PROLOGUE

1993

"James!" James turned and little Althea ran towards him. Her dirty blonde strawberry curls bounced around her face. James smiled when she finally made it to him, and laughed a little when she couldn't get out what she wanted to say.
"Spit it out, Althea!" James managed to say between breaths.
Althea held up a finger and stood up straight. "Get down on your right knee." Her voice was firm and James looked utterly confused. Althea huffed and crossed her arms. "Do it." James complied this time and Althea held out her left hand. She told James to take it in his own and he obeyed. "Now, repeat after me: Althea, will you marry me?" James blushed and almost protested, but Althea had that look on her face; the look that promised him a world of pain if he didn't do what she said.
It was funny how an eight year old had so much power over a ten year old. James sighed. "Althea, will you marry me?"
Althea smiled. "Yes." She pulled James to his feet and hugged him. "See, James? Now we can never apart! This promise is forever. Just like our parents. When we grow up, we'll have a huge wedding with all of our friends and families. It'll be great!"
At the time, being the normal ten year old boy he was, James didn't care. But the thought of never being away from his best friend was something he liked.
"Yeah, Althea, great, but couldn't we have waited until we were grown up like our parents?"
Althea frowned. "No way! By then, we probably would have found someone else! I don't want that to happen, James!"
James sighed. Althea always got melodramatic when it came to their friendship. He smiled despite himself. "I guess that's true. Alright, Althea. We will have a huge wedding, I promise." Althea squealed in delight and hugged James.
It was all planned out. It was perfect. It was their promise. They had their lives planned out. It was the perfect fairytale.
Yet life somehow sneaks is way in, ready to ruin what could of been perfect.

CHAPTER 1
2001

Loud music blared through the speakers placed around the living room. Bodies meshed together in a joke of a dance as the alcohol overtook the brain. And in one corner stood a blonde beauty.
She looked calm, slightly impatient and unbelievably sober. Her sparkling blue-green eyes searched the room as she bit her lip. Where is he?
"Excuse me." The low mumble came from a robust boy making his way through the sea of bodies. As he made his way, countless girls paused to look appreciably at his tall form. Yet his eyes never wavered from his target.
"James," she sighed once he stood beside her. He grinned in such a boyish way that she found herself smiling back.
He swept back his bangs and handed her a plastic cup. "Soda for the lady." Giggling, she took the cup with exaggerated elegance.
"Why thank you kind sir," her eyes twinkled with mischief as she took a sip. Making a face at the flat soda, she set the cup down on the floor.
James leaned on the wall and draped his arm around her shoulders. Leaning into his embrace comfortably, she looked up into his face to see a pair of pale blue eyes looking down at her. "Who could of thought Althea?"
A smirk graced her features. "That you'd be such a gentleman?" A low chuckle rumbled through his chest and vibrated to Althea, giving her delicious shivers.
He relaxed his head back and closed his eyes. "I graduated," he whispered.
Althea's face softened when she heard his earnest tone. Senior year was always tough, yet James had faced extra hardships with the death of his mother so soon after his parent's divorce. Smoothing back his hair, she spoke quietly. "I wouldn't have expected any less from you." She paused and rested her hand on his cheek. "Your mom would be proud."
When he opened his eyes, she saw that they were glistening with unshed tears. A smile appeared when he nodded. He took his arm from around her and teasingly pulled on a wayward curl. "What about you?"
She lifted her chin defiantly. "I've done just fine." Again that chuckle that warmed her so.
"Little Miss Early Scholarship did just fine?" She nodded.
"You're wrong." His warm breath fanned her ear and she jerked her eyes open in surprise to find his head so close. His tanned hand closed around her ponytail and she could taste his breath on her lips.
Her breathing became ragged and her eyelids began to close. He tilted his head down and clasped her neck with his other hand. Their lips brushed each other tentatively, cautiously.
"James! Althea!" They jumped apart with a jolt at hearing their names. A lean boy straggled by, drunkenness marking his every move. He made his way to them with an almost empty beer bottle in his hand.
"Hello Kurt." Althea gave the boy a gracious smile. James nodded in his direction, a scowl set on his face.
"You two enjoying the party?"
"Yeah. Having a hellova time." James lips barely moved as he spoke, a sign anybody else would of taken to back off. Kurt, in a sweet drunken oblivion, just nodded his head eagerly.
The pale boy smiled at Althea. "What about you sweetheart?"
She nodded, "It's been," she snuck a glance at her friend, "interesting." His jaw hardened at her choice of words. Kurt opened his mouth to speak, but she intervened. "Excuse guys, I'm going to the patio for some air."
She squeezed past the rest of the teenagers, feeling James gaze burning into her back. Resisting the temptation to look back, she walked out into the cool night breeze. Stepping out of the screened area, she strolled though the backyard.
Althea pasted by garden shrubs and flower beds, finally choosing to lay down on the hammock. She closed her eyes and relaxed, letting her mind catch up with the nights events.
What if James had truly kissed her? Would she kiss him back?
Hell yeah

, she thought. How long had she been waiting for him to make a move? Months? Years? Groaning, she turned on her side.
Suddenly, a firm hand dropped on her hip. Her heart lurched in her chest. It slowly moved up towards her breast, brushing the underside. Biting her lip to hold back a moan, she moved back. "James?" she whispered into the dark.
"That wimp isn't getting near your hot ass," the stranger said on a raspy laugh.
She shot up and pushed his hand away. Focusing her eyes on the shadowed figure, she made out broad shoulders and cold black eyes. "What the hell do you want Guy?" She mentally kicked herself for her unsteady tone.
"Same thing as any other guy," she felt him move closer, "a chick to fuck."
He stifled her scream with his hand and dove his free one under her shirt. Her eyes stinging with tears, she fought to move away. Ignoring her flailing hands, he squeezed her bra clad breast. She whimpered in pain and tears began to fall down her cheeks.
Guy licked them away in a mock gesture of care. "There, there," he mumbled. His hand slipped under the lacy material and painfully pinched her nipple. His breathing became harsher the more she struggled. "Fucking bitch."
He lifted her shirt up and used both hands to grip her breasts. Althea took a deep breath as soon as her mouth was released.
"James!" Her shriek was the last thing she heard before Guy's hand slapped her across the face. And then, darkness.

*****

"Althea."
Who…

"Althea." That anguished voice again. She refused to open her eyes, afraid of what she might see.
"Althea!" Strong, warm hands grabbed at her and pulled her towards a firm barrier. Instead of fear, she felt secured. Her hands shook as her searched for her saviors shoulders. Hiding her face in the crook of their neck, she began to cry.
"Oh God," he whispered. The voice was deep and masculine. As a hand stroked the back of her head, she whimpered. "Althea, no one is ever going to hurt you again." She was brought even closer to his chest.
She sniffled and slowly lifted her head. Curiosity overwhelmed her and she opened her eyes. A gasp escaped her as she looked into his face. "James."
His eyes widened and he cupped her face with his hands. "I'm so glad you're okay."
She opened her mouth and struggled to find her voice again. "D-did he? Was he a-able – " She stopped as she saw his head shake.
"I heard you scream and I ran out." She saw him gulp before continuing. "I saw you without your shirt and," his face hardened, "I pushed the goddamn bastard off of you."
His hand came up and brushed away a few stray tears she hadn't realized were there. "Did he hurt you?" His face was close. Too close.
Althea slowly shook her head. "Not really." A pause ensured where he decided to play with a stray strand of her hair. "James?" He grunted. "Thank you."
An eyebrow raised in question. "What for?" She took a shuddering breath as his face seemed to get closer. "For saving me," she breathed.
"Anytime, Althea." His hand moved to her nape. "Gotta take care of my fiancée." He smirked at her startled expression, but before she could comment his lips brushed against hers. Her entire body stiffened before surrendering completely.
His lips were gentle and extremely careful, mindful of how she responded. At the subtle nudge of her lips, his lips settled more firmly. His tongue slid past her teeth in tender exploration and her lips parted with a shuddering sigh. He tasted the inside of her mouth, brushing by her tongue so softly that she wondered if it was ever there. Yet, his unforgettable taste was imprinted on her senses. Her hands came up to his cheeks and she pressed herself closer to him. Groaning, he moved his head away from hers and pressed his forehead against hers.
"The party's still on."
She brushed her lips on his. "I don't want to go back," she whispered.
"What do you want?" He moved his hand through her hair.
"Home." She looked up at him behind a curtain of lashes. "You."
James picked her up and carried her with him as he walked back to the house. "James!" She clutched his neck for fear of falling.
"I'll drive you and let you sleep." Bewildered at his actions, she stared at him. "I can walk y'know." He frowned down at her. "I don't care."
Althea giggled and snuggled closer to him. James smiled and kissed the top of her head.

*****

James knocked on Althea's door the next day. Althea's mother answered and greeted him warmly. He asked where she was and her mother guided him to her room. James opened the door and leaned on the door frame, watching Althea organize her CD's. He knocked gently on the door and chuckled when she jumped. "Am I truly that invisible to you?" Althea giggled at his sarcasm.
"No, but you're like a freakin' ninja." Althea got up and hugged James before leading him into her room to sit down. He sat down on her bed while she knelt on the ground to gather her CD's. Once they were put away, she sat down beside him.
"How are you?" It was a simple question, but it held so much emotion, so much concern.
Althea shrugged. "Better I guess. I'm happy you were there though." Althea smiled and James couldn't help but return it.
"I'm always going to be there, Athena." Althea hit James' arm while he erupted into a fit of laughter.
"You know I hate it when you call me that!" James started to call her Athena for her feisty personality and it stuck. Althea suppressed a giggle and continued to hit him. Eventually, she got up and leaned on the wall, pouting in mock sadness. James followed her, still laughing, and leaned down to face her.
"Don't do that, Althea. You know I hate that." Althea giggled once more. She stared at James for a while before acting; she attempted to kiss him. James dodged and Althea almost fell over.
"Care to, um, explain what that was about?" Althea's face was flaming with indignation and she stared at James in disbelief.
He ran a shaky hand through his brown hair and stared Althea. "Althea, what happened last night…that kiss," he sighed, "it didn't mean anything." James words were soft, but they were as sharp as knives in Althea's heart.
He looked away and Althea felt the blood drain from her face. "H-how can you say that?" She reached for him, but he avoided her touch.
"It just wouldn't work. We're better off as friends."
Althea felt herself grow dizzy. "But our promise."
James looked at her. "Althea, we were kids. Kids who wanted nothing more than to be with our best friend for life. Marriage and a relationship isn't the only way we can stay together." He sighed. "I have to go. I'll call you later."
He walked past Althea and out of the house. She slid to the floor and hugged her knees to her chest. How could he say that? Why would he say that?

She let go off the building tears and sobbed quietly.
James sat outside in his car for a moment. I hurt her. I know I did.

He drove home without a second thought.

CHAPTER 2

The weekend came and went with no word from James. Althea was remote at home, struggling to understand James' parting words.
"It just wouldn't work."

