Addicted to Redemption

New friend

Dean

Since the incident in school Kate seemed oddly normal. She didn't act out of character either, yet I felt like she was hiding something from me. We were walking in the front yard and I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling off of my shoulders.

- Kate, is there something you're hiding from me? - I asked straight and square. Kate stopped walking and it took a few hesitant seconds for her to turn around with a bright smile.

- No. - I walked to her and held her hand, putting my fingers around her wrist.

- You are lying. - I said and she pulled her hands away gasping.

- Why are you saying that? Why would I lie to you? - she seemed more afraid than offended by my question.

- You are avoiding me lately. - I said and she laughed.

- What are you talking about? We spend all day together after school, unless you are with your dad.

- But you are still not here entirely. - I said looking into her eyes. She sighed.

- I just have a new friend whom you might not like. I was afraid that you'll get mad so I didn't tell you. - I skipped the distance between us and picked Kate up spinning her around. Once I put her down, I hugged her and asked inhaling her flower scent.

- Why would I get mad? If you made a new friend that's great! - I said but she still acted a bit cold. I pulled away.

- Isn't it? - she smiled and blushed a bit.

- I suppose it's a good thing, but he is a boy. - Well this is a bit unexpected, but it's also fine, until he treats you as a friend and doesn't try anything...

- He has a weird humor, but had been a decent guy so far. Don't worry, as soon as he acts strange I'll get my distance. - I smiled and kissed Kate.

- I trust you, you know. Tell me about this friend! I'm curious how you too met. - I moved my hands and a bench appeared under the willow tree I created. We took a seat and Kate looked pensive.

- What's wrong?

- I don't know how to describe him to you, this feels weird.

- Why? - her eyes widened and Kate blushed a bit.

- It's weird to talk to you about another guy. I mean, we kiss and hug each other but we haven't said anything about our relationship. Don't misunderstand me! He really is just friend! But still feels awkward telling about another man to the one you are having some sort of relationship. - I caressed Kate's face turning her to look into my eyes. The cold fall wind painted her white skin red and I moved my fingers to create a scarf around her neck.

- I'm sorry if I haven't been clear enough previously. I thought it was obvious for you how I feel, but I guess it's not. I wonder what should I have done differently, so you could understand how I feel. - Kate stared at me and I pulled her up. I moved my fingers and the wind blew a bit harder lifting up the leaves around us. I held her waist and danced around the garden with her between the leaves I knew she loved. Kate smiled wholeheartedly and giggled as I picked her up and spun her around, also when I made her twirl many times. Once our little dance ended I kissed her and picked her up. I headed towards the house and she asked snuggled to my chest.

- What are you doing? - I stopped at the door and looked into her gorgeous eyes. The man I saw in them was the one I wanted to become.

- I hope you know, I'd bet my anything on us. That, I'd carry you home, in this and every other lives. Because forever simply cannot be enough for me if I can spend it with you. If you decide to live as a human, and leave me for that life, I'll accept it. I'll eagerly wait for the time when I can held you in my arms like now and carry you home again. - I kissed Kate and she melted in my arms.

-I'm sorry I haven't showed you well enough this before and if I made you uncertain about us, that's entirely my fault. Kate, you are my everything, the missing piece from my being, the who completes me. - Kate giggled.

- What's so funny? - She pinched my nose.

- You sounded so cheesy! Like a prince from a Disney movie! - I rolled my eyes and asked leaning closer to her ears.

- You are deeply mistaken dear lady, I'm not the prince. I'm the Villain, who'd destroy everything that gets in the way of your happiness. - I saw that the soft hairs on her neck stood up due to my words and I looked into her eyes. I knew mine was red at that moment and Kate's glance widened at me as I said.

- I'd rather watch the world burn than to see you hurt ever again. - she blushed so badly that even her ears got red. Her heart beat fast and I knew from her reaction that her feeling towards me were real. She suddenly buried her face into my chest and said.

- I don't want you to be the bad guy. Be my hero.

- As I know from the books in your room, the heros usually sacrifice their loved ones for the sake of the world if needed. If those are the requirements of being a hero I failed tremendously! - Kate kept holding my pullover on my chest and she just peaked up at me like a shy kitty. I laughed at her flustered expression and headed inside before she catches a cold.

- Where are Grim and Donna? - Kate asked still in my arms and I looked around the house.

- Unfortunately, they had work to do. But the house is ours! So what should we do? - Kate gasped and I felt her heart beating even faster than before. This won't be good... I took a deep breath to calm my mind and put Kate down.

- What about a warm shower? I'll make some hot chocolate in the meantime and we can watch something. - Kate looked a bit disappointed but nodded and headed upstairs. She soon came back in her PJ's and with the stuffed otter. I stood with the mugs in my hands and smiled at the lovely sight in front of me.

- What are you staring at? - Kate asked and I walked to the coffee table, putting the mugs down, then appeared in front of the surprised Kate and pulled her in my arms.

- You are so lovely. - I said and she blushed escaping from my arms.

-What should we watch? - she asked and I shrugged.

- Anything is fine by me. Do you like horror movies? Halloween is approaching, should we warm up?

- I don't like scary movies.

- Have you seen Coco? - she shook her head and I searched for the animated movie. I cuddled with Kate, we both had our hot chocolate in our hands and I softly spoke while the movie started.

- Mom told me that the most beautiful human tradition they witnessed during all saints day, was the one in Mexico. It is said that it combines an Aztec tradition with the celebration the Spanish invaders brought to America around 1500. They believe, that on the Day of Dead if they prepare an altar with the pictures and favorite dishes of their passed family members, along with orange flowers, that allows them to join the living on that day. While other parts of the world mourn on this day, in Mexico, people celebrate the life of their beloveds. It acknowledges the symbiotic relationship of life and death. I like it the most as well. As you could see, my father and Aunt are in really good terms, we are a family so this approach is closer to us.

- Do they really come back, I mean the souls of the deceased? - Kate asked and I shrugged.

- I still don't know everything about my role in this world, but I'd like to believe that mom, dad and aunty somehow made it possible for them to return to their loved ones, only if it is for one night.

- This sounds so nice. So is this movie about that tradition? - I've nodded. Kate took a sip from her drink and we watched the movie. She cried and laughed during the movie and we relaxed together. At the end when she sobbed emotionally, I kissed her tenderly.

- Stop it! I just cried! I must be salty.

- Not at all, you are sweeter than ever. - I pulled her closer under the blanket and kissed her deeply. Suddenly someone coughed and we lifted our heads from under the blanket.

- Hey youngsters! - mom said with forced happiness and dad sighed.

- Are you okay? - Kate asked seeing mom's exhausted smile.

- We had a rough time. I'll leave you two alone, good night kids. - she headed upstairs and dad followed her.

- What could've happened? - Kate asked and I kissed her forehead.

- That's something mom needs to tell you herself. Let's get into bed, tomorrow she'll be better too. - Kate nodded and we went upstairs for a goodnight sleep. In my bed I felt my cheeks burning and I tossed around without being able to sleep a wink all night. I did it... I seriously confessed to Kate.