The next morning at school, I approach Kian at his picnic table nervously. I'm a little nervous because he's been hiding in his shell lately, and I totally abandoned him yesterday.

I sit down. "Hi."

He looks up. He looks relieved. "You're here."

"Yes. I'm so sorry. I didn't want to miss school."

"Why? What were you doing?"

"I...I can't tell you."

"Are you playing with me?" he asks abruptly.

"What?"

"What could you possibly have to hide that's actually a big deal? What are the chances that I'd meet someone who has secrets as personal as mine?"

"Kian-"

"Are you just messing around? To show me how ridiculous I am for never telling you anything?"

Don't start crying, Natalie. Don't.

"Kian, stop!" My voice cracks. "You're not always going to understand. Like I don't understand why you won't tell me more about yourself. But we both have things to hide, so we should understand. Look into my eyes. Do I look like I'm joking with you? You know what? I want you to stop acting like this. For the past few weeks, you are what has helped me get through that traumatic experience on Main Street. You are what I thought of every morning. I was so excited to see you that night in the park. Why would you throw it away just because you're a little confused?"

He looks shattered. Maybe he wasn't expecting me to say such a paragraph as I just did. I didn't expect it either. I never told anyone how much Kian intrigued me, and now I've said it to his face.

"I'm more than just a little confused," he says a little louder.

I stare at him for a second, and then in a pleading voice, he says, "What do The Red want with you, Natalie?"

I don't say anything for a minute. "I bet they just recognize me from that night on Main Street. They probably wish they'd killed me too."

He looks like he accepts what I said on some level, but he's open to other possibilities.

"I'm just so worried about you." He says it so softly I barely hear him.

I let that sink in before saying anything. "Just so you won't be alone?" It's my turn to play cold.

"No," he says. "I don't want to be alone, but I don't want anyone else to keep me company. Just you. I can't imagine letting anyone else talk to me."

"I'm so sorry, Kian. But I really can't tell you. I want to, believe me."

"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have reacted like this."

"So we're cool?"

"We're better."

I furrow my eyebrows at that, but the bell rings, meaning the school day has started.

As I walk through the halls on my crutches, I notice a few new signs that weren't on the wall before.

End of the year dance! May 26th! Juniors and Seniors only!

Great. Now the students have something to be ecstatic about. ...I hope Hayden doesn't try to ask me to this dance.

Turns out I'm right. All throughout the day, students are buzzing with excitement, and a few already have dates to the dance. I probably won't end up going.

Later, in Ms. Mayberry's class, Hayden finally says something to me.

"Hey."

"Hey," I say back. Don't ask me to the dance.

He doesn't say anything.

"Why have you been so quiet lately?" I ask.

"Oh.... Just thinking."

"About what?"

"The Red."

Oh. I was not expecting that.

"Why?" I ask, confused.

"Because...they've been murdering a lot of people lately. More than usual. I'm just nervous that I'll meet them one day and never make it home."

"I worry that too," I say lightly, although I totally mean it.

"Hayden Young," Ms. Mayberry says from the front of the room.

"Huh?" Hayden shoots his head up to look at the teacher.

"I want you to leave Miss Cace alone and do your work."

"Mmhmm," Hayden replies.

When Ms. Mayberry called Hayden's name, I felt an itch in the back of my mind? But why?

The bell rings for lunch, and I gather my things without thinking about it too much.

In the cafeteria, I sit across from Kian, only I'm afraid he'll ask me what I'm doing or something out of the ordinary again. But, I guess that's what was ordinary when I first met him.

"Kian," I say, "can we forget about this weekend and go back to normal? I don't want anymore tension."

"I don't know. It was kind of a big deal."

"I don't want it to be a big deal! I want you to start talking to me again!"

"Did you mean what you said this morning?" he asks.

"What?"

"That...that you're always excited to see me?"

I blush. "Why would I just say that, Kian? Of course I meant it."

He smiles. I want more than ever to see his genuine smile, but I have to wait for him to make himself accomplish his goals. What could they be?

"Hayden hasn't asked you to the dance yet?" he says.

I sigh. That's back to normal. "No, he hasn't," I say.

"Would you say yes if he did?"

"I don't know.... I'd probably have to, unless...unless someone else asked me first."

I look into his eyes. Wait - did that sound like I was telling him to ask me to the dance?!

"I get my cast off on Monday," I say shortly after, trying to change the subject.

"Cool. Just in time for the dance."

"True.... You know, Kian, I wasn't planning on going. Dances aren't really my thing."

"Why?"

"Well, first of all, the dresses. Then the shoes, and the makeup, and the hair.... None of those things appeal to me. I doubt a dance would appeal to you either, Kian. Wearing a tux and going somewhere with people.... You weren't planning on going, were you?"

"Like any girl would say yes to me." He smirks.

"I don't know why they wouldn't."

He looks up at me, suddenly very interested. "What?" A little chuckle escapes his mouth.

I blush again. "I mean.... Look at you! Why would they say no?"

He actually laughs a little this time. "Natalie, whatever you see isn't enough for someone to say yes to me."

"Jessica once told me you were pretty cute."

"Well, did she say anything else? People think I'm creepy, Natalie. They wouldn't want to be seen with me, even if I am pretty good looking."

"So you see it then?"

"See what?" His eyes are glistening with mischief.

"Nothing." My face flushes once more.

And as the bell rings for our next class, he laughs. He actually laughs....

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Author's Note:

If you read this, thank you so much. :) If you haven't voted for any of the chapters, go back and do it!! How am I supposed to know who's reading if you don't vote?

I updated early because I'm going to be gone until Saturday. :( But updates will start as soon as I have wifi!

Love you guys!