Birdgirl

7 - Free

Despite not discussing the kiss further, Lia found herself overanalyzing everything as they days went on, everything being an understatement. She went ahead and explored all the different facets to leading a person into developing feelings towards another. If Kensi had feelings for her and with each day, she was slowly pulling away from her.

Lia had a lot of homework and extracurricular projects in her midst but she was not as concerned with her academics.

The kiss had proven to be a great distraction.

However, Lia had been avoiding Kensi and they had only managed to send each other the occasional text messages. The text messages were the casual "how are you" and "what are you doing" with questions like "are you having fun" after getting an answer to the first questions. Lia kept busy, working on her academic responsibilities despite the sporadic reminder of Kensi.

And as for Kensi, she thought it was best not to provoke her friend.

They still saw each other every day but no one slept over at the other person's house. They pretended to act as if nothing had happened but was miserably failing given the foot gap between them when physical distance seemed to be extinct under normal circumstances.

Lia began to run for at least thirty minutes between four thirty and five in the morning, building a stronger stamina for her track tournament that would begin in January. Before going to parties, she ran another thirty minutes. She did a couple of sprints and drills, and had been slowly regaining her shape.

It was Friday, the week after, the day of the big football game. Palm Grove High was a school for athletes and sports was a big deal. And with it, the school paper, which meant a lot was riding on Lia’s shoulders.

Lia and Kensi were roaming the school halls less than an hour before the eleven AM game. There were no hand holding or arm over the other's shoulder. There was a hug though, a very brief hug the moment Kensi picked the younger girl up.

"Ready for the game?" Kensi probed, shoving her hands in her front pockets.

Lia sighed very deeply, still particularly unhappy about the writing situation. "I actually want to enjoy it and support my friend but I have to write the dumb article for the game."

It may be a little irrational, but Kensi had not been able to shake the thought of Ice and Lia off. Since seeing the hug at the cafeteria, Kensi was not particularly at ease. The distance she and Lia maintained exacerbated the situation. The green-eyed girl would be kept up at night, thinking about how she could repair their friendship.

Although, she did something that kept her mind from Lia but reminded her of the younger girl at the same time.

"You don't have to worry about that." Kensi grinned. The light tone in her voice caused Lia to furrow her brows and look at the slightly taller girl incredulously. "I heard someone else will."

The younger girl raised her brows in disbelief. She took a step away from Kensi, looking straight into her eyes. "Did Garrett Kohler have an epiphany or something?"

The green-eyed girl grinned, shaking her head in amusement. Lia's sarcasm always gets to her, especially sore subjects as Garrett. She inspected the younger girl's ensemble, eyeing her ripped white shorts up to her blue tank with the name of their school and a football helmet in yellow. On the back is Ice's jersey number and of course, the sleeveless shirt had to have a grey cardigan over it despite the weather.

Kensi refused to wear Ice’s jersey number. Instead, she wore Lia's blue practice V-neck with the younger girl's jersey number on the back. Ice is probably the "least closest" to her. There was just something with very playful people that she does not like. Then again, Ice had always been very touchy with Lia and that definitely isn't something Kensi is happy with.

"I went to Mr. Rutherford yesterday. He told me to tell you a female senior's going to."

Lia huffed in annoyance, rolling her eyes. "But not Kohler?"

"Nope." Kensi could not help but grin. Lia had just always been nothing but adorable to her.

"I knew it was too good to be true." The younger girl feigned disappointment, pursing her lips as she shook her head.

Kensi giggled, unable to contain her laughter any longer. She extended her hand, hoping Lia would take it. "Let's just go, babe."

To her relief, Lia was quick to take Kensi's hand. The brown-eyed girl missed holding Kensi and she would admit it on another occasion but then. They interlaced their fingers, holding tighter than usual. They kept a slow stride just to be able to spend more time alone with each other just before they take their spot in the stands. Swinging their hands back and forth, both wore very contented grins on their faces.