Althea's fine face twisted into a scowl. She didn't see anything significant that stood in their way. Sighing, she laid on her bed and looked at the ceiling. She had an intense urge to hit something from all the frustration.
"What the hell is his problem?" She bit her lip and looked towards her phone. She could call him, ask him and they could get this whole problem over with. She was confident that James would give her a reason.
She sat up and crawled across her bed to her night table. Grabbing the phone, she speed-dialed his cell phone and waited for it to ring. Instead, it headed straight to voicemail.
Puzzled, it took her a moment to realize that she was supposed to leave a message already. "Hey James, it's Althea." She paused. "I was, um, thinking about what you said the other day and," she sighed, "I just don't understand it."
She took a deep breath before continuing. "We've known each other since we were toddlers, so no secrets right?" She gave a shaky laugh. "I've liked you for a pretty long time now, maybe like 4 years, but I never told you anything cuz…" Althea's voice died off, leaving the sentence unfinished. "Well, I never thought you could be interested in me," she whispered. "You've always been so, so masculine and tough. You go out with girls that wear makeup and mini-skirts and I – " She struggled finding her voice, "I can never see myself like that."
Tears gathered in her eyes as she spoke. "Then Friday happened." She paused thinking that when he heard her message he might need it. "You tried kissing me, but Kurt showed up." She smiled at the memory. Her voice lowered. "And then after Guy, you held me." Althea let out a shaky breath. "I was sure I was dead. Only in my dreams had you ever held me so close. I felt so completely safe and all I wanted was for that moment to never end." Her voice cracked near the end of her sentence and she bit her tongue to keep from crying.
"I still do," she whispered, her voice hoarse. "But you know what really convinced it was a dream?" Althea licked her dry lips. "When you kissed me. Not one of those little pecks on the cheek, but a-an actual kiss. Did you know that was my first kiss?" She nodded as if he was in front of her. Althea sighed. "You don't know how glad I am that it was real."
She huffed and pulled on her hair. "So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that I like you a lot and I would really like to know how you feel about me. And if you don't like me then, why did you kiss me? Just call me back as soon as possible. Bye." She hung up and let the tears fall.
She clutched her pillow to her and cried, thinking of how this could change her relationship. Maybe if she hadn't said anything, if she had just been able to forget Friday. But somewhere inside of her, she knew that it was impossible.
Throughout the week, Althea tried to talk to James and ask him if he had gotten her message. By the way that he was avoiding her, it seemed that he had. If she was ever in the same room as him, he fled almost immediately. If he wasn't able to leave, he would avoid meeting her gaze, and begin to shamelessly flirt with the nearest girl. And every single time, the knife that had been in her heart since James departure was dug a bit deeper.
Althea just watched as James ignored her, feeling more rejected with each passing day. She stood at her locker one day, sneaking glances at the boy while he flirted with a group of girls.
She felt a frown set on her lips. They only flock him like that because he's graduating soon and because he's popular in general. She slammed her locker closed but couldn't help but feel some kind of emptiness when James didn't even glance in her direction. She hugged a textbook tight against her chest, feeling a swell of emotions getting ready to burst from within her and feeling like she would explode at any moment.
Althea walked briskly past James and his groupies, completely aware of the slight sneers she received from some of the girls. She didn't care. She only hoped James would at least look at her. She was strong enough to keep walking, but weak enough to look back. James was still talking and laughing.
Althea sighed. "So it's really over," She whispered to herself. She walked into her Chemistry class and dropped her bag onto the floor and book onto the table. She roughly pulled her hair back into a ponytail, trying to rid herself of her fury, and soon plopped down in her chair. Tears threatened, but Althea wouldn't give in.

CHAPTER 3

Althea sat in her room on her bed, brushing her hair. "It's a new day, Althea. You don't need him. You will be alright." She said to herself. She ran the brush through long curls a few more times before putting it on her dresser and pulling her bag onto her shoulder.
"Bye, Mamá!" Althea called as she left the house for school. She stuffed her hands in the pockets of her cargo pants and breathed deeply. She had made a resolution the night before: If James was going to ignore her, she would ignore him.
"Two can play at that game," she said to herself in the darkness.
Althea knew it was a bit childish, but she didn't want to go down without a fight or a broken heart. She trudged to school and went to her locker first, trading books out of her bag and locker and running a hand through her hair.
"Good morning, Althea."
The female looked up and smiled. "Morning, Kurt. How are you?" Althea closed her locker and turned to face the male standing next to her. Kurt was very handsome; tall, tan, green eyes and brunette hair. He always reminded Althea of a cover model for Calvin Klein or something.
Kurt shrugged to her question. "I'm alright, I guess. Tired." He yawned, but laughed some. Althea laughed a bit and nodded. "Did you get the history homework yesterday?"
The two were walking to World History, comparing notes and answers, when they passed James and his crew. Althea didn't notice, but James glanced at the two. Neither she nor Kurt noticed the daggers James stared at Kurt, but instead kept walking and laughing and talking. Althea and Kurt made it to first period World History still talking and sat down together.
"Althea, are you doing anything tomorrow night?" Tomorrow night was Friday. Althea shook her head.
"Nothing besides watching reruns of old shows and reading books. What about you?"
"A few friends and I are going out. You should come. Mel told me how you don't get out much now." Kurt said. Mel was one of Althea's friends and she constantly bothered her to go out.
Althea sighed. "I'll think about it," she said with a weary smile.
He nodded, apparently pleased with her response. During the rest of class, she noticed that Kurt was paying more attention to her than usual. Or had he always been like that?
She shook her head softly. She should be concentrating on the exam review, not wondering over boys attention. Pleased with the mental pep talk she gave herself, she focused on Mr. Magher's review about the Chinese Dynasty's and promptly ignored the conversation starting remarks that Kurt made.
Once the bell rang, she was still scribbling down the last slide of the PowerPoint. She was dimly aware that Kurt hadn't risen from his seat and was actually taking his time in packing up.
She closed her binder and as she put it away in her backpack, she glanced at him. He was a good guy, sweet and known to respect girls. Sure, he wasn't the sharpest knife in the kitchen, but one couldn't be picky when mending a breaking heart.
Taking a deep breath, she stood up and made sure that her foot was caught behind the land of his seat. Taking a quick step forward, she threw over her shoulder, "See ya, Ku-"
Her sentence was cut off by the sudden rush of air that met her face as she began a fast descent down. Just as Althea expected, he had rushed to catch her, effectively twisting his body around hers. Her arms had landed on his chest and she marveled at how firm it was.
"Whoa, you 'kay?" She looked up and smiled at the concern in the green depths.
"Yeah, just got a bit clumsy." She giggled and inwardly winced at how strained it sounded.
Kurt smirked. "You do trip a lot."
Althea stood, punching Kurt in the arm softly. "I do not. It just happens once in a while." She replied, adjusting her bag.
Kurt grabbed his own and put it on. "Want to walk to second period together?" He asked.
Althea weighed her options: walk alone or walk with a cute boy on her arm? She grinned and nodded. "Why not?"
Kurt beamed and the two walked down the hall. "So, about Friday…" Kurt started. Althea feigned annoyance, but the smile pulling at her lips gave her away.
"I guess I can come just this once," she said in her most extravagant voice. Kurt laughed and put an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. It was a simple gesture he'd done many times, but why did it make Althea's skin burn now?
"I'm so happy! I was hoping you'd say yes. We haven't gone out in a while and now Mel won't kick my ass for not getting you to go." Kurt laughed.
Althea giggled and elbowed him in the stomach. "Was that what this was all for? To save your own butt from Mel's wrath?"
Kurt smirked. "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Or, Athena." Althea blushed at the comment and looked away.
She felt Kurt staring at her, but kept walking. "Um, this is my stop," she said lamely, her voice cracking. Althea mentally kicked herself but Kurt didn't seem to mind. He took her hand and kissed it, making her heart flutter a bit. Unreal.

Kurt's green eyes met Althea's own turquoise and he looked like he wanted to say something, but stopped. "The bell's going to ring. I should get to class." He flashed a smile and was soon heading down the hall.
Althea paused a moment at the door and let her gaze follow Kurt's. It was bad using him as a rebound, but she and James had never really had anything.
So then, why did she have this sinking feeling in her stomach? She should be elated that someone was interested in her. Considering the fact that they were very attractive should have made her forget completely about James.
But it didn't. Walking stiffly to her seat, she stared blankly at the mathematical problem on the board. She scowled as she took out her text book and began to solve the problem.
No matter how attractive or nice Kurt turned out to be, she knew that only one boy would forever take first place.

CHAPTER 4

The week passed by in a rush as the pressure to do well on the final exams increased. Althea started spending less time worrying about how James was able to discard her so easily from her life and began to try to do the same thing to him
She started spending more time with Kurt and reintegrated herself into her social circle. She was mildly shocked to learn at how much everyone had changed during sophomore year. Slowly, she began to dust off her social awkwardness and learned how to use her Greek charms.
The biggest shock hadn't been the fact that Mel was going to dye her hair blue, or that Janise had been going steady with Justin. Not even the news that James had started seeing the new intern at the neighborhood Double Tree - although it had formed a sharp sting in her heart. What had come as shocking was that Kurt actually had aspirations.
Although in class he played the part of the class clown and constantly forgot his homework, he was truly smart. He had a 4.3 GPA, which wasn't that far off from her 4.6 GPA. He wanted to be a pediatrician and the fact that children trusted him so easily only helped support his career choice.
He started being the main reason that she kept her phone on at all times. He started being the why for her seemingly permanent smile. He never failed to greet her in the hallways and make sure to cheer her up when the reviews got to her.
Now sitting in her room with a new thriller opened in front of her, she started remembering Friday.
Mel had slept over on Friday, self-proclaiming herself to being Althea's life savior. She had promptly dug through her closet, avidly searching for something "presentable."
At six o'clock Friday night, Althea stood in her room with Mel, both staring at her in the mirror. Around her room lay a mess of discarded clothing and accessories that she had started trying on around 4:30 p.m. She now stood wearing a light blue graphic tee, black skinny jeans, blue Converse, and multiple bracelets. Mel scrutinized her.
"The shirt flatters your figure, but those jeans are so boring!" Mel stomped her foot in frustration, which made Althea giggle.
"All of my jeans are either black or blue," she said.
"What about these?" Mel dug out from the bottom of Althea's closet a pair of purple skinny, ripped jeans.
Althea snatched them from her. "No way!" The two wrestled until Mel – like always – got her way and Althea slipped into the jeans and changed the blue graphic shirt for a black graphic one.
"There it is!" Mel squealed. She steered Althea out of her room and out the house before she could change and they were soon riding down the street in Mel's car. Mel jumped and danced in her seat to the blaring music, much to Althea's amusement.
"Where are we going anyway?" she asked when Mel turned down the music.
Mel ran a hand through her hair and shrugged. "We're meeting at the mall," she answered.
Althea nodded. They pulled up to the mall and went inside. Their group of friends was sitting in the food court, talking and laughing, when they arrived. Kurt saw them first and ran over to greet them. "Hey. Wow, Mel, for once you got someone here in one piece." Mel hit Kurt's chest and stalked to the others.
Althea was laughing and didn't notice how close Kurt was standing; she could feel his soft breath on her face. She looked up into his green eyes and smiled, receiving a brilliant smile from Kurt. "I'm really glad you came." He whispered.
Althea nodded. "Me too." She said. The two joined the group and they roamed the mall.
"Althea! Look!" She turned to Janise's voice and clenched her jaw. In the distance were James and a group of other seniors, storming the mall with the flair of popularity that only James knew.
"Come here." She was taken out of her trance with Kurt's voice as he took her hand and led her away from the group. Althea looked back at them, but only received giggles and smiles. Kurt brought her outside and leaned on the wall. "I don't think he saw us," he said, looking back inside.
Althea laughed slightly at his Mission Impossible air about the situation, and leaned on the wall. "That didn't really concern me anyway." Althea sighed.
Kurt stood in front of her and put a hand on the wall. "It would concern me," he said, "if you were out with a very hot guy and a group of friends."
Althea laughed. "You know, vanity is bad for the soul," she said with a smirk.
Kurt returned it. "It's not vanity, it's confidence," he said, moving a bit closer.
Althea put her hands on his chest on reflex and marveled at how hard and strong it felt. "I like confidence," Althea breathed.
Kurt dipped his head, now eye level with the shorter girl and brushed his lip tentatively against hers. Althea's breath hitched, remembering how shy and sweet the gesture was when it came from James; it was just like this.
She firmly laid her arms on his chest and leaned into the kiss, completely closing the distance between them. His lips were soft and slightly chapped, not at all like James's smooth yet hard lips. She clenched her hands and forced herself to push all thoughts of James out of her head. She had a right to enjoy another boy's attention, just like he was enjoying another girl's.
Frustrated now by the images of James kissing and caressing someone else, she kissed Kurt harder. She slid her hands up his chest and wrapped them around his neck. He stood still for a moment, shocked at Althea's reaction. Yet when she tugged his head down, he gave a low groan and wrapped his arms around her waist.
She heard the swoosh of the automatic doors open and the giggles of a group of girls. She paid no heed to the presence of others and continued to kiss him. Even though there was a little insistent voice in the back of her head shrieking, "Didn't you hate to see couples making out?"
It was only when she heard the muffled sound of a gasp that she started she soften the kiss. Kurt's hands began to loosen their hold on her and she wanted to growl at him for doing so.
"Althea?" The shocked yet angry growl of James snapped her out of her personal angry revere. With a gasp, she broke the kiss and ducked her head into Kurt's shoulder. His arms came protectively around her, trying to shield as best as possible from anyone's view.
"What do you want James?" Dear Kurt, ever the knight in shining armor. His stance was tense and his voice was calm.
"What the fuck are you doing to her?" She winced at his harsh tone and shyly peeked at him.
His hands were clenched at his sides, his whole body seeming at stressed as a rubber band pulled to it's limit. The glint in his blue eyes scared her. She had never seen him so angry before.
Althea held on tighter to Kurt, who stared James down. "I don't think that's any of your business."
James' hand clenched tighter at Kurt's superior tone. "It is my business if it has to do with her." James pointed an angry finger towards Althea, who felt a rush of anger.
"Your business! I haven't been your business for the past few weeks! I don't think your opinion matters at this point!" Althea yelled at James.
James stood with a dumb struck face but soon shook himself. "I don't want you hanging around some half-cocked idiot who can't even hold down his own liquor around you! We're leaving. Now." James grabbed Althea by her forearm and tugged hard, ripping her from Kurt's arms and almost making her fall.
Althea pulled hard back against his hand and tore away, stumbling back. "No! Do you think you can just come in all high and mighty now? Do you think you can just come back to me this way? I'm not eight years old anymore, James! You can't just boss me around whenever you feel like it!" With that, Althea turned on her heel, grabbed Kurt's hand and marched inside. She heard James yelling after them but didn't dare look back.
Damn him! Who the hell does he think he is?

