Hawk's Eye

Chapter 11

Kyndall and Brett sat next to each other at the dining table. Their parents laughed and talked, reminiscing on old memories. Brett and Kyndall looked at the large helping of spaghetti in front of them. Neither of them touched their food though. Kyndall took a small bite and looked up when she heard her name being called.

"Kyndall sweetie, are you going to get back into gymnastics and modeling here when your arm is all healed up?" Brett's mom asked. Kyndall blushed and smiled softly.

"I guess eventually, but right now, I just want to get situated at school first," she answered. They nodded in approval.

"I guess that makes sense, but you will be doing gymnastics right? You almost had a world title last time if I'm remembering correctly," Brett's mom asked. Kyndall's cheeks heated before she nodded. Gymnastics was something she didn't think she would do ever again, but as fate would have it, it was right in her near future and she knew it. Karen had put a thought in her mom's head. When her mom had an idea in her head, it never left, and her mom loved it when she did gymnastics. The parents chatted easily during the whole dinner. When it finally ended, Kyndall went home with her parents. Brett stayed up a little longer than she normally did pondering what this meant for her. Was she actually getting soft? People at school would think so. She had to do something to let them know that she was still hard as a rock. She had to think of something, and fast.

~ 

The next day flew by quickly for everyone as they anticipated the arrival of the Masked Ball. Ryder double checked everything to make sure everything would be perfect. Kyndall went on as any normal day would for her. Brett tried to think of something that would keep people's suspicions away, but she only came up with nothing. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing if people actually thought she was nice. Finally, Saturday arrived. Kyndall went to Brett's house to get ready. Brett expertly curled Kyndall's brown hair in tight ringlets. Kyndall helped Brett put her dark brown hair in a side French roll. Once make-up, nail and hair were done, the girls wished each other luck before Kyndall headed back to her house. When Kyndall was looking herself over in the mirror, the doorbell rang across the house. Kyndall sighed and looked at her door as she heard her mother animatedly talk with Ryder. Straightening her dress, Kyndall headed down the winding stairs in her silver heels. Her hurt arm was out of its sling and resting by her side. She smiled when she saw Ryder all decked out in black slacks, a white button up, a vest and tropical green tie. She laughed and shook her head as she walked over to stand in front of him. He was staring at her in awe. She was a picture of perfection to him. Coming down the stairs, she looked like a princess. All that was missing was a tiara. Her dress was the same green as the one he chose for his tie. The dress was a silk, one shouldered dress that hugged her curves before it flowed down to the floor. He could only stare. At hearing her laugh, he snapped out of it and smiled at her.

"You look beautiful," he said softly. Her cheeks heated and she thanked him quietly.

"You don't look so bad yourself," she joked. They took pictures at the park before the limo took them to the venue. Going inside, they saw that the place was already packed. Ryder placed a hand on the small of her back as they made their way over to where they saw Brett and Austin by the drinks. Kyndall smiled at Brett before she hugged her tightly.

"You look fantastic Dolly," Brett smiled pulling back and looking at Kyndall's dress. Kyndall giggled.

"Thanks; you too," Kyndall smiled. Kyndall stepped back into Ryder as he loosely put an arm around her waist. Austin smirked at Ryder and Kyndall.

"Well, I guess we'll see you guys later," Austin said hinting at the couple to leave. Kyndall frowned at Austin and set her glossed lips in a hard line before she grabbed Ryder's hand with her good one and led him to the middle of the dance floor. Kyndall sighed and rested her head on his shoulder as a slow song started. Ryder hugged her close to him as they swayed lightly to the music.

"Let's just enjoy tonight," Ryder mumbled to her. She smiled lightly and nodded. That's exactly what she wanted to do. She didn't want to spend the evening worrying about Brett. Brett would probably make the first move anyway. She was a big girl; if she wanted to do something, she would do it. Kyndall laughed as Ryder spun her out and pulled her in close again.

"I'm glad I came with you," Kyndall smiled. Ryder smiled as well. He kissed her forehead lightly.

"Me too," he said. Closing her eyes, Kyndall sighed contently. Brett was dancing with Austin on the other side of the dance floor. Ryder brought his lips down to Kyndall's hair. Picking her head up, she smiled at him. He smiled and shook his head.

"Why does it feel like I've known you my whole life?" he asked her quietly. Kyndall smiled and shrugged.

"I don't know, but I feel the same way," Kyndall smiled. Ryder kissed her gently. Taking a hand off of her waist, he touched her cheek gently.

"You are so beautiful," he said quietly. She smiled and laid her head on his shoulder again. Ryder hugged her close to him. Kyndall couldn't believe that she was actually trusting a guy and getting this close to Ryder after what happened. She closed her eyes and swayed with him gently as the song came to an end. An upbeat song started to play. Ryder smiled and spun Kyndall out before spinning her back into him. She giggled and started dancing to the new beat. Austin ran his hands down Brett's sides and smiled as they danced. Brett couldn't help but to look over to Kyndall and Ryder as she danced with Austin. She wished she was Kyndall right now. She wished Ryder was still hers. She wished she was the one dancing with Ryder right now. She wished she hadn't hurt Kyndall. She wished Ryder loved her. Sighing, she decided that she wanted to go home. The Ball was so overrated to her at the moment. Turning to Austin she leaned in so he could hear her over the pounding music.

"I want to go home," she yelled. He glanced over to Ryder and Kyndall before he nodded.  Leading Brett out, the corner of his lips pulled up in a sly smile. Ryder caught a glimpse of them leaving and frowned. Kyndall immediately saw Ryder's face and looked over just in time to see her friend slip out the door. Shaking it out of her head, she smiled back at Ryder.

"Don't worry; Brett already promised me that she would be fine. She can handle herself. Plus, I think she just wants to go home early," Kyndall said so he could hear her. He nodded and smiled.

~

Brett crossed her arms as she looked out the window. Austin pulled her chin over and kissed her roughly. Surprised, she pulled away. Austin pulled her to him again. She tried to pull away, but he had a tight grip on her. The more she struggled, the tighter he held her. She pushed her arms against him and hit him repeatedly, but he still didn't let go. He started unzipping her dress. She pushed against him again.

"Stop!" she yelled repeatedly. She tried, but no matter what she did, she couldn't get him to stop.

~

Kyndall and Ryder were one of the last people to leave the dance. With their fingers laced together, they went out to their limo. Kyndall leaned against Ryder as they rode to the restaurant. Kyndall walked in and gasped. The restaurant had no other customers. Kyndall smiled softly knowing that this was one of the most popular restaurants in town. Twinkling lights and candles lit up the whole restaurant. There was one table in the very center of the restaurant. A string quartet was set up in the corner of the restaurant and was playing one of Kyndall's favorite songs. She smiled and stepped into the romantically lit restaurant. Ryder chuckled and laced his finger with hers, lightly pulling her towards the table. Kyndall smiled softly and shook her head at Ryder once they were both seated.

"You did all of this?" she asked softly. He nodded and chuckled. She sighed and looked around again. "This is... wonderful... beautiful... perfect," she said bringing her eyes back to his. Kyndall was served her favorite dish. After they ate, Ryder stood and held a hand out to her. Smiling, she took it. He spun her around the spacious restaurant as they danced to the songs. Kyndall knew she was falling for him and she didn't care anymore. As for Ryder, he had already fallen head over heels in love with her.