"Hey! There they are!" Trevor flashed his usual toothy grin as he saw both girls coming his and Landon's way.

They were already at the stands right behind their team's, the Palm Grove Rays, bench, saving seats for the girls. They, too, were wearing Ice's jersey number. They had been guarding the extra seats quite protectively, verbally shooing people off. Trevor moved two seats towards Landon to allow for Lia and Kensi to take the ones closer to the stairs.

"You look great in that, Kensi." Landon commented, nodding at Kensi's, or Lia's, shirt with a closed-lips smile.

Trevor nodded in agreement as he slightly pushed Lia by the arm. The younger girl glared at the much taller guy who only cackled at her discomfort. Kensi blushed but thanked the younger Phillips brother. She liked Landon better than Ice. Kensi may even like him more given the complement.

While the three others were about to sit or are seated, Lia remained on her feet. She was looking out into the marked field and it look like she looking for a sign -at least, that's what the others thought.

Lia was simply trying to muster enough courage to do something she had been meaning to do in two weeks. The sleeves that always hugged her arms weren't as comfortable as when she was free to let her limbs feel the wind or simply the cold air of the classrooms. The added layer of clothing was predominantly hot and uncomfortable. She may have missed the feeling of bare physical contact with everyone's clean or gross skins on her arms, at least. Having sleeves every day for two weeks felt like being restrained and she was ready to set her upper limbs free.

More importantly, Lia missed feeling Kensi's touch on her arms.

With a deep breath, she held onto the either sides of her cardigan's placket and pulled them apart. All three pairs of eyes behind Lia widened as voices seemed to have been snatched from their throats. Kensi struggled to breathe with the suspense building up. Lia's movements seemed to have been significantly slowed down making the big reveal a lot later than usual.

Lia wriggled her right shoulder loose first, pulling her arm out of the sleeve. Kensi hurriedly inspected every part of the fully exposed arm and could feel a slight respite with the absence of the slightest cut. However, it wasn't the right arm she was really worried about. Over the course of two weeks, she had constantly felt the rough surface on Lia's left arm.

Kensi held her breath as Lia's right hand reached for the cardigan's left shoulder. She had the best seat in the house, situated to the younger girl's left. Kensi held her breath as she struggled to keep her eyes peeled, unwilling to miss a split second. She was finally getting an answer to a thousand of questions

A second or two later, Lia had tugged the cardigan off revealing a very big tattoo that ran from her shoulder blades down to her upper arm. The tattoo had finally healed. It was an eagle's wing and the last insignificant plan her childhood friend had explicitly told her and she was determined to fulfill it for him.

"One day, I'll get an entire wing on my shoulder to my arm. That would look cool."

Duke's voice resonated in her head and she could feel liberation which transcended far from the physical aspect. Lia wanted to move past his death and she had struggled to fully grasp the situation and was reluctant to acknowledge that she will never see him again.

"Duke." Kensi and the boys whispered in unison knowing full well who had the deepest affinity with the bird. They knew the youngest girl wouldn't do it just because she was the guys' wingman, it had to be Duke Hunt and they were right.

Kensi's eyes were desperately glued to the slightly raised, bumpy skin that had been filled with ink. She stared at the completely blackened surface that gradually lightened as the outline approached the edge of each feather. The dark color of the ink had popped against Lia's naturally olive skin. It felt unreal and yet she was finally freed from her worries, the part that thought her best friend had been hurting herself.

"When did you get inked?" Trevor finally asked, making the other two nod in agreement while their eyes were darted between Lia and her new tattoo.

Lia swiveled to face her friends, noticing some very wide, disbelieving eyes among the peers that surrounded them. The ones who were able to catch a good glimpse of the big tattoo were left speechless, nodded in approval or shook their heads condescendingly. Thankfully, the younger girl shrugged them off, never sparing them another glance.