The two found their group standing by the inside mall playground. "Where did you two go?" Mel asked, a slight teasing twinge in her voice.
Althea shrugged, dropping Kurt's hand. "No where. We just needed some air," Althea said in a dull voice.
Mel rolled her eyes and looked to Kurt. "Well, we want to go to the movies, so come on." The group headed towards the movies section and Althea looked around, making sure the area was James free. She saw a few of his friends and looked away. They were staring at her in a weird way and it made her uncomfortable. She felt pressure around her waist and was ready to fight whoever the hell was touching her, but relaxed when it was just Kurt.
"That was one hellova confrontation." He chuckled.
Althea sighed. "I have a feeling that it was just the beginning."

CHAPTER 5

Althea sat down on the carpeted floor of the local library, opening a book in her lap. She was taking a break from studying and was browsing the fiction section. She began reading, waiting for a certain friend to arrive. She was already into the introduction when a shadow was cast over her reading light.
"Always reading, Althea." Kurt's voice flowed down to her. "I don't think it's healthy to absorb so much information."
She smiled up at him and patted the empty spot next to her. "Sit down, You're late." She smirked.
Kurt feigned hurt, putting a hand over his heart. "You hurt me, milady. I'm but a few minutes late."
Althea giggled at Kurt's faux English accent. "My apologies, sir, but I tell nothing but the truth, and like roses, the truth has thorns all around it." Her English accent flowed from her lips.
Kurt laughed. "Where did you get that one from?" He asked.
Althea shrugged. "It's a quote I saw somewhere." She smiled and Kurt shook his head.
He snatched the book Althea was reading from her lap and read the back. "You love fantasy and thrillers, don't you?" He inquired, still reading the back.
Althea nodded. "They're my favorite." He nodded absently and began to walk away, still with her book in his hands. "Hey, come back!" Grunting, she stood up and jogged up to him. She took her book back and twisted on her heel.
"What's the matter, babe? I was reading." He smirked as he calmly strode up next to her at the table. She paused in packing up her notebooks and bit her lip. he scrunched his eyebrows at seeing her reaction. "Althea, you 'kay?"
"Uh, yeah, but you," she gulped, "you called me 'babe'." She looked up at him and took a deep breath. "D-d-does that mean anything?"
As the silence between slowly stretched out, the urge to slap herself became greater. Stupid, stupid! He doesn't care!

"Nevermind," she mumbled, obviously humiliated. She quickly picked up her back pack and grabbed a stack of books she had separated, walking past him.
His hand shot out and grabbed her elbow. She surged forward slightly and if not for Kurt's quick hand on the spine of the books, it would have all tumbled down. "Wait." he brought her reluctant body back to the table and sat her down, taking the books out of her hands.
Her head was turned away from his and he sighed in frustration. He took Althea's chin in his grasp and tugged her face towards him. "Look at me," he whispered. Slowly, she raised her eyes at him, her blue-green eyes clouded with doubt. "What is up with you?"
She scowled. She most definitely had not been expecting that. "What do you mean?"
He smiled. "How can you be so smart yet so oblivious?"
She blinked. "Huh?"
"I like you. Like, really like you." His thumb stroked her bottom lip and smirked. "That's why I kissed you. And I suppose you must like me back since you kissed me back."
She opened her mouth to tell him that no, she didn't like him back. He was sweet and caring, but not for her. But then something snapped and she covered up her lack of words with a sigh and a smile. She deserved being happy, didn't she? If anyone could help her forget about James, Kurt was the best one suited for the task.
"Yeah," she whispered. She felt bad for lying to him, but she justified her actions by telling herself that perhaps with him she could be happy.
Maybe even fall in love again.

*****

They had spent the rest of the day in the library working on their final project for World History. They had been assigned the country of England, the main reason why each was perfecting an upper-class English accent. As they research and finalized drafts, she had to control the slight bile that rose whenever Kurt gave her an affectionate kiss, or the urge to snatch her hand away whenever he covered it with his.
It was Sunday night now, and as she read over her notes for World History, they didn't register. After re-reading the same passage three times, she let out a muted shriek of frustration. She couldn't hold it off any longer.
She snatched up her cell phone and speed-dialed James. Althea laughed harshly as the phone rang. Even though they no longer talked, she couldn't bring herself to take him off speed-dial. The definiteness of the action scared her.
Not surprised, she got his voice mail. As the mandatory message sounded, she went over what she was going to say. She refused to make a fool of herself again. "...after the beep. Beeeeep."
"James, it's Althea. Listen, I don't understand why you don't want to talk to me at school anymore, but it's cool. We have to talk though. After graduation, I'll wait for you by the bathrooms. I'll wait for half an hour, I know that there will be immediate pictures after the ceremony. If you decide to not meet me, I'll just go to your house." Hanging up, she flipped her phone closed.
Althea took several deep breaths and covered her face with hands. She'd been meaning to make that phone call last week after the shouting match they'd had at the mall. She kept putting it off with petty excuses. As she was trying to study now, the nagging thought that graduation was Wednesday held her off from concentrating.
"Althea, ó̱ra gia ýpno!

" Her mother's melodic voice floated through the house.
"Entáxei

, mamá!" Sighing, she quickly got ready for bed.
Once in her bed, she hesitated to turn off her phone. She had already gotten the expected goodnight text from Kurt, but she was waiting to see if James would call back. She growled, angry that she was worrying over him. Harshly, she pressed the power button and threw the phone to her bean bag chair.

*****

"Hurry up lass!"
Looking over herself once more in the bathroom mirror, she ran down the stairs. Jumping over the last two steps, she landed with a flourish. "Ta-da!" Laughing at the appreciative whistle that Justin gave her, and the quick elbow jab from Janise, she walked over to Kurt.
"Someone looks nice," he murmured after giving her a soft kiss.
She smiled and shrugged. "It is Sydney's graduation." He wrapped his arm around her waist in a possessive gesture and Althea instinctively raised her arms to push him off. Covering it by fluidly crossing her arms.
"I'm so fucking glad that he's moving out!" Mel fist pumped into the air and the group of friends laughed at her enthusiasm.
"Melody!" The shocked voice of Althea's voice abruptly cut the laughter. The short woman crossed her arms over her generous bosom, something her daughter had somewhat inherited. "He's your brother! And watch your language." When calm, her mother's Greek accent normally went into hibernation. Yet when bothered, like she was now, it colored her words fancifully.
"Mamá, you know Mel's joking." Althea's eyes twinkled with laughter as she looked around her friends. They all nodded loyally, while Mel just huffed and rolled her eyes.
"Hmph. Well, go on. Get!" With the dishtowel, she shooed the teenagers out of her home and waved good-bye as the drove to their high school.
"Lass, why are you so dressed up?" Justin's curious gaze met hers in the rearview mirror when they stopped at a stoplight. His Scottish accent made the soft question seem more serious than it was, or maybe that was her guilty conscience.
She had dressed in a black dress that was modest by society's standard as it reached her knees. The fact that she had wrapped a Egyptian-styled belt around her waist, accenting her generous and fit figure, along with shining hoop earrings and stylish bronze pumps made the simple dress a gape-worthy outfit on her. She would never admit that it had the been chance that she would meet up with James later that had caused her to dress so extravagantly.
"It's a special day! Can't a gal dress up?" Scoffing, she raised an eyebrow at the car's inhabitants.
From the co-pilot seat, Janise turned and calmly spoke to Althea. "Of course dear. You know how this brute is sometimes." Smiling at the grunt that said brute expelled, the seventeen year old patted her knee. "You look fabulous."
Althea smiled and glanced at the couple. With his tall, broad, muscular form, and dirty blonde hair, Justin could only resemble his Highlander ancestors even more if he talked like them. And when the few "barbaric" phrases did slip out, regal Janise was there to correct him. She was tall and slim, also a perfect resemblance of her aristocratic English ancestors. Her hair was a natural pale blonde, a fact that only made her seem more like a vengeful angel whenever she got angry. She had come from London only four years ago, only a month before Justin had arrived from rural Scotland. Biannual visits to their native countries kept their accents fresh though.
The two had always had a hate-love friendship with an electric chemistry causing them to fight more usual than normal. It had been only last year that they had finally accepted fate and gotten together. Now, they were the symbol of a happy, playful and very attractive couple.
Althea stifled a sigh. How she wished her love problems were as easy to solve as theirs had been. Of course, love was never easy for Greeks.
Throughout the moderately short car ride, she remained an observer to the animated conversations. She sensed Kurt's worry for her silence and whenever he looked over at her with a question in his eyes, she just smiled and squeezed his hand.
Once they arrived at their high school, they all rushed to the football field and quickly claimed seats in the bleachers. Although the amount of high school seniors in their high school was small enough this year to have the graduation held at the school, the amount of attendees would quickly overfill the bleachers.
Once the ceremony started, Althea tried to absorb the excitement of the event but when she cheered for Sydney, her yells of encouragement sounded forced to even her own ears. The two hours were a blur in her memory, the band being a dull sound with the crowd a muted mumbling in the back of her conscience. She only saw one thing, something that made her heart stop.
Once she had spotted James in his white graduation gown with multiple sashes over it, she only had eyes for him. Her gaze greedily ate up his appearance and began to memorize what his smile looked like, what his distant laughter sounded like.
She had a feeling that after this, especially after they talked, their friendship would come to a standstill.
All of a sudden, Kurt was pulling her up by the elbow, mumbling in her ear. "...before Syd leaves." Absently she nodded, remembering that pictures were to be taken with Sydney to commemorate the momentous occasion.
Luckily, the pictures had only taken ten minutes. Mel and Sydney's parents were impatient to take their eldest away for a personal family celebration and after farewells were made, the rest of the group began to walk around to congratulate others.
"Kurt, I gotta go to the restroom." He turned around, excusing himself from the current pair of graduates they were talking with, an offer to accompany her ready on his lips. "I'll go by myself, it's not like anything will happen." She smiled and rushed away, pushing her way through the crowd.
When she reached the bathroom, to say that she was slightly surprised was putting it mildly. James was already there, reclined on the wall, looking completely at ease. She couldn’t help but wonder how he would act during their conversation.

CHAPTER 6

Althea approached the graduate cautiously, trying to get a hold on her emotions as well as her heart. He didn't notice her at first, so she touched his arm, the contact sending electricity through her body. "Hey." She forced the word from her now dry throat.
James turned to her and she froze. His eyes were dead, dull, and he looked like he hadn't slept for days. "You wanted to talk?" He sounded bored and like he wanted to be anywhere else.
Althea cleared her throat and nodded. "I just... I want an explanation, James." She said, standing up straight and holding her head up.
James cocked an eyebrow. "For what?" His voice dripped sarcasm. Althea wanted to scream and punch him.
"For not talking to me for the past couple weeks. After that kiss, James, you wouldn't even look at me." She tried to keep her voice steady but mentally kicked herself when it cracked some.
James sighed and rolled his eyes. "You're a smart girl, Althea. Figure it out." James made a move to leave, but Althea grabbed him by the elbow.
"No! I can't figure out why you won't talk to me. Did I do something? Or are you just so sadistic as to lead your best friend on like that!?" James gave her a look, confirming that the latter suggestion was the correct answer. Althea dropped her hand, feeling like the touch of his skin was colder than ice. "Then you are the biggest asshole I've ever met," she whispered.
James' eyes widened and turned to face her. "Me!? At least I'm not running around and kissing any person I can find that's available!"
Althea felt like she had been slapped. "E-excuse me? Mister Flirt with Everything that Has Boobs?" Her hand twitched as she talked, and she clenched it to keep from hitting him.
James let out a sarcastic laugh. "Just like you, Althea; make everyone else seem like a worse person."
Althea let out an aggravated sigh. "Why are you turning this on me? We wouldn't have this problem if you weren't a sick, sadistic child. Why would you do that to me?" Althea held back the tears in her eyes, waiting for an answer.
James turned away. "Because you deserve better."
She blinked. "What?"
"Althea!" She turned and saw Kurt advancing. James stood taller as Kurt approached and Althea felt a testosterone war about to rage. "What are you doing with him?" Kurt slid a protective arm around her waist and Althea searched for words.
"I think it's better to ask why she's with you." James growled.
Kurt shot him a warning glance. "You're the one at fault here, James. I suggest you leave before something bad happens."
"Something bad happened when you came along." James replied with a sneer.
Kurt let go of Althea and stood closer to the graduate. "Leave. Now. You don't know how much you've hurt her, let alone care."
Althea saw a look of sadness wash over James' eyes, but it was quickly replaced with indifference. "You know nothing. Keep your head out of everyone's business." With that, James turned and left.
"James," she whispered. She choked on a sob, the tears in her eyes blurring James' retreating figure. She let out a hiccuped cry and covered her face with her hands. She leaned back against the wall, struggling to keep the sobs inside.
She heard Kurt's footsteps come closer and then he was sliding his arms around her, guiding her head to his shoulder. "Shh, shh," he cooed. He rubbed her back soothingly as the tears started to fall ever faster. "Don't cry over him, he doesn't deserve you," he mumbled against her hair.
"He was m-my best friend." She wrapped her arms around Kurt, needing something to hold to. "My everything! How can he j-ju-just do this?" She buried her head in his shoulder, not stopping the pain-filled cries that escaped her.
His arms left her and his hands cupped her face. He tilted her head up and wiped her tears away with his thumbs. "I'll admit that I don't know everything, but I'm willing to listen." She opened her mouth to talk but he shook his head. "Listen to me. I care about you Althea, more than I've ever cared about anyone. I have a feeling that James was more than a friend to you and I'm willing to help you get over him." He gave a playful grin. "And if you fall for me along the way, well I can't help it."

