RaStro FicS

She keeps me warm (20)

However, the next day Glaiza didn't fare so well as Chynna stormed in her office. The short hair was having a hard time keeping her eyes open as she slept late babysitting her mistress, Rhian and now she was facing a very determined friend. "So what gives?"

Chynna's dark eyes flared. "You tell me." Seeing the short hair drinking her coffee non-stop, Chynna eyed Glaiza suspiciously. "What's going on?"

"Nothing." Glaiza scooted up on the edge of her chair. "Now if you don't mind, I have work to do."

Remaining in her seat, Chynna pursed her lips together. "I'm not leaving until you admit to me what's going on between you and Rhian."

"Oh, really?" Glaiza didn't like being put on the spot or having her best friend make this kind of demand.

"Seriously, what's going on? Those bags are now bigger than your eyes." Chynna got up and stared at her friend closely.

Glaiza sighed. "Rhian and I..."

"I knew it."

"Let me finish." The pixie hair decided to sit on her desk. "Rhian got inked last Saturday and since I'd talked her over about it, well, I had to help her in some way." When Chynna remained silent, Glaiza dropped her eyelids briefly before continuing. "What do you want to know?"

"Everything." Chynna cocked an eyebrow.

Glaiza looked away from her best friend's intense stare. "I just like being with her and...we're friends and..." Even short hair was hard pressed not to realize that what was happening between her and the red hair went well beyond friendship.

"You're in love with her." It wasn't a question.

"I am not!" Glaiza felt her heart constrict with the thought of being in love again and an old familiar pain resurfaced.

Shaking her head, Chynna continued. "Yes, you are." Glaiza refused to meet her friend's eyes. "Don't get me wrong, Glai. I'm happy for you." Chynna reached over and tugged on her friend's chin, bringing it around so she could see Glaiza's face. "But I know you. You'll realize it and instead of opening your heart, you'll close it up tighter than it was before."

Having to look her friend directly in her eyes, Glaiza pulled back but didn't look away. "You think you know me so well."

Chynna ran her tongue over her teeth and considered her next words. "What I know is that I've never seen you happier than you are when you're around her . Your face lights up. You can't focus on playing soccer unless you know she's there watching. You talk about her all the time. I can't even say Rhian..." Glaiza smiled. "There, right there. I mention her name and you smile. "

"Okay, okay. I get your drift." Glaiza rubbed her chin in a thoughtful pose.

"But what are you going to do about it?" And it was that question that sent the short hair in a tailspin.

*****

After Glaiza called to inform Rhian that she was running late and would drive her own car to the race, the red hair, although curious, quietly accepted the short hair's decision. She took a brief moment to search the surrounding area and bleachers for Glaiza.

When Glaiza arrived, she was surprised to see Rhian's cooper on the track racing. The short hair took a top seat on the bleachers and settled in for the conclusion of the game. She had hoped for a few minutes to talk with Rhian before the red hair's race started.

During a brief break in the race, Rhian sought and found Glaiza sitting in the stands and waved. A sense of relief washed over her when she saw the short hair. Rhian had hoped to talk with Glaiza before her race but that was now out of the question. She looks.... But Rhian couldn't finish that thought.