Lia held her cardigan with both hands, inspecting the multitude of hues of her friends' eyes. She found a common factor in them, understanding despite Kensi's excessively worried greens. Lia offered her favorite girl a small smile as she reached for her hand - squeezing Kensi's as soon as they made contact.

"Sunday before the first day of school." She retorted without looking elsewhere but Kensi's, pursing her lips.

It made sense to Kensi then. She recalls that night very vividly. The reminder of it being the white twist tie that still wrapped around Lia's left ring finger.

The Kensi felt choked up as tears began to brim her eyes. The reality of Lia's grief being pushed to the sidelines had never been more tangible. Kensi had never been more certain that Lia was still in denial, especially after the outburst. But she could finally breathe knowing the younger girl never made the slightest incisions.

Kensi pushed herself up, folding her arms behind Lia's neck as she felt a tear slide down her cheek. She sniffled as soon as Lia reciprocated the hug.

"I'm just glad you're alright." Kensi whispered, clinging onto Lia tighter. Her hushed voice noticeably trembled. "I thought you were hurting yourself. You have no idea how much I worried about you."

"I won't." Lia assured her, rubbing Kensi's back. She smiled as the familiar sensation of Kensi's warmth seeped to the depths of Lia's being. Somehow, the familiarity seemed to be obsolete. It was more -a little more overwhelming than she remembered. "You know why?"

The green-eyed girl shook her head.

"I have you."

Kensi's tears wildly gushed from her closed eyes as she let go of all control over the situation. She figured she could be strong for Lia another day. The younger girl had managed to make her crumble to the ground with her admission. She was definitely euphoric and could not contain her happiness. Her tears were a combination of relief and joy.

"Yes, you do." Kensi retorted in the same hushed voice, nodding weakly.

"And you have me." Lia kissed her head gently. "I love you, Kensi."

"I love you, too."

Landon and Trevor were watching with pride. They never cared if Lia never gave them so much as a split second of a glance since Kensi hugged her. The younger girl's happiness had always been one of their top priorities. The moment they realized Lia enjoyed her time better, smiled wider, felt lighter and laughed a little louder around Kensi, they figured she was her happiness. Kensi is Lia's happiness. And they have been supporting that special friendship since.

Kensi and Lia had to let go of each other when they heard drum rolls followed by the booming sound of the commentator resounding through the speakers situated in strategic areas. They both settled in their seats while Kensi took out a small notebook and a pen along with a handheld recorder.

"What are you doing?" Lia asked as soon as she noticed the items that came from Kensi's backpack. She wanted to hold the Kensi's hand for the entire game but the possibility of that happening seemed to be at a zero.

Kensi twisted her head to face Lia with a proud closed-lip grin. "Writing the sports column."

The green-eyed girl is smart but does not necessarily feel as compelled to put work in school as Lia. However, she has done quite a number of things just to make her transcript attractive to colleges and universities. She wasn't slacking off but she would rather enjoy life than spend countless numbers of hours worrying about the previous test she could have studied more on.

"Why would you do that?" The younger girl furrowed her brows, unable to make a coherent question.

"Lia," Kensi began, smiling at her. "Stop worrying. I wanted to do it."

Lia was stunned and felt a hint of guilt knowing that Kensi had taken her responsibility from her. She was gratified for her friend and the very admirable feat of kindness. The brown-eyed girl never once questioned Kensi's abilities but wasn't used to accepting help and maybe it was time to.

Before Lia could speak, the opposing team's players were already running through a torn banner bearing their school's emblem. They were all suited up and were eager to begin the game. Soon after being announced, Ice was running behind the captain who happened to be Mark Fletcher, the quarterback.

Lia's little crush on the guy had significantly dwindled down until it faded. She couldn’t pick out more firewood from him that she could stow to the flicker to make it a fire. Mark was a really good guy, and the way they met would have made any girl swoon. He’d shared half of his sandwich with her in her freshman year while she waited for Duke.

But her heart already had an owner and the years it tried to escape her gentle clutches proved to be futile.