CHAPTER 7
2008 - Seven Years Later

"Ohh, look over here girl!" The dirty blonde dragged her friend over to another section of roses, unheeding of the protests.
"Mel, I can't even tell the difference between this bouquet and the next."
"Oh Althea, this one is so much more colorful!"
"It's a flower shop!" She laughed. "I don't think flowers can be dull." She fingered a group of lilies in the corner, a flower that was being shadowed by the splendor of the roses.
"Y'know the Greeks say that Persephone was picking lilies when Hades abducted her?" The sixteen year old held up the flower to her, tickling her nose with it.
She giggled and placed the flower in her hair. "I never liked that story. Hades was so mean to take her away."
"I dunno, I mean I get him." He stuffed his hands in his jeans as they kept walking around the park. "Who wouldn't want to have their own personal sunshine?" He grinned flirtatiously at her, making her heart skip.
She smiled back. "Oh James."

"Oh James," she whispered. She cleared her throat and poked her friend. "I like these Mel."
She made a face once she saw her choice. "Thought you said flowers couldn't be dull."
"They are not!"
"Are too!"
"Nu-uh!"
"Uh-huh!"
"Girls!" The best friends clenched their mouths shut at the irritated British accent. "We've been here for two hours. Picking flowers isn't so bloody difficult."
"Jeez, someone's cranky." Althea grinned at the loudly mumbled remark as she walked over to the counter.
"I'm pregnant and all these smells are an absolute assault."
"Two months, Janise. Two!"
"I'd like to see you pregnant. Oh, you're going to be horrid to your husband." With a sniff, the tall blonde strode over to the counter and sighed. "We are almost done, aren't we?"
She laughed. "Don't you remember how 'absolutely dreadful' wedding preparations are?" Mocking her friend, she exaggerated a London accent.
"Precisely why I told you to have a small one."
"Your wedding is in June, right ma'am?" Althea nodded and looked in her purse for her wallet. "We'll be able to have the flowers ready with no problem."
"Thank you," she mumbled. Finishing the check, she handed it over to the teenage cashier and stuffed the receipt back in her wallet.
"We done, yes?" Mel walked up to them with a red rose in her teeth, her mischievous eyes twinkling.
"Yes, and now we're going to Wendy's." Briskly walking to the exit, she threw over her shoulder, "Put that rose back."
Tiredly, the trio of friends got into Mel's pick-up. As she revved the old car into life, Janise coughed. "I think I should tell you something I heard around town."
"You talkin' to me?" Mel bit her lip and hooted as the engine began to purr. "'Cuz if so, I can't speak while I drive."
"We know," she deadpanned. She looked in the rear-view mirror and smiled as she met Althea's attentive gaze. "Someone's back in town."
She scrunched her eyebrows. "Who? Sydney?"
"Nah, he'd tell me first. Sister privileges."
"Then who?"
"Just someone who goes by the initials J.A," came the lofty reply.
Mel's foot smashed into the brakes. Quickly, she parked the car on the side of the road. "James Anderson?" she yelled.
"J-james came back?" Althea's voice had been reduced to a squeak and her color had gone pale.
Janise nodded. "Justin heard from one of their friends. He will be back for a while; long enough to attend the wedding even." Janise ran a hand through her hair while Althea let the news process.
"Why is he even coming back?" she asked. James hit the road the minute Stanford sent their acceptance letter and he never looked back. She didn't even know what he was doing for a living now.
Janise shrugged. "Vacation I guess, and to visit his dad."
Mel blinked. "I forgot the old man still lived around here. He lives such a quiet life. How boring." Mel said and leaned back in her seat, looking at Althea. "So, what are you going to do?"
Althea scowled. "Why should I do anything?" she countered.
Mel and Janise sighed and rolled their eyes. "Althea, this is your chance to make everything right again. Who knows, maybe he's coming back to see you." Janise smiled and took Althea's hands in her own.
"I doubt it," Althea muttered, looking out the window.
Mel revved the engine and pulled onto the street. Janise continued. "Athena," she lifted her chin in response to Althea's surprised and irritated look, "you have to let go of this silly high school grudge. You two were the best of friends and were almost more. Can't you give him a chance?"
Althea clenched her jaw and looked away again. "I'm getting married. There is no second chance to give."
Janise patted her hands. "But you still love him."
Althea bit her lip. No matter how hard she tried, she could hide nothing from Janise and Mel. Even after seven years of separation, heartache, and getting together with Kurt, nothing eased the loss of James, and her friends were fully aware.

CHAPTER 8

"I am so tired," Janise drawled as she threw herself on the couch. She kicked off her small heels and slipped of her bracelets and earrings. Sighing, she leaned her head back and laid down on the couch, lengthwise.
Mel dropped several shopping bags on the dining table and chuckled at the sight of the poised Englander looking disheveled. "I think that's your cue." She laughed further at Justin's dramatic sigh.
"Ready with the Tylenol," he mumbled as he made his way to his wife. He sat down next to her, placing her legs on top of her thighs. "Gluais faicilleach le cupan làn,

" he said as he handed her a cup and pain-reliever.
Janise smiled as she swallowed. "Have I ever told you how much I love it when you talk Gaelic?"
He grinned and bent to give her a sweet kiss. "Once or twice." Sitting up again, he began to massage her feet, chuckling when Mel made a horrified face.
Making her way back to the kitchen, Mel sighed dramatically as she leaned on the counter. "I love it when you talk Gaelic," she swooned, trying to imitate Janise.
Althea rolled her eyes and peeked at Mel from inside the refrigerator. "What's your problem? They're so cute together."
She scoffed. "It sickens me sometimes." Scowling, she clenched her hands around the air in front of her. "They're just too cute!"
She laughed and leaned her hand against the refrigerator door. "Just pass me the vegetables." Smirking, she added, "You wench," in a heavy Scottish accent.
The burst out laughing and while they put groceries away, they imitated their friends. They came out of the kitchen clutching their stomachs, still laughing at Mel's impression of Justin's "bedroom voice".
Their giggles stopped abruptly at the sight that greeted them. Justin was leaning over Janise, his arms securely around her body. Her hands were clutching his head and they were kissing. Passionately.
"Well." The couple jumped apart at Mel's voice, a heavy blush coating Janise's face. Justin just wore a satisfied smirk and returned to massaging her feet. "I don't know about you Greekie, but I know when I'm not wanted."
"Oh, do shut up!" Janise rubbed her eyes and pulled her hair out of it's orderly ponytail. "I - he - we haven't -" She groaned.
The younger friends stared at each other and then back at the married couple. "Seriously?" came Mel's incredulous voice.
"My boss has been making me stay late for the past month," was Justin's sheepish response.
"Wretched harpie wants to get her claws on you." Janise scowled and glared at her husband, sexual tension turning into anger. "Can't you get switched to another department?"
"I'm a physical therapist. Not a worker at JCPenny."
She huffed. "Don't gotta make fun of my job."
Althea smiled as she sat down on the rocking chair the couple had gotten in honor of expected nights with a crying baby. "Please don't use slang Janise. It doesn't sound right coming out of you."
"What? You think I'm trippin' dawg?"
The four friends burst out laughing. Janise covered her face and gasped, "I sound dreadful!"
"We wouldn't lie to you, okay?" Mel giggled and slid onto the loveseat. "You guys need to get it on though so we don't walk into any more cozy moments."
"Just - " She wiped a hand through the air. "Leave it."
Justin chuckled at her humiliated tone. Quickly, he gave her a peck and a sly smile. "I would love to kick them out but we all have to talk about something."
"Alright, I am NOT discussing your bedroom life. I love you two, but I draw the line there."
"Mel, let him talk," Althea scolded.
Justin cleared his throat and looked directly at Althea. "Janise probably already told you, but James is back. I know you'll probably want to avoid him but -"
"Where'd you get that idea?" Sarcasm dripped off her words as she indolently raised a golden eyebrow.
"But," he continued, "you can't. Look lass, you guys are going to have to settle this high school issue soon."
"We tried back in high school. I tried," she stressed. "My life's perfect right now okay? I have a fiancé that loves me, friends that I trust, a good job." She laughed, hating how harsh it sounded. "I don't need him anymore."
"Perfect doesn't mean happy." Althea glared at Mel. She glared back. "I'm right so don't get Medusa on me."
"And you don't love Kurt." Janise stood up and knelt next to Althea. She grabbed her hands and squeezed them in a motherly gesture. "Darling, he knows you don't. He knows, we all know that you still love James."
"But he doesn't love me back," she whispered. She gave their clasped hands another squeeze and looked up at her. "He didn't then. What could have possibly have happened to make him miraculously change his mind?"
"Maybe he's had time to look over things and -"
"In California? I doubt that he wasted hours, let alone minutes thinking about us."
Justin sighed and raked his hand through his medium length hair. "I just think you should talk." He stopped her rebuttal with a glare. "Again."
"I agree with Scottie Boy." Mel shrugged. "Just 'cuz their love makes me gag doesn't mean that your will. You might look a damn sight better if you at least marry someone you love."
Althea sighed. "And what happens when I confront him and I get rejected again? I would have broken not just Kurt's heart, but my own again. That's not something I'm willing to handle."
Janise gave a soft smile. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained, sweet heart. It's part of life, and sometimes you have to take a little risk."
Mel laughed slightly. "Leave it to Janise to give us the life lesson speech," Mel said as she leaned back against the love seat.
Janise shot her a look but quickly focused on Althea again. "You understand what we're saying, don't you dear?" Janise squeezed her hands and Althea nodded.
"I understand. I'm just scared." She laughed a bit.
"Well, can we discuss it more while we eat?" Justin intervened.
Janise rolled her eyes and stood, pulling Althea with her. "Always eating, this one. Come on girls." Althea and Mel giggled while following Janise to the kitchen with Justin close behind to watch.
"Is that bad?" he asked.
Janise shook her head. "Besides, I've been meaning to teach Althea to cook better. Kurt, the poor dear, probably hasn't had a decent meal in years."
Althea swatted at Janise with a towel and laughed. "He's been eating just fine, thank you," Althea said.
Mel laughed and patted the Greek's head. "The fastest way to a man's heart is through his stomach is what my mom always said. Maybe that's why Kurt popped the question so early." Mel winked and Althea sighed.
Janise was already cutting vegetables. "Anyways, Althea," Janise said, "I think we should inform you that James will be staying here in the guest room."
Althea stiffened. "Why? He can afford a hotel room can't he?"
"Not for $18,000 a night, he can't. James has gotten quite expensive in the past few years, staying in the best hotels, but he's not stupid enough to do that over consecutive months, but he's also not willing to stay in a modest hotel. I invited him to stay here and he jumped at the chance," Justin said, sitting by the counter.
Althea glared at him. "I'm sure he could have stayed with his father." Mel chuckled.
"Althea, you know James doesn't want to worry his father like that. His old man would fuss over James so much he would give himself a heart attack." Mel dumped all of the cut vegetables into a pot and grabbed a package of meat from the fridge.
"I guess," Althea mumbled. She took the meat from Mel, opened it, and began pounding it fiercely with her fist.
"Hey, what did it do to you?" Mel grabbed her wrist and sighed. "We need the meat tender, not pulverized. This is good enough." She shook her head and put the meat in the same pot as the vegetables
Althea washed her hands and stood by Justin. "Have you ever talked to him about me?" she whispered.
Justin shook his head. "Whenever I bring you up, he always has to go. This will be good for you two, lass." He patted her arm and smiled. Althea gave her best smile back.
"Bloody hell, give it to me, Mel, you ungrateful pillock!" The two looked over to see Janise snatch away a knife from a giggling Mel.
"Oh, calm down, Janise." Mel said. Althea laughed with Mel as Justin went to his wife.
"Teña calma querida, é só provocación.

