The Monitor Masquerade

Level 22

PrinceOfHearts's POV

Kissing her was amazing. Her lips were soft and she was calm. Hesitant yes, but calm. She went with the flow of things and there was no forceful nature about her. I put my arms around her scared to pull her closer but she ended up pulling me towards her. I never thought of Kelli like this, impulsive. I knew Grace was a master of impulse but also of strategy. This was not strategy, it wasn't thought out to get me here on the floor, kissing her, never wanting it to end. I threaded my fingers in her long blonde hair and deepened the kiss. She happily excepted with only a moment of hesitation. After a while I pulled away feeling my head spin in a way I hadn't felt in a really long time. Kelli looked at me with wide blue eyes. "You know I always thought you had brown hair and brown eyes?" Kelli raised an eyebrow. "I like you a lot better how you are though."

She laughed a little, pushing her hair behind her ear. "That was some second kiss...I'm sorry I just kind of...kissed you..."

No. She can't be getting nervous again, can she? She just calmed down. "I liked it. I've been wanting to kiss you I just didn't want to make you nervous...or faint...again." We laughed.

"I do feel a little dizzy."

"Me too." There was a pause where we just looked into each other's eyes. "Soooooo, are you finally ready to eat? Because I am starving."

So we ate. We sat and talked like we ate the food. Kelli was shaking and cold to the touch. When we were done we hopped on her old Xbox 360 and played some Halo Reach for about an hour. We quickly got bored, a side effect of beating the game so many times, and decided Netflix was the best option. Once on the second episode of Stranger Things her mom came home. We talked a little bit but after 10 minutes Kelli was passed out.

"Ms. Lindsey, Kelli just sorta passed out." I responded when she asked a question from the kitchen.

"She what?" Her mom laughed.

"Yeah she's defiantly asleep and I'm kind of afraid to move right now. She looks really peaceful. Is it okay if I just stay here a little longer? She seems like she needs it." Her mom walked over and looked at her. She chuckled as she sat down on the love seat.

"All that worrying runs her ragged."

"Yeah she was panicking a lot when I got here."

"Oh I think that was just because she likes you so much. It's not everyday she goes on a date with someone." Her smile was kind. She was looking at her daughter. "She does look peaceful. Thank you again. I know it's hard handling panic attacks when you aren't use to them."

I shot a confused look at her. "I thought anxiety was hereditary?"

"Sometimes. Not with Kelli. I've never worried like she does and her dad just flat out doesn't believe it's a real thing." I guess my face was giving me away because Ms. Lindsey kept talking. "Her father and I divorced about 2 years ago. It wasn't really messy or anything. It just wasn't working out. We still talk and everything. He re-married and takes care of his family there while I have it covered here. The kids don't really like him though. Kelli and him never really saw eye to eye."

"I'm sorry to hear it didn't work out."

"Oh it's fine. Those things happen all the time. I take it your parents are together?"

"Yeah they are about to go out of town for their 25 year anniversary."

"Well I hope they have fun!" She was so grounded. I wondered if Kelli would ever calm down. I pushed the thought away feeling guilty. "Do me a favor, Taylor?"

"Of course."

"Watch out for her? She isn't the most popular person in school and her emotions tend to take over her sometimes."

"Of course. I'm not going to let anyone mess with her. I'll break a couple noses."

Ms. Lindsey laughed a little. "For some reason I don't feel like I have to give you the I'll hurt you if you hurt my daughter speech."

"Trust me I wouldn't dream of it." I looked down at a Kelli. She nuzzled closer to me and a smile played on her lips. I wondered what she was dreaming of.