The game began and Kensi's attention had been divided between Lia and her tattoo, and the game. It was a good thing she had the recorder in case she missed something. As for Lia, she was trying to be subtle with her staring at Kensi. It wasn't subtle enough that the boys noticed.

"Twenty one, Jaron Phillips is having one heck of a time!" The announcer exclaimed in a much higher range of his deep voice after seeing Ice plow through the much bigger guys that came running towards him. "Ice! Mr. Jack Frost is on fire!"

Ice was seen by the end zone, wiggling his behind after forcefully throwing the ball to the ground, scoring a phenomenal touchdown. Ice's deception skills coupled by his speed and incredibly leaps are remarkable. All throughout the game, his name or jersey number could be heard.

The audience erupted in cheers - standing in awe of Jaron Isaac Phillips. All of Palm Grove High and their supporters were on their feet except Kensi who was busy writing the draft of her article. The loud cheering rung in the green-eyed girl's ears but managed to reach her uncomfortable heart.

As much as Kensi denied it, the guy was incredible.

-

Five minutes before the game ended and the scores were twenty seven to sixteen, in favor of the Rays, Ice was sent to the bench to rest after a timeout. He had slipped his helmet off and looked up in search for familiar faces, running closer to the bleachers.

It was then that he saw his friends, winking at Lia when he saw Kensi next to her. He nodded towards the green-eyed girl who gave him a half-hearted smile in return.

However, his features contorted into puzzlement and confusion almost instantaneously. Lia's arms were revealed but there was something else on that arm.

"That's why you've been wearing those hideous clothes!" He jested, loud enough for the four seated to hear. "It looks hot, Casey!" He rocked his brows suggestively, making Kensi's heart drop as she narrowed her eyes at the boy.

"I never had the chance to say it earlier but I agree." Landon chimed in, raising his hand.

Trevor nodded, mumbling, "Me, too."

Kensi remained quiet but was forced to say something when Ice asked, "Kensi, you're coming to our little celebration later, right? I heard Amber's going to be there." He looked to the cheerleaders who were leaping and shaking their pompoms with wide grins on their faces.

Amber and Janiah were both cheerleaders. Lia and Kensi never gravitated towards the whole skimpy clothing and leaping. Since dating Trevor, Amber had constantly been present in all the parties with him.

The celebration only consisted of the band of four. They would go to Conrad's Sandwich Parlor and hang out with their little group before they join the actual celebration in another football player's house later that night when the possibility of having an actual conversation is dim.

Kensi simply nodded which Ice didn't take personally.

The two writers were in Kensi's car a little over two in the afternoon, on the way to the sandwich shop. Kensi was particularly uncomfortable. She was still reluctant with the whole idea of partying. The green-eyed girl would usually spend nights cuddled on the couch, watching T.V. or just talking with her late boyfriend. Duke never cared about the parties either and Kensi appreciated that immensely despite her desire to spend time with Lia.

Lia provided Kensi with adventure and had always been willing to risk doing things just as long as they do it together, hence, their first kiss.

"It's not a party, Kens." The brown-eyed girl assured her.

"What if it is, Lia?"

"Well, we're dressed for one." Lia retorted, looking at their clothing choices.

They had gone to their homes to change and Lia was finally in her usual black racer back tank but wore the same shorts. Kensi wore ripped black jeans with a white graphic tee that said "what the hell" with a black beanie. Their combination of colors were essentially identical.

"But babe, don't you want to hang out with your friends than babysit me?" Lia teased, smiling broadly at Kensi's furrowed brows and tensed lips. "I mean, we will just be eating. I promise."

"You promise?" Kensi asked, her tone was hopeful with arched brows.

"I promise."

"Question," The green-eyed girl probed to which Lia urged her to go on. "The...long-term and short-term thing. W-Why do you need to know that?" She cautiously continued, unsure of her friend's reaction.