"
Janise sighed and shook herself. "Everyone but Althea leave the kitchen, if you will. I don't need such foolishness in here." Mel pouted but left and Justin kissed his wife before retreating to the living room with Mel.
Althea stood by Janise, stirring the pot filled with meat and vegetables while Janise began boiling another pot of water. "Althea, why are you marrying him?"
The Greek girl jumped. "Me syncho̱reíte?

"
Janise smiled softly. "Why are you marrying Kurt? You don't love him. Isn't marriage built on love?"
Althea turned back to the pot. "It's also built on trust, friendship, loyalty –"
"But love is the foundation. Without love, Althea, marriage is nothing but a piece of paper and a ring on your finger." Janise sighed.
Althea bit her lip. "I've been dating him for a while, Janise. If I just tell him I never loved him, how would that look? I'd be worse than that harpy at Justin's job."
"Oh, please do not bring that trollop into the conversation. But tell me, Althea; are ready to marry him?" Althea hesitated. Was she ready to give herself away to someone she didn't even love? A part of her said yes if it meant being loved and being rid of James. But the other part said no; this part wanted James no matter what it took. She sighed.
"I don't know anymore, Janise. Maybe I'll find out before the big day comes and maybe I'll just marry him and fall in love during our time together." She smiled weakly.
Janise shook her head. "Althea, no matter what, follow your heart, but remember that your head makes some good suggestions too." Janise smiled as she dumped a box of spaghetti noodles into the boiling pot of water.
"Janise, when did you realize you loved Justin?" Althea asked.
A soft, dreamy look overtook Janise's face as she answered. "It was a winter night our senior year of high school and Justin and I were out by the pond. We were ice skating and Justin was making a complete fool of himself," Janise laughed a bit. "In that night, I saw the side of him that Justin never showed to anyone; this free side of him that only I got to witness, and I realized that he was the one I wanted to spend my life with, knowing there were no boundaries between us." Janise chuckled slightly and Althea nodded.
No boundaries… Just like how James and I used to be. Oh gosh, why am I thinking of him?

A knock on the door caught their attention. "I'll get it!" Justin called. "Hey, Kurt!"

CHAPTER 9

"You wanna bail?" Mel came into the kitchen and whispered the suggestion.
"Why would I-?"
"She probably gave you a talk about how love is the shit and blah, blah, blah. Right?" Without waiting for an answer, she continued ranting. "You're probably unsure of your feelings," she glared at Janise, "all over again."
Althea laughed. Not because she was wrong but because she was right. How did she know? Not even a minute had passed from their conversation.
"Althea's a big girl. She also was Drama Club president for two years."
"Yeah, well some people don't like to act."
"Not my fault," Janise sang-song. "Just giving my opinion to my dearest friends."
"Well sometimes your opinion isn't all that needed," Mel sneered.
With a sharp flick if the wrist, Janise turned off the stove. She turned around and faced Mel with her arms crossed. "You want to discuss it now, fine. But next time you want advice, don't come to me you horrid, ungrateful -"
Althea blinked. "Whoa there. I sense bad blood and that is NOT good."
She looked at the sight that Janise and Mel made. With her messy bun, light dress and worn apron, Janise looked like the perfect tired mother. Mel with her graphic tee of a metal band, blue-streaked hair, military boots and defiant expression was working the part of a rebellious teenager. It was the perfect stereotypical mother-daughter fight scene.
"Now," she said cautiously, "if everything is fine and dandy-"
"We all know how it is for her. Everything is good with a side of scones, eh?"
Althea frowned. It wasn't like Mel to be so harshly teasing. Especially to Janise. Although her British accent had been something people has awed over, there had always been people that had bullied her to the point of tears. Like now.
"I only have your best interests at heart," she whispered.
"Thanks but no thanks." With a sigh, she looked over at Althea. "I can't stay anymore. You coming or is Justin giving you a ride?"
"I'll go with Justin." She bit her lip. "But why can't -" her sentence was cutoff by Mel's harsh glance. With a terse good bye, she was out of the kitchen and out of the house even quicker.
As the pick-ups engine roared to life, Althea heard Janise's quiet sniffles. At her concerned glanced, she just shook her head. "Hormones," she said weakly.
Before she could comment further on the topic, Kurt and Justin walked in. "What's up with Mel? She seemed kind of mad."
"We had a small discussion," Janise mumbled. She turned away and set back to cooking dinner.
Justin frowned and titled her head up. "You're crying. Why?" His voice was soft but his wife knew that it wasn't a question to be taken lightly. She didn't respond though and flicked her head out of his grasp. He looked over at Althea, not bothering to ask again.
"They started fighting and Mel said some things." She shrugged. "Y'know, Mel being Mel," she finished lamely.
Her response only made his frown deepen. Before he could question her further, Kurt jumped in. "Well," he said with a clap, "what's cooking?"
"Tagliatelle with sausage and pesto," Janise absently replied.
"Can't wait," Kurt said enthusiastically. Contrary to the reputation that British cooking had received, Janise was a fantastic cook.
"Should be better than Althea's cooking huh?" Justin's jab came with a hearty chuckle. Contrary to her Greek heritage, Althea could barely cook soup.
"Hey! My cooking's just fine!" At the males laughter, she stuck her tongue out at them.
"Whatever you say babe." Kurt pecked her cheek and Althea forced a smile to her face.
Janise caught the forced motion and sighed as she shook her head. "Do you mind if you leave us alone for a while?" Justin asked as he looked over Janise.
"Sure," they piped. Kurt threw over his shoulder, "Be in the living room."
They got no response as Justin was already starting to softly interrogate Janise. The engaged couple sat down on the couch and let out a simultaneous sigh.
"They're lucky to have each other," Kurt mumbled. "How long have they been married?"
"Five or six years, I think," she mumbled.
He nodded. "Proof that love isn't washed out by married life." He smiled and kissed her knuckles. "I hope it's like that for us."
She gulped uneasily and nodded. Someone up in the heavens was having a hellova a time playing with her life. She wasn't supposed to be second-guessing her feelings now, she had done that when Kurt had proposed.
"You okay, babe?" Kurt's eyebrows knotted into a frown and he ran his arm down her arm in a gesture meant to be soothing.
Althea wanted to scream at him to not touch her. She wanted to fling on the engagement ring that seemed to be cutting of blood flow to her finger. She wanted to leave the house and throw herself into her bed and cry like she had done so long ago.
She wanted to turn the clock back seven years and stay by James' side during the party. Maybe then they would have been able to stay friends. Even if her feelings for him would have remained always unspoken, she wouldn't have to live with the haunting reminder of what his kiss was like. She wouldn't judge every romantic move that Kurt had made against what James' would have done.
"Excuse me, I have to use the restroom," she said stiffly.
She rushed to the bathroom and upon reaching it, she promptly threw up.
She couldn't turn back time. And now she had to live with her decisions. Even if she ended up never loving Kurt, she would always respect him. He would be a good father and a trustworthy husband, much more than she had expected after James had left.
Feeling another wave of nausea overcome her, she retched out her lunch. Coughing at the force, she stood up shakily, using the sink as support. Shuddering, she washed her face and rinsed her mouth. Looking in the mirror, she winced at her reflection.
If she had looked like this out there, no wonder Kurt had asked if she was okay. Her normally healthy light tanned skin was an ashy white with her blonde hair sticking to her sweating face in clumps. Her blue-green eyes looked glazed over and her pupils had dilated to the point that her eyes resembled those of old fashioned porcelain dolls.
"Darling?" Janise's gentle knock sounded a moment before the bathroom door opened and she walked inside. "Oh dear," she breathed.
"Quite a sight huh?" She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.
Janise grabbed a towel off the rack and wet it while motioning Althea to sit on the counter. "Althea, have you and Kurt been… you know… safe?" Janise asked tentatively. Althea stiffened and blinked.
"Um… most of the time." Althea replied softly.
Janise sighed. "I hope this is just nerves, dear. This is a bad time to bring a baby into the picture." She wiped Althea's face with the wet towel and pulled the younger girl's hair back into a pony tail.
"There. Now, chin up, sweetie. You have to get through this." Janise smiled and Althea offered another weary one.
"Thanks." She whispered.
The two women left the bathroom and went to the table where Kurt and Justin were eating and talking. Althea took a seat next to Kurt and Janise sat by her husband. Kurt put a hand on Althea's knee, and she resisted the urge to flinch under his touch.
It felt like fire and she could do nothing but bear it. Althea hid her anxiety with a smile and began eating the spaghetti Janise put on her plate.
"So, Kurt was telling me how you two plan on moving into a real home soon." Justin started.
Althea nodded. "It'd be good to get out of the apartment, as nice as it is." Her voice was small and she pushed the food around on her plate.
"Where is the house at?" Janise looked to Kurt. Althea gave her an appreciative glance, happy to not have to talk.
Kurt explained. "A little bit away from Althea's mom's house. It's beautiful too. We will bring you two to see it once we've moved it."
Bile rose in Althea's throat at the thought of living in the same house as Kurt as a married couple. "Althea? Are you alright?" She turned to see a worried Kurt staring at her.
Althea shook her head and gave a smile. "I'm fine. I'm just a bit nervous, I guess." It wasn't a complete lie; she was nervous, but only about James.
Kurt smiled. "Don't be nervous, babe. I'm sure the wedding will be perfect."
He kissed the temple of her forehead and Althea made the mistake of gasping. Kurt gave another worried look and she came up with a lie quickly. "Sorry, I'm just a bit jumpy. Nerves." She forced a slight laugh and took a bite of her food.
They all ate and Althea helped Janise clear the table. A knock on the door caught their attention and Janise dried off her hands from washing the dishes. "I bet that's Mel. The girl can smell food from a mile away." She joked.
Althea giggled as Janise went and answered the door. "Hello Me- James?" Althea froze.
"Hey, Janise. It's been a while hasn't it?" A man stepped into the house and Althea took in the sight before her. James was taller and had gotten more built. He sported a white V-neck, blue jeans, and black Vans.
"Indeed, it has. You've grown so much." Janise stood on the tips of her toes to hug him as Justin and Kurt came to the door. The two shook James' hand as they exchanged greetings.
"Hey, Althea, don't be shy." Althea felt like gauging Justin's eyes out.
She slowly walked towards the door as James turned his eyes to her. She covered her fear with a determined face and a cheery smile. "Hello, James." She held out a hand. James seemed unsure of what to do before taking her hand and promptly shaking it.
"Hello, Althea." James said quietly. Althea let out a shaky breath and gave another smile, dropping James' hand.
"How about we move this into the living room?" Kurt suggested. He stepped closer to Althea and put a hand on her waist. Althea looked to James, hoping for a reaction, but he showed nothing. The group moved to the living room and sat down with Justin and Janise on the couch, Kurt and Althea on the love seat, and James in the rocker.
"So James how was California?" Justin asked.
James shrugged. "It was really nice. Hot," he laughed. "But it's cool. I have a condo in Los Angeles and my job is amazing."
Justin nodded. "Well, don't forget about us here, lad."
The group laughed, though Althea hated how forced her own sounded. James looked at her a moment, then away. Did he catch it? Justin soon stood and stretched. Janise tilted her head and asked where he was going.
"Mel asked me and Kurt to come and fix her car today. If we keep the lass waiting, none of us will hear the end of it."
"That sounds like Mel." James laughed.
Justin chuckled and shook his head. "Well, come on Kurt, we better get a move. We'll see you later." The two left, leaving Janise and Althea with James.
"James, my apologies, you must be hungry. I will get you something." Janise smiled and left the room, but not before giving Althea a look.
Althea leaned back into the love seat and twiddled her fingers, trying to look busy and uninterested in the love of her life sitting across the room. "I hear you're marrying Kurt," James broke the silence.
Althea nodded. "In June."
James nodded and sighed. "You didn't tell me."
Althea scoffed. "Why should I? We haven't talked since you left." James shifted in his seat. Althea held back a smirk. He's nervous.
"You never tried to contact me, so I thought you didn't want to talk." James said softly.
Althea bit her lip. "I thought that about you, but then, you barely talked to anyone around here." She countered.
James sighed. "Well, we're talking now," he tried, "But I guess that doesn't really matter to you."
Althea raised her head, staring at the indifferent male. "What?" Her voice was harsh but James barely moved.

