Gamma Stellaris

Chapter 8

          "Okay, what was that?" Jared asked, following Brian into the classroom.

          "It was nothing."

          "Obviously it was something." Kassidy said with a chuckle. "I've never seen Leanne looking so flustered."

          Jared rolled his eyes. "Of course you were spying on them through the window."

         "At least I didn't insert myself into the situation!"

          Brian slowly sighed. "Look, just don't make fun of me for this, okay?"

         "What's going on?" Jared answered.

           "I umm... I kissed Leanne." Brian muttered, looking down to the floor as his face went a deep red.

            "You what?" Kassidy asked.

            "I kissed her."

             "Where did that come from?" Stefanie asked, still lying on the floor. She was clearly barely awake, sweat still clinging to her skin. She had gone extremely pale by that point.

            "I don't know! We were just teasing each other and talking and.... it happened."

           "Since when are you awake?" Jared asked, looking at Stefanie.

          "This gossip was too good to try to sleep through." She answered.

         "So what does this mean for you guys?" Kassidy asked.

          "I don't know."

         Jared studied Brian for a few moments. He'd never seen either one of them so flustered before, so frustrated. And he didn't think this was really the greatest time for them to be exploring feelings.

        They could do whatever they wanted when they got home, but they needed to focus on the task at hand.

          Brian sighed, scratching the back of his head. "I know it's stupid of me, but I just couldn't help it. Her stupid face made me feel so weird... I've never really felt that way about someone before."

         "Can we figure this out later? Maybe when we aren't stuck on an alien ship?" Jared said softly.

          "Yeah, you're right."

          "Maybe you should go talk to her." Kassidy whispered.

           Brian shook his head. "I can't be around her right now, I'm too embarrassed."

          Jared slowly sighed. "Look, I'll talk to her, alright? Just don't pull some dumb ass move like that again."

          "Okay." 

          Jared walked out of the classroom and sighed as he sat down Leanne, who had her arms around her legs.

          "What has you so flustered about a little kiss?"

         "If I tell you a secret, will you not tell the others?"

         "Of course."

         "I... I've never kissed anyone."

         "But last month you told us-"

         "I lied."

          "Why? We're your friends, we don't care if-"

         "Because I was embarrassed. You've all had at least one date before, you've all had a kiss. I didn't want you all to think I was a loser or something because I haven't been kissed."

           "We'd never make fun of you for something like that."

           "I know. I just... I'm embarrassed of it."

          "Leanne, my first kiss was Elaina Crenshaw. It can't get worse than that."

          She chuckled softly. "Yeah, that girl really is a piece of work. How did you ever like her?"

         "We're not talking about that."

         "Thanks for coming out to talk to me though. I guess I just kinda panicked."

          "Just take some time to calm down."

          "I'm fine."

         Jared led Leanne back into into the classroom and she gave him a thankful smile.

        After a moment of silence, Kassidy roughly elbowed Jared in the ribs.

          "Ow! What was that for?"

         "I think they need a moment."

          He sighed. "Kassidy and I are gonna grab some supplies."

         "But Brian and I just-" Leanne started.

          "Yep! Gotta get some supplies!" Kassidy said, quickly shoving Jared outside with a chuckle, slamming the door shut behind her.