Chapter 12:

Third Person:

Considering that the play happened a year ago, Miki was still surprised that she remembered each line from it. Perhaps it was because it went off without a hitch and that she played Red Riding Hood so well. Perhaps it was because it was then that she realized she loved acting. She still got the nerves, yes, but acting was something different. She got the chance to be someone besides 'poor meek Miki.' She could be a hero, a princess, a scholar, anything and everything- even if it was for just a few short moments. It helped that she had a natural-given talent to act (as well as write as she still wrote dozens of poems). It was then that more than anything, she wished to be an actress when she got older. Though it was also the day that she realized her Dad and Alexy was a scary combination when they worked together to get her into cute outfits- downright horrifying if Rosayla joined in to help too.

On a not so happy note, a whole year had passed and she still had feelings towards Kentin while he had yet to ask her out. He had given her plenty of 'signals' as Rosayla called it- holding her hand, keeping a hand on her waist or shoulders occasionally, he was her 'date' to her parents' wedding, and sometimes he said a few off-handed things that were very sweet. Miki had to face the facts, she fell for him hard- not because of his body (she may not like sex, being an asexual person, but even she could admit when someone was attractive even if she was not sexually attracted to them), but because of his personality. She found she liked the way he was protective and a bit dorky sometimes.

Meanwhile, Kentin stared at her from across the classroom with similar thoughts. He never was very brave- even after military school. He could stand up to a guy who was hurting someone, but he didn't have the guts to ask out the girl he has had a crush on for over a year. He noticed that her hair had gotten a bit longer and he loved that she now clipped back her bangs so he could see her beautiful eyes. More so, he loved that she was so comfortable with him that it was rare to hear her stutter anymore (and she's gotten so much better with her anxiety that she actually hardly stutters around people she doesn't know). He watched as she snuck a piece of chocolate into her mouth when the teacher wasn't watching.

That's it, Kentin thought as he saw her smile to herself, I have to do it. I don't care if it ruins our friendship. I have to ask her out.

With determination, he went to help her pack her bag after the final school bell rang.

"Miki," he said firmly.

She jumped, a bit startled, and then relaxed.

"Yeah?"

"I have to ask you something."

"What is it," she asked innocently.

Looking into her innocent silver eyes, Kentin's heart pounded. I can't do it… She's just too cute…

"It's almost summer," Kentin said, losing his nerve, almost two years now, we're almost seniors, "And it's getting pretty hot. So-"

"-Ice cream," Miki declared and Kentin deflated, "We can go for ice cream! That's a brilliant idea! I just have to put my bags up…"

Kentin was going to correct her, but he figured if that was what he was going to ask, why do it? Besides, he couldn't correct her, not when he saw how excited she was for ice cream. If he mentioned that he wanted it to be a date then that excitement might disappear. She hurried out of the room in excitement, her white jacket picking up a bit from the breeze her speed caused. Then she poked her head back into the classroom,

"You coming?"

Kentin shook out of his stupor and then smiled,

"Yeah sure. Let's go."

Not even ten minutes later, they were sitting at a booth inside an ice cream parlor enjoying their ice creams.

"-And the best part," Miki said as she licked her cone, "I got an audition for a part in that movie. While it's nothing too big, who knows? It could be the start of something big."

Kentin smiled. He knew how much that part meant to her, she would finally be up on the big screen. He barely paid attention to his ice cream as he watched Miki eat hers like a child would- her eyes were wide with excitement and she looked so thrilled to have the frozen desert… She was almost as messy as a child too since she got some on her cheek. Kentin laughed and she looked at him startled.

"What?"

Kentin looked at her and took a deep breath. He leaned over and without saying another, he licked the ice cream off her cheek. She turned a bit pink, but didn't say much- though the parlor tender (a girl who was sixteen- a year younger than them) went 'awe.' Miki looked at Kentin,

"If I had something on my face, you could have told me," Miki said.

Kentin ran a hand through his hair, Miki you're adorable, but you are really dense.

"I'm not dense," Miki mumbled slightly, "Am I?"

Kentin turned a bit red, not realizing he said that out loud. I can use this though…

"Yes," Kentin said, "You are dense."