CHAPTER 10

"Playing the cold, hard bitch is hardly an invitation for a heart to heart talk." His tone neutral, he stared at her with dull eyes.
Althea simply smirked. "A little hypocritical, aren't we?" She sat up straighter, crossing her legs and staring at her rival dead on.
"Hardly," he drawled. He sat back and relaxed in the rocking chair. "At least you didn't turn into the tease you were starting to become."
Althea's eye twitched. "Excuse me? If I recall, I do believe the only male I kissed was Kurt. Unlike you. You became the definition of a manwhore." Althea played with a strand of her hair and clenched her jaw.
"What I did was none of your business," James ground out through clenched teeth.
"And what I did was never something you needed to know to begin with." Althea growled back.
"Yes, it was," he hissed. "You have never understood how much I-" He snapped shut his mouth. "I was supposed to care of you."
Althea flinched. "You're such a hypocrite." She said under her breath and sighed. "I don't need a babysitter; I'm a big girl."
"I can tell," he murmured. His eyes gazed appreciatively at her figure. He notes the changes that her body had gone through - how her barely there hips had flared out into an inciting flare, how her breasts were now fuller, how her eyes shined with a shy sexual confidence. She was all woman now.
Althea squinted her eyes before snapping her fingers at him. "Hello? My eyes are up here. Don't look at me that way now." She rolled her eyes but knew inside that she secretly loved the way James looked at her now, though she'd never admit to it, nor to the fact that he had turned into a very handsome man.
"Still prickly, aren't we Athena?" His eyes twinkled, an air of fondness surrounding his words.
Althea blinked at the old nickname, letting a smile pull at her lips. "It's been a while since anyone but Mel and Janise called me that..." She pulled her hair of the pony tail and ran a hand through it.
"Good." He smirked at her frown. "I was the one that started it after all." He scratched his head, a nervous habit that he used to always exhibit when they had come back from the candy store and eaten the delicious treats. "How long have you and Kurt been a thing?"
"You never let anyone forget." She chuckled at the habit he showed, remembering where it came from. She clenched her jaw, though, at his question. "Since we..." she breathed, "Since I was a sophomore in high school."
A scowl overtook his face at her whispered response. "I see." He got up and walked over to the collage that Janise and Justin had hanged up of when they had graduated. Not surprisingly, it was close to the loveseat. "Are you," he paused. "Happy?"
She looked down after he responded, but couldn't help but feel his close presence. "Of course I'm happy; I'm marrying him aren't I?" Even to her, the response sounded forced and she was afraid James noticed.
"I know a lot of people who get married and they aren't ever happy." He stuffed his clenched hands into his painter jeans, memories of his own parents flashing through his mind.
Althea looked him. "Happiness has to be worked for, and I believe I've worked pretty damn hard for it."
"I know," he whispered. James turned around and slowly sat down next to her on the loveseat, as if waiting for her to yell at him to get away from her. When she didn't, his posture relaxed minimally and he leaned back against the armrest. "I just don't want you doing something you might end up regretting."
"I've done that before. I'm fine now though." She watched him for a minute, wanting to touch him, but afraid he might move away. For now, she simply appreciated his presence. "You don't have to be so rigid around me," she mumbled.
He shrugged. "If you tell me where we stand, I'll see if I'll change."
"How can I tell you that if I don't know that myself? I just... I just don't want to make it awkward for everyone else." She looked away and folded her hands in her lap.
He moved closer, close enough that their knees touched. His hand came up and loosely grabbed her chin, titling her head up to his sight. "It's our choice, how would it affect everyone else?" His words were whispered and his eyelids drifted closed to a lazy half-mast.
Althea searched for words and held James' gaze. "They would be worried... about us. I don't want to do that." She grabbed his hand from her chin and held it instead, staring their hands now. The feeling the mere touch gave her was greater than anything Kurt had given her.
His thumb stroked hers, the gesture sweet. "You don't have to be so shy around me," he whispered.
"I don't know how to act around you anymore." She flinched when he touched her but didn't move away, just held on tighter.
He lifted their joined hands to his lips, softly brushing a kiss across her knuckles. "Just trust me. Like before."
Althea's breath hitched when James kissed her hands and bit her lip. "The last time I did that, you left me out in the rain. I can't go through that again, James." She tugged at her hands, but couldn't break free.
He gripped her hands, his hold an unconscious reminder of his dominance. "What if I could promise you that it would be different?" His eyes pleading, he said hoarsely, "Give me a chance to prove myself?"
Althea gasped some at his tighter grip but she didn't try to tug away. "I-I'm getting married... How can I give that to you now?" She bit her lip to keep from crying.
He had hated to see her cry, hated it even more when she tried to keep it inside. That hadn't changed. Anguished, his hands cupped her face tenderly. "Sweetheart, don't cry. Please don't cry." He stared into her watery eyes and felt his heart slowly break at the pain in them. "At least lets go back to being friends. Please."
Althea covered his hands on her face with her own and held onto them. "Have you missed me, then, since you left?" She wiped her eyes, catching a few tears before they fell. "Are you sure you want to be friends?"
"Sweetheart, I want to be so much more," he breathed. Gathering his courage, he bent his head and captured her lips in a soft kiss. His lips played over hers, not sure if to settle completely but not wanting to lose to precious contact.
Althea held in a gasp when she felt his soft kiss. She didn't move at first but her hands soon entangled in his hair and brought him closer, closing the space between them completely. She kissed him back with a passion she hadn't felt in years.
He smirked at her enthusiasm. Happily, he opened his mouth and teased her lips with his tongue. When she gasped, he dove in, not daring to lose the chance to taste her. His hand took a firm hold on her nape, titling her head for better access. The other moved upwards to play with her ear. After she showed no signs of backing away, he slowed down and and started to flirt with her shocked tongue. He groaned when she tentatively moved it to touch his, her timidness an uncontrollable aphrodisiac.
Althea sighed at the feeling of their kiss. She shivered, feeling his tongue against her own and gently pushed back. She was still scared, but didn't want to make James feel like she didn't want this. She leaned against and flicked her tongue against his, barely touching but getting a thrill from it each time.
"Don't be afraid," he mumbled against her lips. "Just let yourself," a soft nibble on her bottom lip, "go." His tongue soothed over the abraded area. He shifted, moving to a more comfortable position. Their first kiss years ago had affected him, but it was nothing like this. He struggled to controlled the urge to lay her down and take her right there and then.
Instead he kept himself at bay with the feel if her soft lips moving beneath his. With the light brush of air that escaped her whenever their tongues touched. He let his fingers shift through her golden locks, settling his hand at her waist. He pulled her closer, needing to feel her against him.
Althea whimpered when he bit her but groaned appreciatively when he licked her lip. What he said, though, made her blush but also fueled the small fire burning inside of her. She let out a soft sound when he brought her closer and now wrapped her arms around his neck and gently bit his lip in an attempt to mimic him and licked the nicked spot. She wanted nothing more than to have him at that very moment, but knew they could not do anything. She slid a hand down to his chest and loved how it felt.
He growled, a deep rumbling sound. He pressed their lips together harshly, thrusting his tongue in and out of her mouth with a shocking ferocity. Realizing that her whimpers were turning into ones of discomfort, not pleasure, he gathered her in his arms. Deftly, James picked her up and settled Althea on his lap. His hands came to rest on her waist, his kiss softening as she leaned into him.
Althea relaxed when the kiss's fire died down and she leaned onto him. She entangled her fingers back into his luscious hair and sighed. His touch sent fire through her skin and nerves and she wanted more than she could get at the time. Althea pressed into the kiss softly, nipping his lip again and then soothing it.
Something in the back of James' head was furious with himself. She's engaged! Why couldn't you let her be?

He smoothed his hands up her back and played with the back of her bra strap. Because she's mine.

He separated their lips for some much needed air. He didn't stay without his mouth on some part of her for long though. His mouth began to trail across her jaw before going down her neck. He pushed away the strands of hair that got in the way, massaging the base of her neck like he had so many years ago.
Althea breathed deeply when the kiss was broken but moaned softly when she felt his lips on her skin. Wrong... this is so wrong... but I love him...

She shivered, feeling him play her bra tilted her head back, giving him more access to her neck and sighing. She soon leaned back over, leaning her head on his shoulder and softly licked his neck, loving his taste.
"Althea," he groaned. She was so sweet, so innocent in her actions. It was tearing him apart as it aroused him. What if he had let her be? Would he have been able to live not knowing what she tasted like? Would he have been able to face a new day not knowing what if would have felt like to have her softly breathe his name? "No, no," he mumbled to himself. He lowered his mouth to the area exposed by her collared shirt, nudging the collar farther apart with his nose.
Althea sighed and buried her face in his hair, not hearing Janise's soft footsteps approaching. "Comfortable, are we?" Althea jumped out of James' lap, standing beside him now, and blushing a very deep shade of red.
Janise simply wore a soft smile and put the plate down and crossed her arms. "I knew you two couldn't keep your hands off each other; it was only a matter of time."

CHAPTER 11

Althea wanted the ground to open up and swallow her whole. She wanted to punch James for taking advantage of her - although she had willingly participated - and she wanted to shake Janise until her always neat hair began to stick up.
She had let James kiss her! Even though she knew that she was in a serious relationship, she engaged for goodness sake! Instead of doing the correct thing and storming in and telling James to leave her be, she let it keep going until they were practically dry-humping like a pair of teenagers.
Off all the things that she could have said at the moment, only one thing came out of her mouth. "Just what do you mean by that?" The urge to smack herself grew at hearing how she sputtered. She didn't want to sound shaken, even if she looked like it.
Janise walked across the living room and gracefully sat down on the rocking chair. She crossed her legs and cocked her head to the side. A move meant to make her appear like the airhead blonde that most people suspected her to be. "Just what do you mean?" A smirk teased the corners of her lips as she saw Althea's frustration become more pronounced.
"You said that you knew," she stressed the word, "that this would happen." she huffed and crossed her arms. "What did you mean?"
"Why, I have no clue, my dear. James, do eat."
He flashed a boyish grin her way before picking up the plate. "Thanks. What is it?" He stared at the spaghetti's and vegetables dubiously, hesitating to eat it.
"British food." At his blanching face, she chuckled softly. "Don't worry, I don't live up to my nationality in the kitchen."
Althea stared incredulously as he shrugged and went on to eat the food. Was he not at all bothered by Janise's earlier comment? As he started to shove larger portions of food into his mouth, she scowled. Apparently not.
"Janise, please answer my question," she begged.
"Well," she drawled as she smoothed out her long skirt, "you two always had an air of something besides friendship."
"I think that's called chemistry," came James' mumbled response. Althea looked over at him and raised an eyebrow. "What?" He seemed completely oblivious to the fact that he had spaghetti's sticking out of his mouth. Yet he didn't look disgusting as the notion would make any other grown man look. He on the other hand looked endearing, like a troublesome little boy. Althea clenched her hands against the sudden urge to kiss his cheek for being so damn cute.
"Yes, that was it." Janise was wearing a small smile on her face. Something inside of Althea told her it was most likely because she was so obviously uncomfortable while he was totally at ease. "But, then you guys had a," she paused, searching for the right word. She snapped her fingers. "Disagreement. Which then caused one of you to fly out and the other to do unwanted things."
"But what does that have to do with -"
"Shush and let me finish. Althea, just sit down, you don't have to stay standing."
James patted the space next to him and raised an eyebrow. Shooting daggers at him, she plopped down on the couch, on the side farthest from James and closest to Janise.
"Now, as I was saying. It's true that neither of you have kept in contact after that silly disagreement-"
"It was not silly," she murmured stubbornly. Catching the the smile that showed up in James' eyes, she huffed.
"But I think that this is a fantastic opportunity for you two to settle your differences and do the right thing."
"Settle what? There is nothing to settle and even if there was, it wouldn't matter." she sighed and shook her head. "I'm getting married in two months."
"Truly, that is only a plan." She leaned an arm on the chair and rested her cheek upon her open palm. "Plans do change, dear."
She gaped at her friend. Was this the same woman that she had known since she was thirteen? The same person that was always talking about staying to something? The same one that had threatened to castrate her loved husband if she ever caught him with another woman?
"You have got to be kidding me." She only continued to calmly stare at her, waiting for her say something else. "I can't just-just throw away a wedding like that!"
"Actually, I don't suspect that it's all that difficult to do. After all-"
"Janise!" she shrieked, effectively cutting her off. "H-h-how can you be acting to fucking calm about this?"
The twenty-five year old merely raised an eyebrow at her use of an expletive. "Simple. I've been waiting too bloody long to see you be happy. The fact that it's with James only gives me a reason to be happy, not mad."
Before she could scream out a demand for a clearer explanation, the loud ring of a phone sounded. Swiftly, Janise stood and made her way to the house phone. "Excuse me. I'll only be gone a minute," she said with a smirk.
"Does she think that we're going to jump each others bones?"
"Well, I'm not against the idea." He smirked at her aghast expression, pleased to finally have something other than a glare sent his direction.
"Just why are you so quiet about this whole thing?"
He relaxed back in the loveseat, extending his arms across the headrest. "Am I supposed to say something?"
She opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by Janise. "I'm sorry. It was Justin. He says that he and Kurt won't be able to make it back until around eleven."
She looked over at the digital display of the cable box. It was already seven in the evening. She had to be up early tomorrow if she wanted to have enough time in the day to clean up the apartment.
She wouldn't leave until Janise stopped trying to act the part of the mysterious oracle. Hell, she was the Greek one.
Janise looked at the cable box also and sighed. "Now, back to our discussion." Althea cut her off. "I'm not getting with him. I refuse. I'm. Marrying. Kurt." She put enunciation on each word, mainly for James, who she saw roll his eyes. She wanted to stab him with his own fork.
Janise sighed. "Listen to me, Althea. No matter what you say, you know what makes you happy. Why won't you just let fate give you what it already planned to give?"
"Because I don't want it!" She finally ran out of patience and screamed at Janise. The woman stared at her with wide eyes while Althea stood and promptly ran out the door. I'm behaving like a teenager again. I can't believe I just yelled at her.

