The Fiery Queen

Chapter 7: Start of something new

"Sophia, I'll tell Kevin to watch his words. He's just playful; you know he doesn't mean it." Ani said persuasively.

"Whatever... it doesn't matter. It's clear to me now, even to you, whom he likes. There's no point in telling him..." Sophia replied, shifting her gaze away from Ani. "I like you."

Ani looked at where her friend's looking at, and met Kevin's eyes.

"Ani, can you give us a moment?" Sophia asked.

"Sure, Phi. I'll leave you two." Ani responded, heading for the exit when Kevin interjected, "stay, you need to hear this.

You've always been just a friend to me, nothing more. I'm sorry, Sophia, but I'm not the right guy for you. And I apologize for ignoring your feelings when I've known all along." He confessed.

"I understand. I knew your heart belonged to Ani... yet I let myself hope. Ani, please don't hurt Kevin, okay? He's our friend." Sophia said.

Ani looked at her. "Phi, may I hug you?"

"Of course, I'm fine. Don't worry, I braced for much worse. This is nothing." She chuckled.

"Do you mind if I join?" He asked. Sophia nodded, and they shared a group hug.

On her way home, she noticed Kevin walking with an older girl. Curious, she followed them to a park but soon lost sight of them. About to give up, Ani's attention was drawn to the cry of a cat.

She peered into a bush and spotted a trembling kitten gazing down at the ground.

"Kuting! How did you get up there?" Ani attempted to climb the tree, but as she reached halfway, the kitten slipped.

She trembled and lost her grip, expecting to hit the ground, but instead, she landed on someone.

Looking up, she saw Kevin on the ground. "Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry..."

Kevin smiled, seemingly unfazed. Ani approached the girl who had been with Kevin, now holding the kitten.

"He's safe now. You're really dauntless, but next time, consider your safety too. Otherwise, you might both end up hurt." The girl advised.

Kevin got up, dusted himself off, and looked at Ani, who was oblivious to him. "Thanks for rescuing the kitten. I'll remember to be more careful. I should get going now." Ani said.

As she stepped away, Kevin grasped her arm. Ani pulled away and faced him.

"I don't mean to be rude, but if you have a girlfriend, you should've told Phi. You're worse than I am." She retorted.

Kevin, expressionless, replied, "I wouldn't date my sister."

Ani stared at the girl in shock. "She's your younger sister? Impossible...she looks divine."

Kevin smirked, "She tends to think so too. Go on, introduce yourself." He said to his sister.

The girl stroked the kitten and addressed Ani, "I'm Karina. And for the record, my brother has a crush on a girl named Ani plus I'm older than him." She giggled, taking cover behind Ani.

"Um..." Ani stammered, yet instinctively shielded Karina from Kevin's playful menace. "Your brother's list of crushes must be long; perhaps my name just slipped into your memory during one of your amusing chats. Your face looks so youthful."

"Thanks for the compliment, but I won't accept your insult to my memory. It must be you... right, Kevin?" She narrowed her eyes at him, and he looked away.

Ani hugged herself and widened her eyes to him. As she's embarassed.

"Karina, can we leave the kitten there?" She pointed to an old shed, trying to steer the conversation in a different direction.