Lia let out a soft chuckle at her friend's discomfort. She reached out her hand to hold Kensi's leg, tapping it gently.

"Well...then, I'll know which assets to brag about." The brown-eyed girl began, looking up as she thought about her reasons. "You could say he's good in bed when it's a one night thing or he's a good listener who takes care of his little sister for the long term one. But I don’t really want them to go for one night stands. I don’t help them if that’s their intention."

"Good point." Kensi hummed thoughtfully, nodding. "But baby, what about Landon? I heard he's gay or something."

Lia laughed, clapping her hands together which made Kensi smile. "You heard about the beauty products, huh?" She gasped for air, clutching her chest. "That's just him. At least, you don't have to worry about the hygienic aspect of kissing or sex."

"Did you?" The green-eyed girl asked, afraid of hearing Lia say something that would mean she wanted to kiss the boy.

However, Lia crumpled her features, jutting her tongue out in disgust. "No! Oh, god, no! He's a brother and that's that."

Kensi grinned rather proudly, sitting straighter. "Good to know."

Lia never showed much emotional vulnerability. She had always seemed so in-control. There were many good reasons for restricting herself. She wasn't sure if she was attracted to girls but was almost sure that if she wasn't, Kensi was the exception. Why else would she want to kiss her at that moment, feel her grin against her lips? And why else would she want Kensi to be her first kiss?

Maybe Lia was too young, or too inexperienced that she didn't allow herself to relish in the freedom to feel whatever it was she was feeling.

There were still a lot of questions in Kensi’s mind that she would go crazy if they continued to bang against the jail cells that kept them within. And all of them, there was one question that was at the forefront of her mind, dulling everything else except for the ones about their second kiss.

She worked up the nerve to ask as they stepped out of the car in the parking lot of the shop they were to meet their friends in.

"Lia," Kensi waited until an inquisitive hum escaped Lia's lips before slowly swiveling to face her, brows raised up high, asking her to continue. Taking a deep breath, Kensi cautiously continued. "Have you gone to see him recently?"

All the color drained from Lia’s face, her eyes widening in horror. She felt cornered, apprehended by the curveball of a question. In reality, Kensi was not stepping on any boundaries. If anything, their entire summer was about Duke.

"We don't see him anymore, okay? That’s impossible when he is in a casket, six feet under." Lia raised her voice, her voice laced with fury. Her usual soft gaze was clouded by her anger, grief but remorse was there, right at the surface. "He's gone, Kensi."

An unwelcoming cloak of cold, uninviting fear hit Kensi forcefully that ignited her pulse. She was anxious and scared at the same time. It was never in her intention to offend Lia. However, she saw the outburst as the first sign of Lia's underlining problem. It was the first time Lia even cracked. She would usually just stay quiet and ignore the question and not go off like that on Kensi.

"I'm sorry." Kensi bowed down in shame and fear. She was averting the painfully piercing gaze that Lia's brown eyes exuded.

"You know what, Kensi?" Lia continued, her chest heaving while the tensed look in her features remained. She took a very intimidating step towards Kensi, leaning forward. "For seventeen years of my life, I had him. At least three hundred of my three hundred sixty five days in a year was shared with him and then one day he just disappeared on me, very abruptly at that. We just spent the afternoon together and that same night he died.”

She could feel something lodged in her throat, the same force that was prickling her eyes but she fought for control. They were in public and she never wanted to make a spectacle of herself.

“Duke is dead and we will never see him anymore." She reiterated as if Kensi hadn't been there on the day the boy took his final breath or when they laid him to rest.

Without thinking much about it, Kensi grabbed her to encapsulate Lia in a hug. She tightly held onto her, preparing for the slight chance that Lia would push her. But Lia didn't.

Instead, she clung to her with her life.

Lia's breathing was shallow, laborious until minute sniffles could be heard. Soon after, Kensi felt moisture on her shoulder as Lia shook uncontrollably, whimpering.

“I’m here, okay?” Kensi mumbled against her hair.