She ran down the street and turned, not sure where she was going. Once she stopped and looked in front of her, though, she screamed in frustration.
"You know, this is pretty high. Can you handle it?" He asked with a smirk.
Althea returned the smirk. "Of course. Besides, this is like our own little world; our own Heaven on Earth." She leaned against the tree trunk while sitting on the branch with him.
He nodded. "Then this place is ours. One of our many little secrets."

Althea kicked and punched the damned tree."Anáthemá sas! Anáthemá sas!

" She didn't hear the footsteps behind her.
"You know, that old tree has taken a beating from far worse things that your fists." Althea turned and glared at James.
"What the hell are you doing here?" She clenched her jaw.
James shrugged. "I could ask you the same." He said with a bored voice.
Althea picked up a stick and threw it at him. "Go away! I hate you!" She continued throwing sticks and pebbles, which James either hit away or caught and dropped.
James slowly made his way towards her and caught her wrists in his hands. She struggled against him. "Let go! Anáthemá sas!

" Eventually, she stopped struggling and just stood there, staring at the ground. "Why do you hate me?" she whispered. James flinched.
He tightened his grip on her wrists slightly. "I don't hate you. It's quite the opposite. We discussed this." He replied.
Althea scoffed. "You're such a sadist."
James' breath hitched and he hauled her close, making him look at her. "Do you not understand anything!" James screamed. Althea gasped and instinctively tried to move back. "Althea, what I did in high school was stupid, I know, and I'm sorry. But," he sighed, "I was a kid and, Althea, you deserved so much more."
Althea blinked. "You keep saying that. What do you mean?"
James sighed, dropping her wrists. "I'm not good for you. I wasn't then and I'm probably not now. You know I'm messed up and it only got worse once my mom died. I didn't think I could care for you," he stuffed his hands in his pockets, "I guess that's why I was mad when I saw you with Kurt. He could give you what I couldn't."
Althea stared at James for a while. "You knew I was always there for you. I loved you, James, and I didn't care how 'messed up' you were because you were still my James!" She closed her mouth, realizing she said 'my James' instead of just his name.
James smiled a bit. "I suppose. But, that doesn't change the present, does it?" James walked past her and stood in front of the tree.
"He proposed to me here,"s he said under her breath. James turned his head toward her.
"What?" He asked, but Althea knew he heard.
"I brought Kurt here a few months after we started dating. This is where he proposed to me." She turned slightly and saw a vein in James' neck pulsing.
"Romantic." James spat and turned back to the tree. "Who's sponsoring the wedding?" He asked.
Althea sighed. "Our parents." James nodded and went to stand by her. He took her hand and smiled. "What?" She asked.
"You still wear that ring I gave you our freshman year." Althea's face burned. She'd been meaning to throw the ring out, but she couldn't let it go.
"O-of course. Why would I get rid of a perfectly good ring?" She snatched her hand back, holding it to her chest.
He chuckled. "I remember you used to wear it here." He tapped her ring finger, right on her engagement ring.
Althea sighed. "You're doing it again." James blinked.
"Doing what?" He asked innocently.
Althea punched his chest. "Teasing me about Kurt. He's a nice guy, James. If you got to know him, you would know that."
James scoffed. "I'll get to know him over the time I'm here." Althea sighed. James looked to Althea. "How about we go somewhere?" He asked.
Althea blinked. "Where?"
"Anywhere. Come on." He took her hand in his and started back down the street. He got her in the car and then slid in himself, revving the engine before tearing down the street.
"Jeez! Can I at least get my seatbelt on?" Althea gasped while trying to get the buckle in. "Where are we going?" She asked. James deftly maneuvered the wheel, going much faster than the speed limit but being able to swerve between cars on the lane.
James gave a charming smile, propping his right elbow on the arm rest. "Wherever we end up, Athena." He kept driving.
Why do I have the feeling that this will either be really good or really bad? Oh bother…

CHAPTER 12

He continued to drive around the town, passing by bars and clubs, not even second-glancing at cheap motels and expensive hotels. She stared at him with curiosity written clearly on her face. She would have guessed that he planned to take her somewhere secluded and ravish her, yet he seemed truly be driving with no destination in mind. He would just glance over at her and give her another of those devilish smirks that her stomach clutch. Occasionally he would squeeze her knee from the place that his hand had secured itself. He had placed it there shortly into their drive and she didn't protest, liking the feel of his heat too much.
Althea shifted in her seat, mentally damming the seatbelt for restricting her movements. She grabbed his hand and held it up to her face. She indolently traced the lines of his palm, trying to remember palm reading lessons that her grandmother had given her long ago.
"What are you doing?" His voice was playful and when she looked over at James, there was a sparkle in his eyes.
"Trying to read your palm."
He gave a short bark of laughter. "You're kidding me!" She raised an eyebrow at the disbelief in his voice. He chuckled and shrugged his shoulders. "Alright, go ahead."
She let her fingertips graze his palm, making goosebumps appear on his forearm from the ghostly sensation. Her thumb made a large swoop on the area around his thumb and he saw her smile.
"What does it mean?" She blinked up at him, her head slightly titled to the side in a question. "That thing around my thumb. What is it?"
She traced said line once more before giving him a bright smile. "It's your life line. The longer and/or more curved it is, the longer your life is supposed to last. Yours is very curved. Oh, and here's something cool!" She shifted again in her seat and was practically on her knees in the car seat. James smiled at her enthusiasm and felt the urge to kiss her cheek at seeing the shine in her eyes.
"Each line is split into three parts," she placed her index, middle and ring fingers on certain parts of another line before continuing," your youth, your middle age, and your golden years." Althea looked up to make sure that he was listening and at his nod, she kept talking. "Well, the more profound it is in a certain part, the more impacting that line is."
"So what's that one?"
She gave him a timid smile and let go of his hand as she spoke. "Heart line." He raised an eyebrow at her answer and looked over at her after parking the car. "Where are we?"
"The old Memorial park. But we're not leaving until you tell me what the heart line stands for." He gripped her elbow in a firm yet soft hold as if to also remind her that he could easily stop her.
"It stands for the romances that you will have in your life. The deeper the line, the stronger the devotion."
He looked at his left hand and smirked at the profound dent said line made in the top of his palm. "So this means?"
Athena sighed. "You're a very devoted person; I can't make it simpler than that." She yanked her arm back and got out of the car. James chuckled a bit and also got out. "Why are we here?" Althea asked, walking to a tree.
James shrugged. "I just thought we should be on a common playing field if we were going to talk." He nodded to a bench and Althea followed him. "Do you remember this?" James ran his hand over a carving in the bench and Althea felt time slow down around them while her mind traveled to the past.
"Is this even allowed?" A thirteen year old Althea asked a fifteen year old James.
James rolled his eyes playfully, still chipping away at the wood with his Swiss Army knife. "Everyone does this, Althea. Look, I'm done." James stood back and they both admired his handiwork.
"Our names? That's all you wrote?" Althea shook her head and James nudged her.
"That took a lot of work, ya know. At least give me some gratitude."

Althea ran her hand over the deep indentation of their names in the bench. "I bet it's been through a lot, out here by itself," she murmured.
James sat down and pulled Althea with him. "Do you miss it, Althea?" he asked, staring at the sky.
She blinked. "Miss what?" He gave her a knowing look. She looked straight ahead. "I didn't have time to miss it."
"Or rather, you didn't want to?" Althea whipped her head to look at James, who had stared at her with a somber expression. "Do you remember the games we played here?" He laughed, pointing to a spot. "I remember when you fell over there. You cried like a baby."
Althea's cheeks burned. "I did not." But, she had.
"James!" James turned and ran to Althea, who sat on the ground while rocking back and worth and holding her leg.
"What happened?" He asked. Mel came running back and knelt beside James.
Althea looked up to the boy with tear filled eyes moved her hands to show him the scratch. "I," hiccup, "I fell." Blood flowed profusely from the wound and James sent Mel to get some gauze and bandages from her house down the street.
Meanwhile, he ripped off the bottom of his shirt and tied it around the gash on her leg. "It's alright, Athena. It's gonna be alright," he cooed while combing a hand through her hair and trying to stop her crying. "It's alright, I'm here."

Althea absently rubbed at the scar on her leg that the gash left and sighed. "You were my hero that day, you know that?" she mumbled without thinking.
He blinked. "I was always supposed to be your hero, Althea."
She sighed. "I didn't need a savior."
"As stubborn as ever, Athena," he chuckled.
Althea laughed slightly. "I wouldn't be Athena if I wasn't. Tell me, do you remember everything that happened at this park?" She looked to James, who now stared straight ahead.
"I remember everything about this town… about our friends… about you." He ran a hand through his head. "Verdammt noch mal.

"
She tilted her head to the side, amusement creeping into her eyes. "Is that German I hear from your mouth?" She raised her legs on the bench and laid her head on her knees to hide her smile. "You've gotta be annoyed," she mumbled.
He sighed and looked at her. He shook his head and dragged his hand down his face. "I-I'm just -" He groaned. He leaned his elbows on his knees, covering his face with his hands. "I'm just so frustrated right now."
Althea frowned. "Well, you shouldn't." She clenched her hands to hold back the urge to push his hair back to soothe him. "We're all good down here, your dad is doing really good for himself from what I've heard, it seems like you're a bigshot now, so I'm kinda lost."
He laughed harshly. "But I'm not happy." He sighed and raked both hands through his hair, the light brown strands shining gold in the streetlights. "I can't believe you're getting married." James' voice sounded tortured, like that of a man that just couldn't take anymore.
"It has been seven years," she whispered. "You couldn't have expected me to -"
"But I did!" She winced at his tone, reminiscent of that faithful day at the mall. "I stupidly thought that you would wait -"
"Wait for what?" Her own voice was tired, her eyes big with exasperation. "Wait for you to pay attention to me? Wait for you to explain whatever the fuck you meant by saying that you weren't good enough?" She laughed sadly. "I wish I could have but life goes on."
A heavy silence ensued between the two. More streetlights turned on, the day turning into night. Calls for children to head inside were heard from the houses near the park, a strong reminder of what their own childhood had been like.
"Jackie, be careful!" A little boy's voice rang out, and Althea couldn't resist looking over.
The boy, couldn't be more than seven was looking up worriedly up into the monkey bars. His gaze was fixed on a pig-tailed girl hanging precariously from her legs on the bars.
An impish grin was on the girls face. "Relax Dylan!" Stealthily, the skinny girl straightened up and pencil-dropped in between the bars to land on the ground with her arms up. She walked with a spring in her step and smiled big once she stood in front of the boy. "See, all good!"
Dylan sighed and took her arm as they started walking away. "Your mom would have killed me if you got hurt."
"But you're always going to protect me, so I don't have to worry."
Tears gathered in Althea's eyes as she watched the two kids meld into the night. If only the names had been changed, then it would have been just like watching a scene from the past play out before her. She trusted so blindly in James when they were little, believing him to be as indestructible as her parents.
"Scary, wasn't it?"
She turned around at James' whisper, not surprised to see his head facing the direction of the playground.
Althea sighed but nodded. "I was afraid she would fall."
James let out a joyless laugh. "You know what I mean," he replied and looked to her. Althea shrugged and ran a hand through her hair. "That use to be us."
"Use to." She stood and stuffed her hands in her pockets. "We should get going. Janise is probably worried." Althea shrugged and started for the car.
"Althea." She looked back to James, who was standing now. James smiled, and shook his head. "Never mind, it's nothing. Let's go."
They drove back to Janise's house, who didn't look one bit worried about them.
"You're both adults; I trust you wouldn't do anything too stupid." Janise joked, sitting in the rocker in the living room.
"Yeah, we were just," James paused. "Talking," he finished after taking a breath and smiled to Althea, who looked confused. Was that necessary? Now she's going to think something's up.

