I'm trying to watch here and you guys are f*****g annoying."

Jaron was on the field, running for his life it seemed and his friends, and the rest of his school were on the edge of their seats and holding their breaths. Ice had the ball secured with a strong arm against his body as he maneuvered the field towards the end zone, twisting and turning, leaping and dodging. He was quickly diminishing the forty yards he had to cross with his teammates shoving their opponents aside. His skin felt the air's resistance with his speed and his nostrils were inundated by the smell of freshly cut grass. He was at home, in his natural habitat and was running for a spectacular touchdown.

It was imperative that he reach his destination to give them the lead midway into the game. He practically had to yank it from Mark Fletcher who was struggling against the aggressive opponents. It meant a grave mistake against his friend that would award them six points.

There was an added pressure on the boy's shoulders after being told that scouts were watching them. He was definitely nervous, more than his previous games even with just two defeats. However, Ice was brilliant in concealing his worries. He was the group's jokester and always felt as though he was responsible for picking everyone's moods up even when he was feeling quite down. His juvenile arrogance and winning smirk always did the trick and so far, nobody had him figured out.

"Touchdown!" Came the word that flew out of the announcer's mouth, chuckling in pride as he did so. It was obvious in his excited tone that he was expecting for Ice to deliver. "Mr. Jack Frost, number twenty one, ladies and gentlemen!"

"Wow!" Said his partner, breathing as he did so. "If that did not impress the scouts, I don't know what will!"

"This team has strong teamwork and they know who to count on when the going gets tough."

"The tough gets going. In this case, Jack Frost is becoming unstoppable!"

Palm Grove High and their supporters were on their feet, cheering for Ice who was being tackled to the ground, probably suffocated beneath the muscular pile above him. There was pride in their eyes as they chanted the boy's name with a corresponding stomp of the feet. Their chests were released from their restraint and were quick to expel air out in a deep, relieved huff.

With his skills, he would have ensured the job as captain of the team albeit his position. The coach was about to offer it to him before their first team practice with Ice being a senior but he respectfully declined. Mark Fletcher was expecting to be the captain and Ice was not going to stand in his way. So long as he can still play, Jaron was satisfied.

That was just him, humble and supportive as he stands behind his leader's back, Duke's, Mark's, Lia's. They all had his loyalty and he was one heck of a friend - Kensi could not even deny it.

The game ended at sixty two – twenty five, in favor of Palm Grove High after some major changes in their game plan. Ice was in control of the remainder of the game, his teammates following him like dogs. His name and jersey number was definitely a fragrant aroma to the scouts.

The growing group of five collectively decided on accepting Trevor's offer of a celebration seeing as the boy was supposed to be alone for the night -allowing for alcohol to be consumed and pretty much anything that would fulfill their little hearts' desires granting they clean up afterwards. None of them were intending on attending the football team's "official" party, where the cheerleaders are at, and were keen on simply celebrating Jaron's college scholarship offers. Diana declined the invitation for a family gathering but promised to spend Sunday with him.

At around five forty in the afternoon, Kensi slowed the car down to a stop right before the Washington's quaint suburban house encased in lush and well-maintained shrubberies. White wood paneling crawled the walls and dark shingles made the roof, it had a deep red door and the dramatically swaying American flag planted right before it to acknowledge Trevor's father that was away on another tour with the Marine Corps. The flag had been repeatedly taken down during parties though.

The older girl had no intention of switching the engine off with hands still planted on the wheel. Lia was a bit suspicious considering the car was right before the driveway, blocking Alicia's - Trevor's mother's, parked sedan and another empty spot for Trevor who was ten minutes behind them with the Phillips brothers and bottles of liquor. Alicia was supposed to be visiting a friend for a day or two and was bringing her six-month-old son along. Regardless, Lia reached to open the door in the hopes of her girlfriend following but was halted by Kensi grabbing her wrist which prompted her to look up to those green pools questioningly.

"I'm not going in." Kensi spoke extra gently in the hopes of reducing the impact of her decision while bracing for the worst. Her tone was slightly apologetic with the knowledge that she was letting her girlfriend down.