It was all she could say but at least it was the truth.

For a long moment, they stayed glued together even after Lia calmed down, even after tears dried out. They took their time, long enough to clear the traces of pain from their faces. And when Lia looked refreshed, they walked into the shop hand in hand. They slid into a green booth after a lot of greeting amongst each other. Amber and the other three guys were already there, Ice had already been showered and cleaned. Amber sat next to Trevor, Ice and Landon were in the middle followed by Lia and finally, Kensi.

"We should try pushing up your cuticles." Landon mumbled as he observed Lia's perched hand on the table. "It'll elongate your finger nails."

Lia set her hand over her forehead in disappointment, shaking her head. "I don't really know what you were just talking about."

Kensi was trying to stifle a laugh as she recalled the recent conversation she had about Landon. The rest of the guys, including Amber and Lia were unrestricted. They bellowed in laughter, their torsos shaking in glee. There were tears in Trevor's eyes as he struggled to breathe.

"What's so funny about that?" Landon grumbled, leaning towards the table, eyeing them condescendingly.

"Baby Phillips, if you keep that up, I'm gonna have to call you 'girl', too." Amber muttered between fits of laughter. The minute dimple on her cheek showed.

Kensi could not contain in any longer, she laughed along with them which made Landon fold his arms and lean back, sinking in his seat. His cheeks were significantly warmer in embarrassment. Thankfully for him, the waitress came to take their orders.

They spent the next hour talking about the game, Kensi was reluctantly listening to get pointers for her article. Apart from that, they were enjoying themselves, laughing at mishaps and poorly constructed jokes.

After paying for their food, Kensi and Amber went to the bathroom together. Amber had asked the green-eyed girl to accompany her. The three guys, especially Ice, was celebrating their momentary absence to interrogate Lia.

"Kensi was staring at you again." Ice began, a couple of minutes after the two girls entered the bathroom, looking at Lia meaningfully. "I know she was watching the game, but she was watching you, too. And don't get me started about the hour we have been sitting here." He had a sly smirk playing on his lips as he bobbed his brows.

"There's a difference between staring and looking, Ice." Lia sassed, rolling her eyes. She was quite apprehensive, feeling her cheeks burn in embarrassment.

"And that was staring." Trevor agreed, perching his arms on the table as he leaned closer. He wasn't as keen on teasing Lia, he was just speaking the truth.

Landon nodded, moving closer to the huddle. "Trust us, she likes you."

The brunette girl was not interested in the conversation until she heard the youngest boy's words. She, too, leaned on the table but was furrowing her brows in a feigned annoyance. Lia didn't want them to know she was curious about the conversation.

"How do you even know she likes me?" She spoke in a hushed voice.

"Seriously, Casey?" Trevor complained, shaking his head in disbelief. "The girl kissed you the first chance she got. If she doesn't like you, we're forcing her to."

"Right." Landon interjected, raising his hand towards Trevor for a high five to which her obliged. "That kiss during the party was intense, bro."

"Want me to prove it?" Ice challenged, rocking his brows as he spotted Amber and Kensi right in front of them, talking to some cheerleaders, including Janiah with the other football players. As expected, Kensi was staring at Lia, half-listening to their group.

"Yes?" Lia unsurely muttered, not entirely convinced she wanted to trust the boy.

"Watch her, bro." Ice instructed, tapping Landon's shoulder. "My brother, not you." He eyed Lia and then nudged Trevor. "You, too, Trev. And you, Casey, are going to be busy."

"With w-"

Before Lia could continue speaking, Ice's hands were on either side of her face. He pulled the younger girl towards his face and planted a quick kiss. Lia's eyes widened, just as the other two boys'. Trevor and Landon were astonished, their gazes darted between Kensi and their kissing friends.

Kensi's eyes bulged out of their sockets. A cold, uncomfortable explosion of breath-stealing jealousy seeped through her veins while her heart raced a marathon. Recovering from the shock, she narrowed her ice cold orbs at Jaron Isaac, shrinking the boy under her intense stare. She rushed to Lia's side, running her hand through her hair.

