Click, I've Caught You

Arc 2: (Frame)(Needs Editing) Chapter 9

Ms. Amelia ended up waking them at 3:00pm the next day. They'd been so trying hard to stay awake but they were so exhausted, they'd eaten before trudging right back upstairs for another 45 minutes of sleep. Finally though, the gang recovered from their exhaustion enough to surf the web.

Despite their desire to play another few chapters in Gears of War, they weren't so inclined for another crash. As such, they opted to have recovery day. They were listening to music when Ms. Amelia entered the room. She was sympathetic to the fact that they were exhausted, but insisted they needed to go out. She sent them to a park with a smile. Lyna was still in disbelief that it was now seventy degrees again when they past few weeks it's had been in the thirties.

As of now, Jewels sat on a swing enjoying her time as she's never outgrown swings. Chika sat while gently pushing herself on the swing besides the shorter girl, but was talking to James who was standing in front of her. Lyna lounged lazily in the grass next to them.

"I'm bored. Want to play Hitman Squad?" James asked.

"You guys have so many games." Lyna remarked. "What's Hitman Squad?"

"You separate into three or more teams." Jewels began as she swung to a stop.

"Preferably, each team has at least 28 people." James chimed in.

"Right, you have 5 Commanders. Medical, Aerial, Naval, Army and Assassination. Then you have the Captain or team leader." The serval-fox continued. "Each commander has four people under them and the Captain has two Lieutenants. You can have more, but that's the basic set up."

James picked up where Jewels left off.

"You get paintball guns and foam knifes for each team. The object is to kill all of the Commanders, Lieutenants and Captains on the other teams. When you are hit by a paintball in not fatal areas, you have 5 minutes to get to medical have to patch you up or you bleed out." He recited.

Chika chimed in from there.

"The daggers have little gel things in them so when you 'stab ' someone, it simply released red paint and you have to get medical attention if it's across a large vein. If it crosses your throat, it's an instant death. Same if you get shot in the head or your heart."

"James simply forgot we can't without paintball equipment. Also I'd need a bigger yard, those paint pellets hurt." Jewels reminded. James wilted.

"Right I forgot." He said gloomily.

Jewels shot her best friend, who was more of a brother than a biological one, an apologetic look. James' bright smile immediately displayed he wasn't too hurt. Jewels was a timid little thing when it came to feelings. She always shrank away when confronted with hurt feelings from others and tried her hardest to prevent any upset people.

It was one of the reasons he was so pleased with Lyna. He felt that Jewels needed someone to remind her that not all deep feelings result in pain. She wasn't trying, but she was holding Amelia at a distance that the red panda could feel.

He didn't blame her.

Her mum: dead, Ms. Melody: dead, her dad: imprisoned.  She really needed a reminder that not everyone who loved her (Romantic or otherwise) would die right away.

Didn't mean Lyna was off the hook though. If Jewels looked even remotely upset after they got together and it was the lynx's fault, James planned to skin her alive.

Jewels was still his little sister after all.

"We can go get ice cream." Jewels suggested as if to pacify James. James grinned. A guilty Jewels, (as a shameful as it was to admit) was a 'paying for everything' Jewels. James was never one to turn down free ice cream.

"Let's go!" Chika said eagerly and James was reassured that he wasn't the only one.

Lyna jumped up, but for someone who can't properly steer a skateboard, this, inevitably, meant she stumbled and nearly fell again. Jewels giggled softly and went over to help Lyna steady herself.

James was bewildered how Lyna couldn't tell Jewels returned the crush. She doesn't hide it from Lyna or James or Chika. Everyone else? Absolutely, but she's somewhat open for Lyna.

It showed in the way she behaved towards her. Jewels was never one to instigate conversation if she could help it but here she was making as many jokes as everyone else. Jewels let the lynx see her play, let her ask about her parents. Heck, Chika nearly had her ear clawed off when she hugged Jewels and the serval-fox freaked out. In her defense, she wasn't used to suddenly jerking awake to some girl's arms pinned around her.

Even if the lynx didn't know it, Jewels had already placed her fragile little heart in her hands and was hoping she'd help her glue it back together. Jewels had extended her trust to her in a way they hadn't seen in a while. James was filled with doubt. His little sister was in a situation where he couldn't protect her completely.

Ever since the movie incident when they were young, he'd decided to take up the role of a proper elder brother for her. It had payed off when she let him see her cry when Melody died.

James had long since decided it was one of the worst moments of his life.

She'd cried for hours. She'd buried her face in his chest and soaked his shirt. She'd had the nerve to apologize sitting on his lap sniffling. James had kissed her then. Watching her cry, he just wanted to distract her. He wanted to take away her sadness. When his mother was sad, his dad would kiss her, hold her and say sappy stuff that made James gag, but it always made his mother smile brighter. So in the spur of the moment, he pressed his lips to hers.

He'd felt a trill and a twist in his stomach.

On one hand, he was kissing his someone on the lips and her lips were softer than they said in the movies and in books. It was also more confusing and he admitted be had no idea what he was doing. The kiss was awkward and clunky and generally amateurish. He was 12 after all. On the other hand, the kiss felt wrong somehow. Like he shouldn't have done it.

James had pulled away and had observed her expression. Jewels had a shocked look on her face and simply looked like she couldn't process what took place. James realized quickly that she was overwhelmed. He ran with the feeling of 'wrongness' and apologized saying he only wanted her to feel better. She'd accepted it still looking uncertain.

For 15 minutes, they didn't know where they stood with each other.

They didn't get to have the awkward time that came with sibling figures sharing a non-platonic kiss. They were forced into the spotlight of  "I'm so sorry Jewels" and "Are you alright."  They'd been dragged into it so quickly that they just agreed the moment never happened. James' feelings settled down becoming platonic in nature once more and Jewels began turning to him as a big brother.

Lyna was treading on delicate branches making leaves fall as she climbed higher up the tree. The raccoon could already see the amount of power the lynx held over Jewels. Jewels basked slightly in the positive and caring attention from Lyna. She was always happy now and there was a bounce in her step when she walked lately.

When Lyna opened the door to the ice cream shop for Jewels causing the serval-fox to laugh and playfully push her through the door, James smiled.

James felt that Lyna would perfectly fill any open spot in Jewels' heart. He also got the nagging sensation the reverse was true. No one had a perfect family and no one was flawless.

As long as Jewels was happy, James couldn't help but grin. Chika slipped her hand into his and the two smiled at each other.

Watching them, James felt the 'wrongness' from all those years ago unravel and begin to fade.