As much as she wanted her girlfriend to be by her side at all times, Kensi didn't want to come between the beautiful friendship that she had seen play out before her eyes.

And she was right. In an instant, Lia's inquisitive gaze contorted into a frown, one that Kensi never wanted to see grazing those olive features. Kensi had to remind herself that her decision was for Lia's benefit. In reality, a couple of measly hours shouldn't matter but they were keen on spending as much time with each other even back when they were simply friends. Of course, there were adjustments when Duke came sauntering into Kensi's romantic life.

Lia may not have recognized it, but she has had the deep desire to spend as much time with her girlfriend, or simply her loved ones in the fear of losing them to the clutches of death. In reality, her frequenting the Lancaster household was not just for Kensi's sake but for hers, as well. Although the guys still fail to see it, there was an apparent trauma after she had endured the loss of her childhood best friend. It may have been easy to overlook time lost with Kensi when the green-eyed girl was with Duke but the thought that she could still see both of them the next day was reassuring.

Kensi would still be faced with the same threats to her safety with Lia but the brown-eyed brunette may have figured that she would do anything and everything to ensure her girlfriend's wellbeing.

"Why not?"

"Landon's a bit on edge and I can tell he just wants Lia time." The green-eyed girl shrugged, proceeding to intertwine their fingers and offering the girl a small, sympathetic smile. "His blue eyes could have easily switched to Jaron's fiery golden ones and he'd willingly set me on fire, babe. Besides, I know you feel it, too. You happened to tell me he feels left out and I think he might be jealous of me." She half-joked, seeing some sort of truth to her words.

Lia's lips instantly curved into a toothless smile regardless of the flicker of concern in her chest that was substantially getting bigger. She did appreciate the gesture, however. Her girlfriend's kindness had always amazed her and instead of dwelling on her worries, she chose humor for once.

"What if Lia wants Kensi time?"

"Kensi will come and pick Lia up later tonight so Lia can sleep in Kensi's bed cuddling with Kensi all through the night and Kensi will love every second of it." Kensi spoke with such effervescence and sincerity that left Lia baffled how she was able to mix both. There were an apparent immodesty with the way her smile widened as her little statement progressed while she observed the feigned annoyance in Lia's features.

Lia had just been mocked albeit playfully. Slowly, her head titled downwards to look at her girlfriend in a condescending manner that she was not able to sustain when Kensi coaxed her chin up to look into those brown pools in the dim light streaming from the dashboard and the nearby lamppost.

"Does that sound better, my baby?" Kensi queried, pushing her head closer to her girlfriend's and planted a small peck on the tip of her nose.

The curtains of Lia's eyes instantly closed with the sudden need to breathe a content sigh. The littlest, most innocent kisses from the green-eyed girl always ignited her being as if she was immersed in ice water. She slowly regained composure and once again stared deep into Kensi's eyes.

There was one thing Kensi needed to know though and Lia was quick to mumble with utmost sincerity. "Thank you, baby."

"What for?"

"For seeing things I don't and for your patience with me and the boys. I want you to know I appreciate all you do for me. I love you so much."

"I got you, Birdgirl." Kensi expressed mischievously with an annoyingly proud smirk that she would expect from Ice, and well, from the green-eyed girl herself. "I love you, too."

Lia surprised her girlfriend when she shook her head dismissively as if she heard something foul, apparently not amused. Kensi was certain it was the way she delivered her words and she couldn't have been more wrong. She would gladly wear that title loud and proud, and would own up to her being a wingman to anyone but her girlfriend.

She latched her free hand on the nape of her girlfriend's neck and drew her in for a proper affectionate kiss that spiked both their pulses up. There was an urgency in that gesture, like Lia was trying to tell Kensi something but the latter was too engrossed in the intoxicating kiss to think further.

"No, babe." Lia whispered against Kensi's lips and slowly pulled away with a reluctance. She reached up to trace the bridge of Kensi's nose tenderly with the tip of her index, just as her girlfriend does to her. "I'm your girl."