"I don't have to explain what will happen next." Ice mumbled under his breath, only audible to Lia. He winked at her while the younger girl looked at him in horror.

"Hey Lia." Kensi forced a smile to the other two guys, tapping at her friend's shoulder. She managed to glare at Ice just before the younger girl could swivel to look at her.

Lia's heart sank in fear when she heard the beautifully raspy voice that belonged to her best friend. However, it was different. She was faced with the certainty that Kensi did have feelings for her. In the back of her head, she still had doubts. It could be the Kensi's protectiveness knowing Ice was the player of the group. But timing couldn't be more impeccable.

The brown-eyed girl wanted to relish in the idea of her best friend having feelings for her but then, she was reminded of the person that was the inspiration of her tattoos.

"H-Hi...Kens." She stammered, her heart wrenching painfully.

"Can we talk for a sec?"

"Sure."

Kensi led the way, out the door. Lia was about to stand up when Ice grabbed her wrist, grinning very broadly at her.

"What did I tell you?" He rocked his brows yet again, proud of his little experiment. "Go get your girl, Birdgirl."

Lia merely narrowed her eyes at the boy who chuckled at her discomfort. "We might not come back to rejoin you guys."

With waves of dismissal and encouraging smiles, the boys sent her off. Lia was somehow grateful for the lack of teasing but was quite nervous to find out what Kensi wanted to talk to her about.

-

The green-eyed girl leaned back against the hood of her car, crossing her arms. Her features crumpled in discomfort, barely keeping herself together. Kensi's chest heaved as she struggled to breathe amid the palpitating heart.

"Babe, you know Ice is a player." Kensi spoke as soon as she heard footsteps coming closer. Sure enough, it was Lia. She sounded so defeated, so small that it was both adorable and painful to Lia.

"I know that." Lia calmly retorted, dropping her shoulders.

"Then what was that?" Kensi pointed towards the establishment, where the booth they sat in would have been situated. "Are you sure you know?"

"He was trying to prove a point."

Kensi was apprehensive - she tangled her hands in her hair, keeping them there as she helplessly looked into Lia's eyes. "What point?"

"That he and I don't feel anything for each other. Loosen up, Kens." The younger girl persuaded, sitting next to Kensi.

"Well, do you?" Once again, Kensi was faced with fear -asking the same question as she did while they were in the car.

For some reason, being with Kensi calms Lia down. Her inhibitions had been hindered by her undeniable affection for the Kensi. Kensi had always been the rainbow to every turbulent storm in Lia's being.

Lia shrugged her shoulders, feigning innocence. "I don't know."

Kensi's mouth gaped as she dropped both hands on her sides. She swiftly stood up in front of Lia, scrutinizing her. It was definitely not the answer the green-eyed girl was looking for. Once again, her breathing became ragged as her pulse became an erratic mess.

"What do you mean you don't know?"

"Nothing." The younger girl shook her head, biting her lips to prevent herself from smiling.

It exasperated Kensi. The little jokes propelled her to make crass yet emotionally governed decision. She pulled Lia up by the waist and attached her lips to hers, setting off the most extravagant of fireworks and igniting the brightest of stars. Their breaths were taken from them, making both girls lightheaded. The taste of their lips played on their taste buds as the smell of their perfumes and natural scents grazed their nostrils, intensifying their pulse as their hearts beat savagely.

Once again, Lia was reminded about Duke. She knows she was kissing Kensi and could feel herself melt against her friend's body. But there was always something about sharing an intimate moment with her that reminded her of her late friend's possible disappointment or anguish if she and Kensi ever became more than just friends.

Lia pulled away, but not too rough or too abrupt to hurt Kensi's feelings. She cares for her after all. She loves her, too -although, not entirely sure to what degree anymore.

"What was that for?"