Althea rolled her eyes but did nothing.
Suddenly, the door opened. "We're home." Justin muttered, trudging inside and flopping down on the floor by Janise's legs and leaning on them.
"What's the matter with you?" Janise asked, sliding to the floor beside her husband and laying his head down on her lap.
"Mel. I swear, the girl tried to work us to death on purpose."
"I won't argue with that." Kurt came in and sat beside Althea on the love seat. He slipped an arm around her waist and kissed her cheek. She forced a smile, but couldn't help comparing. James' kiss was so warm against her skin; so loving, if nothing else. Kurt's kiss to her was cold and made her want to throw up again.
Speaking of throwing up...
The Greek girl jumped up and ran to the bathroom, trying to hold the bile in her throat down before reaching the toilet. She retched twice after vomiting and felt like she'd just taken a beating to her body.
"Are you okay?" She looked up to see James standing in the doorway, his eyes wide with concern. Althea flushed the toilet and washed her face in the sink.
"Peachy keen," she replied softly.
James sighed, frustrated. "Althea, are you sick? What's wrong?" James grabbed her arm and made her face him.
"Nothing. It's just a bug or something. I'm fine." She tried to move, but James held fast to her.
"Are you sure?" Althea knew how much weight that small question carried. Are you sure you're okay? Are you sure you can handle this? Are you sure about anything?
"I'm sure." She shoved her way out of his grasp and went back to the group. "Hey, baby." Althea stumbled as she walked and Kurt caught her.
"Are you okay? Maybe we should go home." Kurt sat her down on the couch. "I would have followed you to the bathroom, but James was right behind you. I guess he still has the big brother feel for you, huh?" Kurt chuckled. Althea sighed and put her face in her hands.
"Yeah, I guess." She finally replied, showing her face with a smile. In the corner of her eye, she saw Janise shake her head. "Come on, Kurt. We should get going. You guys have a nice night." She pulled her fiancée out of the house and to their car.
In the passenger seat, she held Kurt's hand absentmindedly and tried to sleep, but her nerves wouldn't let her.
It seemed like she wouldn't get a decent night's sleep for a long time.

CHAPTER 13

The following two months were hectic for Althea as she got tangled up in planning for her wedding. Meetings with florists, planners, and arranging photo shoots were things that never seemed to end. Janise and Justin were always offering to lend a hand, but she knew that with Janise's pregnancy, their marriage was going through some tests as Janise's jealous nature suddenly made an appearance. She had been witness to a few outbursts, having to make barely noticed excuses to leave them alone.
Kurt was as patient and caring as ever, something that grated her nerves constantly. When they had started their relationship in high school, she had seen that as a positive quality but now it was irritating. Whenever she snapped at him, all he did was talk to her calmly, as if she were one of the kids he dealt with at his internship. If she asked him for his opinion on an arrangement or color scheme, all he did was agree with everything she said. One day she had blown up and left the apartment, with a stunned and slightly worried Kurt lying in her wake. She had left the apartment community without a destination in mind.
She had found herself parking in Janise and Justin's car pot. Later, she would tell herself it was because Janise had always been like a second mother to her and not because she wanted James' caring blue eyes to turn that entrancing sky blue it was when he was worried.
It had been him that answered the door of course. She had crumpled in his arms, clinging to him in such a way that it seemed as if they had never fought. He had gathered her close and sat them on the loveseat. He had whispered to her and just how bittersweet the moment was hit her, making her curl up closer to him and cry harder.
When she had calmed down, she poured out her frustrations and he had listened calmly. She was sitting in his lap, her head resting on his chest with her arms around him. He was stroking her back and had his other arm curled around her waist.
James sighed. "You need to go back." He tilted her head up towards him, his gaze sad. "Unless you don't want to." She didn't respond, just kept looking at him.
She could taste his breath, could feel the heat of his body. She could feel the bulge of muscles underneath her hands, so different from Kurt's lanky figure. Most importantly, she could feel him start to come alive.
She couldn't resist.
Althea leaned up and connected their mouths in a tentative kiss. He responded slowly, aware that she wasn't at her most emotionally stable. Gently, he separated them.
"Althea, we can't. You said so yourself that - "
"I don't care." She brushed their lips together. "Not now," she whispered.
They kissed again, a completely sweet kiss. He was holding her gently, his lips kind on her. They flitted over her face, kissing her eyes, her nose, her tear-streaked cheeks before settling on her her lips again. She had moaned softly, tilting her head back as an unconscious invitation. He had taken it, his tongue lavishing her mouth.
They had ended up laying down, him above her. His lips were trailing down her neck when she had begun squirming out of his hold.
"N-no," she gasped. She tried to push him off of her and he had willingly moved out of the way. She had stood up on shaky legs, hating how uneven her breathing was. "You were right. We can't. I'm engaged to Kurt."
He had dragged a hand down his face. "Then go back!" He had laughed harshly. "Go back to your Prince Charming and don't come near me."
"What -"
"Don't come near me because I don't think I can control myself." His blue eyes had flashed hotly, desire lurking close to the surface.
She had gulped nervously and left the house, driving back to her apartment. She had apologized and after talking again, Kurt was relieved of his duty of having to give an opinion. Althea made most decisions, with the occasional help from Janise and Mel. Ever since the fight that they'd had in the kitchen, the two had been awkward and tense around each other. She knew from the talk around town that there was a foreigner that seemed to be taking up much of Mel's time and she could only hope that this would be good for Mel.
She had also gotten opinions from James, so much that sometimes it seemed as if they were planning their wedding together. Those moments were also bittersweet for them, both of them living out a fantasy in the moments they were together.
After her breakdown, they started to hesitantly fix their friendship. James no longer trusted himself to not take advantage of the heat between them and the lack of it between Althea and Kurt. He was always the one that cut their moments short, usually before their lips met in another searing kiss or as their hands were playing around with the notion of clasping.
He had come to the realization that he still didn't deserve Althea. In the eight years that he had moved away, he'd done some pretty nasty stuff, getting involved with California's underworld for quite some time. Although he no longer held any ties, he knew that his hands were never be completely untied from his past. He was ashamed for thinking that he and her could have had a future together, disgusted with himself that he had allowed himself to touch her.
James treated every moment with Althea as if it was their last, greedily taking in every aspect of her. He knew that he would never be able to face her or Kurt again after the wedding without turning rabid with jealousy. He planned to leave a week before the wedding, but decided to let only Janise and Justin know of his plans beforehand. And as the deadline before the wedding turned into two weeks, he started to dread seeing Althea for he didn't know when his resolution around her would dissolve.
That resolve was seriously tested on the Friday two weeks before the wedding. Janise all but threatened to tear Althea's head off unless she took a break from planning and preparing for a day. Althea reluctantly agreed and they all decided to have it at Janise and Justin's pool in the backyard.
Friday afternoon, James wandered around the house in a pair of black swim trunks, waiting with Janise and Justin for Althea and Mel to arrive. When a soft knock emanated through the house, he answered only to gasp at the sight.
Althea stood in the doorway in a large white t-shirt that reached her thighs. He could see through it to the dark bikini she had on. He finally got a hold on his wandered eyes before she could notice and looked to her face. She flashed a small smile. "Hi," she said.
James nodded. "Come in." He moved from the door way.
"Hey! Wait for me!" James looked out to see Mel getting out of her truck in her blue and white bikini and a towel around her shoulders. She made it to the door and whistled when she saw James. "Someone's been working out!" Mel winked playfully while James laughed.
"You're shameless, Mel." Althea laughed, though she had to admit that James looked very good. She had admired his body silently; thankful for the sunglasses that hid her eyes while they slid down his defined chest and stomach.
"Well, come inside." He waved them in and they all went to the backyard.
Janise wore a white and pink two piece that looked like a one piece and Justin wore white trunks. Janise smiled and greeted Mel and Althea excitedly. "Where is Kurt, dear?" Janise asked Althea.
Althea took her sunglasses off. "He has to work today. He said he will be over later." James hid a smirk, happy Kurt wasn't coming, if only for a while. When he looked back over at Althea, she put her bag down, took her glasses off, and then pulled off her shirt.
James clenched his jaw, seeing Althea in the bikini. It was black with red swirling designs. He admired the gentle but full curves of her body and the silk of her skin. Althea sighed, happy to feel the wind. Without warning though, Mel and Justin jumped into the pool. The splash they made was enough to wet the three who still lingered outside. James and Althea simply let out a cry of frustration, but Janise looked positively pissed.
"You ignorant barmpots! Have you no respect for us! That was bloody idiotic!" Janise all but stamped her feet and waved an angry fist at the two in the pool, who merely snickered to themselves.
Janise huffed and sat down at their outside table, crossing her arms over her chest. Justin came out of the pool and went to apologize to his wife while Althea sat on the edge of the pool. James looked to Mel, who lay content on top of the water with her eyes closed and then sat beside Althea, nudging her shoulder with her own.
"Off to a great start, huh?" Althea laughed at his sarcasm.
"Oh yeah. But, it is nice to take some time off of planning. Kurt hasn't been much help." Althea immediately shut her mouth. She hadn't meant to say that, though it was in the back of her mind.
James simply shrugged. "It is the bride's day; it should be her way."
Althea sighed. "But it would be nice to have some opinions thrown in." She stretched her arms high above her head.
"Well, you still have me."
Althea smiled. "That's true."
Without warning, Mel grabbed each of them by one of their legs and pulled them in. Once Althea resurfaced, she immediately splashed Mel, who swam away laughing. "That was so uncalled for!" Althea yelled at her. James resurfaced and swam to the shallow end, Althea trailing after him.
"She still acts like we're in high school," Althea muttered, squeezing the water from her hair. James had to smile.
"Would you prefer Mel to act like an adult?"
Althea mulled over the thought. "I guess not," she replied, looking back to Mel who sat on the edge of the pool in the deep end. "I just worry about her sometimes." James looked to Althea when she said that, but didn't question it.
"Althea, James, would you two mind going inside and getting some food?" Althea got out of the pool with James and they both agreed. James followed behind the female, secretly admiring the look of her silk skin coated with shining water droplets and how her hair fell like a waterfall down her back when wet.
Inside, Althea opened the fridge and looked through it. "I wish she told us specifically what she wanted." James leaned in beside her, looking inside.
"Just grab something easy." He closed the fridge and pointed to the chips. Althea grabbed the bag and James went to get a bowl just as she turned back around so they hit each other in the process. Chest to chest, they stood like a deer caught in the headlights. Without thinking, James set his hands on Althea's exposed waist, reveling in the feel of her skin in her hands.
Althea stared straight ahead, hugging the bag of chips closer to her chest. James pulled Althea closer, tightening his grip on her waist.
"You're supposed to be mine," James whispered in agony. "You were supposed to stay with me." He leaned his forehead against hers, desire swirling inside of him. Before he could put his thoughts into action, though, he let go of her and stepped back. "I'm sorry," his voice shook. "I shouldn't have said that. I think… I'm going to go." He turned and started to leave.
"I missed you… when you left." He looked to Althea, who stared at the ground. "I haven't told you that yet, have I?" She smiled softly. Without another word, she went back outside.
James wanted to scream in agony. He wanted to shove Kurt out of the picture. He wanted her. With a sigh of frustration, he trudged to the room he was sleeping in, changed into something dry, and left the house. From behind the backyard gate, Althea watched him get into his car and drive away.

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Tag der Veröffentlichung: 29.06.2011

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