Miki looked up startled. Her heart seemed to drop. She didn't expect him to answer. Is that a bad thing? What's wrong with being dense? Does he not like that I am dense? And just what does he mean by dense anyway? Her mind seemed confused- not sure if Kentin was being rude or not. Kentin, noticing the look, clenched his fists.

"Miki, I'm not- I mean… Miki, damn it! I like you, okay? I thought you have figured it out by now but I really like you, damn it and I just wish you'd notice that! I just wish that you would accept that I like you and I really want to date you, damn it Miki how dense can you be?!"

Miki shrunk away into the booth's seat. The parlor tenant looked over curiously, but didn't make any comment. There were no other customers and for that Miki was thankful. She still didn't like the yelling though. She hated yelling and she hated it more when it was directed at her. Plus, Kentin never cursed. She bit her lip. But he said…he said he likes me…like he really likes me…

"K-Kentin," Miki whispered, "I… I really like you too…"

Kentin's eyes lit up as he leaned closer to her. Miki recalled her father's advice- Just remember to get to know him well before taking it too far- like what's his favorite color, what's his favorite type of music, does he like sweets… And you can ask him these things, or figure it out yourself by observing. She realized she knew none of these things about Kentin except that he loved sweets.

"But," she continued, "I… I don't know about dating… Both Dad and Father said that I should wait till I know someone better before going out with them and then I can figure everything else about them as time passes with them… But-"

"-Know each other better," Kentin repeated blankly, "Miki, I already know a lot about you."

"You do," she asked confused.

Kentin smiled,

"We've been best friends for a year- yeah, I know a lot about you. I know you call one of your parents Dad and the other Father to avoid confusion. I know that you're adopted because your real folks died and that you lived in Japan for a good portion of your life, and only last year did your parents send you here to live with your Auntie to work on your anxiety. I know you love acting and writing- you even let me read one of your poems! You have a natural talent for it!"

"That doesn't mean anything," Miki said sadly as she shook her head, "Y-you don't get it… Anyone can know those things…"

"Oh," Kentin raised an eyebrow, "How about this? I know your favorite color is white because you are always wearing something with white in it and you seem thrilled when Rosayla gets you something white- you always for it in white if she doesn't. I know that your favorite band is Linkin Park and Skrillex because I can hear it through your earbuds. I've seen you sneak a few pieces of chocolate in class so you must love sweets. I know that when you get nervous you bite your bottom lip, off to the left instead of in the center like most people and you usually use your bangs to hide your eyes if you are uncomfortable. Miki, I already know the small stuff, so please let me in on the bigger things. I want to know the more important things- what makes you smile, how many kids you want, if you want to travel around or stay in one place. I know what makes you, you, Miki. I just want to know if there's ever going to be an us because frankly, I have waited a whole year since the second I met you to go out with you."

Miki looked at him startled. Though if he already knows these things by just observing you- then that's something special. You understand? Kentin already knew those things and then some, she realized. He knew her better than she knew him and that made her sad, just a bit. Though if they went out then it would give her a chance to figure out those things.

Kentin watched as there seemed to be an internal struggle inside of Miki's mind- she was spacing out. He took a few deep breaths to get his anger under control and unclenched his fists.

"But," he continued slowly, "if I have to wait another year, I will. Just…I really wish you would give me a chance…"

Miki didn't let him say anything more. She leaned over and kissed him. Her heart seemed to stop. She never kissed anyone like she was kissing Kentin. She wasn't much for sex, but kissing was something else entirely. It wasn't a symbol of love to her- she found sweet actions did that better than anything related to hormones or sex. But she knew that if she wanted to get her point across then kissing Kentin would make one heck of a point. Considering that Kentin was now kissing her back, she figured that he understood.

When they split apart, they were both gasping for air and she was a whirlwind of emotions, her heart pounding in her chest due to nerves. Kentin wasn't that much better, but he smiled. He gentled cupped one of his hands on her cheek and she closed her eyes, appreciating the gesture.

"Miki, does this mean…?"

"Yes, I'll go out with you Kentin," Miki said, smiling, "but be warned… If you think one dad is overprotective of his daughter…."

Kentin visibly paled. While the idea of her parents scared Kentin to the bones- it was worth it because he got to be with the most beautiful girl he could ever imagine. Besides, he realized, who knows…she might even be the one. And if I have to put up with two scary overprotective dads to be with her, then I will.