I Need Courage

Chapter Ten

He kissed me.... He kissed me. I collapse my head into my hands at the memory of his own strong hands wrapped around my waist and that look he gave me afterwords. He had looked at me like no one else has, like I'm someone who should be kissed. I blush slightly at the thought and Dragon nudges his head into my lap. But then he didn't say anything when he dropped me off at home last night. I look at Dragon's beautiful head and mumble, "should I ask Rose?"

"What are you asking Rose?" Rose asks as she walks into my room. I smile cheekily but shake my head when I see Skipper just a few steps behind her. 

"Are you keeping a secret from your very best friend?" Skipper asks dramatically, "For shame Kittredge, for shame."

I stick my tongue out at her and Skipper does the same before bouncing toward my closet. I turn to Rose who is looking at me expectantly. 

Sighing I begin, knowing that I could use her insight anyways. "Well, do you remember those guys who saved me?" I ask hesitantly and Rose nods, "I saw them last night."

"Kit!" Rose starts but it is Skipper who interrupts her.

"Oh dear, our Kitty was hanging out with a bunch of men? We must alert the church elders!" She puts a hand to her forehead before falling onto the bed next to me. Rose smacks her, but doesn't say anything else.

"Well one of them kissed me last night." I smile sheepishly the two girls gape at me, Skipper, for once, doesn't have anything to say. And, after promising that it was not forced onto me to Rose, I asked what it means. 

"It means," Skipper begins, "that you have taken a lover." She grins wickedly as my face bursts into flames and I deny it I realize that she's joking. I turn to Rose who sits rigidly.

"I don't think you should see them anymore." I look at her with wide eyes and Skipper groans. 

"B-but-"

"I know that they saved you and all, but you still know nothing about them and I can't believe that a couple of random guys would risk themselves to save someone they don't know multiple times. Especially without asking for anything in return." Rose pauses before continuing, "so unless I can see that they will not harm you, I don't think you should see them."

I look at her for a moment. "Talk about a major buzzkill" Skipper mumbles.

"Can't you just trust me?" I ask pleadingly.

"Skipper go downstairs and wait," Rose says and hushes her sister's qualms with a single look. Rose watches her leave the room and shut the door behind her, and waits a beat. "Go downstairs." Rose says again and their is a faint sigh followed by a series of footsteps fading away. 

I look to Rose and she has that look in her eye that she gets right before debate. 

"Of course I trust you Kit, more than anyone else, but I also know you. I know that you see the best in people when you really shouldn't and I know that you trust everyone." 

I look at Rose again, "I'm not stupid, and I can take care of myself." I argue, Dragon begins to whine.

"I didn't say you were stupid, I'm saying you can be naive," I frown at that, and even though I know it's true I don't like hearing Rose say it. 

"So you get to just decide who I can't see?" 

"Yes." Rose answers.

I stare at her, willing her to understand how unreasonable this is. "And what if I do?" It takes all my courage to ask and I almost immediately regret it when I see the pain cross her face.