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Five

Monday, December 30, 2013

A friend of mine is having a New Year's Eve party. Would you like to come?

The text message arrived out of the blue on the day before New Year's Eve. The holidays had come and gone without a hitch, and Kit had ventured back down to London as soon as the festivities wrapped up, eager to get back to Kevin and push the thoughts of Harry out of her mind – thoughts that made her feel incredibly guilty and shameful, thoughts that encompassed her mind when she was trying to sleep at night, thoughts that she knew she couldn't ever act on, but wanted to, desperately so. Her only solace was continuing to believe they wouldn't be spending time together, despite Harry's insistence that they were friends, and they would. She couldn't see it happening, and hoped it wouldn't take long to forget about him. But when all she saw when she closed her eyes was his bright, dimpled grin and piercing green eyes, she knew forgetting about Harry would be a challenge.

I know it's short notice, he continued, sending another text when Kit didn't answer right away. But it would be lovely to see you.

Kit read the messages several times, rolling onto her back and propping her feet against the headboard of her bed. In typical girl fashion, she carefully went over each word, scrutinizing his message until she had it memorized forward and backward. She almost had herself convinced that he was asking her on a date when a third message came through.

Also, bring Kevin. I'd really like to meet him.

Kit furrowed her brow, studying the final message intently. "Well... that's weird," she stated out loud. After Tim's tirade about Kevin, and Kit and Harry's moonlight moment, she didn't think there was anything in the world that could make Harry want to meet Kevin.

"What is?" asked Kit's roommate, Charlotte, stopping short in front of Kit's opened bedroom door on her way from the washroom. She leaned against the doorjamb, crossing her arms in front of her as Kit sprawled across her bed, holding her phone in Charlotte's direction.

"Harry's asking me and Kevin to some New Year's party," Kit informed Charlotte, her lip upturned in an incredulous smirk. Charlotte, being not only Kit's roommate but her closest friend, had been informed of the Christmas party and the feelings Kit was attempting to push away. Charlotte was one of the few people who actually liked Kevin – his surly attitude and pompous persona matched hers – and immediately took his side regarding Kit's feelings, which wasn't unusual. Charlotte and Kevin had an odd bond – a bond that had a tendency to make Kit more than a little uncomfortable, after the bond he shared with her last roommate.

"That's a stupid idea," Charlotte replied, her voice caked with disgust. "He's probably just asking to start something."

"Harry?" Kit asked, scoffing. "I don't think he'd ever even hurt a fly," she commented, rolling onto her stomach and propping her chin up on her elbows. "I think he might just... I don't know... want to meet Kevin?" She looked at Charlotte, shrugging her shoulders. "But... it is... weird..." she repeated.

"This guy almost kissed you... and caressed your cheek, for Pete's sake... and now he wants to meet your boyfriend?" Charlotte shook her head. "He just wants to size up his competition, Kit. See if he's got a chance," she added, rolling her eyes at the thought of anyone having a chance to oust Kevin. "You're a fool if you go to this party," she advised Kit, shaking her head once more before carrying on down the hallway.

Kit exhaled loudly, letting her head drop against the bed. She didn't think Charlotte was right, but she still felt a twinge of apprehension at the thought of attending the party. But stronger yet, she guiltily felt excited at the thought of seeing Harry again. She didn't even consider whether Kevin would want to join her as she tapped out her reply.